Canon for underwater

[TartanFrog]

I am in the market for a better camera for underwater use. I recently went to the FL Keys and a couple of other dive locations with another made for underwater use brand and I was pretty disappointed in its performance. Let's just say the results were nothing compared to what I expect from a camera.

I have shot Canon for a long time and I have a couple of pocket Canon and a 50D for land use. I currently don't have any plans to take my 50D underwater. Like most everyone, I've read the marketing literature and some reviews but the opinions of people that actually use the gear makes for more informed decisions. So I guess, yes I know you all have been asked this before, my questions are:

Is the Canon G12 a good choice?

Is the housing available from Canon a good choice?

Is there another model of Canon that is preferred?

If so, which housing?

Which tray and arms?

Which light/lights?

I have not ventured into video yet so a video light is not the primary concern. But I may do some of that in the future.

 

[smellzlikefish]

After using other Canon and Sony cameras, I got a G12 and LOVE it. The only reason I don't use it much anymore is it inspired me to take my T1i underwater. The Canon housing is compact and easy to use, but doesn't allow use of the ttl for strobes or the ability to attach lenses. I don't have a lot of advice RE the strobes since I only used a Fantasea nano with focus light and it worked fairly well.

 

[diver 85]

OP, how much money you willing to spend??........I upgraded ~ 9 months ago to the S95/FIX housing/tray & handle/arms/S&S 100a/& Inon 550W lite (plus the camera) for $3k.....but, you can cut out a lot of that cost ---if you want to......see some of my pics in my sig...


EDITops--forgot to add ---for that price have the WA uwl 04 lens and a ucl 165M macro lens.....

 

[craracer]

A lot of happy divers using the G12, and I've seen some fantastic shots. The last one I saw was in an Ike housing with a single strobe.

I can understand your hesitancy in taking your 50D underwater. However, have you considered picking up a XSi, T1i, or T2i? Being that they are a little "older", really reasonable prices can be had. As I'm sure you know, the housing for a DSLR is where the bulk of the expense comes from. I bought my setup after being less than happy with the results I was getting with my P&S. I just thought to myself "Why not just pony-up and get something I know I can grow into, and will produce the results I want?".

Arms: I like my Ultralight arms.
Strobes: I have an Inon S2000 (really love the super small size and capabilities), and an Inon Z240 to compliment. Neither are cheap, but I found some here on SB and bought them used. Cheap and DSLR shooting can't really be used within the same sentence.
Focus light: Just bought a Sola 600 and couldn't be more happy. It was tough to cough up the money, but the light works beautifully. On the highest setting, other divers were able to use my light to shoot video on a night dive. I like the red light settings, but I'm not convinced that small critters are less frightened by it.

 

[craracer]

Did you see this:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cl...e-housing-ikelite-strobe-camera-like-new.html

 

[TartanFrog]

thanks for all the great input.

 

[Tigerman]

I have one of the predecessors of the G12 and I love it. I use it in the canon standard UW housing. It can use optically fired strobes.

I was, like you considering bringing a dSLR with me while diving but there was two issues that became pretty evident to me about that.
First of the problems was that the housings for dSLRs are FREAKING EXPENSIVE and the second is the fact that they are a lot more hassle to travel with. I will go there one day though...

 

[Nemrod]

You cannot take pictures underwater like you do on the surface, guaranteed horrible results every time.

Beginner mistakes:

1. Too far from subject, underwater you need to stay within 6 feet to the subject and preferably 4 feet or less, thus the prevalence of wide angle and fisheye lenses on cameras used by people who at least semi know what they are doing (me<--thus the "semi").

2. No balanced light source, an external strobe is nearly a requirement as far as I am concerned but in the brightest, clearest shallow conditions. And rule number 1 applies double here, you must get close. Strobes are not effective much beyond three or four feet, perhaps a bit more.

Failure to follow 1 and 2 will produce, bluish, greenish, pictures of no interest every time.

Also, try to shoot upward, get the sun behind you if you can, use a filter shallow but better yet learn to use RAW and Photoshop etc.

Yes, get a Canon S90/95 and either a Recsea or FIX housing with Inon strobe and a UWL-04 wide angle lens and an Inon UCL165 macro lens and put either lens right on the subject, shoot pic, take it to the bank!

I shot this pic to demonstrate what I mean by getting close. I shot this photo from less than three feet I recall with dual Inon strobes and a Fisheye UWL-04 lens on my S90 and FIX90 housing. Notice the strobe lighting fading to blue at the toes of the Christ statue:

Imagine your subject at three feet, good exposure, at six or more feet, they would be a washed out blue, similar to the legs of the statue and the sand beyond. This is another where you can see the cone of effective lighting, taken inches from the critter:

Among other things, too far away, no wide angle lens:

Same area, same camera, wide angle lens installed, up close and personal, same strobes as in the pic above:

Gotta get close even if the subject is u--gly, arms length, FIX90, dual Inon D200 strobes, Fisheye UWL-04 lens:

My wife is always giving me this look, I don't know why:

She is probably giving me that look because she knows I will say something like this---it ain't your camera, it is you.

N

 

[Tigerman]

About strobes, not entirely true. It actually depend a LOT on where you dive and what you do with the pictures, both while taking them and in post-processing..

 

[TartanFrog]

As a "beginner" I learned the hard way about distance from the subject and lighting. Lots of 'interesting' shots of backscatter and blue or green images. The reason I was looking for a new camera for underwater use is because the camera I used on a trip to the Keys and Crystal River FL did not produce the type of picture I would have expected.

The camera was essentially a ruggedized version of a land based point and shoot. The camera includes very minimal ability to make adjustments. Additionally the buttons were prone to sticking and a couple of the buttons actually popped off while under water, never to be seen again. The shutter release required enough pressure to jerk the camera when it finally released. Needless to say, I was less than pleased with the operation of the camera and the quality of shots it produced.

So I just acquired a Canon G12. I am now deciding between a FIX or other housing. Leaning toward the FIX. I am also looking at the Inon lights and arms, etc. and will make a decision about those soon.

Thanks for all the help!