MX10 or MMII-EX

[Miller]

I have always taken pictures. Where ever I go. So now it’s time to do it underwater. Everybody says the MX10 is a great camera. I like its compact design. But the strobe is in the wrong place. So what's every bodies opinion on the MMII-EX and the YS-60 strobe? Most of my picture taken will not be in good location.

 

[buff]

Proper strobe position is critical for taking good U/W pics. It is even harder to do in turbid water due to the reflection of light off of particulate matter in the water. This light reflects back to the camera and you have a mainstay of my photos-backscatter.

I used to MX 10 in Cozumel and thought it would take great photos. But only a small amount of "kick-up" from finning on the bottom ruined all of my great night-time moray and octopus shots.

Positioning the light source away from the camera will decrease backscatter. The problem with the MX10 is that you can't move the strobe. I bought a MXIIEX with dual YS60 strobes and a dual strobe adaptor. It was expensive, even for mail order. If you want something cheaper I would look at the ReefMaster series. They have movable dual strobes on their high end model. It looked like a good setup. I am new at U/W photography but I do like my MXIIEX.

U/W photography makes me feel like a diving newbie it is so difficult to do well. I love it.

 

[BillAllbritten]

Sea and Sea now markets a fiber optic cable that allows the MX-10 strobe to be removed and repositioned, another company has a similar device. I don't know for a new purchase if the cost of that would be so close to an MM IIEX to make it non cost-effective. I use an MMII and really like it.

Bill

 

[Uncle Pug]

Hi RDM,
I bought a MM II with all the extras to take some pictures in Hawaii and they actually came out OK which is surprising since I am not a photographer - but who wants a picture of the tail of a fish.... ;-0

I haven't used it since.

One thing I have noticed is that people are gifted in different areas and I think some folks could take super pictures with a disposable camera and then people like me... well....

Let just say my talent is looking at pictures....

But that is certainly not the fault of the MM II....
A great camera needs a photographer behind it....

 

[Miller]

I work with fiber optic cables and if you bend it past 90 degrees. It will start giving problems.
How was the close-up lens, with the MMII-EX? That was the other thing about MMII-EX. Don’t want to have to buy anything else.
Thanks for the info.

 

[BillAllbritten]

It works well - the picture of the little eel on our last Coz trip (check http://www.murraystate.edu/secsv/billallb.htm choose the last trip down) was taken with it. Best wishes, Bill

 

[Rooster]

Originally posted by Miller
I work with fiber optic cables and if you bend it past 90 degrees. It will start giving problems.
How was the close-up lens, with the MMII-EX? That was the other thing about MMII-EX. Don?t want to have to buy anything else.
Thanks for the info.

If you don't want to have to buy anything else, stay away from underwater photography! :nono:

I started with a MMII. I now have more UW photography equipment than I care to admit to. If I had to do it all over again, in my never-ending photo equipment evolution, I would skip the MMII EX and go straight for the Nikonos V. This is a much better camera, for only a little more money. Not that the MMII EX is a "bad" camera, it's just nowhere as good as the Nik V. When I moved up to a Nik V, I had to start all over again. New camera, new lenses, new strobes, new arms, new trays, the works. When I moved up to a housed system, I was able to use the strobes, synch cords and arms, on my new system. Even going lateral to a housed digital, I was able to utilize my Nik strobe and arms. I know I'll get flack for saying that the MMII EX is not as good as the Nik V, but I still own both cameras. Side by side there is just no comparison. Yes you can take some good photos with the MMII, but like Uncle Pug said, some people can get good photos from disposables. All things being equal, you'll get better quality photos from a Nik V. Now did someone mention digital? :mean:

 

[Marvintpa]

Go with the II EX for sure. It offers flexibility the MX 10 cannot.
You would likely outgrow the MX10 quite fast, once you realize it's limitations.

 

[DivingGal]

I've got a MX10 set-up, and have just recently purchased the necessary equipment to be able to move the strobe off the fixed position on the camera. (so recent - I haven't received it yet)

I went "whole" hog, and purchased both a fixed mount and a fibre cable connection - many, many thanks for advice given to me by Greg at GB Undersea

I figure I'll be all set, and well practised by the time Wreckmania rolls around so I can snap some great shots of the maniacs doing their "thing".

 

[Dee]

Originally posted by DivingGal
I figure I'll be all set, and well practised by the time Wreckmania rolls around so I can snap some great shots of the maniacs doing their "thing".

DG...we can be co-photographers for the trip!!!

I have always taken pictures. Where ever I go. So now it’s time to do it underwater. Everybody says the MX10 is a great camera. I like its compact design. But the strobe is in the wrong place. So what's every bodies opinion on the MMII-EX and the YS-60 strobe? Most of my picture taken will not be in good location.

You say most of your pictures won't be in a good location...you mean low vis, lots of particles in the water? If it's just particles to cause backscatter, that's easily improved with strobe placement. But if you're talking about the low viz water found in lakes, I think the MMII is overkill. You would get the same results with an MX-10 with the fiber optic cable option for the strobe. You'll have a smaller set-up with plenty of power for what you need.