Need help with Canon Powershot SD750

[dutchpickle]

Pardon my igrorance, but I could use a little help here. I am in Cebu and thinking about heading up to Malapascua to do some diving.

I know nothing about underwater photography but realize that all the pics I attempt to take will come out blue unless I set the white balance or something along those lines. I have the case and it worked pretty good in caves with very wet conditions but haven't tried it at any depth. (Canon Powershot SD750)

Yes, it did come with directions but unfortunately I gave away my luggage in Samar to a friend and left the instructions in one of the pouches. Yes I am an idiot, spare me the flames please.

Could anyone with experience with this camera walk me through the procedure. I would be most greatful.

Thank uou in advance.

 

[budaman]

Didn't have a chance to go through it, but you can download the manual on the Canon website. I have been looking at the 750 & G9 as my next purchase as my Nikon 5600 has finally bit the dust. The 750 & case looks like a very nice, compact setup....how do you like it. Been looking at those two cameras because of the 3" screen.....the eyes aren't what they used to be....LOL

Mike

 

[alcina]

Check out the online manual as suggested as I don't have the white balance directions, unfortunately. A search here might find it, but I'm not sure.

buda - those are two totally different rigs. The SD range has no aperture or shutter control, the camera chooses everything for you. This will limit the growth potential and also the types of shots you can do.

The G9 has everything you need and will keep you entertained for years to come. A friend just added one to his line up for his professional people shooting (on land) and adores it...says it's a great compliment to his dslr range. There's a recent thread here re: underwater impressions, too.

 

[dutchpickle]

Thanks, it looks like it has an automatic white balance feature.

 

[under water]

Thanks, it looks like it has an automatic white balance feature.

I will attempt this from memory..
Under the manual mode, it may also have an underwater setting for white balance.

If it is the same as the SD700IS, when in manual mode, you go to WB under the Functions menu. That's where you find the UW setting as well as the auto and Custom WB. To set Custom WB you select 'Custom' .. point the camera at something white.. and press 'Menu' button.
I can't say this worked for me.. Gave me pretty warm colors.. warmer than I expected.

 

[Zeeman]

I will attempt this from memory..
Under the manual mode, it may also have an underwater setting for white balance.

If it is the same as the SD700IS, when in manual mode, you go to WB under the Functions menu. That's where you find the UW setting as well as the auto and Custom WB. To set Custom WB you select 'Custom' .. point the camera at something white.. and press 'Menu' button.
I can't say this worked for me.. Gave me pretty warm colors.. warmer than I expected.

This is the right way to do it - make sure you set WB with depth changes. also, having something that is light gray seems to be better than using something white...

Z...

 

[dutchpickle]

So I press the custom button and then take a picture of a white or slightly grey slate at the depth for which I am attempting to take the photos?

About how much of a depth difference would require resetting this?

another question - what if i just select "cloudy" ,"daylight" or one of the other options. Will it still require shooting at a blank white slate or will it set itself automatically.

In answer to Zeeman - stay tuned because with me the possibilities are endless

 

[under water]

So I press the custom button and then take a picture of a white or slightly grey slate at the depth for which I am attempting to take the photos?

About how much of a depth difference would require resetting this?

another question - what if i just select "cloudy" ,"daylight" or one of the other options. Will it still require shooting at a blank white slate or will it set itself automatically.

In answer to Zeeman - stay tuned because with me the possibilities are endless

The only setting you use a slate for is custom.
.. select Custom and then point the camera at something white/gray.. and press 'Menu' button. then yo can go ahead and take pictures.
You can try the other options (cloudy, etc) but if you have Underwater, use that.
I think the depth questions depends on the viz and color of the water. If it's really green at 20 feet, it's probably still going to be green at 50. If it's 100 foot viz in clear water, you can probably adjust every 10-15 feet or so.

 

[mstevens]

(I do realize this is quite an old thread, but since there isn't much out there on the SD750, I thought I'd respond.)

The "Underwater" setting will still result in very blue photos below 10 or 15 feet. I'm too lazy to adjust my white balance all the time- that's why I have a teensy point-n-shoot camera. I use the "Mandrake method" to correct colors in Photoshop once I get back to my hotel. This actually adds back in reds based on the other colors (you make a greyscale version of your photo, convert grey to red, and plop it back into the original). Besides adding the missing red, it usually brightens photos nicely.

Adjusting Photos in Photoshop 7.0

The free program "the GIMP" can do about anything Photoshop can do. Some of the commands are different, but there are scripts to automate the process for you just as with Photoshop.

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program
http://www.tankedup-imaging.com/script-**.html

For many subjects, the built-in flash prevents the problem in the first place. Backscatter can be a problem, but I've been impressed at how well the little flash does under the right circumstances.

 

[Onecabernetnut]

Adjusting Photos in Photoshop 7.0[/url]

The free program "the GIMP" can do about anything Photoshop can do. Some of the commands are different, but there are scripts to automate the process for you just as with Photoshop.

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program
http://www.tankedup-imaging.com/script-**.html
QUOTE]

If you could supply the directions for doing the same adjustments in GIMP that you did for Photoshop in the link above I would greatly appreciate it. I couldn't find many of the commands in GIMP that you referred to in your Photoshop instructions.