First Time User G7 pics

[diggy 54]

Hi guys,

 

As mentioned in my introduction earlier. Was completely new to U/W photography, especally Digital cause only used film SLR's earlier. So this August went off to Tulamben, Bali and took an Underwater Photo Course with Mr. Jeff Mullins. Great guy and a super teacher. Post that, went on to take some pictures and hope you guys like them. All comments and critique - welcome cause its a never ending learnig process. Just returned last week from the Andamans, where we had organised a dive trip for 14 . Got a few pics there too.

 

Sadly Canon announced the G9 a little after i acquired the G7

 

Copying the link to the pics : http://www.flickr.com/photos/14232146@N08/

 

Cheers,

 

Diggy

[Pilgrim 0]

those are amasing pics, i too bought the G7 only to hear the release of the G9 but how long will it be before theres a case??

and theres only a few extras 12m pixels, 3inch screen, raw, bigger sensor who needs it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

what rig are you using with it flash lenses case?

Edited September 26, 2007 by Pilgrim

[ce4jesus 1]

"Sadly Canon announced the G9 a little after i acquired the G7 "

 

From the quality of your photos its looks as though you don't need it. Very well done.

[aussie 0]

Wow, there's some great photos there! Have you done much photography before (film, above water)? Looks like you already knew a fair bit about it, or you had an amazing teacher!

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the G9, I've got the G7 myself and am very happy with it (although the Ikelite housing's been giving me the shits lately).

 

Ryan.

[diggy 54]

Wow, there's some great photos there! Have you done much photography before (film, above water)? Looks like you already knew a fair bit about it, or you had an amazing teacher!

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the G9, I've got the G7 myself and am very happy with it (although the Ikelite housing's been giving me the shits lately).

 

Ryan.

 

 

Thanks Guys for the compliments " First Time Lucky" I guess

 

Well yes i had a lot of experience with Nature photography, so knew the basics like Av, Tv, exposure, light etc. etc. Since my daughter was born in 1996 i had packed everything away. Started diving since last October, and the "dormant bug" got active again But understanding Digital cameras was a challenge. I still fumble with a few modes.

 

Most of the Pics are on Manual including flash. I have set C1 on Macro and C2 for slightly larger subjects a little distance away. Depending on the colour of the subject i play with the flash intensity. I did use TTL for a few of the Andamans pics, but avoid this as i find reds and yellows seem to be more highlighted. I do use optical zoom at half for macro shots but have not used telephoto at all.

 

I would now like to experiment with wide angle shots BUT i do believe this rig has its limitations. It would be really nice if anyone out there has wide angle pics taken with this setup. Any advice on this is welcome.

 

My last two dives at the Andamans got messed up as the Ikelite fogged up on the lens glass window. Well the reason this happened, i assume, is cause the boat had a bucket of Fresh water kept in the open sun on the boat for the cameras. Hence the temperature got a few degrees higher than the sea temperature. I saw a thread on this topic and am going to throw in a a few silica gel packs inside next time.

 

Finally i do believe Jeff was an excelent teacher who stressed on going manual from Day I. Interestlingly he also makes a leak detector which i have fixed in my housing. Its really effective and not too expensive. About 60USD. I will post this as a new topic soon with a link giving the details.

 

Diggy

[Pilgrim 0]

so do you use any lenses or just the g7 in a case, great if you do i won't bother buying one, was going to get a wide angle, the guy in the shop said i definately needed it. Think he was pushing for the sale now!!!

 

what flash are you using as haven't bought that yet

Edited September 27, 2007 by Pilgrim

[diggy 54]

Well have purchased an INON close up lens but have not used it as yet. As for wide angle.....No way am i spending that kind of money unless i see some results with me own eyes So guys anybody who has had good results with a wide angle lens on this set up please do let me know.

 

Am using an Ikelite DS 51 strobe pilgrim and am happy with it.

 

Diggy

[derway 2]

Wow, lots of great shots. No need for an SLR any more.

 

What is that growth, like a small external, human brain, on the one shrimpoid:

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14232146@N08/...in/photostream/

 

Shall we ask in critter ID?

 

Nice work.

[diggy 54]

As far as i know its an anemone shrimp. As for the growth critter ID pls help

 

Diggy

[dwood 0]

A wet mount wide angle lens makes a huge difference with a camera like this. Right now I use an Olympus C-5050 with an Inon UWL-100 wide angle lens. The built-in lenses on both the G7 and the C-5050 are 35mm equivalent (compared to a 35mm camera) at their widest. My understanding is that with the shallow port for the G7 housing, you don't get any vignetting with the wet mount WA lenses. The shallow port limits how far you can zoom out the lens, but you said in your posting that you had it zoomed out about half way, so that would work with the shallow port.

How do you find the accuracy of the autofocus in macro mode?

 

I've had the C-5050 for years and have been waiting a long time for something to replace it with. The G9 might be the camera. (I really like RAW).

[diggy 54]

A wet mount wide angle lens makes a huge difference with a camera like this. Right now I use an Olympus C-5050 with an Inon UWL-100 wide angle lens. The built-in lenses on both the G7 and the C-5050 are 35mm equivalent (compared to a 35mm camera) at their widest. My understanding is that with the shallow port for the G7 housing, you don't get any vignetting with the wet mount WA lenses. The shallow port limits how far you can zoom out the lens, but you said in your posting that you had it zoomed out about half way, so that would work with the shallow port.

How do you find the accuracy of the autofocus in macro mode?

 

I've had the C-5050 for years and have been waiting a long time for something to replace it with. The G9 might be the camera. (I really like RAW).

 

 

Go for it, I am really happy with the accuracy of autofocus on Macro mode. Overall the camera has given some amazing results. And with the G9 you also have raw and the screen is 3" . So it would definately be my choice amongst the current contenders.

 

Diggy

 

A wet mount wide angle lens makes a huge difference with a camera like this. Right now I use an Olympus C-5050 with an Inon UWL-100 wide angle lens. The built-in lenses on both the G7 and the C-5050 are 35mm equivalent (compared to a 35mm camera) at their widest. My understanding is that with the shallow port for the G7 housing, you don't get any vignetting with the wet mount WA lenses. The shallow port limits how far you can zoom out the lens, but you said in your posting that you had it zoomed out about half way, so that would work with the shallow port.

How do you find the accuracy of the autofocus in macro mode?

 

I've had the C-5050 for years and have been waiting a long time for something to replace it with. The G9 might be the camera. (I really like RAW).

 

 

Sorry forgot to say thanks for your info on the wide angle lens. I am probably going to get one as am planning Maldives in November and its a place where one needs maximum flexibility as far as choice of lens is concerned.

 

Thanks , Diggy

[Pilgrim 0]

does anyone know which wide angle lenses fit onto the G7 ikelite?

 

I've asked cameraunderwater and they haven't answered me back for quite a while !!!

[dwood 0]

does anyone know which wide angle lenses fit onto the G7 ikelite?

 

I've asked cameraunderwater and they haven't answered me back for quite a while !!!

 

 

The Ikelite housing accepts 67mm threaded lenses. This includes the Inon UWL-100, Ikelite W-20, and Epoque wide angle lenses.

[peter_lapin 0]

yes.. but only if you change out the port and then it limits the zoom.

 

 

The Ikelite housing accepts 67mm threaded lenses. This includes the Inon UWL-100, Ikelite W-20, and Epoque wide angle lenses.

[dwood 0]

yes.. but only if you change out the port and then it limits the zoom.

 

True, but you can still zoom out to about 120mm (35mm equivalent). I guess the question is how important is it to be able to zoom more than that.

[aussie 0]

Well have purchased an INON close up lens but have not used it as yet. As for wide angle.....No way am i spending that kind of money unless i see some results with me own eyes So guys anybody who has had good results with a wide angle lens on this set up please do let me know.

 

Am using an Ikelite DS 51 strobe pilgrim and am happy with it.

 

Diggy

 

Here's a couple using an Epoque WA lens, with the shorter port on the Ike housing. Have to zoom in a fraction, but only the smallest amount you can. Yes, it limits your zoom a bit, but really, who needs to zoom that much underwater anyway???

 

 

 

 

 

More can be seen at my gallery

 

Cheers,

Ryan.

Edited October 18, 2007 by aussie

[peter_lapin 0]

Ryan,

 

With the WA lens , do the pics have that fish eye look around the edges?

 

do you have to crop/zoom to remove ?

 

 

how does it work on smaller objects , almost macro ?

Edited October 18, 2007 by peter_lapin

[ooblick 0]

This may be a rather dumb question, but how's the shutter lag on that puppy? I'm trying to decide on cameras, and I think I've been spoiled by DSLRs, but I wanted something smaller and easier to travel with. I tried the Olympus SP350 and one of the Canon Sure Shots underwater but was driven nuts by the shutter lag and constant pictures of fish tails. Your shots are magnificent, and look as if there is either very little shutter lag, or you're amazing at guessing.

[aussie 0]

Shutter lag's not great, although you get used to it. If you're used to shooting with a dSLR, it will drive you crazy, but by half pressing the shutter button so it focusses, you can pretty much get it to shoot straight away when fully pressed.

 

The WA lens tends to blur around the edges, although not a lot (you can see on the left hand side of the 4th photo I put up). I wouldn't mind giving the dome port a go to see if this makes any difference. Need to zoom a touch, but only the smallest nudge of the zoom.

 

Haven't tried shooting much close-wide angle stuff with it yet, I generally just take the WA lens off, but here's one I did do. Again, the dome port should help with this.

 

 

By the way, would love some feedback on my photos, I'm still learning too!

 

Ry.

[diggy 54]

All the pics are great ryan, and veering towards my affinity for nudi's, love that one, even the composition is great. I like the 1st and last shot the most of the four posted, NOT TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOU THAT THE OTHER TWO ARE REALLY NICE

 

Three questions ryan sorry make that four Answer when you find some time

1) What was the ISO set on for the pics ?

2) What shutter speed?

3) What aperture?

4) Strobe power ?

 

Cheers and thanks for those pics ..Adorama have just delivered the Ikelite w/a and the shallow port yesterday.

 

Diggy

 

Shutter lag's not great, although you get used to it. If you're used to shooting with a dSLR, it will drive you crazy, but by half pressing the shutter button so it focusses, you can pretty much get it to shoot straight away when fully pressed.

 

The WA lens tends to blur around the edges, although not a lot (you can see on the left hand side of the 4th photo I put up). I wouldn't mind giving the dome port a go to see if this makes any difference. Need to zoom a touch, but only the smallest nudge of the zoom.

 

Haven't tried shooting much close-wide angle stuff with it yet, I generally just take the WA lens off, but here's one I did do. Again, the dome port should help with this.

 

 

By the way, would love some feedback on my photos, I'm still learning too!

 

Ry.

[peter_lapin 0]

Is that one of the lens you can install / remove U/W ??

 

When I get close.. usualy camera cant focus..

 

I usualy have to take 3 or 4 pics to get one to come out even in marco mode.

[aussie 0]

Three questions ryan sorry make that four :) Answer when you find some time

1) What was the ISO set on for the pics ?

2) What shutter speed?

3) What aperture?

4) Strobe power ?

 

1. Always leave it on ISO80, think I hay have wound it up for some shots inside that wreck, but from memory, non of those. Try to keep it low as possible though.

 

Details for the photos:

1. 1/60th, f2.8

2. 1/60th, f2.8

3. 1/160th, f4.5

4. 1/200th, f2.8 (I should have used a smaller f-stop here, I've since worked out this is the cause of the bluring)

5 (nudi photo). 1/60th, f5

 

All shots were taken in AV mode, so shutter speed was automatic. Strobe was on eTTL, so not sure what power it's putting out.

 

Thanks for the kind comments by the way! The nudi photo was on a trip to the Philippines in May, there's plenty more of them in my gallery. The other 4 were all from Gizo, Solomon Islands last month.

 

Peter, the wide angle lens is one you can remove underwater. As for your problem with focusing, I've had that issue in low light situations. A focussing light may help. I use a torch when shooting on night dives.

 

Ry.

[diggy 54]

Checked out the gallery ryan, Awesome pics. Love the Manta, especially the composition. The turtle pics are great too and i like the one "Dani with the Jellyfish"

 

Its all theory and i have not yet put this in practice underwater BUT was given a little input by Jeff ....my teacher which may be of some help.

 

Shutter Speed controls the darkness of the background in wide angle shots...so higher the shutter speed darker/deeper will be the colour of the water.

 

Aperture (F Stop) controls overall exposure and depth of field. Try not to use anything belw 3.5 or 4. Ideal would be f8 but apparently the DS51 is not powerful enough :)

 

Strobe Power controls the exposure of the foreground (where the strobe/s are lighting). So either you control this manualy or go for TTL

 

Cheers

 

Diggy

 

 

1. Always leave it on ISO80, think I hay have wound it up for some shots inside that wreck, but from memory, non of those. Try to keep it low as possible though.

 

Details for the photos:

1. 1/60th, f2.8

2. 1/60th, f2.8

3. 1/160th, f4.5

4. 1/200th, f2.8 (I should have used a smaller f-stop here, I've since worked out this is the cause of the bluring)

5 (nudi photo). 1/60th, f5

 

All shots were taken in AV mode, so shutter speed was automatic. Strobe was on eTTL, so not sure what power it's putting out.

 

Thanks for the kind comments by the way! The nudi photo was on a trip to the Philippines in May, there's plenty more of them in my gallery. The other 4 were all from Gizo, Solomon Islands last month.

 

Peter, the wide angle lens is one you can remove underwater. As for your problem with focusing, I've had that issue in low light situations. A focussing light may help. I use a torch when shooting on night dives.

 

Ry.

[peter_lapin 0]

thanks for the input..

 

my DS-125 has a modeling light..

 

took this pic at night with it ,

 

f8, 1/60

[diggy 54]

thanks for the input..

 

my DS-125 has a modeling light..

 

took this pic at night with it ,

 

f8, 1/60

 

 

Awesome pic peter.....love the composition a lot. The round brain corals of different colours on the left and the red background behind the moray...totally completes the picture.

 

I guess the DS125 makes a much bigger difference as far as power is concerned to get higher apertures and depth of field.

 

Ryan have you considered getting an additional strobe for your setup ?? I was thinking it may make sense..BUT if so which one..I am sure it will make a BIG difference for wide angle as well as macro cause you could use one flash as a fill in at the lowest power ??

 

Do give me some input and thoughts on this one.

 

Cheers,

 

Diggy