A570-a640-a720is????

[RLosey]

PLEASE help..I swear I have read every thread relative and my head is going to explode!! I need to make a decision very soon (Bonaire 2007 is just around the corner).

Me- Have the Canon A95 and I liked it's qualities a lot until it went all wonkadoodle and makes close up pictures blurry but was happy with it's UW capabilities. I am novice but decent more point and shoot auto than crazy manual shooter and like to take pictures of small things. Doesn't necessarily have to be "macro" but I want clean photos close up usually of smallish things (See above "BONAIRE 2007", that's what I'm talking about) oh yes I like to have movie option and it seems A570 might be lacking that?...
I was leaning towards the A720 but have read negatives about how slow it is...anyone? I am open to another suggestion or two but as I mentioned my brain is mushy and I am a bit short on time. What is closest(or a little better) than the A95 or packs good bang for the buck? Any help/personal experience with aforementioned appreciated

 

[Zeeman]

Reasons I got the A640 - I want to go DSLR in the future, the A640 has a full manual mode, so I can learn.

-it's an old model - so it is cheap - being run out, and still around for a bargain price.

-Good macro - down to 1cm (less than half an inch)
-adjustable flash power.
-"good" picture quality.
-Raw - there is a hack available on the net that will allow you to capture in 8bit RAW - it means you you have a little more flexibility should you wish to adjust your pics.
-4xaa batteries. This means it takes lots of shots, I can use rechargeables, and if all goes to hell, you can get AA's from pretty much anywhere on the planet
-Movie mode - good enough to show on a TV without looking like crap.


I have not used the A570, or A720, but have seen VERY good results from both.

I'd suggest getting the Ike housing if you at all plan to get serious in the future - this allows add on lenses and so on, but it is not essential.

the Canon housing is smaller, but has an oval port (I so wish they would not do this) - not very good for add on lenses..

Z...

 

[f3nikon]

And to add:

The A640 has a larger CCD sensor than the A720 and more megapixels @ 10 to the A720’s 8mp.

The A640 uses 4 AA batteries to the A720’s 2 AA you will need all the power you can get to power the flash and drive the focusing motor, LCD etc. and cuts down in having to open the housing to replace the batteries between dives.

Here is a comp of the A650 (A640 replacement) vs the A720 actually the A650 @ 12mp is looking more like the top of the line Canon G9 P&S at a lower price.

Canon PowerShot A650 IS & A720 IS: Digital Photography Review

1287B001 Canon Powershot A640 Digital Camera Kit 10.0 Megapixel, 4x Optical, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Screen

The A720 is more for the land-based snap shooter. Notice that the lens barrel on the A650is painted black, this "PRO" feature is seen mostly on higher end serious models to cut down on glare, a serious problem when in an U/W housing.

The A640/A630 and the A650 are more suited for U/W use IMO. And the Canon housing works just fine on my A630 (same housing as the A640) the on board flash can be used with the Canon housing because of the well design light diffuser. The Ikelite housing does not have this.

 

[RLosey]

Nik and Zee
Thank You for your timely responses. I do have one question regarding the housing and macro shooting. I have been reading some upset that some part of the housing covers part of the flash and causes a dark spot on photos. Have you found this a problem? I am leaning more towards 640 now from your responses AND the ability to hack should I get that good with it Zee are your posted photos with the 640?
Thanks again
Rox

 

[f3nikon]

You can find that topic here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/strobes-lighting/201454-strobe-questions.html

Without a diffuser and with a diffuser. So this is not a problem if you use Canon's diffuser which is included with their housing. And is only a issue when using the internal flash, with an external flash the diffuser is not needed. Good luck finding an A640, check the reviews for U/W on the Adorama link.

1287B001 Canon Powershot A640 Digital Camera Kit 10.0 Megapixel, 4x Optical, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Screen

 

[RLosey]

You can find that topic here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/strobes-lighting/201454-strobe-questions.html

Without a diffuser and with a diffuser. So this is not a problem if you use Canon's diffuser which is included with their housing. And is only a issue when using the internal flash, with an external flash the diffuser is not needed. Good luck finding an A640, check the reviews for U/W on the Adorama link.

1287B001 Canon Powershot A640 Digital Camera Kit 10.0 Megapixel, 4x Optical, 4x Digital Zoom, 2.5" LCD Screen

DOOOHH..I have a sick sinking feeling that I just bought a camera that isn't going to suit me. "ONLY AN ISSUE WHEN USING the INTERNAL FLASH"...It seems highly unlikely I will get an outside source and I do love to take close shots...Perhaps I am destined to never use a flash and hope for the best...What a dumb design

 

[Zeeman]

The diffuser does help a lot - all is not lost. But it just means you probably shouldn't be getting to to the half inch mark for macro. 4 or 5 inches should be fine though.

Handy hint - TURN OFF AiAF!!! Switch to spot focus, I was having a hell of a time trying get focus lock on my dives, and it is due to the Canon AiAF trying to lock on to the background all the time when using macro. turning it off helps a great deal, and I'm counting down the days to my next dive to try U/W pics without them (oh, and to play with the 2nd strobe )

I do have some shots - but my photog skills kinda suck (still learning) and I was using a strobe.

Z...

 

[f3nikon]

DOOOHH..I have a sick sinking feeling that I just bought a camera that isn't going to suit me. "ONLY AN ISSUE WHEN USING the INTERNAL FLASH"...It seems highly unlikely I will get an outside source and I do love to take close shots...Perhaps I am destined to never use a flash and hope for the best...What a dumb design

The internal flash works fine just use the diffuser, all zoom cameras with this long port have the the same issues, the A640 is no different, Canon did a great job in correcting this.

The pictures were taken with an internal flash only, the second come out fine with a diffuser.

 

[RLosey]

Um...sucks? Love the little yellow crab, just fabulous detail. May I ask about how close you were there, settings etc (other than the strobe of course). If I can get them 1/2 that clear and sharp I will be a happy camper (remember my A95 is blurring everything and making me CRAZY...) Thanks for the other tips

 

[f3nikon]

The diffuser does help a lot - all is not lost. But it just means you probably shouldn't be getting to to the half inch mark for macro. 4 or 5 inches should be fine though.

Handy hint - TURN OFF AiAF!!! Switch to spot focus, I was having a hell of a time trying get focus lock on my dives, and it is due to the Canon AiAF trying to lock on to the background all the time when using macro. turning it off helps a great deal, and I'm counting down the days to my next dive to try U/W pics without them (oh, and to play with the 2nd strobe )

Pictures look ok, are you using a focusing light to help with the focusing?