S90 newie

[marmagi]

Hello,

in the past I always used my CANON compact cameras such as ixus 700, ixus 100 using external strobe INON D-2000 now finaly I got a CANON S90 as you all know its is also fully manual !!!!

I have tried to make some photos fully manual, AV, TV modes, and its a big mess !!! they are either underexposed or overexposed why this happens?

I know I have to keep trying and that it isnt easy, but if any of you has some recommendations on starting settings I will deeply appreciated.

I have to say if I use the camera in fully automatic the photos are great

For example how should I start with the following settings:

white balance?
ISO ?
External strobe INON D-2000 how should I set it?

in order for external strobe to be sync with camera settings aperture and speed what ISO should I use in the camera? what speed in the camera?

any recoomendations I will appreciate them

thanks

Mario

 

[Nemrod]

Hello,

The S2000 strobe, the "correct" ISO setting is 100. You can play with the ISO of course to accomplish an effect but the strobe thinks the camera is set to 100 so that is where you should begin.

The S2000 strobe has only Manual mode and sTTL mode. The sTTL mode will expect a pre-flash and will therefore only function as below;

Camera in P --always a pre-flash, set S2000 to sTTL

Camera in Auto -- always a pre-flash, set S2000 to sTTL

Camera in Av, camera strobe set to Auto (under Menu), set S2000 to sTTL

Camera in Tv, same as Av

Camera in Manual, camera strobe will be in Manual, set power level to lowest, S2000, install magnet, set S2000 to Manual, match camera f stop to strobe f stop, vary to suit your taste. Try f5.6 on camera and strobe. About mid-position of the 12 power settings on the S2000 and shutter speed 1/60 to 1/250, max sync speed with the S90 is 1/500 in Auto, Program, Av or Tv.

Note: The S2000 has 12 settings that correspond to, I think (at ISO100), spanning from f1.8 to f 11.0 in I think half stops.

Note: leave the magnet installed in the S2000 for your usage. When the magnet is installed the S2000 does not expect a preflash, only in Manual strobe mode.

Note: Your S90 has strobe exposure compensation, look for the +/- strobe under Func Set options, you may use this feature to extend or provide additional exposure control above and beyond the strobe power knob on the S2000. The knob on the strobe with the yellow dots and + and - signs is the power, strobe output knob that controls over under exposure in sTTL and corresponds to f stops in Manual mode.

Under Func Set shooting jpegs, just choose the fish or cloudy for your white balance.

There is no such thing as a "standard" setting, depends on what you are shooting, the local conditions, the expected results, the lenses in use etc.

I like to set my S90, 1 and 2/3 stop overall under exposed, you can assign this function to the front ring control in Av/Tv/P modes. Obviously, in Manual there is a little exposure scale that pops up on the LCD in the lower right corner, here you match the arrow or bias up or down to suit your tastes.

Please read your instruction manuals, they are very helpful.

I have to say if I use the camera in fully automatic the photos are great

If you think so then just leave it in Auto, be warned, one persons "great" is another's not so great, depends what you want or they expect.

N

 

[marmagi]

thanks a lot for all your kind detailed help I will try them all, but my strobe is D2000 not S2000 is it the same settings?

 

[Nemrod]

thanks a lot for all your kind detailed help I will try them all, but my strobe is D2000 not S2000 is it the same settings?

Yes, the settings are the same, except the power knob is on the upper right and is actually labeled with the f stops for use in Manual mode or EA mode.

There is one difference of note with the D2000 in addition to the modeling light, you also have the useful EA, External Auto mode.

Set as follows, you have many options with the EA mode:

1. Camera in Av mode, D2000 in EA mode, magnet installed, set camera strobe to Manual (Menu button) and set to lowest power, 1/3. Set camera f stop, start at f5.6 and match to f5.6 on D2000 strobe power knob, set strobe mode switch to EA mode. Set camera front ring control to +/- exposure compensation mode, in Av rear dial will be f stop. Use the front ring control to set the overall camera exposure to -1&1/3 stops (my preference), I also like to shoot my strobes 1.0 stop below the camera f stop setting, sometimes even 2 or 3 stops below if I am going for an ambient, natural light look with just a touch of flash fill. Set camera ISO to 100 as stated previously, use the fish or cloudy symbol white balance unless shooting RAW. If shooting RAW, you are on your own with the rest!!!!

Note: the above is my preferred setting.

2. Camera in Av mode, D2000 in EA mode, magnet NOT installed, camera strobe set to Auto under Menu button, again match f stop on camera to f stop on strobe power knob

Note: IMO, this gains nothing, use (1.) above.

3. Camera in Manual mode, camera strobe defaults to Manual, set power to lowest level, set D2000 to EA mode, match f stop to f stop on camera, install magnet in D2000.

Note: this selection provides auto strobe exposure with manual camera exposure.

4. Camera in Manual mode, D2000 in Manual mode, magnet installed, match f stop on camera to strobe to suit your desired results.

The above suggestions are not all there are, these are the ones I use the most or know will work beyond the set up I have already given you in my previous post--the D2000 and S2000 work EXACTLY the same in Manual and sTTL modes--EXACTLY the same.

OK, so here it is, leave the dang magnet installed, shoot Av or Tv with camera strobe selected to Manual and lowest power setting, strobe in EA mode as you begin your dive or for wide angle or general stupid shots of nothing that amaze you. This allows you to go to P/Auto mode on the camera, select sTTL on the D2000 and shoot in sTTL and bang away for close up and macro. (Selection of sTTL mode on the D2000 overrides the magnet switch BTW.) Then, you can quickly go to Manual or Av/Tv modes and Manual or EA modes on the strobe for special shots or special effects. As soon as you select AV/Tv on the camera it will return to your previous setting of camera strobe to Manual, low power (if you had set it that way as I said too in (1.) above) and when you select P/Auto on the camera these modes override the camera strobe setting returning the camera strobe to Auto and selection of the sTTL mode on the D2000 also overrides the magnet switch position--if you follow, this allows you to shoot multiple ways on a single dive--without having to remove the magnet.

N

 

[marmagi]

thanksssssssss soooooooooo much I have so much to try, excuse me what you mean by magnet installed ?

 

[Nemrod]

Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your D2000 has a switch covered with a small silver internal hex screw (5mm thread) and under this screw is a hole into which you place a magnet that came with your strobe to defeat the preflash expectation or remove the magnet so that the D2000 expects a preflash.

Your S90 pre-flash options:

1. P mode--always a preflash
2. Auto mode--always a preflash
3. Manual mode--never a pre-flash
4. Av/Tv modes -- preflash selectable. Manual strobe mode, no preflash. Auto strobe mode, always a pre-flash. This is found under your Menu Button.

Yes, some people can speak multiple languages, I however speak English, Canon and Inon, .

Warning--warning Will Robinson---- never install or remove the magnet while the D2000 is powered up, it could mess the little "brain" in the thing up and confuse it badly.

N

 

[ozziworld]

What happens if you leave the magnet out on the s2000 when shooting manual with the S90 also in in Manual?

 

[Nemrod]

What happens if you leave the magnet out on the s2000 when shooting manual with the S90 also in in Manual?

The camera and strobe will not sync. The strobe will be looking for a pre-flash, the camera will not provide one, it will be the "main" pulse instead.

Hey, in my sig is a link to the Underwater Photography site, this is an excellent site with tons of info and a great forum for beginners (and pros ) of which I am neither, , just a hayseed with a camera, that is me. Join us on the forum, thanks. BTW, it is not my site and I have no selfish interest, I am simply a mod there in the compact camera forum, the site is put up by the most excellent Scott and he has done a great job of collecting a ton of data and eclectic input for all to enjoy.

N

 

[marmagi]

Hello Nemrod,

First of all, thanks so much for all your recommendations I have being trying them

You can see some of the pics in my Facebook user diving.dept check the album immersioni ISCHIA

As you can see they are just a bit overexposed, what can I do? I am using a fish-eye lens

I have tried auto, P and AV modes

I am using the INON D-2000 flash in S-TTL low mode

I usually used the flash power knob between 2 and 2.8

iso is set to 100

one of my problems as you can see from the pics is that I get lots of light from the sea surface ! I am diving at about 20 / 25 meters ( 60 / 70 ft )

what you recommend me?

regarding:

Note: Your S90 has strobe exposure compensation, look for the +/- strobe under Func Set options, you may use this feature to extend or provide additional exposure control above and beyond the strobe power knob on the D-2000.

should I use this? why use camera strobe exposure instead of the INON D-2000 knob ?


I like to set my S90, 1 and 2/3 stop overall under exposed, you can assign this function to the front ring control in Av/Tv/P modes.

I didnt set any stops , it was set to 0 ( zero ) since my pics are a bit overexposed should I set as you recommend me to + ( plus ) 1 and 2/3 ?

it will make it more overexposed right? I have to set it - ( minus ) 1 and 2/3 right?

If I need to catch a fast moving fish what is a minimun speed I should set in TV in order to be sure image will me frozen?

During MACRO pics, what is more recommended mode? P, Auto, AV, TV ?

In order to get black backgrounds should I use AV or TV ? what setting ?

I know many of my questions are to much generic I know I need to trial and error depening on the underwater light conditions but please just give me a starting point idea

Thanks so much for all your recommendations

Mario

 

[slowhands]

..
As you can see they are just a bit overexposed, what can I do? I am using a fish-eye lens ...I have tried auto, P and AV modes ...I am using the INON D-2000 flash in S-TTL low mode ...I usually used the flash power knob between 2 and 2.8 ...iso is set to 100

one of my problems as you can see from the pics is that I get lots of light from the sea surface ! I am diving at about 20 / 25 meters ( 60 / 70 ft )

what you recommend me?

Remember when we use a camera underwater, we are not using it the way it was designed for - that is shooting happy faces of friends and family. We take it to a dark place where the light is blue and expect it to work, not possible without tricks.

Use manual exposure M. Set aperture to f8, shutter to the point where you get an exposure you like. Memorize that.

The camera has trouble focusing and setting exposure using a fisheye (also try without it). The excess light from the surface is normal, the fisheye lens is not resistant to flare.

regarding:

Note: Your S90 has strobe exposure compensation, look for the +/- strobe under Func Set options, you may use this feature to extend or provide additional exposure control above and beyond the strobe power knob on the D-2000.

should I use this? why use camera strobe exposure instead of the INON D-2000 knob ?

Because you are using STTL. The strobe obeys your camera. Let your camera compute the exposure.

I like to set my S90, 1 and 2/3 stop overall under exposed, you can assign this function to the front ring control in Av/Tv/P modes.

I didnt set any stops , it was set to 0 ( zero ) since my pics are a bit overexposed should I set as you recommend me to + ( plus ) 1 and 2/3 ?

it will make it more overexposed right? I have to set it - ( minus ) 1 and 2/3 right?

yes, minus!

If I need to catch a fast moving fish what is a minimun speed I should set in TV in order to be sure image will me frozen?

1/125 or 1/250

During MACRO pics, what is more recommended mode? P, Auto, AV, TV ?

Manual. If you use Av, set to F8 for maximum depth of field. Use flash so you have a fast shutter speed

In order to get black backgrounds should I use AV or TV ? what setting ?

Tv or Manual, 1/125 or faster