TonySuber

Potentially silly question to which the answer may be "go back and read the manual again" but . . . I'd swear that when I recorded videos the only card that receives the file is the "primary" card selected for playback. The RAW files are written to both cards. I had the camera setup to record to both cards. And as an on topic response I love the delkin devices CF and SD cards and picked up several CF700 cards when B&H had them for $80 or so, I use them in conjunction with a 64GB SD card so I don't have to do much card swapping.

After reading the comments in the article linked above, I'm hesitant to actually say anything as I'm actually happy with the camera. Its not pro level by any stretch of the imagination in either still or video performance but that's why it's a sub $1,000 camera. I bought it figuring, worst case, it would be an acceptable "back up" studio camera should my 5D Mark III break during the middle of a studio session. My hope was it would also be my primary underwater camera given the improved autofocus ability during video shooting. Mind you, I'm not shooting for national geographic underwater (or above, truth be told!) so I don't have an overly exacting standard for video quality. That being said the autofocus during video has its quirks and isn't up to the level I've seen on the mirrorless cameras such as the NEX7 or Panasonic GH2. When it works, it makes for a nice video but most of my clips to date do involve a certain amount of "hunting" when there's subject movement. There's also still the tendency that when the focus goes out it will go all the way out before coming back. I was using a 17-40L lens and haven't been able to play with one of the new STM lenses. Hopefully familiarity will breed better skills with the video feature.

After reading the comments in the article linked above, I'm hesitant to actually say anything as I'm actually happy with the camera. Its not pro level by any stretch of the imagination in either still or video performance but that's why it's a sub $1,000 camera. I bought it figuring, worst case, it would be an acceptable "back up" studio camera should my 5D Mark III break during the middle of a studio session. My hope was it would also be my primary underwater camera given the improved autofocus ability during video shooting. Mind you, I'm not shooting for national geographic underwater (or above, truth be told!) so I don't have an overly exacting standard for video quality. That being said the autofocus during video has its quirks and isn't up to the level I've seen on the mirrorless cameras such as the NEX7 or Panasonic GH2. When it works, it makes for a nice video but most of my clips to date do involve a certain amount of "hunting" when there's subject movement. There's also still the tendency that when the focus goes out it will go all the way out before coming back. I was using a 17-40L lens and haven't been able to play with one of the new STM lenses. Hopefully familiarity will breed better skills with the video feature.

If you use any of the OnOne plug ins, make sure to consult their website before upgrading -- essentially you deauthorize your computer, upgrade, then download their new installer/updater. I inadvertently upgraded to Snow Leopard during Apple Store trouble shooting (long story, not really that funny either). Had read all the articles about CS4 and Lightroom not really having any issues but completely forgot about plug-ins. In addition to the OnOne issue, all the Kubota Image Tools now think they have been activated "on a different computer" since the Snow Leopard computer is "new" to them.

I have used the 5D Mark II out of the water quite a bit and like the live view when shooting tethered in the studio but fast auto focus is not a Live View characteristic! Just got the Aquatica housing with the Aquaview viewfinder for the Mark II and look forward to diving with it on Sunday. Tony

During some e-mail exchanges with the Backscatter folks, I was informed they have received an Aquatica 5D Mark II housing for evaluation and feedback which they, of course, were quite willing to do! Sounded like they liked what they saw so far but hadn't been able to jump in the murky CA water to test it out at depth. I, of course, would be equally excited to provide feedback from the always-diveable Hawaiian waters but it seems Aquatica prefers to only hand out samples and demos to their retail outlets. How shocking! Can't wait to get mine -- hopefully early March. And then an Evolution rebreather since I'm working on my Christmas list already! Tony PS: Now then, who wants to buy a Canon 5D and the Aquatica A5D housing with dual Ikelite DS-125 strobes . . . ???? :-)

Thanks to those above for the advice. My 5D just got out of its one-year checkup and I dove with it this weekend shooting both fish and models and I really like the shots the 5D produces. I think I've resisted the urge to "buy new stuff" successfully for now . . . of course, when the new 5D comes out, I'm sure it will start all over again!!

The Aquatica zoom gearing on the 5D housing is excellent. I shoot primarily with the 17-40L zoom but have had very nice results with the 24mm f1.4 lens. I didn't like the plastic gearing on my original Ikelite housing so the metal zoom ring construction of the Aquatica was like heaven. I continue to consider selling my 5d and Aquatica housing but just can't seem to pull the trigger. The 40D and 14 bit color is tempting but the 1.6FOVCF is a definite downside for wide angle ease.

I tend to agree with Cor's comments above -- the more good shots you already have in the bag the less willing you are to take multiple shots of that "whatever you have a lot of in your area" fish/critter. Don't, however, be hesitant to pull the trigger early and often when something unusual is happening in the water . . . even if it's only unusual to you. The best advice handed out at last year's Kona Classic by the photo pros was "Get closer, shoot more". Advice which resulted in an "honorable mention" photo during a night dive of a squid eating an arc-eyed hawk fish. The photographer didn't even know he had the shot until reviewing the shots on his computer that night. A shot that wouldn't have happened had he waited until he could "see" the shot completely. As for the pros diving the Kona Classic? Jim Watt came up with 230-ish on the same dive I shot 50 or so. David Fleetham and Marty Snyderman seemed to routinely be in the hundreds of shots per dive also.

I'm contemplating selling my 5D w/ Aquatica housing and getting the 40D to a) put less money underwater and B) get the 14 bit color in the 40D. Anyone used the 17-55 f2.8 Canon EF-S lens underwater? That seems like it would be a great compromise lens with an effective 27-88mm length. I've gotten fairly comfortable shooting in manual with the DS-125 strobes on my Aquatica housing but would like the luxury of having TTL control of the strobe provided by Sea and Sea with their Canon housings. Or am I just being lazy? Of course I could always spring for the huge bucks and dive with my mark III but that violates premise (a) above and would require me to actually be selling more of the photos!

James, Sadly you're not wrong -- the live view feature of the Mark III does, in fact, take autofocus out of the "picture" (sorry). It's excellent in the studio and does allow for precise focusing on any element within view of the sensor but no autofocus -- not good for diving. Remote control of ALL camera operations makes for some nice tripod night work shooting in tethered mode though. Tony