Canon A95 Help....

[Chrissie]

I am leaving for my cruise on Sunday morning. I just bought a Canon A95 and an underwater housing. Is there anything I need to know before using this diving? Should I just use the Underwater Special Scene selection on the camera? Are there any other settings I should use? I do not have an external strobe... will I still be able to take good pictures? I really couldn't afford a strobe this time around...

Thanks!!!
Chrissie

 

[Azotomix]

If you go in Tips and Techniques corner you will find plenty of basic to use a digital camera under water. I am also new to UW picture (did only twice) and most of the think I learn were in this forum and around the web

Those website can give you also some good idea about UW photography

http://www.scubaboard.com/f92-tips-amp-techniques.html

http://www.scubahound.com/index.php

 

[lukeROB]

Use the scene mode when you are shooting with natural light. It will probably help a little with colours.

But best option is to use the internal strobe and get close to what you are trying to shoot to aviod backscatter. This means mostly do macro work. When I say close I mean about a maximum of about 1 - 1.5ft. And as close as about 2in for something like a nudibranch.

You will get some great shots if you are patient get nice and close. I would get bogged down in manual mode just yet until you have some time to use the camera a bit more. But for a start just use the program mode (P) and half push to focus. This mode allows some settings - set the iso to 50, and the white balance to flash or daylight when using the strobe. Set the camera to use only the centre point for focus (ie turn off 9-point AiAF), set image quality to highest (large/superfine).

I hope all that helps, if you require more info than ask.