Underwater Camera Film

[Borris-Bear]

I have an underwater camera (cheap almost a disposable) that is re-useable however i didnt note what film was in it when i got it developed last time can you advise what sort of film i should put in - ISO etc thanks

[CVP]

If there is no flash then I would go for ISO 400 minimum, maybe even as high as ISO 1600.

Chris

[bramley]

How deep are you going and where are you diving?

[Borris-Bear]

Going to the Maldives only allowed to a max of 18m on our qualification. Camera does have a flash but it is a bit of a crap point and click camera.

In fact its one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UNDERWATER-CAMERA-SCUBA-DIVE...

[Timmy2TARs]

Sounds like a fun trip! One of the problems you will have with the flash is backscatter, where the flash serves to simply light up all the particles in the water between you and the subject. You'll notice a lot of people use strobes (not sure why they aren't called flash) mounted on a grip away from the camera body to prevent this.

Get a fast film and be prepared for disappointment! First time I did underwater I was really pd off with the quality of he shots. Below 10m you won't see any red as the light get absorbed, so all your shots will look greeny-blue. Also don't underestimate the skills needed to stay still whilst taking a shot, especially if you a still qualifying - you will be taught to not hold your breath!

For my money I would go for big wide shots, ie don't try to get too close and be prepared to get them scanned in and consider converting to black and white, or colour correction.

Good luck - you *can* get some nice shots - here are some from a point and click, albeit digital, and to get back on track, if my memory serves me correct, all were at ISO 400...


No colour correction ~ 8m deep


Colour correction ~ 12m deep


Colour correction ~ 12m deep


No colour correction ~ 6m deep (yes they *are* toilets! :-)


B&W conversion with green filter ~ 25m deep


B&W conversion with green filter ~ 20m deep


No colour correction ~ 3m deep


B&W conversion ~ 5m deep

Edited by Timmy2TARs on Wednesday 5th December 11:32

[Fezant Pluckah]

With a camera like that Borris you are really best off doing two kinds of shots. Those with flash of subjects no more than about 4 ft away, and then wide angle shots with no flash. If you can turn the flash on or off then you know what to do, if you can't and the flash is auto I suggest a bit of gaffer tape to cover the flash. I would go for 200-300 ASA film if I were you.

Alternatively buy a cheap digital camera and housing. You can do that for about £400 all in nowadays...

[Borris-Bear]

Been looking for a housing for my old digital camera a canon A70 but i keep missing the ones on eBay so having to resort to the camera we used last year (but forgot what film it cam pre loaded with) as we fly on Sunday.

[sgrimshaw]

Borris-Bear said:

Been looking for a housing for my old digital camera a canon A70 but i keep missing the ones on eBay so having to resort to the camera we used last year (but forgot what film it cam pre loaded with) as we fly on Sunday.

"Cough"

It says 400 ASA in the ebay link you posted

[Borris-Bear]

[Borris-Bear]

I have now managed to find a camera housing for my old Canon Powershot A70 can anyone give me any advice for setting a digi camera up for underwater shots? white balance settings etc? I assume i'll have to manually set them as auto shot will be set for above water?

thanks

[Timmy2TARs]

Daylight setting will be good for the first 10m when there is red light available. Without a strobe, below 10m use cloudy to warm up the image and help address the blue-ness.

Great Canon site for underwater stuff here.

[Fezant Pluckah]

Take a small piece of white plastic about 4 x 3 inches in size with you, and set the white balance with it at about 30ft. If you go below 60ft I suggest you set it again.