My wife decides to learn to dive.

[ConchyJoe]

I have been diving since I was 7, and still have a Calypso, as will as a Nikonis II, along with all the stuff from back then, like a huge Giddings flash.

But I need something new, so I buy:

Used C-5000Z on ebay, $50.00
PT-19 from Oly closeouts $75.00

And I am stoked! No more loading 75 35mm movie film frames in canisters! I can take 400 pictures if I wanted.

And I take pictures on the trip that look like this:

But they also look like this:

So I am looking for advice. I like the camera. I did the white balance thing. I like the macro modes.

I am sure I need a flash. But which one, as xmas is getting close.

And any other wisdom you would like to impart on me.

Thanks!

Bob Stuke

 

[idocsteve]

What does that have to do with your wife learning to dive?

 

[Zorrr2]

I have been diving since I was 7, and still have a Calypso, as will as a Nikonis II, along with all the stuff from back then, like a huge Giddings flash.

But I need something new, so I buy:

Used C-5000Z on ebay, $50.00
PT-19 from Oly closeouts $75.00

And I am stoked! No more loading 75 35mm movie film frames in canisters! I can take 400 pictures if I wanted.

And I take pictures on the trip that look like this:

But they also look like this:

So I am looking for advice. I like the camera. I did the white balance thing. I like the macro modes.

I am sure I need a flash. But which one, as xmas is getting close.

And any other wisdom you would like to impart on me.

Thanks!

Bob Stuke

Well good afternoon,
I believe I can help you. After looking at your two above pics, it is not hard to know what is wrong . . White Balance is incorrect on the second image.

Now I am currently using an Oly C5050 in a Oly PT105 UW housing. I also have an INON 220 strobe and an INON UW Wide angle wet lens.

The technique I will describe was taught to me by the photo speciallist down at Coco View, Roatan, Honduras. His name is Tim and he teaches all who listeb how to take pics with NO STROBE, or using ambient light. This is achived by using the "MANUAL WHITE BALANCE" on your camera. You will need to learn the button sequence on your camera in order to get it to this setting. Once there you will need to hold a white card or point at something white (sandy bottom if near by) and push your button on the camera to accept this. You have now told your camera that this sample you just gave it is WHITE and it adjusts the cameras color sectrum and output accordingly. Now this will need to be done every 10 to 15 feet because of the waters effect of filtering light and its colors. It was a bit hard at first holding the camera and holding a white plastic card out at arms reach at first . . but it got easier as time went on. I would HIGHLY recomend this technique IF your camera has the MANUAL WHITE BALANCE feature.

If you would like to see some examples . . . here are some pic I posted from my last trip using this technique. Now the macros were still taken with a strobe . . and during that time thw WHITE BALANCE was left on auto.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71239781@N00/

Tim rents cameras there and the pictures people bring back using no flash and following his directions are just incredible. I hope this helps . . Mark

 

[Gdog]

great pics

 

[Jason Ooi]

Nice pcs...thanks you for your sharing

 

[ConchyJoe]

Zorrr2,

Thanks for the tip. I did do the white balance thing, but totally did not think of doing it often. I think that is exactly the problem.

I looked at the Inon strobes, and they are out of my price range.

Are there any thoughts on a less expensive model? understanding that I get what I pay for?