Newbi to Cameras

[GeekDiver]

Hello all,

I just received my new camera. I bought an MMII-EX and I'm going to Mexico in two weeks, can't wait .I hope I'll get some nice pics.

The sad part is that I know nothing about fstops or shutter speed and now that I got a cold I not going to risk getting sicker before my trip so won't be able to get into a pool or water to practice.

My question is:

Is there a good all round setting that I can use that will give avarage to good quality pics. The dives I think will be around 40-80 ft with 80+ vis. I have the MMII-ex with the standard built in lens and a YS60 strobe. Any thoughts would be welcome or if someone know a good like that I can check out it would be helpfull. I've been searching a couple of the dive shops for the Sea & Sea book about useing and taking pics but have'nt run accrosed it yet.

Geek

 

[Dee]

First, read Dave Read's photo instruction. It's an online tutorial that will explain everything is easy to understand english, not the technical jargon that confuses most folks.

It's hard to give a base setting because there are so many variables, especially between 40 and 80 feet. There's a whole world of difference in that 40 ft! With a strobe, your depth won't be a big factor unless you're doing silhouettes.

With the MMII you have a fixed shutter speed of 1/100 so with your strobe set to full power, a f/8 aperature will get you pleasing results within 3-4 feet. But you need to learn about aperatures and depth of field to understand .

So study Dave's site and remember two things...no strobe will cover more than 3-4 feet in front of you. And with your fixed focus camera, learn to judge distances accurately underwater!

If you want to get together for a hands on tutorial, just let me know. It's been about a year since I used a MMII but I think I still remember most of it!

 

[GeekDiver]

Dee

thanks for the Link I'll check it out. I got the MMII-EX which has shutter settings for 1/15 1/30 1/60 and 1/125. I assume the deaper I go then the slower the shutter needs to be. From my understanding your supposed to go down one fstop per every 3 meters or 9 ft. It would be nice if they included more than a blurb or to with the manuals they give you. I din't under stand why you need to change the strobe from 1/2 full or TTL. Id love to hang out with ya'll at TL but I think I'm going to spend this weekend in bed resting due to my cold. The next weekend I'll be concentrating on checking out all my gear and making sure it's ready and packed to go etc...

Geek

 

[Dee]

You're right about the shutter speed on the EX, I had my cameras mixed up.

I'd leave your shutter speed on 1/125 for all shots. Anything slower and you could get movement. I take it you'll be in clear Caribbean water so you'll have good ambient lighting. I always used 1/125 and had no reason to go slower. One f/stop per 9-10 ft. is about right if you have to put a rule to it.

You might want to get Joe Liburdi's book "The New Complete Guide to Sea & Sea". It certainly fills in the blanks the manual leaves out!

I didn't have the YS-60 strobe. My YS-50 only had full power. TTL metering isn't all that great in my book. Maybe for macro shots when you have more or less an even background it's OK. I much prefer to decide on the settings myself.

I wasn't suggesting we dive at TL!!!

have a great time!