S100 contrast problems

[olphart]

Perhaps post a couple of shots here and we can look at your settings

Here's a typical shot: Coz, ~60' P mode, WB on the sand, autofocus(duh! forgot to set MF), auto ISO,(I think)
It's actually one of the better shots...deleted the others, saved this one to play with.

 

[Scubanoobi]

I had the same problem with my G15, taking video in anything but video mode you are unable to adjust exposure (full auto as interceptor mentioned). You can adjust exposure in video mode by pressing "*", then holding in the shortcut button while pressing the left / right on the scroll wheel.

It's a pain - and will reset back to 0 after a minute of so, or when you change WB.

My way of doing it was get the WB, then adjust exposure right away (1 stop or 2/3 stop)

 

[oly5050user]

First thing to do is Shoot in manual mode..auto focus is ok but set ISO,shutter speed,aperture
second thing is get a external strobe and no longer need to worry about wht balance,leave it on auto
third is get much closer to subject,like 3-4 ft or less
fourth thing is shoot upward angle whenever possible

 

[Interceptor121]

I had the same problem with my G15, taking video in anything but video mode you are unable to adjust exposure (full auto as interceptor mentioned). You can adjust exposure in video mode by pressing "*", then holding in the shortcut button while pressing the left / right on the scroll wheel.

It's a pain - and will reset back to 0 after a minute of so, or when you change WB.

My way of doing it was get the WB, then adjust exposure right away (1 stop or 2/3 stop)

You can also use another trick which is to point the camera up in the water wait dial down the exposure a bit and then press exposure lock
When you point it down you will have more contrast
Canon video modes are anyway poor underwater so it will be a battle
Try to never point the camera upward when shooting video

 

[Bas Harts]

autofocus(duh! forgot to set MF), auto ISO,(I think)

Why would you use manual focus?

The problem with the example shot looks to be the shutter speed. What setting did the camera use to take this picture?

It surely isnt the camera!! The G and S serie of canon produces great images with the right settings and knowledge.

 

[olphart]

Why would you use manual focus?

autofocus is a very bad idea underwater. The camera focusses on the particulates.
And as I said, I'm trying to find out just how to avoid the problem.
Strobes are not on the table. First I like to shoot in natural light and I'm switching back and forth between video and stills. I may try to use my dive light thoough

 

[dfx]

I'm having pretty good luck with the built-in underwater preset for WB, both with the internal flash (+ diffuser on the housing) and in natural light. In those cases where it doesn't come out, I can fix it with the RAW image.

 

[Bas Harts]

autofocus is a very bad idea underwater. The camera focusses on the particulates.

OK..... I must have been doing something wrong over the years.....I seriously NEVER used manual focus.....

Luckily most of my shots turned out to be ok, Lucky me

 

[Interceptor121]

In video it is quite likely the camera will go focus hunting so it's best to lock it. In pictures though it should not be required at all unless you are swimming in the murk and Cozumel doesn't look like it would need that. If you shoot Ambient light ensure the onboard flash is OFF otherwise pictures will end up in a mess with the flash illuminating the particles in the water. I also recommend to shoot raw and dial down exposure to -1/3 or even to -1. Sometimes there is so much light bouncing on the sand you end up with glare. In those cases do not point the camera upwards despite what you read on manual as those are the instructions when light is lacking not when there is plenty and it's shallow

 

[supergaijin]

+1 for not using auto-focus with video unless you have very clear water and/or you're filling the frame with the subject. Trying to film a distant shark for example can be tricky with auto focus- better to shoot in 'infinity'. Basically the problem is a lack of contrast, so the camera goes hunting.

For stills however, a simple half-press will 'lock' focus on the subject if it is the dominant subject and has decent contrast. It may take a few goes to get the focus just right (ie. on the eye) but for me this is not a problem. Some divers may have trouble holding the half-press for extended periods of time. Perhaps there, focus lock is an option.

Martin Edge also advocates using focus lock for very shy animals for example.