new to diving not photography

[the chemist]

Ok guys some questions
I currently have 12 dives logged. So not much. I am not planning on taking on photography underwater yet. All this being said I am trying to asses costs of underwater photgraphy. As i am new to diving I would like to know what I am getting into for serious underwater photography? My local dive instructor says a lot of the pro's use rebreathers? These are the kind of costs i am looking at
I currently own a d2hs and the F5
I am thinking of using the F5 for underwater but am open to suggestions. I have been looking at casings at bhphoto(my camera shop). I need a FAQ I am totally new to the diving side. thanks guys.

i was looking at the Sea & Sea NX-5 PRO for the F5

 

[Mycroft]

If you have decided to go the F5 route, then check out housings at www.ikelite.com You may not be able to buy from there directly, but that is where most of the good housings are made, then sold thru places like B&H or Helix out of Chicago. If you have specific question, e-mail Ikelite and they are very nice and DO answer quickly.

But the question asked of me many years ago. Do you want to risk your F5 (mine was an Alpa 11el at the time) to a housing that is eventually going to leak, or go with a camera designed for underwater? For, as I am told, ALL housings and underwater cameras leak eventually. Me? I'm over 100 dives withot a leak yet, knock on wood....

You can put together a basic Nikonos V system off e-bay for about the price of the housing for your F5, including a single strobe. Dual strobe still runs a bit more. And you don't need a seperate housing for alternate lenses later.

 

[_Bella_]

If you are really set on housing your F5, i would look around for a used housing. You can probably get one for a fraction of the new price.
Before going that route, you may want consider where you are going to do most of your photography. If it's local, then a film setup may not be so bad but if you start travelling much a digital system will ultimately be less hassle and more portable.

I love film and still have my F100, Nik III's and V's around but mostly because I haven't the heart to get rid of them.

 

[dbh]

First off...get plenty more dives under your belt and get VERY good with your buoyancy skills before you take a camera underwater. At this stage of your diving career, you do not need to be task overloaded with a camera too.

When I was diving in LaPaz last Fall, there was a rebreather class going on where we were staying. I saw enough to know that is not for me. Way too much set up time & maintenance. There is enough with an underwater photo rig.

IMHO, film cameras are only good for paper weights (fire retardant suit on). 90% of photographers (and 100% of new photographers) will take better pics with a prosumer camera with manual controls than they will with any film camera. The instant feedback almost flattens out the learning curve. With film, you have to bracket....then wait to get it developed. I would say by that time MOST people won't even remeber the settings they used. Also with digital, you can shoot...shoot...shoot topside to get comfortable changing aperture & shuttr speed and seeing how it affects your image. The cost of shooting topside......$0 .

These are merely my opinions....YMMV....

Dave

 

[Diver Dennis]

I'm all for digital too. Instant feedback and as Bella says, a lot less hassle.

I agree with dbh. I've been diving with rebreather guys enough to see that it is WAY too much work, especially if you are in a remote location. If you are working and they pick up the cost of arranging O2 and having the sorb shipped in, then it might be worth it. (only my opinion too...)

 

[the chemist]

If you have decided to go the F5 route, then check out housings at www.ikelite.com You may not be able to buy from there directly, but that is where most of the good housings are made, then sold thru places like B&H or Helix out of Chicago. If you have specific question, e-mail Ikelite and they are very nice and DO answer quickly.

But the question asked of me many years ago. Do you want to risk your F5 (mine was an Alpa 11el at the time) to a housing that is eventually going to leak, or go with a camera designed for underwater? For, as I am told, ALL housings and underwater cameras leak eventually. Me? I'm over 100 dives withot a leak yet, knock on wood....

You can put together a basic Nikonos V system off e-bay for about the price of the housing for your F5, including a single strobe. Dual strobe still runs a bit more. And you don't need a seperate housing for alternate lenses later.

i couldn't find any housing's on there site that matched the F5 or d2hs?

 

[the chemist]

I am not set on using film, its not really a question of userfriendlyness or exposure/settings but more or less if 36 shots will be enough before each dive. I honestly have no idea about underwater camera's. How is the Image quality of the underwater cameras compared to slr's. Not sure i want to risk a leaking case either albeit the F5 is getting old.
Good news to hear about the rebreathers, I was beginning to worry about the pocket book
No worries about diving with a camera yet. I am going to get more experience. Thanks

 

[justleesa]

Once you start taking pictures UW with a digital camera you will quickly learn that 36 isn't enough.

 

[Mariozi]

try Backscatter in Montery, they are likely ot have a nice F5 Sea&Sea all alluminum housing for a nice price.