Weird G-10 problem?

[Warmwater Wank]

UW & others--Well I was kinda partial to my overheating theory (OHT) at first but the sticky buttons theory (SBT) has now replaced it. The water temp stayed constant at 79F for all depths (ah Bonaire...) and room temp/outside air temp wasn't too far from that when putting camera in housing. Depths rarely got below 60-65 feet but the problem could happen at any depth (as little as 15' and once or twice at the surface).

The problem was very transient w/ different symptoms (frequently when selecting macro but not always limited to that function), often went away on it's own after a few moments or when I tried the function again and I never noticed it at the early stages of a dive. The one time it went really wacky (no zoom etc.) and I shut the camera off for a few minutes then turned it on and all was well was what initially suggested the now out of favor OHT. I use other cameras above water so I can't say the G-10 wouldn't mess up w/ heavy use out of the housing--but it hasn't when just playing around a bit. Still, SBT is seeming likely. Will do the inside rinse (duh, I'm so conditioned to keeping the inside dry I wouldn't have thought of that!) but has anyone tried a dry silicone lubricant applied from the inside (say via a toothpick) or is that not recommended? Thanks again all. // ww

 

[michael71]

Try holding down some of the other buttons... I had one where I could not zoom...and had the macro? normal issue (where every button you push gives you macro). Both were due to buttons not completely releasing...

Hi Puffer~

I'm looking into upgrading my camera, and am leaning towards the G10. I'm on-line reading reviews/posts and you've mentioned yours a few times.

Specifically, you mentioned using it as a "point & shoot". Just wanted your opinions of the G10 as a point & shoot.

I don't plan on getting an external strobe, etc. I plan on learning whatever camera I get enough to play w/the manual modes to some extent, but am also interested in something w/half way decent underwater scene selection.

Would love to hear your thoughts on the G10. thx!

-Michael

 

[Puffer Fish]

Hi Puffer~

I'm looking into upgrading my camera, and am leaning towards the G10. I'm on-line reading reviews/posts and you've mentioned yours a few times.

Specifically, you mentioned using it as a "point & shoot". Just wanted your opinions of the G10 as a point & shoot.

I don't plan on getting an external strobe, etc. I plan on learning whatever camera I get enough to play w/the manual modes to some extent, but am also interested in something w/half way decent underwater scene selection.

Would love to hear your thoughts on the G10. thx!

-Michael

Michael, I know of no P&S that has the image quality of the G10... assuming you are shooting in ISO 80 or 100. To do that, you need a fair amount of light.. either from diving in shallow, clear water or using strobes...I am usually diving in deep, not so clear water.. so strobes are the way to go.

I was just reading a review of the camera..

Canon PowerShot G10 review Cameralabs introduction

that matches the dpreview...with almost the same resolution as a 50D

I shoot all my images in auto... ok some are not just simple auto, but auto none the less.

You can provide fill light with a simple LED light, if it has a wide uniform coverage...like the Boss for example... set the thing on auto and just take pictures.

Best uw camera I have every used...and I have had a ton of them.

 

[michael71]

Thanks Puffer!

Great info, and the review is very helpful.

In another thread (also discussing the G10) a member named Vondo put what I thought was an awesome quote..."I like to take a camera with me when I dive, not feel like the whole point of the dive is to take the camera."

That encompasses my thoughts as well, so it sounds like the G10 is a great option. Thx again for the help!

-Michael

 

[promocop]

OK DID IT!! Got a brand new G-10 kit from Backscatter. Now what? Any suggestions to get to knowing the camera?

 

[FrankPro1]

OK DID IT!! Got a brand new G-10 kit from Backscatter. Now what? Any suggestions to get to knowing the camera?

Take lots and lots of shots above and below water. Don't start with auto. Go right into manual and start learning how to effectively use it. Have fun with it.

 

[Tigershark44]

Great as a point-and-shoot...as long as you set it up as Underwater White Balance, 100 ISO, Flash, Macro, use the included diffuser, and are willing to adjust the +/- for the EV. Check out some sample photos taken without an external strobe. Check out older posts from flickr (benthichi).

 

[FrankPro1]

Great as a point-and-shoot...as long as you set it up as Underwater White Balance

Why not manual white balance your photo? I've found that the preset white balances can exaggerate or alter the true colors when taking shots underwater.

Totally agree about using ISO100 "or close to it". 80-200 is pretty darn good. 400 if you absolutely have to, but anything higher and you really start noticing high amounts of noise.

Also, I haven't really used the EV controller much. Any tips or tricks? I can see it will directly brighten or darken the image, but why not just adjust the aperture or shutter to do this?

 

[Apecks]

Great as a point-and-shoot...as long as you set it up as Underwater White Balance, 100 ISO, Flash, Macro, use the included diffuser, and are willing to adjust the +/- for the EV. Check out some sample photos taken without an external strobe. Check out older posts from flickr (benthichi).

Got a few shots here from my new G10

 

[Warmwater Wank]

Since we're past the "weird G-10 Problem" (won't know if it's sticky buttons until I dive again in Aug.) and this has become a catch all thread I'll jump back in too.

Frank Pro--the "EV controller" (if you mean the Exposure Compensating dial) is basically a lighter/darken control--when in an auto mode. It has no function if you shoot in manual, where yes, you would simply use aperture or shutter changes (if not using strobe) to control exposure. The EC dial is real handy for quick exp. over-rides in any auto mode but watch you don't mess with it in Manual. While it doesn't function in M it could easily be left in a compensated position and mess you up if you jump back to an auto mode and don't notice it is set to compensate.

Shooting in RAW I don't find the white balance mode to be real critical. That being said I do tend to stick w/ auto WB, seems to keep corrections simple but then most of my shots are lit w/ external strobe (YS110-A).

Well, the G-10 is a fun camera and keeps life & diving (is that redundant??) simple. I did take some of the earlier advice given here to heart and soaked the housing back several hours then dried and silicone lubed the button springs (toothpick and food grade silicone). I'm hoping it does the trick for any weirdness (other than my own... ). // ww
ps--the blennie pic was done using ReefNet's "SubSea magnifer" adapter, a nifty macro attachement.