Photographing Corals Part 1: What Gear We Use and Our Suggestions

One of the most common questions we get asked is about the camera gear we use for our photos. Below, we've listed our current gear along with some thoughts on how it can enhance your photography experience, especially if you’re looking to invest in better equipment.

Our Camera Gear

Camera Body: Canon EOS R

Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS

Porthole: Building an Obsession Camera Tube

SD Card: SanDisk Extreme Pro SD

Our Camera Body: Canon EOS R

The Canon EOS R is our daily driver and an absolute workhorse for taking photos. I've always been a fan of Canon's color science, and this camera without a doubt can take gorgeous photos of corals. The battery life is superb. I can take hundreds of photos one day and it will still have enough juice for another session the day after. The electric viewfinder and touchscreen are a much-welcomed improvement from my older Canon 6D, allowing me to pinch-and-zoom into previews of my photos and navigate the menu much more quickly.

For those with an existing Canon EF lens collection (like myself), you can get an adapter to use your existing EF lenses onto the EOS R's RF mounting system. This is a great way to save money if you already have invested in the Canon ecosystem.

If the EOS R seems a bit pricey, its smaller brother, the Canon EOS RP is a great alternative while also being smaller and lighter!

Bonus tip: If you do purchase a Canon camera, I would highly recommend pairing it with the 50mm 1.4 lens as it will allow you to take incredible everyday life photos. Giving this camera a purpose outside of coral photography.

The Workhorse: Canon 100mm Macro Lens

The Canon 100mm is an absolute workhorse of a lens. Nearly 100% of our coral photos are taken with this lens (the rare exceptions are when the photos weren’t taken in water).

Unfortunately, it costs as much as the camera body, but this is typical when it comes to camera gear. Camera lenses hold their value well, and quality glass lasts a long time. I purchased this lens back in 2017, and it’s still the same price.

It’s a relatively long lens, so your coral subjects will need to be about 12" away from where you're shooting. The L series version of this lens comes with image stabilization, which is highly recommended, especially if you're taking photos handheld.

We're not the only coral business that loves this lens. Than from Tidal Gardens also highly recommends it, and his photos are phenomenal.

Bonus: This lens also works amazingly for portrait photography. The 100mm focal length means you’ll need to be quite far from your subject, but the f/2.8 aperture creates dreamy bokeh.

Porthole: Building an Obsession Camera Tube

This porthole is a must-have for aquarium photography. Ben, the owner of Building an Obsession, is a photographer himself and understands our needs. The design of this porthole reflects that, with its lightweight body and a mounting system that attaches to your camera compared to other brands that use screws to mount onto your expensive lens.

It’s a popular choice among vendors and hobbyists, but it often sells out, so grab one when you can!

For an in-depth review, check out Reefhack’s Camera Tube Pro Review.

SD Cards: Why They Matter

While SD cards may not seem as crucial as cameras and lenses, they still play a role in your workflow. I recommend investing in a quality SD card with a fast reading speed, like the SanDisk Extreme Pro. Avoid microSD cards in adapters—they tend to be slow and can affect your workflow, especially when editing large batches of photos or videos. And always keep at least two SD cards on hand, just in case one goes missing or you run out of space in your current card.

The Final Touch: Editing

The photos you see on our site don’t come straight out of the camera—they’re edited in software like Adobe Lightroom. Blue LED lights are incredibly unforgiving to cameras. Adjustments to white balance, framing, and other tweaks ensure that the corals look as close to real life as possible. Editing is a personal process, so take the time to find a style that resonates with you.

Final Thoughts

I hope this gives you insight into our camera gear and helps guide your photography process. Photography is a hobby of its own that ultimately deepens your appreciation for your corals and great way to document your reefing journey. If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment or reach out through our contact form!

Cheers,

Darwin