s80 with magic filters

[vereance]

I am wondering about using auto magic filters or magic filters with my canon s80. I find manual white balance are rather difficult. I'm very new to diving so carrying a slate and camera underwater are rather challenging. Is that the only way I can go about? What about when they are no sandy area? :huh:

I have only recently bought my underwater casing so I'm trying to derive as much information before my next dive.

 

[shellbackdiver1]

Instead of magic filters use the underwater mode for white balance taking wide angle shots.

 

[DesertEagle]

My advice is to use auto WB. Shoot in Aperture Priority. The only adjustment you'll need to make is +- exposure compensation.

 

[vereance]

Issit really that worthless to buy the magic filter? just wondering... or I can always try fiddling with UW, Daylight and cloudy mode as suggested. Do I use the built-in flash only for macro shots?

 

[Gilligan]

1. "Auto White Balance" on underwater pics w/o a strobe yields "blue" photos. You then have to use the "Mandrake" process in Photoshop or PaintShop Pro to correct it. Even then the photo does not near resemble using "Manual White Balance"

2. The "Underwater White Balance" mode on Canon cameras is a happy medium setting as it would be impossible to have a pre-set underweater mode to accommodate all conditions. However, it would be a step above using "Auto White Balance" on non-strobe shots.

3. The "Auto Magic Filter" would be better for under 40 foot dives in clear blue water on a sunny day. It is used in conjunction with "Auto White Balance". However, you will not be able to use your internal strobe for macro shots as the pics will be red. This filter is inside the housing which precludes you from removing it during a dive to shoot strobe shots.

4. Last but not least, "Manual White Balance" IMHO is best for a point-n-shoot camera with post-processing in a software program.

If you are not comfortable with calibrating the Manual White Balance from a slate or the like then give the "Auto Magic Filter" a try. The regular "Magic Filter" was designed for DSLR cameras.

The "Auto Magic Filter" is for blue water. The green water Magic Filter is for DSLR cameras.

Yes, the built in strobe is good to about two feet max so macro shots come out best. If you get too close to the subject the internal strobe may show in the photo because of the close proximity of the strobe to the lens.

The other White Balance modes on the camera cannot replicate underwater conditions.

 

[Cacia]

thanks Gilligan. I have the Alex Mustard filter, but have never used it because I did not understand all that. The biggest downside is that you have to limit your shots to ones that are compatible (shallow, no flash) with the filter. I did like the sample test shots I saw...

 

[vereance]

Oh... wow! That clears it all up! Thanks Gilligan!

I'll try all these tips on my next dive. Till then, I'll practice on land!

 

[Gilligan]

Oh... wow! That clears it all up! Thanks Gilligan!

I'll try all these tips on my next dive. Till then, I'll practice on land!

Practicing on land is a wise decision so that you can work the controls on that camera quickly and efficiently underwater.

 

[dtech]

I have a cannon s80 and find it quite easy to use the manual white balance. the cannon s80 has a custom setting which I have set for manual white balance. As soon as I turn it to custom and press "set/func" the manual white balance is ready to set, just press menu while pointing at something white, I also have the custom setting all set up with flash disabled and set to aperature priority and the aperature set for 5.6 to start. I use the back of a blank credit card application I got in the mail wanting me to apply...you know the kind that says "your name here" on the front? I drilled a hole in the corner and attached it to a retractable line on my bc. Its quite easy to switch back and forth between auto/macro (for close ups) and custom