Panasonic FT3 (TS3), snorkeling & freediving photos and videos, Red Sea, Egypt

[conway400]

Thanks for the information. I feel much better now.

We are going to Isla this time of year so that we can catch the whale shark season. Your pictures are great. I love Number 21!

What is going on with Number 12?

Thanks again. I hope to have some great pics with my new TS3. Not sure how to use it yet, but learning.

 

[primus]

What is going on with Number 12?

I take this photo only to be a part of video: FT2: Swimming with Whale Sharks in Cancun, june 2010..m2ts - YouTube (from 2 minutes 51 seconds): I have a habit that before and after each video recording I take some photos, which are used later in process of film editing.

 

[conway400]

Fantastic. Thanks for the info. I leave Friday and hope to have some great shots to show with this camera.

Any setting recommendations for shallow diving and for whale shark snorkeling?

Just underwater mode?

Thanks!

 

[primus]

Any setting recommendations for shallow diving and for whale shark snorkeling?

Just underwater mode?

It is really hard to say which settings to choose, but as this is compact P&S camera you don't have much choice. Depends also on where you will see Whale Wharks: in murky, shallow, green waters or in clear, deep, blue waters.

In my experience you will go into the water to see Whale Sharks in groups of two (from each boat). In the first couple of "dives" you could test some different adjustments, and then decide which is best in a given situation.

Do not forget:

- to rent a short wet suit, sea there, where you will see Whale Sharks, is quite cold

- to go there only with fully charged battery

- to thoroughly check camera and rubber seal before starting a trip (DO NOT OPEN YOUR TS3 ON THE BOAT!)

- to take as many photos and videos as possible, as this is a very rare opportunity!

 

[gargar]

great photos! I just bought this unit and am excited to get in the water with it tomorrow. Heading to Phu Quoc island off the coast of Vietnam. I haven't read great things about the snorkeling/diving there so at least I will have a sweet new camera to try out. I was using a Pentax Optio W90 before and despite getting a few good photos I really wasn't that pleased with it over all. I can already tell the DMC-TS3 is going to be a lot better.

 

[coralgirl]

I am too a user of the Lumix FT3. I bought this camera so I won't need to purchase underwater casing. So far, I have been happy with my purchase. I have this camera for 8 months now. I noticed that if you take this camera beyond 15m, the Auto Focus will not work. I once took this camera to 20m by accident while turn-off, I have switch it off since the AF was not working. I am planing to buy the underwater housing from Ikelite for this camera as I am planing to take my advance open water.

The downside of this camera is sometime a drop of water stay on the lens when taking picture after you been using it in the water. This can be fixed by spraying anti fogging spray or use shampoo on the lens before using it in the water.
The lens is located on the corner of the camera, I have photos with my finger accidentally appears on the corner of the photos
Here some a few images that I took while diving at Nusa Lembongan Bali, Indonesia (Buyuk and SD sites). The visibility was around 12-15m. The camera can take macro shot from a min. distance of 3cm. I have adjusted the White Balance only.

 

[SnorkelMonkey]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I'm considering getting this camera. Can you give me an indication what sort of battery life you got? I notice you shoot a lot of video.

 

[alcina]

@snorkelmonkey - I've been having a play with my TS3 (see the main UW Photo area for a thread with images) and the battery life has been pretty good so far, even with videos. I was able to do two 45+ dives + one 60 minute snorkel + various shots on the boat during a full day tour with the lcd on the whole time before I got a flashing battery icon - and I had the camera out the day before for a 45 minute walk on the beach with the camera on & me shooting quite a bit.

I would, if going on a holiday, invest in a spare battery for this camera.

 

[alcina]

This thread has been added as a link to the Sticky revision :cool3:

Still need input on camera models, photos that you've taken with your setup and lots more for revising the Sticky