Underwater Camera
Discussion
We're going to the Maldives on honeymoon in a couple of weeks and will be taking in a fair bit of snorkeling and a PADI course over 3 days where we'll eventually dive to a max of 12m in open water.
We would like to take some underwater shots and were initially thinking about cheapo disposables then stumbled accross some other re-usable 35mm (with & without flash) and some relatively inexpensive digital camers on ebay (bid prices pending).
We're obviously not pro photographers but would like to have some relatively nice photos of some sea life.
So what's best to go for on a budget?
We would like to take some underwater shots and were initially thinking about cheapo disposables then stumbled accross some other re-usable 35mm (with & without flash) and some relatively inexpensive digital camers on ebay (bid prices pending).
We're obviously not pro photographers but would like to have some relatively nice photos of some sea life.
So what's best to go for on a budget?
Edited by System-G on Tuesday 14th October 10:48
If you're only just starting, I wouldn't expect to take too many photos while you're scuba diving - you'll probably have lots of other things to think about! Snorkeling is great for taking photos though.
My only helpful suggestion would be to get something with a flash - a lot of the red component of sunlight gets filtered out by the first couple of meters of water, so below that everything looks rather blue/grey without artificial light. I have tried disposable underwater cameras once in the past and didn't get great results, but that might be partly due to operator error!
My only helpful suggestion would be to get something with a flash - a lot of the red component of sunlight gets filtered out by the first couple of meters of water, so below that everything looks rather blue/grey without artificial light. I have tried disposable underwater cameras once in the past and didn't get great results, but that might be partly due to operator error!
I have an Olympus Mju 770 SW:
http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_mju_770_SW.ht...
Bought it last year after using a Canon film camera for ages. Image quality is pretty good, and it's shockproof as well. I carry mine everywhere for when I can't be bothered lugging about a DSLR.
http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/29_mju_770_SW.ht...
Bought it last year after using a Canon film camera for ages. Image quality is pretty good, and it's shockproof as well. I carry mine everywhere for when I can't be bothered lugging about a DSLR.
Edited by SGirl on Tuesday 14th October 14:33
Hi,
yes the mju's are ok, the newer one is only to 5m tho, but both can leak (we had one leak and sent it back, luckily got a refund), and would only recommend for snorkelling. If you do get one, be careful where and when you open the battery and SD caerd door, that will cause it to flood.
Take your budget to www.camerasunderwater.co.uk and see what you can afford but I would reccomend the latest Canon or Fuji to suit your budget, forget any additional flash for now, the in built one is fine for first timers if needed (but it does light up backscatter in photos as the flash is close to the lens, this can be removed on photoshop) any additional red you may need to add would be minimal for OW quals and can be done in photoshop also, or using the custom white balance tool whilst diving, these both latest cameras have that you can play with, but I feel as said above, you'll have enough on your hands, doing the OW course, and you're on your honeymoon, blimey! An OW course is the last thing I'd do on holiday never mind on my honeymnoon!! IMO It's a lot to take in, you should have really done your 5-6 chapters here in the Uk in a pool with a club over 3-6 weeks then do the referrals on hols, but it seems your too late for that!
I'm going to Maldives again this Xmas for the 4th time, awesome place for diving and chilling out!
I have a few photos from Maldives underwater on www.scubysnaps.co.uk I have since improved my camera set up so the next lot of pics in the new year should hopefully be a lot better
Any questions please feel free top ask
Cheers
Woody
yes the mju's are ok, the newer one is only to 5m tho, but both can leak (we had one leak and sent it back, luckily got a refund), and would only recommend for snorkelling. If you do get one, be careful where and when you open the battery and SD caerd door, that will cause it to flood.
Take your budget to www.camerasunderwater.co.uk and see what you can afford but I would reccomend the latest Canon or Fuji to suit your budget, forget any additional flash for now, the in built one is fine for first timers if needed (but it does light up backscatter in photos as the flash is close to the lens, this can be removed on photoshop) any additional red you may need to add would be minimal for OW quals and can be done in photoshop also, or using the custom white balance tool whilst diving, these both latest cameras have that you can play with, but I feel as said above, you'll have enough on your hands, doing the OW course, and you're on your honeymoon, blimey! An OW course is the last thing I'd do on holiday never mind on my honeymnoon!! IMO It's a lot to take in, you should have really done your 5-6 chapters here in the Uk in a pool with a club over 3-6 weeks then do the referrals on hols, but it seems your too late for that!
I'm going to Maldives again this Xmas for the 4th time, awesome place for diving and chilling out!
I have a few photos from Maldives underwater on www.scubysnaps.co.uk I have since improved my camera set up so the next lot of pics in the new year should hopefully be a lot better
Any questions please feel free top askCheers
Woody
We too got the Olympus 770 SW to use whilst snorkelling. As a first time snorkeller I found it difficult enough to remain stationary in the water relative to the subject to cope with the delay from pressing the shutter to the camera actually taking the picture. Backscatter is very prevalent on this as the flash is so close to the axis of the lens, so to get decent enough images we left it switched off.
On the upside we did get some decent enough images to remind us of so fabulous times even though they are pretty cruddy compared to proper underwater photos like FP posted a few days ago. The underwater movie feature is quite cool and next time I'll make more use of it
It's also a little robust camera that slides in a pocket so is more useful than you first think
Examples
On the upside we did get some decent enough images to remind us of so fabulous times even though they are pretty cruddy compared to proper underwater photos like FP posted a few days ago. The underwater movie feature is quite cool and next time I'll make more use of it
It's also a little robust camera that slides in a pocket so is more useful than you first think
Examples
Edited by CVP on Tuesday 14th October 17:21
My tuppence worth.
As Griftwood suggests, go to Cameras Underwater to buy a housing for a cheapish compact digital camera. You want one that has a diffuser over the flash. This will soften the light and reduce backscatter (where the light picks out particles in the water), plus will also spread the light over a greater area. What camera you buy, I have no idea, but the more pixels the better, and some sort of close up facility would be nice.
Now, as for taking the pictures. The flash will only really be effective up to about 4-5ft away. Any further and it won't be working. So, if you are taking pictures with flash, take them of fish and smaller bits of coral. Not panoramic views of reef.
I am afraid you won't get pictures like this:
with a compact digital unless you have an external strobe. The chances of you getting pictures of your betrothed underwater as above are slim with the sort of set up you would be using
However, you could get pictures like this, though:
BUT, only with patience. Remember there is a delay between pressing the shutter and taking the image with a compact, so you need to keep as still as possible or you'll end up taking a piCture of half of what you wanted and something else. I will often sit for 10 minutes waiting for the right thing to happen. The picture above, for instance. I have dozens of images almost like that, but a fish has swum partially out of frame. It takes time and patience and dedication to get the right shot. So, I wouldn't bother trying to take pictures like this, because you'll only bore your better half rigid!
You also need to get as close as you can to the subject, to reduce the amount of water between the camera and the subject. If you can, set the lens to as wide an angle as possible and move in closer. Do not sit 10ft away from a pretty litle fish, zoom in as far as possible and then expect to take a decent picture. It won't happen.
My advice is to get an extrenal orange (underwater) filter as well. This can dangle on a piece of string on the front of the housing. When you want to take a nice wide angle shot, turn off the flash, pop the filter over the end of the lens port and it will add some of the reds that would otherwise be filtered out and lost without a flash. Remember, your flash is not going to work more than a few feet away from the subject.
I would suspect you would prefer to take piccies of you and your beloved rather than the lesser spoted ohmedoodle fish. If that is the case, then the orange filter is a must.
Also, try an angle your shots slightly upwards to make use of available light. If you are going to shoot into the sun make sure the sun is off above the image, not directly in it, unless you have a diver, whale or manta ray blocking the sun. It'll just wash the picture out.
And above all, try not to take a picture of your wife's posterior. (Delightful as it is, I am sure!) Surely your friends and family will want to see her from the front, not the back, with her fins flapping about in the picture. Have her turn towards, you don't bumble along behind, taking pictures of her feet.
Here's a picture I found on the web to illustrate:
It's really interesting, isn't it? NOT!
The good thing about digital is you can review your images underwater and adjust your technique accordingly, and you should always have plenty of spare capacity in case that elusive whale shark should happen to cruise past at the very end of the dive. In the good old days of 35mm, there have been many occasions where I've seen something special when I have run out of film.
I dunno when you are off, and where you live, but there is a dive show at the NEC on 1/2 November. If you can make it, come and see me at Stand 1423 and we can chat further and I can take you to see the right people for the gear you need.
Hope the above assists.
As Griftwood suggests, go to Cameras Underwater to buy a housing for a cheapish compact digital camera. You want one that has a diffuser over the flash. This will soften the light and reduce backscatter (where the light picks out particles in the water), plus will also spread the light over a greater area. What camera you buy, I have no idea, but the more pixels the better, and some sort of close up facility would be nice.
Now, as for taking the pictures. The flash will only really be effective up to about 4-5ft away. Any further and it won't be working. So, if you are taking pictures with flash, take them of fish and smaller bits of coral. Not panoramic views of reef.
I am afraid you won't get pictures like this:
with a compact digital unless you have an external strobe. The chances of you getting pictures of your betrothed underwater as above are slim with the sort of set up you would be using
However, you could get pictures like this, though:
BUT, only with patience. Remember there is a delay between pressing the shutter and taking the image with a compact, so you need to keep as still as possible or you'll end up taking a piCture of half of what you wanted and something else. I will often sit for 10 minutes waiting for the right thing to happen. The picture above, for instance. I have dozens of images almost like that, but a fish has swum partially out of frame. It takes time and patience and dedication to get the right shot. So, I wouldn't bother trying to take pictures like this, because you'll only bore your better half rigid!
You also need to get as close as you can to the subject, to reduce the amount of water between the camera and the subject. If you can, set the lens to as wide an angle as possible and move in closer. Do not sit 10ft away from a pretty litle fish, zoom in as far as possible and then expect to take a decent picture. It won't happen.
My advice is to get an extrenal orange (underwater) filter as well. This can dangle on a piece of string on the front of the housing. When you want to take a nice wide angle shot, turn off the flash, pop the filter over the end of the lens port and it will add some of the reds that would otherwise be filtered out and lost without a flash. Remember, your flash is not going to work more than a few feet away from the subject.
I would suspect you would prefer to take piccies of you and your beloved rather than the lesser spoted ohmedoodle fish. If that is the case, then the orange filter is a must.
Also, try an angle your shots slightly upwards to make use of available light. If you are going to shoot into the sun make sure the sun is off above the image, not directly in it, unless you have a diver, whale or manta ray blocking the sun. It'll just wash the picture out.
And above all, try not to take a picture of your wife's posterior. (Delightful as it is, I am sure!) Surely your friends and family will want to see her from the front, not the back, with her fins flapping about in the picture. Have her turn towards, you don't bumble along behind, taking pictures of her feet.
Here's a picture I found on the web to illustrate:
It's really interesting, isn't it? NOT!
The good thing about digital is you can review your images underwater and adjust your technique accordingly, and you should always have plenty of spare capacity in case that elusive whale shark should happen to cruise past at the very end of the dive. In the good old days of 35mm, there have been many occasions where I've seen something special when I have run out of film.
I dunno when you are off, and where you live, but there is a dive show at the NEC on 1/2 November. If you can make it, come and see me at Stand 1423 and we can chat further and I can take you to see the right people for the gear you need.
Hope the above assists.
Edited by Fezant Pluckah on Wednesday 15th October 10:48
Edited by Fezant Pluckah on Wednesday 15th October 10:49
Hey FP, Thanks for the advice.
Some awesome photos you have there (I also looked at your other thread). I know that without spending a fair amount, there is no way we will get that sort of quality.
I had a punt on an Olympus MJU 770SW on the bay last night, but as it was a used item I wasn't prepared to pay more than £100.00 (skeptical and all that). There is another reconditioned MJU 770SW with a couple of days left and it has a 12 month garantee, but don't want to have to claim on a garantee halfway through the holiday and be left stranded.
As said above, I think during the PADI course we'll have more to be concentrating on other than taking pics. I hope the dive school will have photo/video packages too, because then we've got nada to worry about then
So I think we'll settle for a nasty Vivitar 5199 or 5399 for emergencies and keep our eye out for an "affordable" 770SW or similar.
Some awesome photos you have there (I also looked at your other thread). I know that without spending a fair amount, there is no way we will get that sort of quality.
I had a punt on an Olympus MJU 770SW on the bay last night, but as it was a used item I wasn't prepared to pay more than £100.00 (skeptical and all that). There is another reconditioned MJU 770SW with a couple of days left and it has a 12 month garantee, but don't want to have to claim on a garantee halfway through the holiday and be left stranded.
As said above, I think during the PADI course we'll have more to be concentrating on other than taking pics. I hope the dive school will have photo/video packages too, because then we've got nada to worry about then
So I think we'll settle for a nasty Vivitar 5199 or 5399 for emergencies and keep our eye out for an "affordable" 770SW or similar.
Well...
Back From honeymoon
Had an awesome time
Landed up getting our 1st PADI qualification which allows us to dive to 12m. we will continue with the Open Water courses to take the qualifications further.
We landed up buying a cheapo vivitar 5MP digital camer with underwater case for the pricely sum of £35 off ebay. we didn't plan on taking it on any of the Scuba trips as we thought we would be far too busy, but did in the end.
Here are some of the underwater pictures - far from the real pro quality stuff shown earlier in this thread, but also not too bad considering!
We took over 700 photos with the camera, but sadly haven't had the time to upload many yet. But here's a few for tasters
An nstructor shot of us at 10m:
Some "Nemo's" at about 8m:
Powder Blue Surgeon:
Puffer spotted whilst snorkeling:
Porcupine Fish:
Turtle being caught:
Said turtle making a bid for freedom:
Yellow Fin Grouper:
Back From honeymoon
Had an awesome time
Landed up getting our 1st PADI qualification which allows us to dive to 12m. we will continue with the Open Water courses to take the qualifications further.
We landed up buying a cheapo vivitar 5MP digital camer with underwater case for the pricely sum of £35 off ebay. we didn't plan on taking it on any of the Scuba trips as we thought we would be far too busy, but did in the end.
Here are some of the underwater pictures - far from the real pro quality stuff shown earlier in this thread, but also not too bad considering!
We took over 700 photos with the camera, but sadly haven't had the time to upload many yet. But here's a few for tasters
An nstructor shot of us at 10m:
Some "Nemo's" at about 8m:
Powder Blue Surgeon:
Puffer spotted whilst snorkeling:
Porcupine Fish:
Turtle being caught:
Said turtle making a bid for freedom:
Yellow Fin Grouper:
Hey no probs Bee Jay.
I wanted to post them up untouched to show what a cheap £35 underwater digital camer could do.
Your corrections/photoshopping (whatever) are good
Much better than what I could ever do!
Fancy having a go at the other 800 shots we've not even had chance to look at yet?
I wanted to post them up untouched to show what a cheap £35 underwater digital camer could do.
Your corrections/photoshopping (whatever) are good
Much better than what I could ever do!
Fancy having a go at the other 800 shots we've not even had chance to look at yet?
TBH all I did was open the file in photo shop, go into levels and click 'Auto'. If you use the Ctrl-L shortcut to open levels it takes all of 2 seconds per photo.
If you have photoshop you could build an action to do it and automate it to do them all in minutes.
If you don't have a copy of Photoshop, then I have somewhere you can upload them to and could auto-level them for you, it's no trouble.
If you have photoshop you could build an action to do it and automate it to do them all in minutes.
If you don't have a copy of Photoshop, then I have somewhere you can upload them to and could auto-level them for you, it's no trouble.
HEHE!
Well, if it's one I really care about and have time for, then I will individually adjust the levels for each of the R,G and B channels instead of clicking auto. When you go into them separately you really see how the water strips out colours, and bringing them back again in PShop is actually quite magical.
I'm sure with more than 2 seconds spent you could make the above shots look amazing!
Have fun!
Well, if it's one I really care about and have time for, then I will individually adjust the levels for each of the R,G and B channels instead of clicking auto. When you go into them separately you really see how the water strips out colours, and bringing them back again in PShop is actually quite magical.
I'm sure with more than 2 seconds spent you could make the above shots look amazing!
Have fun!
Edited by Bee_Jay on Thursday 8th January 10:57
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