Would love your feedback on my UW Shots as a novice with my SeaLife 1400 in Cozumel

[Carlos Danger]

Wow! Great color and clarity, much better than other SeaLife examples I have seen. With more practice shooting and editing you can only get better and better. Good job!!!

I really admire kcmayes1's work:

Grand Cayman - shiningseastudio's Photos

 

[lamarpaulski]

Like others say ..could be closer on some...the first one of part 2 is my favorite. You had a good trip.

 

[BoltSnap]

Is this camera automatic mode only or can you put it in manual and be able to manually change the ISO, shutter and F-stop, etc.?

 

[Shipwreckscanada]

Is this camera automatic mode only or can you put it in manual and be able to manually change the ISO, shutter and F-stop, etc.?

You can completes adjust all the functions in manual mode. It does have some limitations however such as the following.

ISO: Auto / 64 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 3200.

Aperture: F2.8 / F7.9.

No RAW format.

It’s not like an SLR but it’s very close, it’s a very good introductory camera that also has HD video.

Here’s the owner’s manual if you’re interested in knowing more.

http://www.sealife-cameras.com/sites/sealife/files/products/manuals/DC1400_IM_English 092712.pdf

You can also add a flash with 10 manual brightness controls.

My next addition is a wide angle fisheye lens.

All this for about $1,000, not bad for a first UW camera.

 

[BoltSnap]

I guess the only thing missing is RAW. Impressive for the price.

How is the shutter lag and recording time?

 

[Shipwreckscanada]

I guess the only thing missing is RAW. Impressive for the price.

How is the shutter lag and recording time?

Recording time, in my opinion is very good, with a good SD card.

The shutter lag probably gets the biggest complaints, it is slow.

Here are pros and cons.

SeaLife DC1400 review of the underwater camera & housing|Underwater Photography Guide

 

[rob1967]

Very impressive shots for a beginner, you must have a lot of natural talent! Not to mention lots of ambient light! However, if you want to take your pics to the next level, I would say you need to shoot manual mode, and external strobes are absolutely essential, unless you are blessed with a lot of ambient light. Shooting RAW helps a lot too, because you can fix white balance later quite easily.

I started with a SeaLife, and flailed around in automatic mode for 2 years. Once I took an underwater photography course where basically the emphasis was to shoot in manual mode, my shots improved a lot. The compact Canons (i.e., G15, S100, S110, etc) give better quality shots, especially for macro, and are easy to use in manual mode, and shoot RAW. I would definitely recommend one of these high-end compact Canons over Sea-Life.

I also agree with Dandy Don to not even try taking pictures underwater until you are very comfortable with your buoyancy, etc.

 

[SHC8981]

Your pictures are beautiful, especially for your first time using the DC1400. I am still playing around with mine and can say that it's a click, repeat, click, repeat process. You seem to have a knack for UW photography.

I am having trouble with the fisheye lens. I can't seem to get pictures that are not fuzzy. I wish I hadn't deleted them, but I also know this is a learning process and the "next" dive trip I'll try other options. I haven't been brave enough to use anything other than the automatic setting, but I intend to step out of my comfort zone next trip!

 

[scubabudie]

Very nice photos. Did you use or do you have any strobes? I do not find I need them in the open clear water but they do work great in the darker waters of the north east. Also while night diving.

 

[scubabudie]

Thanks JGriffin and Wineaux

For a first time owning and shooting UW, It exceeded my expectations.

Now I've heard people voicing negative comments about the piano buttons being hard to work UW, I don't have large hands, if that makes the difference because I had no issues.

I use 5 mm gloves in the north east and do not have any issues with the buttons.