tom_griffin
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Posts posted by tom_griffin
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"......have become used to very high quality results. How can I
replicate this, from a underwater AND Poolside point of view?"
The answer is easy...buy a $2,500 Sea & Sea (or Seacam -- your
choice) housing for your SLR at Backscatter.com! But you get no
port or strobe.... That'll set you back another $1500. OK, I'm
done.
Sorry for the poor attempt at humor... but that's the best way to
ensure high quality both underwater and out of it. The other
option is to pickup a Nikonos V with a 35mm f/2.8 lens and have
some fun (about $750). The 35mm lens is the only one that can
be used above and below the water.
None of the cameras you mention will produce high quality
underwater images. However, they'll take pictures in a wet
environment and you'll have something to show friends and
family back home. Light is a key part of u/w photography and
neither the MX-5 or 10 have strobes that provide much light.
The attached photo was taken without strobe (to avoid
backscatter) in 12' of water at Stingray City on Grand Cayman.
Colors are bleached out -- the diver has bright pink mask that
barely shows.
I have seen some underwater photos taken with the MX-5 that
were pretty good -- but the photographer was an experienced u/
w photographer who was using it to see what the camera could
actually do.
You mention liking print film for it's great latitude -- that's not a
good thing for u/w photography. The color mix for u/w is different
and many labs don't adjust for it when processing. That's what
Kodak "Sea Processing" is all about.; the processing machine is
set for u/w color compensation. I shoot exclusively slide film u/w
for just that reason -- if the colors are wrong it's my fault.
Good Luck...
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Anil,
A few things come to mind:
1. Your batteries were weak and could not generate the power to
push the flash to the necessary light output. Velvia will cause
most shoe mounted flash heads to work hard -- and drain
batteries quickly. I keep two sets of rechargeable batteries with
me to avoid that problem. If I notice the flash is slow to recycle --
time to put in fresh batteries.
2. Your flash is not powerful enough regardless of battery
strength.
3. You were too far away from your intended subject. I learned
this the hard way in underwater photography.
4. Incompatible settings. You don't say what camera, lens, or
flash settings were. Both the camera and flash should have
been set to ISO 50. If the camera was set for ISO 50 and the
flash for 100 or higher -- there's your problem. If you were in the
manual mode I don't think we can help without specific settings.
That should give you something to check next time....
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As far as your first question goes, I've never heard of that lens.
Question #2 are you asking about the mounts or the lens?
Question #3. The Canon 35-105mm f/3.5 FD is a great lens.
Versatile and sharp. I bought mine used in excellent, if not like
new, condition for around $350 back in 1999.
I need HELP choosing underwater cameras c.$450
in Nature
Posted
Fred,
You have to decide what you want. I linked that picture to show
you what happens without an additional light source at only 12'
of water (4m) -- you lose color. When snorkling, you're not likely
to be going more than 10' deep. You will lose some color, but
not a lot.
You are right -- by adding Nikon's SB-105 strobe, the cost goes
up by around $800. Here's what I'd do. Call two shops in the
U.S. (I'm not sure where you are). If you go "used", skip the
Nikonos IV, it was a bust; and go back to the NIkonos III -- it was
a better camera, though completely manual. Nikon tried to put
some auto metering features in the Nikonos IV and it did not
work very well, hence the Nikonos V, which is a classic.
1. Underwater Photo Tech (Derry, NH); <www.uwphoto.com>
They are a Sea & Sea and Nikon dealer. Ask for advice. They
usually have used equipment for sale and are helpful.
2. Stephen Frink Photo in Key Largo, Florida; <
www.stephenfrink.com> . Steve is one of the world most
accomplished u/w photographers and runs a shop on Key
Largo. He and his folks can give you advice and more
importantly, have a large selection of used u/w equipment for
sale (He can also sell you a $2,500 Seacam housing for the
Nikon F100 as well!). He's a great guy. Explain to him or his
staff what you're looking for and they may have something used
that will work.
The advantage of Nikonos III or V is that if you get tired of it, there
is an instant used market. They've depreciated as far as they'll
go since Nikon stopped production of the V last year.
Good Luck...and enjoy<div></div>