S500 - Flower Gardens .. ISO thoughts

[Cabo]

I've been using the S400/S500 for over a year and was annoyed by the relatively slow shutter speed. So, I changed my ISO from 50 to 200 for this trip. I think it did help the shutter speed but it hurt the noise level. My pictures of the Manta show quite a bit of noise. I'm going back to ISO 50 for any future trips.
Image by Cabo (Copyright) posted at ScubaGallery
Image by Cabo (Copyright) posted at ScubaGallery
Image by Cabo (Copyright) posted at ScubaGallery

Posted pics:
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/ppuser/12117/cat/500

 

[wettek]

Gidday Cabo.

I too had a 400, which I later upgraded to a 500. I had a lot of problems with slow shutter speeds at low ISOs and in the end gave up unless I was close to the surface in bright sunlight or shooting a subject with no movement. To be honest, while they are great cameras, they are just too auto. I have just bought a Canon A95 and WP-DC50 housing, and love it. It ranges from full Auto, to full Manual, with heaps of custom settings available. I know it's an expense to change cameras, but honestly mate-it's worth it.

Regards.

 

[Cabo]

wettek

I'm hoping to unload some stock options around Christmas and get the Nikon D70 and Ikelite case. I hate the thought of dropping that much money but if I step up, I don't want to whine in another year about something else.

The S400/500 is way too "automatic" but does decent. I want the D70 for land shots as well. I go to Costa Rica occasionally and get annoyed when I miss a monkey shot because of shutter/focus lag or something. Hopefully the D70 will get me to where I only have myself to blame.

Gidday Cabo.

I too had a 400, which I later upgraded to a 500. I had a lot of problems with slow shutter speeds at low ISOs and in the end gave up unless I was close to the surface in bright sunlight or shooting a subject with no movement. To be honest, while they are great cameras, they are just too auto. I have just bought a Canon A95 and WP-DC50 housing, and love it. It ranges from full Auto, to full Manual, with heaps of custom settings available. I know it's an expense to change cameras, but honestly mate-it's worth it.

Regards.

 

[wettek]

Jeez mate, that's a full on upgrade, from Canon 500 to D70, half your luck. I think I've come to the conclusion that except in very limited situations, the full auto cameras are way behind the 8 ball underwater. My regret is when I bought my 500, I was going on honeymoon to Vanuatu to dive the Coolidge and decided I needed a camera. In hindsight, I wish I had done a lot more homework. Oh well, you get that. You are not interested in the Rebel(Canon 300D)???? It's had a lot of glowing reports. What the hell, any dive's a good dive, photos are a bonus.
Regards

 

[Cabo]

Going on a major trip like that with a camera that didn't fit your needs would be annoying. I'm really ok with the S500 except for recycle time and focus/shutter lag. Shutter speed control is next on my list.

The Rebel looks really good and at first I was planning for that but after more research, I think the D70 is what I'm craving. Can I say exactly why?? Maybe not. There aren't any specific features that I just must have. I don't have an investment in lenses either way. What'll bite is if by Christmas, either company announces a new model that'll be out early spring. Then I'll have to force myself to wait.

My only concern is having to think about the shots much more underwater. I'm used to point-n-click so I've got a big adjustment. Above land is the same issue.

I know that if I get the D70, I'm not voicing any complaints to my wife. She'd have parts of me chopped off after spending the money and talking about one for so long.

Jeez mate, that's a full on upgrade, from Canon 500 to D70, half your luck. I think I've come to the conclusion that except in very limited situations, the full auto cameras are way behind the 8 ball underwater. My regret is when I bought my 500, I was going on honeymoon to Vanuatu to dive the Coolidge and decided I needed a camera. In hindsight, I wish I had done a lot more homework. Oh well, you get that. You are not interested in the Rebel(Canon 300D)???? It's had a lot of glowing reports. What the hell, any dive's a good dive, photos are a bonus.
Regards

 

[wettek]

Your wife sounds like she is related to mine! Let's face it, these days, no matter what we buy, 6 months later we are going to say "If only I'd waited another 3 months I could have got......" Such is life.