Any UW tips from Canon S400 owners?

[jedah]

Hi guys,

I have been using my 4 mp Canon S400 above water for the last 3 years and I've been very happy with it, normally using the "auto mode" for picture taking.

I just bought the WP-DC800 UW housing for this camera, and I am wondering what kind of settings to use UW, should I keep using the "auto mode" or start working with the manual settings?

I cannot control the F-stop or shutter speed on this camera, the most I can do is set the white balance, the exposure, and the focus manually. I do not have the 3X macro lens, and I do not have an external strobe....

I know this seems pretty rudimentary given the kind of equipment I've seen from people on the forum (!!), but please keep in mind that I have never taken any pics underwater and I am just now venturing into this new world of photography!!

Any canon S400 owners willing to share any tips???

Thanks!

J.

 

[subtidal]

I've been shooting the S400 underwater for about a year and a half and love it! For settings use: "Vivid"; "Cloudy" when you're deeper than 20ft. or the water is murky, otherwise "Sunny". Use the largest image size available. Use the flash diffuser always. Turn off "digital zoom" and the function that puts a green focus box in 9 possible locations - it rarely knows what you will be framing underwater. Never use auto flash - turn it on always, unless your subject is too far away for the flash to affect it. Turn it off when you're shallow. Be very, very anal about keeping your o-ring lubed and clean. Do not jump in the water with the camera, have someone hand it to you after you're in. Leave the camera out of the boat rinse tank, as the larger cameras will bang into it and possible cause a flood - instead leave it in the shade inside a damp towel.

Off the top of my head, that's all I can think to suggest. If you have some specific questions I will be glad to answer as I have a good amount of experience with this camera and housing. You can look at pics taken with this camera from my recent Belize trip here: http://subtidal.smugmug.com/gallery/480809

 

[jedah]

Thanks Subtidal!

Awesome pics!

One more question, do you ever set the white-balance manually underwater (with a white slate)? I am not sure how often you have to do this while you are shooting UW.

Thanks!

J.

 

[subtidal]

You are most welcome. I do not set the white balance manually. I either use the automatic setting of "cloudy" or "sunny" and let the camera do it's thing. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[KidK9]

I have this same camera to use as a backup and always give it to my fiance to dive with. How do you force the flash on this camera? Is it possible?

 

[subtidal]

It's very simple - just keep pressing the flash button until the "flash on" icon, which is a lightning bolt, appears on the lcd.

 

[mountainviewer]

I also just bought the same setup for my upcoming trip to Australia. I've had the s400 for a while and decided to get the case. Glad to hear it works so well for you . Nice gallery! I hope to post one of my own when I return.

 

[d56nut]

Hi,

Great pics! I have this camera and housing, too. Question about your pics. Do you use a photo editing program on them? Your eagle ray pics are amazing. The "blue" in my pics never looks that good!

 

[subtidal]

Thank you! Yep, I use Photoshop Elements 2.0. I don't get too cranial about my editing, just a few simple clicks and I'm done.

 

[mountainviewer]

One more question:
How many weights do you use to make it neutrally bouyant?
I bought the Canon Waterproof Case Weight WW-DC1, I read somewhere that one is enough. Your opinion?

Thank you! Yep, I use Photoshop Elements 2.0. I don't get too cranial about my editing, just a few simple clicks and I'm done.