S100 "presets"

[bkopec]

Hi, sorry, I know I've seen a couple of these lists before but I searched through the forums and can't find them so I'm hoping some of you can help. I just got an S100 and Ikelite housing as a beginner in UW photography. Can you please list some of the basic pre-set settings I should generally be using as a base regardless of the exact underwater shooting conditions? I know there are some specific tips on the bluewater phot page for various specific types of shooting, but these would just be simple general things like the timer before auto-poweroff or other things to help save battery life, turning off 'auto' settings like auto-flash, Av set to front ring control, etc. Thanks in advance for your help.
Brian

 

[ivakdiver]

Actually that site has some specific recommendations for compact cameras specifically the Canon ones and they are quite good starting points.
Scuba Noob posted the article to which I referred.
Great suggestions.

 

[Scuba_Noob]

Try this site Canon S90, Canon S95, Canon S100, G11 & Canon G12 Underwater Settings|Underwater Photography Guide

I generally use an ISO 100, 1/125, F6.3 to F8.0 in Manual Mode, although I play around with it a bit. You could also play around with the other RAW modes. I have an S95 with Ikelite, and I use strobes (but you should be able to use the internal flash and the diffuser with similar settings). Depends on whether you're doing macro or wide angle too, but without strobes, you're probably mostly doing macro.

 

[Interceptor121]

Without a strobe you are pretty much limited to Macro as the internal flash will create back-scatter as soon as you move more than 10 cm or 1/3 foot away from the subject
For macro try the following settings:
Aperture: F8
Shutter Speed: 1/500
Then adjust the flash power at around 3 cm you should get away with position 1 further away position 2
If you look into my philippine gallery on flickr all the macro are taken with those settings on a vintage Powershot A570IS

 

[ozziworld]

Most Important setting is shoot RAW.

Agree with Interceptor, I too use the default setting 1/500 and F8 on Macro, ISO80. Can lower shutter speed if you want to lighten your back ground. Or you can also increase ISO to lighten your background to taste. I don't know about manual settings (never used them UW) on the camera's flash but I guess you should start at full power then power down as needed.

Alternately, if you want to use auto and ttl (less stress but less control) use AV mode, F8 and TTL Flash and ISO 200. Your camera will almost always choose 1/60. You can start here and mess with Manual settings later. this should cover most conditions. By the way, Canons tend to over expose so I would also default at -2/3 EV.

Turn off red-eye, focus area center "small", I don't know if the ike housing has access to the front control ring but you will have to set that according to your preference. LCD time-outs are a matter of preference.

My S90 gets about 2 dives per charge. On a good day with lots of subjects to shoot - I change batteries after each dive. Your mileage will vary.

Good Luck and Happy shooting!

 

[ivakdiver]

On a first time use of my S100 in the Canon case, while in Roatan, I was very pleased with the results from Close Up using the internal flash and diffuser. At times, I was able to get the camera under ledges etc as no bulky arms and attached strobes to interfere getting into those tight corners.

 

[Dean13579]

Hi Bkopec

Set the ring function button to custom white balance, press menu, hit up on the ring twice to "set ring function" choose custom white balance, top row and 3rd from the end i think.

When diving, point the camera at a white slate, or back of buddys tank, hit the ring function button and white balance is set, you will need to do this every few meters up or down.

 

[ivakdiver]

This set of photos was taken in a local Quarry, May 7th with the S100 in a Canon U/W case using a Nikon SB 105 flash set to slave mode. (triggered by internal flash) ASA 400 f7.1 1/125th Flash on 1/16th power setting. Viz was low and further reduced by silt in water stirred up. Some backscatter had to be 'cleared' up.
I had two SB 105's, from when they recalled the SB 103's , years ago.


The diver, Jim Garrington of Shark Marine in St. Catharines, Ontario is using his 'Shark Marine Navigator' a hand held dive navigation system that is being sold worldwide to navies, search and rescue and other user groups. The 'Go Pro' camera is an add on mounted to his system.
The set up with arm and strobe set for close up. Arm was turned out for the photos above. Need another arm to mount second strobe.

 

[racerfern]

I'm missing something very basic, can someone help me please? I have a Canon S100 with the Canon WP-DC housing. I've only done 1 dive with it and I'm about to do the second one. I do have experience from my old S60 with its Canon housing.

The question is how do I change the shutter speed underwater when in manual mode. I have two ways of changing ISO, either ring function or menu button. I can set the front ring to f-Stop but But I can't turn the back ring to change shutter speed. On the old S60 the four buttons served to move f-stop by pressing right/left and shutter speed by pressing up/down. What am I missing?

Thanks!

Never mind! I searched further and found the answer, not an elegant solution but at least I now know how to change shutter speeds. Now my eyes have been opened to CHDK. On to the next hurdle.

 

[tarponchik]

Folks, what's the point of using small aperture like f/8.0 except for macro with a strobe? In terms of depth of field, f/4.0 with small Canons like mine s90 corresponds roughly to f/8.0 with DSLRs. Since visibility underwater is limited anyway, the depth of field is pretty much irrelevant consideration, so by using f/7.1-f/8.0 you are only pushing your camera to higher ISO and/or slower shutter speed.