Don't be put off by all the techie info!

[Wossa]

Thanks Terry......I am glad I posted them now with all the encouraging feedback I have received.....thanks everyone!

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

So for all those non techie photographers like me who don't know their F stops from their apperture, dont let it put you off from adventurng out and getting an underwater camera and having some fun with it.

I am going back to the Maldives in March and I don't think I will spend out money on strobes, but I think I will invest in a wide angle lens though !

I have heard about lightroom, do you know if it is ridiculously expensive and difficult to use ? I did shoot these images in raw and used canons own software to adjust, wasn't really sure what I was doing to be honest but just played around a little with the colours.

bvanant, I have been composing my answers specifically to answer what the OP has been typing. If Wossa purchases a WAL there might be an adapter purchase as well (Ikelite housing - no adapter?). Then Wossa might start "wish listing" a strobe purchase. Based on the title of this thread and other words the op has typed here, $200 software seems low on the priority list.

We all appreciate trying to save money but sometimes time is more limited so getting something that is fast and easy makes more sense.
Bill

 

[song]

Wossa- Thanks for the terrrific pics. I received an S95 for Xmas but haven't got the housing yet & still need to plan the next UW trip. I've held out against a strobe in the past to keep size & weight to a minimum. Nice to know this camera should be quite capable in the right situations without one.

 

[Wossa]

Thanks Song....for taking underwater snaps and having fun with a camera whilst diving then the S90/S95 has worked well for me in various warm water dives...

Halemano...I have been reading up on camera literature on strobes, lenses etc, and I am always looking to learn and advance from the basic photography stage I am currently at...from your experience (or anyone else who might have an opinion)....do you feel that introducing a strobe will bring me benefits from the type of pictures I originally posted here ? Is this realistically as good as I can expect from my S90 ? Just curious !

 

[Nemrod]

Thanks Song....for taking underwater snaps and having fun with a camera whilst diving then the S90/S95 has worked well for me in various warm water dives...

Halemano...I have been reading up on camera literature on strobes, lenses etc, and I am always looking to learn and advance from the basic photography stage I am currently at...from your experience (or anyone else who might have an opinion)....do you feel that introducing a strobe will bring me benefits from the type of pictures I originally posted here ? Is this realistically as good as I can expect from my S90 ? Just curious !

I did not follow this entire thread but yes, an external strobe or two will greatly benefit the S90. However, for the "wide angle" shots taken without a wide angle lens but instead by backing off some distance, no, they will not. However, when using a wide angle lens most of the time the shooting distance is very close, that is why we use a wide angle lens, to get in close and there a strobe(s) will help greatly.

The further you are from the subject the more ambient light dominates and the less good that a strobe will do for you, generally strobes are not especially effective beyond 3 to maybe 6 feet tops. Thus the need for a wide angle lens to still be able to cover the subject/scene.

By the way, using two strobes does not double the effective shooting distance, that remains the same, but it does increase the coverage.

N

 

[bvanant]

As far as I remember (I am getting old) I was only answering the assertion that lightroom might be hard to use and Halemano's assertion that cheap software might be more useful. As for the choice of software or a port/lens or a strobe, given the shots that the OP posted, I would vote for a lens then a strobe then the software. For the pics that you originally shared, strobe(s) would add a lot of punch to the eel and turtle shots and some of the schooling fish shots. A WA lens/port might add some more scene to the manta shots and let you get closer to get better detail. Strobes would help minimally at that point. As for the software, try them all out as free downloads and use what you like.
Bill

 

[Wossa]

Nemrod / bvanant......brilliant, this is just the type of plain speaking advice I have been looking for, many thanks.

I know I am pushing my luck here....I don't suppose you could give me a rough idea of a strobe I would be looking for...simple to use / set up and not bust the bank ? I know the lens I need and the relevant adapters and fittings required as this is pretty straight forward, however, Strobes seem a bit of a minefield to me.

Thanks all...

 

[joebubbles]

Don't forget, the most important "part" of the camera is the Eye behind the lens!

...and the brain between the ears.