First UW Cammera

[DTB1981]

I just got a pt-026 case for my stylus 500, I took it out for the fist time this weekend, and I used the two underwater pre sets the underwater wide pretty much sucks. But the macro setting seems to work well. I was talking with another guy that has a point and shoot he said I should take off the diffuser that is on the case tell I get a strobe. Is this true? I don’t have an English manual for the case. Well any way here is the one pic that turned out of the 60 I took.

 

[kapula]

If you want your flash to illuminate from greater distance you should take the diffuser off. There are a few buts though. Diffuser makes the light softer and illuminates less backsatter as it's on the same level with your lens you can end up having only backsatter in your picture. With diffuser you get a little bit less backsatter but pics can still be very messy. Solution is to get close and even closer and when possible not use flash at all. That is if you can manually adjust white balance. If not then you just need to get close enough to illuminate the target with your flash. Play with your diffuser a bit. Take the same pic with and without it to see the difference. Not quite sure what your friend tried to tell you.. without diffuser your flash will illuminate the target from further away but you also illuminate any particles in water. If water is clear then you can end up with better shots this way if not better to use diffuser.

Confusing propably. Just go out and have fun

 

[alcina]

Yup, what he said. Try it with and without. I always leave mine on.

The best tips for uw photo from a camera perspective are to get out and shoot as much as possible! Get close and then get closer - this will help with sharpness, colour and often times composition, too. Know your camera - figure out where the closest focus is in macro setting because if you get too close the photos will be blurry.

I have the Canon A series cameras and almost always leave them in macro mode no matter what I am shooting. It lets the camera begin looking for focus closer to the camera and it seems faster to me. It also reminds me to make sure that I am as close as possible to my subject.

Learn the controls to your camera - the presets are OK, but going manual is better in a wide range of instances if your camera allows it. Manual isn't scary or too time consuming to learn - check out some of the getting started threads in the other areas of the UW Photo forum for some quick tips. It won't matter which manufacturer you look under, the starting points are similar for most compact digitals.

Learn white balance. Check out legopacific's gallery here on SB - I believe he shoots almost all manual white balance. There are several shooters who only use internal flash, too - I think maybe PhotoTJ and calypsonick's early stuff.

Grab a book or two on photography and have a browse. Jim Church has the must have...Guide to Essential Composition. Great book no matter what camera you are shooting.

Get out and dive! Shoot til your fingers bleed and have fun!!!

Looking forward to more shots.

 

[DTB1981]

Well the camera, Has manual settings for white balance, exposure and ISO. I can also turn off the auto focus and it also has a light meter built in.

 

[O'Malley]

Jim Church has the must have...Guide to Essential Composition. Great book no matter what camera you are shooting.

Thanks...this is all so new :1book:

 

[DTB1981]

Can anyone recomend a cheep strobe and arm.

 

[alcina]

Generally, "cheap" and "strobe" are not words I use together.

I look long-term for strobes...can I use it easily now, will it grow with me if I should change systems or want more control of my lighting? My theory is pay a little more now (or when you can) instead of having to spend a little now and then a lot more later. YMMV

You can check out the stobe finder at www.digitaldiver.net under Tools -> Strobe finder...I think there is also a link on the home page. It's a great place to look at the features to decide what you need.

 

[DTB1981]

what I was thinking was like a YS-25 or 30. What I meant by cheep is under 300. I don't want a strobe that is bigger than my cammera. I want something to add a little extra. When I get the big camera I will get a strobe to go with it. I just want something to leave with this one. Thanks for the link the site has alot of good info

 

[DTB1981]

Generally, "cheap" and "strobe" are not words I use together.

I look long-term for strobes...can I use it easily now, will it grow with me if I should change systems or want more control of my lighting? My theory is pay a little more now (or when you can) instead of having to spend a little now and then a lot more later. YMMV

You can check out the stobe finder at www.digitaldiver.net under Tools -> Strobe finder...I think there is also a link on the home page. It's a great place to look at the features to decide what you need.

Can any one recomend a strobe set up for under $400 including arm and everything else I would need.