Underwater Digital camera usage.

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William MacDouglas - 15 Sep 2004 02:05 GMT

I recently bought a second digital camera, a Canon Power-Shot SD110
to augment my other larger and heavier DC. This one I find quite
convenient as it slips easily into my shirt or trouser pocket, and it
wasn't all that expensive. At the same time I saw that the shop had a
sale of waterproof housings (to 140 ft). So now my powershot can also
become my underwater camera.
My question, does anyone have any experience with this or similar
underwater DC's? I would be grateful for any hints or advise etc.
Thanks in anticipation.
William.

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Jason O'Rourke - 15 Sep 2004 03:13 GMT

> I recently bought a second digital camera, a Canon Power-Shot SD110
>to augment my other larger and heavier DC. This one I find quite
>convenient as it slips easily into my shirt or trouser pocket, and it
>wasn't all that expensive. At the same time I saw that the shop had a
>sale of waterproof housings (to 140 ft). So now my powershot can also
>become my underwater camera.

The canon housings work fine in clear waters. I did fair in San Diego, but
with only limited experience and subjects. Sometime soon I'll get it into
Montery Bay.

The limited focusing options on the S400 makes moving subjects a bit harder.
It's very good at capturing 2 divers in the 20ft range, at least for the
consumer need. I've not ponied up for the strobe - that would be as much as
the camera/body combined.

Figure 2 dives, ~100 shots on a single battery.

Signature

Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

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William MacDouglas - 15 Sep 2004 20:51 GMT

>> I recently bought a second digital camera, a Canon Power-Shot SD110
>>to augment my other larger and heavier DC. This one I find quite
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Figure 2 dives, ~100 shots on a single battery.

Thanks Jason,
I didn't reckon with the auto focusing. But being digital, then
nothing is lost or wasted. Reminds me years ago using a normal camera,
you had to get about 2 feet away from something in order to get a decent
picture. No zoom, a focus was moving forward and back, a tricky
operation which usually meant the subject had vanished by the time you
were ready. Ahhh, those were the days, ha ha ha. But thanks for the tip.
William.

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Dan Bracuk - 20 Sep 2004 02:07 GMT

"William MacDouglas" <"William MacDouglas"@canada.com> pounded away at
his keyboard resulting in:

:Thanks Jason,
: Reminds me years ago using a normal camera,
:you had to get about 2 feet away from something in order to get a decent
:picture. No zoom, a focus was moving forward and back, a tricky
:operation which usually meant the subject had vanished by the time you
:were ready. Ahhh, those were the days, ha ha ha.

That's sort of how it still is with digital cameras.

Dan Bracuk
Is it my imagination, or do Buffalo Wings taste like chicken?
The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/

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Rudy Benner - 16 Sep 2004 00:39 GMT

> I recently bought a second digital camera, a Canon Power-Shot SD110 to
> augment my other larger and heavier DC. This one I find quite convenient
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks in anticipation.
> William.

Good diving skills helps, getting really close to your subject helps. Lotsa
light helps. Take lotsa pictures.

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Black Dahlia Murder - 17 Sep 2004 00:52 GMT

>Good diving skills helps, getting really close to your subject helps. Lotsa
>light helps. Take lotsa pictures.

I picked up a Canon Digital Rebel a couple months back. I'm looking
at bringing it on my honeymoon to St. Lucia. I'll probably just do
some snorkeling. I have an Ewamarine housing for my camcorder but I'm
looking for a housing for my camera too. I may go Ikelite for the
camera housing as it can go deeper. Should I get a macro or ultra
macro lens for the camera? RIght now I have a Tokina 28-210 and a
Tamron 28-80 lens. I'll worry about the strobe next year when I can
go on a dive again... and I'm snorkeling so I won't need it.

thanks,
Jeff

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Jason O'Rourke - 17 Sep 2004 01:20 GMT

>>Good diving skills helps, getting really close to your subject helps. Lotsa
>>light helps. Take lotsa pictures.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>Tamron 28-80 lens. I'll worry about the strobe next year when I can
>go on a dive again... and I'm snorkeling so I won't need it.

If you're just snorkeling, I wouldn't risk a $1000 unit. Unless you're
pretty good on the breathholding, you'll be shooting down, not up, at the
subject, which breaks one of the cardinal rules for UW. Most pics look
too flat.

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Jason O'Rourke www.jor.com

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Black Dahlia Murder - 17 Sep 2004 20:43 GMT

>>>Good diving skills helps, getting really close to your subject helps. Lotsa
>>>light helps. Take lotsa pictures.
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>subject, which breaks one of the cardinal rules for UW. Most pics look
>too flat.

I do plan on going underwater (holding my breath). Pictures would be
a waste otherwise. :))

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Dan Bracuk - 20 Sep 2004 02:10 GMT

Black Dahlia Murder <Black Dahlia Murder> pounded away at his keyboard
resulting in:

:I picked up a Canon Digital Rebel a couple months back. I'm looking
:at bringing it on my honeymoon to St. Lucia. I'll probably just do
:some snorkeling. I have an Ewamarine housing for my camcorder but I'm
:looking for a housing for my camera too. I may go Ikelite for the
:camera housing as it can go deeper. Should I get a macro or ultra
:macro lens for the camera?

For snorkelling, no. And just so you know, as hard as photography is
on scuba, it is 10 times harder on snorkel.

On the bright side, if your honeymoon spot in St Lucia is Anse
Chastenet, that is a decent place for snorkelling.

Dan Bracuk
Is it my imagination, or do Buffalo Wings taste like chicken?
The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/

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Black Dahlia Murder - 21 Sep 2004 00:05 GMT

>Black Dahlia Murder <Black Dahlia Murder> pounded away at his keyboard
>resulting in:
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>On the bright side, if your honeymoon spot in St Lucia is Anse
>Chastenet, that is a decent place for snorkelling.

I know.. I've snorkelled with a video camera before.

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Dan Wiggins - 18 Sep 2004 05:35 GMT

Try this link

http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/uwphoto/index-e.html

I have an s-45 with housing, it works pretty good, unless its really small,
then focus becomes a problem. If you are going to use at depth, learn the
stuff about manual white balance, and carry a white slate(or use sand if on
sandy bottom) to set..

Dan Wiggins

> I recently bought a second digital camera, a Canon Power-Shot SD110
> to augment my other larger and heavier DC. This one I find quite
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks in anticipation.
> William.

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Dave Morgan - 18 Sep 2004 09:50 GMT

> My question, does anyone have any experience with this or similar
> underwater DC's? I would be grateful for any hints or advise etc.
> Thanks in anticipation.

Stick to close up's, shoot horizontal or up, dont shoot down unless thats
the only way to record the "rare species"..........the deeper you go the
less light you will have, if you stay close the internal flash (unless you
have a strobe) will do quite well, less scatter if close.
Take several shots of the same subject at different ranges, you may get
one that is really good.

Some of my efforts with a Sony P1 point and shoot with internal flash can
be seen on the link below,

Dave Morgan @ Work in the UK
Take out the "goes diving" bit....
Trip photos on line at www.morg.co.uk

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