Canon S400, No Strobe - Recent Bali Trip

[Townsend]

Have to say that I'm pretty pleased with the quality of shots from the Canon S400 and Canon WPD8000 housing.

The water in Bali was quite turbid so mostly the macro shots came out the best. A few others, mostly of schools, are ok.

I've not "enhanced" any of the images.

Anyone else have experieces with the S400?

-Townsend

 

[Townsend]

Not the best one of the bunch!

 

[Nielc]

Cool Pics!

I like the clown fish the most! BTW what ISO settings did you set your S400?

Thanks!

 

[Townsend]

One more...

 

[Townsend]

Nielc once bubbled...

I like the clown fish the most! BTW what ISO settings did you set your S400?

Thanks!

Nielc - I left the camera in auto mode the whole time so the ISO was variable. Looking at the exif information I really got some "interesting" exposure times and app settings.

I tried to be as close to the subjects as possible so the flash would brighten them. I read a lot about manually setting the white balance but did not adjust during the dives (tough on a few when we had 6+ kt current!). I'm only dissapointed with a few of the more "long distance" shots as they are more green than blue. But in reality the water was more green than blue anyway.

I had no problems with the case - never even any moisture or fog. I always fully charged a 1000mah (aftermarket) battery and put the camera in the case in the airconditioned room and left it there until I got back. The battery would last for 2 - 1 hour dives with just enough to review the pics after the 2nd dive.

-Townsend

 

[Cabo]

I'm glad to see others posting about using the S400 underwater. There aren't many on this board that do. I think you would get great benefit out of getting an external strobe at some time. It really helps.

I really like the clown fish picture. I hope to get to a location in the next year to get some shots like that.

After reading some tips, I set the camera on manual and usually ISO 50 or 100. However I have a strobe that helps out even though I had issues of the strobe not firing (user error). Also I set the white balance to "cloudy" unless I'm shallow and it is very bright.

I also get 2 dives out of 1 charged battery assuming I don't leave the LCD on the entire time.

One of my biggest complaints is the "time to next shot". The camera isn't very quick about recharging its flash & being ready to shoot again. The external strobe recharges quick but there were times I turned the flash off to try and get a quicker 2nd/3rd shot. (Most of my Manta pictures were without flash so I could take more.. Not sure this was the smart thing to do.)

Also, sometimes it is hard to tell on the little LCD screen if the subject is really in focus or not. I use the spot focus mode.

I think the setup is easy to use and I am heading to Cozumel in a couple weeks to try it out again. I am going to work on making sure I use the strobe correctly this time.

Gulf of Mexico (Flower gardens) shots
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=321273
Isla Mujeres Mexico shots (First time using the camera)
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=317259
Other generic underwater (Not s400)
http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=223653

 

[Townsend]

Seems like the clown shots are a hit. How about this one?!?

 

[Townsend]

This one is one of my favorites.

Cabo,
What kind of strobe are you using? Cost? and most importantly, would you buy the same one again?

Thank you for the tips.

 

[Cabo]

Townsend

I use the Sea&Sea YS 25DX. I wish I would have got the 90DX but you know how that is. The 90 puts out a bunch more light.

I think I got the strobe/tray/arm/fiber optic cable for around $525 (US) in May of this year. It was about the cheapest external strobe that I found. Even though the strobe was as much as the camera + case!

I think the 90DX was another $150 or so which would have been money well spent.

It's a fairly compact setup and easy to work with.

 

[pwfletcher]

Nice reviews. I just exploded my Sony DSC P1 with Marine Pack housing on a 240 ft dive and have been looking for another small point and shoot to supplement my Nikon D100 with Sea and Sea housing. As compact size is a must, this looks like the one.