CAnon A70 vs other camera

[alcina]

did you use the underwater setting? auto settings? manual?? Thanks

I would start in Manual mode...you'll be surprised how fast you pick it up for good images.

Also shoot in the very format possible, RAW if the camera has it. Why throw away data?

f5.6 is a good starting place; in fairly clear water I would say use shutter of around 1/250 or so to start. Then it is just a quick change up or down to suit.

For those super close-ups I'd change to your smallest aperture...f8 or f7 or whatever your camera allows.

For your internal flash to be effective you'll need to be within about 3 feet, maybe four. Again, shooting RAW if you can will help here as you can adjust WB (which will help with colours) in the computer instead of fiddling with it underwater.

I always leave my cameras in macro mode no matter the subject. Then I don't have to remember to change it when I move in really close.

Let me know if I can help with anything

 

[audiotyro]

Thanks for the storage tips!

 

[AmyJ]

I would start in Manual mode...you'll be surprised how fast you pick it up for good images.

Also shoot in the very format possible, RAW if the camera has it. Why throw away data?

f5.6 is a good starting place; in fairly clear water I would say use shutter of around 1/250 or so to start. Then it is just a quick change up or down to suit.

For those super close-ups I'd change to your smallest aperture...f8 or f7 or whatever your camera allows.

For your internal flash to be effective you'll need to be within about 3 feet, maybe four. Again, shooting RAW if you can will help here as you can adjust WB (which will help with colours) in the computer instead of fiddling with it underwater.

I always leave my cameras in macro mode no matter the subject. Then I don't have to remember to change it when I move in really close.

Let me know if I can help with anything

I probably will have some questions... I will try to find a few dedicated hours in the next two days to figure some of it out. (mid-terms this week, which is hard on a middle aged brain!) so, don't be surprised if you hear from me.... and thanks for offering assistance!

 

[audiotyro]

Hi! I took the new housing and camera to the swimming to test it by taking pictures of my kids. Kept it at the bottom for a while, but it's only a 5 foot pool. The pictures came out clear. Very nice, I could only hope and imagine I could get better pcitures while diving. Almost all camera controls were available.

I have a question though, before I finally take it to greater depths in 2 weeks. With the case closed I noticed water bubbles in the seal around the o-ring. The casing did not flood. When I took the camera out, the O-ring and lip of the case were definitely damp/wet. Is this normal? As I mentioned the case did not flood. But I'm worried that with greater depth and pressure, it would. Should I have put more silicone or something? Thanks.

Btw, when I do take it diving I plan to take it down without the camera first. See if it holds. The camera will go in during subsequent dives.

Would appreciate the input and tips.

 

[midwestdvr]

audiotyro, make sure you put some weights inside the uw case when you're testing it out, preferably soft weights. Didn't do that when I tested mine out and I then realized how buoyant the case really was. BTW, you made a great choice. Where in the PI are you at?

 

[alcina]

With the case closed I noticed water bubbles in the seal around the o-ring.

Btw, when I do take it diving I plan to take it down without the camera first. See if it holds. The camera will go in during subsequent dives.

Would appreciate the input and tips.

OK...it's important to know if the water was only on the outside edges. This is NORMAL. You may also have a drop or two from when you opened it. This is practice

If you had water on the inside of the oring, then this isn't normal. My guess is that you had "normal" water on it as it can be kinda freaky when you first see it!

Your other point is one of the never resolved debates. To take the housing down empty on the first dive or not.

I have never done this and haven't flooded a camera because of it. For me personally, I'd rather risk the camera flooding due to the remote possibility of a manufacturer's defect than not have the camera there with me to take photos. This is all you are really testing - for some defect.

Virtually all floods are caused by user error and this first test without the camera in the housing will not decrease your chances of floods by this method. Always double check your seal before you get in the water. Once in the water, check the seal again before you descend. Watch it on descent & then enjoy your dive.

in the end, you need to do what is comfortable for you regardless of what "advice" you receive. Just do be aware what you are testing for.

Do not use more grease! The o-rings need only the tiniest amount. The less you remove your o-rings the better. Check carefully for debris and a good fit. You can use a little spit on your finger to relube these o-rings. Do a search and you will find numerous threads on the care and feeding of the new o-rings

Great to hear that you enjoyed your camera...looking forward to seeing your shots!

 

[audiotyro]

midwestdvr, thanks for reminding me. My buoyancy is not yet perfect and an empty case will surely put me off! I'm based in Manila.

alcina, glad to hear the water i saw was the "normal" type. I'll do the search on the o-ring. Needless to say your feedback has been quite helpful. Some divers have said to apply grease everytime you bring the camera down. Then I read the manual saying not to stretch the o-ring too much. I figured taking the o-ring in-and-out would increase the chances of stretching. Can't wait to take some real pictures. I hope they'll be presentable enough for posting. Maybe after a few dives . . .

 

[PhotoTJ]

You will be surprised at how quick your learning curve is. That is one of the best things about digital, the speed of improvment!

 

[audiotyro]

I was finally able to dive with the camera! It didn't flood and was able to take some pictures. I'll try to post some when I learn how. Just wanted to let everyone know that everything worked out well. The A70 was a good choice to stick with. I didn't bring it down on my first dive since it was a new site and I wanted to "relax" first. Alcina was right. I missed out big time on a school of circling barracudas! The biggest I've ever seen. Of the three dives that day, the best photo ops were in the first dive. "Don't leave home without it." :-(

 

[alcina]

I didn't bring it down on my first dive since it was a new site and I wanted to "relax" first. Alcina was right. I missed out big time on a school of circling barracudas! The biggest I've ever seen. Of the three dives that day, the best photo ops were in the first dive. "Don't leave home without it." :-(

That's the rule - you'll always see something when you don't have the camera, your batteries are flat or your card is full (though with the cost of big cards now that should be a thing of the past pretty soon!)

On the other hand, if you had the camera you might have been head down looking at something else and missed the barracuda all together

Great to hear all went well and I look forward to the photos!