Larry C 24 Posted January 9, 2006 I finally got to dive with the new camera/housing combo. I haven't got UR Pro green algae filter yet, as you'll see by the pictures. These were taken at 70 feet at Hopkins Deep (also called Aquarium reef) in Monterey. Vis was about 15 feet with lots of green and lots of particulate matter. Pictures were taken on HQ and SHQ jpeg, with standard camera settings on UW Macro or UW wide 2. I used the built in flash and haven't edited the pictures. These are my first UW pics with anything other than a throw away cam, so don't expect anything too fabulous, but they should give an idea of what the camera does on standard settings with autofocus and auto white balance. I'm sure with a filter and manual settings, plus lots of practice, they'll be much better. I'm pretty pleased with the results and currently very happy with my choice of camera. The Oly case was very small and easy to handle under water. It needs a better lanyard. The buttons are kind of close together, but I was able to access all of them with my 5mil gloves. The screen was very easy to read (notwithstanding my 52 year old eyes) and the viewfinder was very clear (although I thought I was having a problem when I saw nothing but magenta for my first five shots--then I took off the lens cap!). I haven't figured out how to upload to wetpixel yet, so you can look at them at http://photos.yahoo.com/lmcgmc. Hope you like them. By the way, I had the camera/viewfinder on and the lens out for the full 40 minutes I was under, plus some shots before and after in the boat. I also downloaded my pictures on the same battery, and it still reads full green. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted January 9, 2006 Nice pics in challenging conditions Larry. I really like that last pic with the starfish and Metri. Well, my January Dive trip has been whittled down to a snorkel with the Manatees on January 27th. I'm taking my rig in the pool to work out the kinks next weekend. Housing is suppose to arrive today. I fabricated an arm out of one I purchased on Ebay really cheap and it turned out really well. I'll have to post a pic on the DIY thread. I've also got some of Alex Mustard's Magic Filters on order from Ryans Reef Photo so I'll get to try those out as well. Gary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry C 24 Posted January 10, 2006 Thanks Gary. Let us know how the strobe works out. BTW, Oly says poolchlorine is death for the housing. I'm really interested in how the Magic filter does too. Should be great for your free dives, as Alex says ambient light only. I think the UR Pro CYA is a similar filter (for tropical water). I have my doubts either will work in our California split pea soup, but hopefully the green algae job will do. I plan to give both a try though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted January 10, 2006 Larry....get hip on that RAW mode. You can filter that split pea soup! BTW...check out the DIY thread and pictures of my new rig. Just got them uploaded tonight. Pool Chlorine kills the housing? I thought there is nothing more corrosive on the planet that sea water. PS...I just finished reading the manual and cannot find this recommendation about pool water. Do you have a page number or reference to the site? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry C 24 Posted January 10, 2006 I'm at work, so I don't have the book with me, but it was in the manual for the PT-030 housing, as I recall in the back with the cleaning and o-ring care instructions, etc. I think it was where they're telling you the whole test procedure (Dunk in tub without camera, take to depth and push buttons, test shallow with camera---whew, finally take it under and take a picture! Incidentally, a soft one pound weight worked great for a camera substitute on the depth test. Of course that was the dive where we saw all of the good stuff so I did picture rehearsal and then all the big crabs and great nudibranchs were nowhere on the second dive with the camera! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted January 10, 2006 Larry - I'm a guy who takes pretty good care of things but I don't think I can bring myself to do a test dive without the camera. A dunk test on the end of a rope to about 15ft might work. However, I'll probably do a dunk test at the hotel in a tub and proceed with diving once on site. I'm going to try and avoid opening the camera case on the boat to avoid any accidents. I read the manual once again and couldn't find anything associated with Chlorine; however, its well known in dive circles that BCD's have a shorter life in pools than they do the ocean so I will clean it thoroughly afterward. I'm also going to invest in flood insurance. Later, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry C 24 Posted January 11, 2006 Gary, maybe I'm hallucinating. I just read through that whole book--twice--and could not find it. I swear I read "under no circumstances take the case in a chlorinated swimming pool." Maybe I picked it up on a forum thread somewhere or something and it just stuck! Sorry. As far as the depth test, I'm sure once you dunk the thing and play with the buttons under water its probably fine, but after all the waiting I didn't want to flood the thing on my first trip, so I followed the book to the letter. I'll defer to more experienced shooters on that one. Belt + Suspenders, whatever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry C 24 Posted January 12, 2006 Just got the UR Pro filter (G46mm-GR). Oops, it has a female thread, same as the camera. I'm trying to rectify that right now. Thanks for the link on the Sea & Sea WA lens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted January 12, 2006 Larry...how much was that filter and where'd you buy it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry C 24 Posted January 13, 2006 First of all, my apologies to UR Pro--my 52 year old eyes didn't see the thin male threads on the other side of the filter. I ordered it online from UR PRO directly (www.urprofilters.com) It fits perfectly. The filter is 46mm and they make it in three different colors in both glass and plastic. I got the GR for our local pea soup, and intend to get the CYA for tropical diving. This would be the one that's equivalent to the magic filter. In fact, I went to the website based on Alex Mustard's recommendation on the Magic Filter website for use on point and shoot cameras. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry C 24 Posted January 13, 2006 Sorry, forgot the price. It was $77.00 for the glass filter, $14.00 s&h, total $91.00, and they were very patient with my idiocy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted January 13, 2006 Thanks. Are you certain on the size? I saw this pic and his conversion adapter says 58-52mm ... which leads me to believe its 52mm. http://www.digitaldiver.net/yabbse/index.p...=16418;start=15 BTW...the hard filter is a good idea ...not just for better photos but also to protect the housing lense. ....also...did you order off their site or call them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meister 1 Posted January 13, 2006 Anyone using wide angle or macro lens with this housing? If so, what type? If 67mm thread type, where did you get the underwater step up adapter ring? Does INON make a AD Bayonet Mount Base and fiber optic kit to fit this PT-030 housing? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Larry C 24 Posted January 13, 2006 Female thread on the housing ring is 46mm. The 52-58 is a clamp on adaptor which goes on the nonthreaded outer part of the ring. I'm not sure how the 52-58 adaptor works, as the OD of the lens port ring is actually 49mm. I ordered the filter off the website after e-mailing to confirm the size availability. I don't know if they can be bought a the local photography store or not. The shipping is kind of steep. It was $14.00 for US Postal Express. The padded envelope came first class with 3 37cent stamps. I don't know if the freight is the same if you order more than one lens, as I think my wife would shoot me if I was spending even more on this. So far though it doesn't approach the $10,000 family investment in dive gear for three or the $18,000 for the 19ft. RIB boat. Cheap hobby, eh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted January 13, 2006 I don't know if the freight is the same if you order more than one lens, as I think my wife would shoot me if I was spending even more on this. I "understand" your predicament. Despite ferreting away bits of money here and there, I'm sure I can hear my wife loading a gun as I click away on ebay. I own a 19.5ft Regal, 1900LSR..... at least the two sports dovetail together! I had her at a boat showroom the other day. I actually had the guts to tell my wife we could swing a payment if the boat had a toilet. Long stare <_< ...I think she actually thought about it for a moment. BTW...I remember taking my gleaming new dive computer for a test drive before the screen protector arrived. one little bang against a rock and now it has some nice scratches that are there forever. If I went cheap and didn't spring for that filter and scratched the housing lense, I think you'd see a grown man cry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ce4jesus 1 Posted January 14, 2006 Well I got the housing last monday and put the thing together on Tuesday and finally jumped in a pool with my kids here in Colorado to take some photos. Nothing even remotely good but I did come out of the pool with a greater appreciation for doing this while diving. As difficult as it was with kids, I can't imagine how difficult it would be with an unwilling fish!!! On several occasions I found my settings were off due to a loose nut behind the viewfinder. In any case I also learned more about the camera and underwater photography just by spending a day with my kids. Hopefully my mistakes in the pool will help me do the right thing when the opportunity presents itself. http://www.snapfish.com/share/p=1001131137...c=SYE/otsi=SALB Comments or questions appreciated..thanks, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
