G-10 Macro options?

[ronski101]

Just got back from a week of diving with my new G-10. I got some good pics but am struggling with the close up shots and need to bite the bullet and get a macro lens. I have the Canon housing which worked just fine so I need a macro lens and adapter preferably that swings out of the way. Any suggestions from you pros?

 

[fooks]

If you're a good DIY person I found this:

Canon G10 DIY Modifications For Macro and Wide Angle Underwater Photography :: DivePhotoGuide.com - The Underwater Photo & Video Portal

But I would be interested to see if there are any commercial options for this.

 

[Warmwater Wank]

Yep, try ReefNet: ReefNet Inc. | SubSee Adapter. I shoot a G-10 w/ Canon housing and this works swell. The SubSee magnifier is 10x, which is pretty strong so it's nice it does swing away. Uses a magnetic latch, adapter attaches simply to housing. Optics are quite good, no complaints about sharpness (though I wouldn't have complained if Canon had more than f/8 for the G-10).

Rumor is ReefNet will be coming out w/ a 52mm magnifier system soon that will offer some variety on diopter strengths. You pretty much have to use the SubSee almost all the way zoomed out to avoid vignetting, so the reproduction ratio (image size) range is fairly narrow. Still, it's cool to finally see what goes on w/ those tiny critters that I never paid enough attention to! // ww

 

[bvanant]

The new subsee is a 67 mm lens (not 52 AFAIK) and will be available in two strengths, a +5 and a +10. Should have been out by now but now Keri is saying end of August. Have mine ordered.
Bill

 

[Warmwater Wank]

I've ordered also. 67mm? Nice if true. Yeah I think Keri postponed release because he knew I'd be back on Bonaire and not home until the end of August ! // ww

 

[under water]

... Optics are quite good, no complaints about sharpness (though I wouldn't have complained if Canon had more than f/8 for the G-10)...

I'm pretty sure that the G10 is sharpest around 4 - 4.5 F stop. When you go with a smaller aperture, you start getting diffraction. I believe this is because of the really small sensor used in P&S cameras.
BTW those are great close-ups!

 

[Puffer Fish]

I'm pretty sure that the G10 is sharpest around 4 - 4.5 F stop. When you go with a smaller aperture, you start getting diffraction. I believe this is because of the really small sensor used in P&S cameras.
BTW those are great close-ups!

The G10 len is a bit odd.. in that it is sharpest wide open.. which is around 4 in the middle of the range.

 

[Warmwater Wank]

Not to hijack the thread but while I understand about diffraction, especially as it relates to the smaller sensors in p&s cameras, it could be a mistake to always shoot wide open just to get the "sharpest" image. Sometimes those gains are negligible compared to achieving adequate depth of field, especially in close-up work.

Case in point. The blennie was shot at: f/7.1 @ 1/500th sec. Being that close it would be easy to miss on critical elements like the eyes or teeth, so some added depth of field helps covers that. A "sharper" result at f/4 might mean interesting areas are much less sharp, due to decreased depth of field.

Like my old photo teacher used to say: "Photography is a series of compromises...". I know Canon could have gone beyond f/8 but probably things really mushed out. As is though, higher f/stops shouldn't be avoided if they help make the photo more engaging by giving the appearence of better overall sharpenss, even if they aren't truly "sharper". And I still say the SubSee magnifier is pretty darn sharp at any f/stop! ~~end of hijack~~ // ww
ps--thanx for the compliment Underwater

Uncropped blennie shot @f/7.1

cropped

 

[under water]

Not to hijack the thread but while I understand about diffraction, especially as it relates to the smaller sensors in p&s cameras, it could be a mistake to always shoot wide open just to get the "sharpest" image. Sometimes those gains are negligible compared to achieving adequate depth of field, especially in close-up work. ...

Agreed 100%
That's why they put that M on the dial
Once we get past the mechanics of getting a good exposure, then we enter the realm of creativity using DOF (aperture), balance of light between foreground & background (shutter speed), etc
I agree that more DOF with those close-ups is really useful. Otherwise you end up with a lot of unusable shots due to moving in or out an inch.
The G9 & G10 have a sweet spot for sharpness (As opposed to DOF) that isn't wide open, but at F4.5, which is counter-intuitive as you would expect it to be higher.
I'm glad you showed the uncropped version. It shows that you were close but not 'in his face' taking the picture.

 

[ccredifo]

Can someone describe the Reefnet Subsee adapter? Is it a giant magnifying glass that you put on the outside of the housing? Sounds like it is removable while underwater?

Thx,
CC