mlkco
Contributor
*Floater*:
Thanks, I will try that, It sounds like a good trick
Sealife DC500
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Thanks, I will try that, It sounds like a good trick
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For the price the DC500 is OK
The DC 500 can produce good images but It has been plauged with both housing and camera problems. all of these have been addressed by Pioneer.
If you are having problems, first and formost is make sure your firmware is updated! this will usually correct the camera issues.
Knowing basic photography skills like exposure control and knowing how to adjust it with the camera is essential. Knowing how to set White Balance is critical if you want good color without a flash.
if you do not have an external flash then concentrate on close-up or macro. for wide angle shooting more than 4 feet away, turn off the flash and set the white balance manually.
The digital strobe is a much better unit since it can be manually adjusted.
BTW, Sealife will be introducing a new model at DEMA. the DC600. I would guess that it will be a 6MP camera. I have been told that other improvements will be included as well. Hopefully the new one will not have the silly memory card limitations the DC500 does.
CB
The DC 500 can produce good images but It has been plauged with both housing and camera problems. all of these have been addressed by Pioneer.
If you are having problems, first and formost is make sure your firmware is updated! this will usually correct the camera issues.
Knowing basic photography skills like exposure control and knowing how to adjust it with the camera is essential. Knowing how to set White Balance is critical if you want good color without a flash.
if you do not have an external flash then concentrate on close-up or macro. for wide angle shooting more than 4 feet away, turn off the flash and set the white balance manually.
The digital strobe is a much better unit since it can be manually adjusted.
BTW, Sealife will be introducing a new model at DEMA. the DC600. I would guess that it will be a 6MP camera. I have been told that other improvements will be included as well. Hopefully the new one will not have the silly memory card limitations the DC500 does.
CB
mlkco
Contributor
I use a 1 gig memory card without problems
reeldive
Contributor
Like all new toys there is a learning curve. Ever notice how when your in ext. flash scn and push the flash ( right above the OK) that there is a "macro, Normal and Far" selection? That works with the standard flash! try it out of the water in your kitchen and see.
There are some preat hints on the SeaLife web site as well.
Over all a good point and shoot for the price. Hard to understand all the negative responses to this thread but glad its there. that's what a "FORUM" is for
There are some preat hints on the SeaLife web site as well.
Over all a good point and shoot for the price. Hard to understand all the negative responses to this thread but glad its there. that's what a "FORUM" is for
Cecil
Contributor
From my perspective, I still see an inferior camera at a superior price. I hate to see a new UW photographer buy one, because I did and regreted the decision (it was Reefmaster at the time). I stand my earler statements.
reeldive
Contributor
Cecil:
Great. Now tell me about your superior camera at an inferior price. I'm sure that more than a few of us would like to hear from you with that advice. Like I,ve said befor, we can all use advice ,but just negative comments don't help much
Cecil
Contributor
My advice was aimed at people that have not brought one yet. I have read all of this thread and several others and a review over on Scuba Diving.com. All point at serious limitations with this camera (battery life, menus to turn off flash, etc) and I still have yet to see great pictures from anyone using one. I have seen very good pictures from people that have a talent and an eye but still are only getting good pictures not great like they should be getting.
Look at some of the first time threads from people using eg. a Canon A620 or Fuji. They are getting better pictures first time out of the box than experienced DC500 users.
Theres also the price issue, the DC500 by itself is $500. For the same money you can get a Canon, Fuji, Olympus or Sony camera and UW case. Much better cameras.
That's the long version vs. the bumper sticker.
Look at some of the first time threads from people using eg. a Canon A620 or Fuji. They are getting better pictures first time out of the box than experienced DC500 users.
Theres also the price issue, the DC500 by itself is $500. For the same money you can get a Canon, Fuji, Olympus or Sony camera and UW case. Much better cameras.
That's the long version vs. the bumper sticker.
I'm surprised by how much some people dislike this camera. I don't know if it's operator error or unrealistic expectations on their part, but I've been very satisfied with it....
So that you can put my comments in context, here's my photo background: I'd consider myself a serious hobbyist. One of my university degrees is in studio arts, and for that degree I minored in photography. I even taught the B&W photo lab for a while. I use strictly nikon film SLRs, but I recently picked up a canon S3 for a digital pocket cam and I'm quite impressed with it.
I've previously used a Sea&Sea Motormarine IIEx with a YS60 strobe, but a few months ago (June) I got the DC500. It was a web special, $400 for camera and housing, new. I've used it to shoot some stills but much more for shooting video (about 20hrs so far). I use a 1gig card and have had no issues with freezing, PNY is the card make. You can get about one hour of video on a 1gig card, and since the battery will only run for about an hour of continuous recording they wash out in sync. I've been amazed at how well the video turns out, even at depths over a hundred feet using only ambient light (and I am not in the ocean) but I recognize it for what it is, a video journal to share with dive buddies, not a Wes Skiles production. It's extremely easy to use, although there has been a learning curve unique to my dive conditions. This summer the camera was going through a temp change of 40-50 degrees from surface to depth, and I was having horrible problems with lens fogging even with a dessicant (I found I had to pre-chill the camera in an ice box to avoid this shock cooling). It's small enough to pack along on any dive, and I've had a lot of fun testing its limits. The wide-angle lens is an essential add-on in my opinion. I've also had great success attaching the camera to a mini-tripod (ultra pod 2) and strapping this to two UK light cannons (10w HIDs) and shooting video on night dives. This is far from the world's greatest UW camera, but overall I'm quite pleased with it and would buy it again.
So that you can put my comments in context, here's my photo background: I'd consider myself a serious hobbyist. One of my university degrees is in studio arts, and for that degree I minored in photography. I even taught the B&W photo lab for a while. I use strictly nikon film SLRs, but I recently picked up a canon S3 for a digital pocket cam and I'm quite impressed with it.
I've previously used a Sea&Sea Motormarine IIEx with a YS60 strobe, but a few months ago (June) I got the DC500. It was a web special, $400 for camera and housing, new. I've used it to shoot some stills but much more for shooting video (about 20hrs so far). I use a 1gig card and have had no issues with freezing, PNY is the card make. You can get about one hour of video on a 1gig card, and since the battery will only run for about an hour of continuous recording they wash out in sync. I've been amazed at how well the video turns out, even at depths over a hundred feet using only ambient light (and I am not in the ocean) but I recognize it for what it is, a video journal to share with dive buddies, not a Wes Skiles production. It's extremely easy to use, although there has been a learning curve unique to my dive conditions. This summer the camera was going through a temp change of 40-50 degrees from surface to depth, and I was having horrible problems with lens fogging even with a dessicant (I found I had to pre-chill the camera in an ice box to avoid this shock cooling). It's small enough to pack along on any dive, and I've had a lot of fun testing its limits. The wide-angle lens is an essential add-on in my opinion. I've also had great success attaching the camera to a mini-tripod (ultra pod 2) and strapping this to two UK light cannons (10w HIDs) and shooting video on night dives. This is far from the world's greatest UW camera, but overall I'm quite pleased with it and would buy it again.
Beez - that was a great summary, thanks for sharing it.
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