Canon A520 First Time Use - Pictures

[SFScuba]

Hi all,

I finally decided to buy an underwater Camera package. I opted for the Canon A520 with Housing. It was the camera that had the best value for money in my perspective. It is a fairly small package and easy to dive with for someone who only takes one or two dive trips a year.

All-in, less about $375 - The camera is running about 180 on Amazon right now and the housing $160-180.

I am a novice diver (~20 dives) and was looking for a camera and housing that would not break the budget, but might also be able to grow with me. (Perhaps with a strobe later on).

I just returned from Cabo San Lucas - 6 dives. It was my first time taking pictures underwater. Not too bad, the camera was easy to operate. Made the best of the on-board flash and tried to keep neutral and still while shooting. It has an underwater shooting mode that helps with white balance.

Let me know what you think of the pictures (these are all shrunk down in size):
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/21740

Also, if you happen to know the names of the fish etc in the pics, I'd appreciate a comment to help identify. I'm horrible with my marine identification.

Overall, very satisfied with my purchase.

 

[scubabum2]

Nice pics! I wouldn't have known you were just shooting with the internal strobe. Do you remember the site & depth where you saw the seahorse & frogfish?
Thanks, Mark

 

[SFScuba]

Nice pics! I wouldn't have known you were just shooting with the internal strobe. Do you remember the site & depth where you saw the seahorse & frogfish?
Thanks, Mark

I think we saw the seahorse around Pelican Rock. I can't remember the depth. It was probably between 40-60. There were two of them fairly close to each other.

See my trip report on who we used:
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=115380&highlight=baja+cabo

 

[scubabum2]

I want to take a shot at ID'g your fish. I'm not an expert with Pacific fish, but here goes.
#2 & #3 - balloonfish
#8 - can't help. Has markings similar to a guineafowl puffer, but eyes like a soapfish. Hmm...
#9 - flag cabrilla
#10 - coral hawkfish

Humann/DeLoach put out a new reef identification book, reef fish ID - Baja to Panama which is good. I have another book localized to the Baja region, but its on loan to a friend.
Cheers, Mark

 

[zuzanne]

Thanks so much for sharing your photos. My new A520 just arrived yesterday and after seeing your photos I can hardly wait for my housing to get here so I can go play with them.

I was very impressed at how clear your shots were with just the internal flash. I too will have to wait awhile to purchase the external strobe. Sure wish my old Sea & Sea Y60 strobe would work.

Was there any problems with operating the controls with the underwater housing? I haven't had a chance to even look at the camera yet. Darn work keeps getting in the way.LOL What settings did you use? I was amazed at how close to the critters you seemed to be.

Thanks again for sharing.

Zuzanne

 

[bobf]

Zuzanne,

Don't give up hope on your YS 60 until you research Matthias Heinrich's web site. Matthias is fluent in English and he will be able to answer your specific questions if you email him.

Here's some links to get you started:

Your camera is listed here:
http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/blitz/index.htm?camlist01_en.shtml
Your strobe is listed here:
http://www.heinrichsweikamp.net/blitz/strobelist01_en.shtml

no connection....
bobf

 

[zuzanne]

Thank you for the info. I have bookmarked the sight and as soon as my housing gets here, (hopefully by Tuesday of this week) I will find out how to use the adapter on the housing and get one ordered. It will be great to be able to use one strobe with both my Sea & Sea film camera and the new Canon digital one. I can't wait to get the thing wet and see how it actually works. Hate having new water toys and not be able to play with them right away,(darn work anyway). LOL

Thanks again.

Zuzanne

 

[SFScuba]

I was very impressed at how clear your shots were with just the internal flash. I too will have to wait awhile to purchase the external strobe. Sure wish my old Sea & Sea Y60 strobe would work.

Was there any problems with operating the controls with the underwater housing? I haven't had a chance to even look at the camera yet. Darn work keeps getting in the way.LOL What settings did you use? I was amazed at how close to the critters you seemed to be.

I did not have any problems with operating controls underwater. The housing lets you access every switch/button on the camera. Also, I tossed in some moisture munchers. Never had a problem on 6 dives with fog.

I used the underwater shooting mode (SCN, underwater). I sometimes had to turn on the flash (as opposed to autoflash) to get it to fire.

I was pretty close to most of the critters - took some doing, first time diving with a camera, trying to stay neutral and in place with a slight current (and not scare them away). Most of the good pictures are within 3 feet. At that distance, the internal strobe works well and gave pretty good color saturation.

 

[midwestdvr]

Those pics aren't bad, especially since they were your first. Keep up the good work and post more when you have more.

 

[Spoon]

great pics bro. practice and share here. youl be surprissed at how quick you can learn