First "Real" dives with a A640

[kerryw]

I just got back from a trip to the north end of Vancouver Island on the Nautilus Explorer. Great trip with some great dives. This was my first chance to really use my new A640 on a group of dives.

Here is what I have, Canon A640, Ikelite housing, Ikelite Substrobe 50 (not the digital version). Since I don't have a digital compatable strobe I shot all images in manual. i'm pretty happy with everything but I did find a few issues.

I need to be sure I clean the inside of the housing lens since the camera can actually focus on this is macro mode.

I need a focus light since when doing close macro I can't really light the subject to allow focus.

I think the add on macro lens would allow me to move back a bit from real small subjects.

I also had issues bumping the zoom lever while holding the housing.

Here are a few pics from the trip...

 

[Dusty2]

I just got back from a trip to the north end of Vancouver Island on the Nautilus Explorer. Great trip with some great dives. This was my first chance to really use my new A on a group of dives.

Here is what I have, Canon A, Ikelite housing, Ike lite Sub strobe 50 (not the digital version). Since I don't have a digital compatible strobe I shot all images in manual. I'm pretty happy with everything but I did find a few issues.

I need to be sure I clean the inside of the housing lens since the camera can actually focus on this is macro mode.

I need a focus light since when doing close macro I can't really light the subject to allow focus.

I think the add on macro lens would allow me to move back a bit from real small subjects.

I also had issues bumping the zoom lever while holding the housing.

Here are a few pics from the trip...

Nice shots and good thoughts.

I have been shooting a 640 for quite awhile and it is an awesome camera but I use the Canon case.

Yes it will actually focus on the spots inside the case lens and drive you crazy in the process!

I have an inexpensive LED light I got on Ebay that makes an excellent focus light. It has 11 LEDs and only runs around 20 bucks.

The zoom lever is a problem with the Ikelite housings. Since few people use the zoom underwater and moving it slightly can cause the macro to not work properly I don't understand making it so large & easy to hit accidentally.

 

[kerryw]

Nice shots and good thoughts.

I have been shooting a 640 for quite awhile and it is an awesome camera but I use the Canon case.

Yes it will actually focus on the spots inside the case lens and drive you crazy in the process!

I have an inexpensive LED light I got on Ebay that makes an excellent focus light. It has 11 LEDs and only runs around 20 bucks.

The zoom lever is a problem with the Ikelite housings. Since few people use the zoom underwater and moving it slightly can cause the macro to not work properly I don't understand making it so large & easy to hit accidentally.

Yeah not sure why the Zoom had to be so big, as it turns out the lever attached to the knob is easy to remove, it is 1/4-20 thread and I replaced it with a shorter stainless screw. I'll probably try and find an even shorter one to put in.

I've got a few small lights around (20 year of scuba you end up with lots of "stuff") so i'll try one of them and maybe see about adding to my wifes Xmas list for a better one. ;-)

K

 

[DEF]

Took my A640 and Canon housing to Portage and White Star quarries this weekend. This was Legends Weekend at Portage so the visibiltiy wasn't good. Tried f5.6 and 1/125 in manual. The pictures looked ok for the first time. Used the underwater setting at White Star. Think I like the manual setting best.