Need to ask a off the wall vision question

[zuzanne]

I am looking at purchasing the Canon S410 with the WP-DC800 housing. Since the camera is small as is the housing, how difficult is it to see and use all of the controls to operate the setup underwater? Since I wear my contact to dive with, I am not sure how much trouble I will have seeing the settings to operate them. I wear no line bifocals on land so above water I will be OK. The only time I wear contacts is to dive. Does anyone else wear contacts to dive with that could offer some info on this?

Thanks,

Suzanne
:06:

 

[gypsyjim]

I do not wear contacts, but I also rely on no line bi-focals. With a good prescription mask I was having trouble reading my camera, watch and even the gauges were a problem at times. I just bought and dived with my new SEA Vision bi-focal mask: WOW, now I can SEE!!! Not cheep, but the bi-focal mask is something I can't believe I put off for so long.

 

[zuzanne]

Thanks for the info. Where did you get the bi-focal Sea Vision mask? I have a Sea Vision Mask now that I really love. Can I get the bi-focal lenses put in it? I have problems with wearing contacts for very long that's why I only wear them diving. I have trouble with them seeing things close up like my dive computer/gauges or trying to read. Plus they irritate my eyes after a few hours.

Thanks again.

Suzanne

 

[Rob612]

I am looking at purchasing the Canon S410 with the WP-DC800 housing. Since the camera is small as is the housing, how difficult is it to see and use all of the controls to operate the setup underwater? Since I wear my contact to dive with, I am not sure how much trouble I will have seeing the settings to operate them. I wear no line bifocals on land so above water I will be OK. The only time I wear contacts is to dive. Does anyone else wear contacts to dive with that could offer some info on this?

Thanks,

Suzanne
:06:

I do not wear bifocals, but I do have a prescription mask (miopia) and the same camera/housing. No problem at all, and I am getting in need of bifocals soon The controls are easy to use and once you are used to them on land, they are practically identically under water, so you do not really need to even see them anyway.

 

[ChrisA]

I am looking at purchasing the Canon S410 with the WP-DC800 housing. Since the camera is small as is the housing, how difficult is it to see and use all of the controls to operate the setup underwater? Since I wear my contact to dive with, I am not sure how much trouble I will have seeing the settings to operate them. I wear no line bifocals on land so above water I will be OK. The only time I wear contacts is to dive. Does anyone else wear contacts to dive with that could offer some info on this?

Thanks,

Suzanne
:06:

You really do need to know the camera well enough that you don't need to read from the screen 100% perfectly. For example the camera puts up a tulip icon when in macro mode. I just know that when that little blurry dot appears in the lower right that the camera is in macro mode. There is no other little icon that can appear in that location. While underwater you really don't use many of the features that are hidden two levels deep in the menu system. The few setting you do like to work with will be famiar.

Also the mask acts like a one diopter lens and makes everything lager.

Before you buy the S410 think about the battery life. You really do NOT want to be openning the housing in the back of the boat or on the beach to replace batteries. Also what do those special batteries cost? My A80 will do hundreds of shots on the same set of four nicklehydide batts. I'm not saying don't get it, just to think about battery life. Also if you think you might be buying an external strobe later see if the S410 allows enough manual control to allow use of a strobe.

 

[gypsyjim]

Thanks for the info. Where did you get the bi-focal Sea Vision mask? I have a Sea Vision Mask now that I really love. Can I get the bi-focal lenses put in it? I have problems with wearing contacts for very long that's why I only wear them diving. I have trouble with them seeing things close up like my dive computer/gauges or trying to read. Plus they irritate my eyes after a few hours.

Thanks again.

Suzanne

I got my mask through Discount Diver in Seattle, I believe its www.discountdivers.com . I recall something about them being able to put the lenses in your favorite mask, but if you already have a Sea Vision mask you might be able to deal with them directly, as both mask and lenses came to me directly from them in the end. Good luck, seeing is what this sport is all about. Jim

 

[dilligaf368]

I use Glasses just to see the first 15', and my arms are too short! There are lenses that mount inside the mask. They are made of plastic and "stick on". If the local dive center doesn't carry them, go to the local Fly Fishing shop. They will have them.
Another "trick" is to only mount one. You can see the gauges easier with one and don't have to "place" them in Perfect alignment. B--

 

[Varoshiotis]

I use Glasses just to see the first 15', and my arms are too short! There are lenses that mount inside the mask. They are made of plastic and "stick on". If the local dive center doesn't carry them, go to the local Fly Fishing shop. They will have them.
Another "trick" is to only mount one. You can see the gauges easier with one and don't have to "place" them in Perfect alignment. B--

Here's a photo of my Cressi modified mask - the ugly guy inside it is me..... taken using a Canon S1 with the Canon housing
http://www.pbase.com/alexis/image/33560345

alexis