So I have been searching around the forum looking for as much info as I can before posting and looking stupid. I read the articles that were stickied and read the other posts in there giving advice about shutter speed and color background and "freezing" faster moving fish and such. I also saw a post from a re-seller that had questions to help. So I thought I would answer them, give a blurb about what I would like to do, post what I am thinking of purchasing. Then letting you all give good or bad feedback and suggestions.
1) How long have you been diving? (11 years)
2) How many dives have you logged? (25)
3) How much experience with general photography do you have? (General use of 35mm and General use of digital cameras. My wife has a minor in photography and is decent at it.)
4) Do you currently have a camera? Film? Digital? (2 Digitals)
5) How often do you dive? (Vacation diver, so 2 times every 2-3 years. hopefully more in the future)
6) What type of diving do you mostly do? (Coral/reef/open water diving)
7) Where do you do most of your diving? (Caribbean)
8) What do you think you may want to photograph *and video* the most? (Fish/Coral. I like to get real close without touching or bothering)
9) Do you have an idea what you may want already? (Yes Sealife DC 1400)
10) How much do you expect to spend? Can you afford? ($1200 max)
I realize that new guys want the newest and coolest stuff and may not know how to use it extremely well. I like electronics and photography and have wanted to do U/W photography since I first got certified. My wife is very knowledgeable about photography as she has a minor in it from college. She is active in picture taking and is willing to help me learn. I am willing to learn and try things out.
I can control my buoyancy fairly well. I can control my vertical movements with my breaths hardly ever needing to use my arms or hands. My BCD is integrated weight so I am decently balanced with out stuff hanging off. I use a simple SPG (depth, air pressure, direction)
One thought was to buy a decent set up now and not have to buy one in the future. Try to keep this one for as long as I can. I realize I will not be a professional so I know I don't need a $3000 camera and a $2500 housing. I want to be able to take nice pics and video so I could share with my family and have a nice album for memories. I am not afraid to go diving and not have a good picture the first time out, but I am willing to try and keep at it.
I was thinking of this set up SeaLife DC1400 Pro Duo (#SL726) | Bluewater Photo & Video
It might be a lot for a new person now but I would rather buy once than buy a lower model and then buy a second one or more in 5 years.
Any suggestions would be great and much appreciated.
1) How long have you been diving? (11 years)
2) How many dives have you logged? (25)
3) How much experience with general photography do you have? (General use of 35mm and General use of digital cameras. My wife has a minor in photography and is decent at it.)
4) Do you currently have a camera? Film? Digital? (2 Digitals)
5) How often do you dive? (Vacation diver, so 2 times every 2-3 years. hopefully more in the future)
6) What type of diving do you mostly do? (Coral/reef/open water diving)
7) Where do you do most of your diving? (Caribbean)
8) What do you think you may want to photograph *and video* the most? (Fish/Coral. I like to get real close without touching or bothering)
9) Do you have an idea what you may want already? (Yes Sealife DC 1400)
10) How much do you expect to spend? Can you afford? ($1200 max)
I realize that new guys want the newest and coolest stuff and may not know how to use it extremely well. I like electronics and photography and have wanted to do U/W photography since I first got certified. My wife is very knowledgeable about photography as she has a minor in it from college. She is active in picture taking and is willing to help me learn. I am willing to learn and try things out.
I can control my buoyancy fairly well. I can control my vertical movements with my breaths hardly ever needing to use my arms or hands. My BCD is integrated weight so I am decently balanced with out stuff hanging off. I use a simple SPG (depth, air pressure, direction)
One thought was to buy a decent set up now and not have to buy one in the future. Try to keep this one for as long as I can. I realize I will not be a professional so I know I don't need a $3000 camera and a $2500 housing. I want to be able to take nice pics and video so I could share with my family and have a nice album for memories. I am not afraid to go diving and not have a good picture the first time out, but I am willing to try and keep at it.
I was thinking of this set up SeaLife DC1400 Pro Duo (#SL726) | Bluewater Photo & Video
It might be a lot for a new person now but I would rather buy once than buy a lower model and then buy a second one or more in 5 years.
Any suggestions would be great and much appreciated.