My First Dive With A Camera...

[Erik Il Rosso]

I will dive with my brand new S70 and housing next week-end...

Just because I want to do things right here are the settings I am going to use (I am going to take macro pics only this round)...

1) Camera in M mode...
2) Macro mode on...
3) Shutter Speed 1/125...
4) F6.3 / F8...
5) Auto focus...
6) White balance auto...
7) Internal strobe with strobe diffuser...

What I am not sure about is...

1) ISO, should I use 50/100/200/400 ???
2) Flash Output, 1/3rd power, 2/3rd power or full power ???
3) Resolution (I've got a 512MB card) ???

Thanks for your help...

Ciao, Erik Il Rosso

 

[KrisB]

I'll answer q3: either Large/fine or Large/superfine. Will give you either 261 or 163 pictures (respectively) on a 512mb card (according to Canon's calculations). These should be sufficient to last a couple dives between downloads... and it means you can crop the pics later if you want to, and still keep much of the detail you want.

As for q1: you will have to play with that one -- depends on lighting. The higher ISOs will allow more tolerance to low-light conditions, but also introduce a lot of graininess. I'd say try 100 and if it's underexposed either try ISO 200 or reduce the shutter speed/decrease the f.stop number.

Cheers,

 

[ChillyWaters]

I will dive with my brand new S70 and housing next week-end...

Just because I want to do things right here are the settings I am going to use (I am going to take macro pics only this round)...

1) Camera in M mode...
2) Macro mode on...
3) Shutter Speed 1/125...
4) F6.3 / F8...
5) Auto focus...
6) White balance auto...
7) Internal strobe with strobe diffuser...

What I am not sure about is...

1) ISO, should I use 50/100/200/400 ???
2) Flash Output, 1/3rd power, 2/3rd power or full power ???
3) Resolution (I've got a 512MB card) ???

Thanks for your help...

Ciao, Erik Il Rosso

I'm rather new at this too. I have an s30.

So far I prefer the camera in P mode. I prefer not to use the flash, especially for macro, as I find the lighting to be screwed up (half the picture has proper colour, the other half doesn't), or the picture is overexposed. You can get good colour without the flash, AFAIAC. And the pictures looks more "real." Of course, a good photographer might mix the two techniques.

I haven't played with ISO much, but ISO at 200 seems fine.

Shoot in RAW so you can correct white balance later (a must). You can download Canon's "Raw Converter" to fix the colour later -- it's MUCH better than Photoshop CS2.

- ChillyWaters

 

[alcina]

I think your initial list looks good. For your three points, here is where I would start - remember, you can change all of these things underwater (I suggest a slate with a note on each to remind you!)

1 - start with 50. Only increase if you have to. The higher the ISO the more grain/noise in the image...and if you have to any work on them after you shoot it will be magnified.

2 - I haven't used your particular camera, but on my A series I always set the flash to one notch below full power. This gave me good light, but didn't fry the super close stuff. You can test this on land - put your camera in the housing and shoot something 6-12 inches away...if it's burning everything out on land, it will underwater. If you are only getting light burn out, you're probably fine...remember, the water between your camera and the subject will eat up some light.

Remember that light comes out kind of like a cone, so you need to make sure you are positioning your camera so that it isn't blocking the light from the flash and casting a shadow. You may actually need to move AWAY from your subject just slightly and compensate with the zoom. A bit of practice and you'll soon get your eye in! Remember - shoot, review, adjust, shoot, review, adjust - repeat. Review is essential so you don't end up with the same mistake in every photo!

3 - the best you can. A 512 card will give you a ton of shots. And if you get really desperate and fill it you can scroll and delete one or two! But delete as a very last option!! If you have RAW, use it if you have the software or can lay your hands on it. Even if all your software right now can do is convert to a jpeg that you can work on. You will be able to work on the jpeg now, but have the very most, best information saved in the RAW file for later software additions.

If you do turn off your flash, use your manual white balance - it's pretty easy on the Canon's. Of course, if you are shooting in RAW mode you don't need to fiddle with manual white balance underwater as you can choose the white balance in the converter.

Have a great time!

 

[ChillyWaters]

3 - ... If you have RAW, use it if you have the software or can lay your hands on it. Even if all your software right now can do is convert to a jpeg that you can work on. You will be able to work on the jpeg now, but have the very most, best information saved in the RAW file for later software additions.

Definitely use RAW! The software to convert is found on Canon's site, so it's easy to get hold of. The S70 supports this powerful feature, so it might as well be used.

The only other thing I'd have to say is: "BE STILL!" This is especially if he turns off the flash. You don't have to be like a rock, but just take some care to not be floundering about.

- ChillyWaters

 

[Erik Il Rosso]

3 - the best you can. A 512 card will give you a ton of shots. And if you get really desperate and fill it you can scroll and delete one or two! But delete as a very last option!! If you have RAW, use it if you have the software or can lay your hands on it. Even if all your software right now can do is convert to a jpeg that you can work on. You will be able to work on the jpeg now, but have the very most, best information saved in the RAW file for later software additions.

If you do turn off your flash, use your manual white balance - it's pretty easy on the Canon's. Of course, if you are shooting in RAW mode you don't need to fiddle with manual white balance underwater as you can choose the white balance in the converter.[/QUOTE=alcina]

Thanks for all the tips given Alcina...

Just a couple more questions...

1) How many pics in RAW format can I store on a 512MB card ???
The problem is that this is the only card I own (up to now) and when I will be in Walea (Sulawesi) I will not have a laptop to download all the pics taken...

2) Canon converter - If I understand well I can shoot pics with white balance set to "Auto", no strobe, forget to take a dive slate with me to set the correct white balance and do all the work at home with this tool ???
Where can I download this utility ???

Ciao, Erik Il Rosso

 

[ChillyWaters]

1) How many pics in RAW format can I store on a 512MB card ???
The problem is that this is the only card I own (up to now) and when I will be in Walea (Sulawesi) I will not have a laptop to download all the pics taken...

2) Canon converter - If I understand well I can shoot pics with white balance set to "Auto", no strobe, forget to take a dive slate with me to set the correct white balance and do all the work at home with this tool ???
Where can I download this utility ???

1) That's problematic. On my 3MP camera, the RAW pictures are over 2MB/picture. So, I'm guessing your 7MP camera would have them at over 4MB/picture. That means only 100-125pictures on your 512MB card.

2) You can't set white balance when shooting in RAW -- white balance is a processing matter, and it isn't performed until you do it with Canon's software later. No slate needed. Strobe is optional, but you can get some very good colour without one. I've got good colour at 80ft, with low viz, and hardly any light. Everything looks very "magazine-like" with one though. Depends on what you're going for.

- ChillyWaters

 

[hvulin]

I use pixmantec rawshooter for raw conversion (I own S45)! it's free and great (you just have to register)

I have 4,5G microdrive inside of my S45 and it can store around 1100 photos on it (around 4M each picture on this 4MP photo)

 

[ChillyWaters]

I use pixmantec rawshooter for raw conversion (I own S45)! it's free and great (you just have to register)

I have 4,5G microdrive inside of my S45 and it can store around 1100 photos on it (around 4M each picture on this 4MP photo)

Thanks for the link. I really liked the usability of the program, and its speed. It has options for everything, and works quickly.

However, I have to come back to a simple question. Why doesn't anybody use Canon's "Raw Converter2"? As much as I hate its usability and speed, it provides the best images _by far_, and with no fiddling.

I played with a few pictures with rawshooter, but couldn't get near the colour depth as Canon's program. I'll keep it installed though, as I'm sure there will be times it might be useful.


So, why doesn't anybody use Canon's "Raw Converter2"??? I hear of people using Photoshop CS2 as well, but I still couldn't get the colour richness as with the Raw Converter2.

- ChillyWaters