Just purchased an S100

[Aqua-Andy]

So like the title says I just ordered an S100, Ikelite housing and Sea and Sea YS-01 strobe. I did a lot of research before picking this outfit and it seamed to be the best for my needs and fit into my budget(well not really but more so than some other options). I should be receiving it on thursday, so my plan is to try it out in the pool on saturday and do a real dive with it on sunday. I have seen some info on settings but was wondering if some of you here could shed some light on a good place to start. I do have some photography experience but this will be my first underwater camera.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

 

[peeweediver]

Aqua-Andy: Wish I had helpful info, but I'm currently looking at the same set-up, thoug still torn on housing choice. Would you post your thoughts after use? It would be very helpful in fine tuning my search. Thanks and hopefully someone with S100 experience will help on settings to start from.

Rob

 

[Aqua-Andy]

The reason I went with the Ilelite housing was it was a compromise between the canon and the Fix or Recsea. The aluminum housings are nice but I just could not afford to pay three times the price of the Ikelite. I also dive with dry gloves all year and I thought the large shutter release would be easier to manipulate than the small button on the Canon housing.

 

[Interceptor121]

I would start from Scott website Underwater Photography Guide
He is the owner of Bluewater photo and his website has got plenty of easy to understand tips as well as video to support some of the concepts
Or buy a book on kindle such as Martin Edge UW photography guide

 

[Scuba_Noob]

I have the S95 with the Ikelite housing, and I like the clear case because you can double/triple check the o-ring without having to open the case. Also, it seems to have significantly better reviews and reliability than the Canon housing (e.g., against latches breaking and flooding), making it worth the extra hundred dollars. My buddy just got the S100 as well, and he's very happy with it.

 

[peeweediver]

Scuba_Noob: Quick question on a clear housing. I have trouble on my current Cannon housing with a clear case because the internal flash kept seeping out even after black taping the heck out of the case. That's why I've been leaning towards the FIX or Recsea because they are black (but gulping at bit at the price). Do you use an attached strobe and does the Ikelite work well with it? Do you see any "leakage" from the internal strobe? thanks.

Rob

 

[flareside]

Peewee: are you taping the inside of the housing or the outside? My S90 Canon housing takes very little tape to keep the light from affecting the photo. Ref: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/st...lash-canon-s95-inon-s-2000-a.html#post6238156

 

[Rumrunner_1492]

Congrats on your new purchase. I picked up the S100 and Ikelite housing last week. I have been playing with it and trying to figure it out. I'm a bit confused on what settings to use as well. I will be taking it to FL with me next week for some diving.

Are you getting a wide angle lens? I have been looking to order one but I am not sure which one to get.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Congrats on your new purchase. I picked up the S100 and Ikelite housing last week. I have been playing with it and trying to figure it out. I'm a bit confused on what settings to use as well. I will be taking it to FL with me next week for some diving.

Are you getting a wide angle lens? I have been looking to order one but I am not sure which one to get.

No wide angle lens yet, I blew my budget by about 40% on this initial purchase so I'll have to wait for more accessories.

 

[thejamez]

I'm a bit confused on what settings to use as well. I will be taking it to FL with me next week for some diving.

Here's what I can say:

I bought the S95 and read many forum posts/websites specific recommendations. Then I went to Cozumel with the S95+Fix Housing+Fix Wide Angle Lens+YS01 Strobe. I'm an UW photo noob, with my only previous experience being with a cheapo sealife mini.

I had planned to mess around with some manual settings, but as soon as we hit the water that plan got thrown out the window. All the dives had current (drift diving) and it was busy (6 or so ppl on each dive with us)... so when you take that into account with the nature of UW Photography (moving targets) and it being my first experience with a strobe, there was simply no way I was going to have time to make manual settings for all my photos.

Before I left I read some posts from nimrod on here saying he liked shooting with Aperture Priority (AV mode), which you can shoot RAW with, and so that's what I did. My photos came out pretty good, but one thing to watch for in this mode was the camera choosing fairly high ISO settings (some of mine came out at 800 ISO which created a slight grain/noise at full resolution that had to be corrected) in some photos. If I remember correctly you can set a "MAX" ISO speed in the settings however.

The battery also only lasted for a max of 2 dives (always last 2 dives) but not 3, so if you dive more than 2x per day you will need a spare battery to change out.