G9 Underwater WB - Filter needed?

[calidiver1]

So I'm new to the underwater photography circuit, and looking for advice.

I've got the Canon G9 with the Ikelite underwater case, and we're going to the Red Sea, so I'm hoping to take the best shots I can.


I've read quite a bit about the "Magic Filter", so when I called the local underwater photography shop (AB Sea Photo), he said, "What's that?", and recommended the UR/PRO filter.

On some forums I've read that using the underwater WB setting is pretty much like adding the filter. Also, I'm wondering if I use the positive film or red setting, if this would virtually give me the same effect, instead of buying the filter.

As I may not have time to pick up the filter before we leave tomorrow, I wanted to know from you guys what the best recommended settings are.


Thanks!

 

[Adriaan557]

I tried the Auto Magic filter with Auto Whitebalance - was very dissapointed. Then I got a G9 and shot all my photo's in RAW (RAW+JPG if you have a big memory card). Amazing results!

Don't waste your time with the 'Underwater' setting, use RAW (thats one of the main reasons the G9 is so popular) you can set the whitebalance afterwards on your computer. As for the filters...not sure if they really help when you shoot in RAW, still planning to try it out in Sharm next month.

 

[calidiver1]

Adriaan,

Thanks for the info. I'll be shooting RAW - after all, it's the reason why I didn't get the G7. I also set my C2 for maximum red and minimum blue in aperture mode. I'll let you guys know how it is, and how the water at Sharm is .


Thanks!

 

[bliew]

I found the Auto Magic Filter on Auto White Balance did nothing; however, with Manual White Balance it worked really well and I was quite pleased. Which of course begs the question - how is Auto Magic Filter different from the regular Magic Filter, other than cost?

 

[calidiver1]

Silly me. I got so excited about finally being in the Red Sea, I think I forgot to shoot in RAW! Well, I did use the custom underwater setting, and saw some great results. I haven't reviewed the pictures on my computer yet - just glanced at them last week (still the card in the camera).

My custom max red, no blue setting looked horrible in the water, so I didn't even bother.

However, what I did see, from what I shot... beautiful. Will post some pictures once I get them off the card.

 

[Maarten_NL]

A filter drops the EV by 1-2 steps so then the shuttertime will be correspondingly longer.

Setting manual whitebalance does not have that disadvantage, plus when your back at shallow depth you don't have to remove the filter, just set the whitebalance again.