ReefDiver

I will be diving next week and wanted to know if a wide angle lens can be removed & then replaced while taking underwater photos?

I am using a Canon S-500 with housing and attached Inon wide angle lens (WAL). I would assume that water is getting in between the outside of the housing and the inner part of the WAL while it is attached and therefore taking it off and on should pose no problem.

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions.

Steve

Hi All:

I will be diving in Curacao & St. Thomas next week and need your help. I have never used an underwater camera other than the cheap ones used for snorkeling. Here is a description of my set up:

Canon Power Shot S-500 with underwater housing.
Sealife Reefmaster Strobe with optional diffuser.
Inon removable wide angle lens attached to camera housing.
High speed 1GB Flash Card.

I have read and have some limited knowledge of the proper settings to use depending on depth, water clarity, etc... but have never used this camera before ( just purchased everything within the last month!). I do have the strobe synced to the cameras flash so that they work together. I have taken some shots of a few corals in my reef tank but only through the glass and the pictures are very good. However, this is not underwater photography by any means.

I have the camera set to the following Manual settings: ISO 100, EV -2, Flash ON and Red Eye Reduction OFF, WB set on “Sunny”,  Resolution mode on “L”, and Compression mode set at “Super Fine”.

Obviously, these settings are not set in stone and would need adjustment depending on the situation. Here are my questions:

1. Would you suggest using the zoom lens for close ups with the wide angle lens attached?
2. What about the position of the Strobe head to prevent scatter?
3. Any comments on holding the camera steady underwater?
4. How about close up shots? How close? How Far??
5. What about panoramic shots, i.e, large fish, reefs, divers, etc....
6. How should I attach the camera to myself prior to getting in the water?
7. Should I use any of those Moisture Munchers in the camera housing?
8. Is it better to Underexpose rather than Overexpose?
9. What about Shutter speed options?
10. Is there any time that you would use the “Auto” setting?

I will probably think of many more questions but these will suffice for now!!
Now I realize that EXPERIENCE is the real teacher but just wanted to get some opinions/recommendations from a few experienced underwater photographers. Any suggestions/comments will be very much appreciated. I am also going to post this in a few of the other forums as well. Thanks in advance for you help.

Steve

Hi Folks:

I am a newbie to this forum and have a question? Does anyone know where I can purchase an underwater housing for my Nikon 995 digi camera? I have done extensive searches online and have found out that both "Ikelite" & "Aquatica" have discontinued this particular housing unit and are no longer making it. I will be diving in the Caribbean from Aug 7th through the 14th and was hoping to find a housing ASAP! Thanks in advance for any help.

Steve