Anyone used the G10 and WP-DC28 combo?

[Kari Post 1]

I've been wanting to get into underwater photography for years but considering the high startup costs I just haven't gotten there yet. I am an aspiring nature and wildlife photographer (see my website at www.karipost.com) so I kept trying to find good DSLR setup, but the housings for my current camera (Canon 1D Mark II N) are very expensive and when you add in the cost of ports, its a lot of money to invest in a setup I might not use very often. I recently became very interested in the G10 as use for backpacking and scouting trips when not carrying my SLR gear, which offers a RAW file format, high resolution sensor, and very good image quality in a lighterweight package. I see that Canon offers an inexpensive hard housing for the camera, and was wondering if anyone has successfully used this combination, as I think it would be perfect for my needs. Also, what accessories would be needed to shoot with this housing (such as a close up lens or strobe)?

[marcw 8]

I've been wanting to get into underwater photography for years but considering the high startup costs I just haven't gotten there yet. I am an aspiring nature and wildlife photographer (see my website at www.karipost.com) so I kept trying to find good DSLR setup, but the housings for my current camera (Canon 1D Mark II N) are very expensive and when you add in the cost of ports, its a lot of money to invest in a setup I might not use very often. I recently became very interested in the G10 as use for backpacking and scouting trips when not carrying my SLR gear, which offers a RAW file format, high resolution sensor, and very good image quality in a lighterweight package. I see that Canon offers an inexpensive hard housing for the camera, and was wondering if anyone has successfully used this combination, as I think it would be perfect for my needs. Also, what accessories would be needed to shoot with this housing (such as a close up lens or strobe)?

 

Myself and 2 buddies have been using these cases with the g7 and other powershot cameras. No issues with over 300 combined dives. The only cons are: the hotshoe connection, there is none. you need to use fibre optic cable. And add on lens' are hard to find. Otherwise I do not see the difference other price.

[philsokol 1]

Hi Kari,

 

I personally don't use a G10 (or the predecessor G9), but I am contemplating it for my topide fun camera. It is a highly regarded, top of the line point and shoot and there are lots of folks here using it with excellent results. The OEM housing is an inexpensive way to get the G10 underwater (although more expensive, look at Ikelite and Patima too) and there are numerous strobes that will work as well. For me, the downside to the OEM housing is the odd-shaped front lens piece precludes the use of wet-mount lenses, although there are a couple DIY fixes - discussed a couple times in these forums.

 

Run a search in the forums for G10 and G9 and you'll find lots and lots of information.

 

Best of luck,

 

Phil

[Kari Post 1]

Thanks for the info. Are there any sample galleries of photos taken with this combination? Also, does anyone know of any vendor that sells these two items together as a kit?

[marcw 8]

Thanks for the info. Are there any sample galleries of photos taken with this combination? Also, does anyone know of any vendor that sells these two items together as a kit?

 

If you go to my site, any picture 2007 and later is from mine or my buddies g7. http://www.mwdives.com/

 

Here is my setup: http://www.mwdives.com/DiveGallery/Just%20...s/IMG_7600.html

Edited December 29, 2008 by marcw

[bostondiveguy 0]

Hi Kari,

 

I don't know if you're still tracking this post, but FWIW I just purchased the G10 with the DC28 housing (separately) for a Saba trip next month. Like you, I couldn't really afford the Ikelite housing, and instead opted to get a single Sea and Sea YS27 strobe to sort of bring things to the next level (Ebay purchase). If you can wait a bit, I'll try to post some photos (if they're any good) and some thoughts on the housing.

 

Just to let you know, I've only done UW photography one other time--took a newbie class in Bonaire two years ago with a rented point-and-shoot. Loved it, and am hooked. So I'm by no means an expert on the topic, but I think I understand where you're coming from...and that's gotta count for something, right?

[ScubaJedi 0]

Here's my recently posted gallery of macro shots from Lembeh. http://gallery.me.com/peinlee#100031&b...k&view=grid

 

G10

DC28

Sea&Sea YS110alpha

Inon 6x macro wet lens 67mm

 

The casing has been working well since December, but I think I'm diving a little bit more than it's been designed for.

Edited March 15, 2009 by ScubaJedi

[LERF 0]

Here's my recently posted gallery of macro shots from Lembeh. http://gallery.me.com/peinlee#100031&b...k&view=grid

 

G10

DC28

Sea&Sea YS110alpha

Inon 6x macro wet lens 67mm

 

The casing has been working well since December, but I think I'm diving a little bit more than it's been designed for.

 

Wow! Great shots Scubajedi! The FORCE is strong with you!

[ScubaJedi 0]

HAHAHAHAHA Thanks LERF!

[bostondiveguy 0]

OK, so we're back from Saba. If you haven't been, you should definitely consider going...but that's for another forum.

 

What we're really here to talk about is the G10 and its housing (WP-DC28) and a single Sea & Sea YS27 strobe. Now please keep in mind, I'm a complete newbie when it comes to UW photography, and this was the first time out with this setup. Here are my initial impressions:

 

The camera itself is incredible for a point-and-shoot. The LCD monitor is large enough to get a fairly good idea of how your pictures are turning out. Shooting in RAW, it took a little while for the camera to write the file to disk (1 to 2 seconds), a small price to pay for being able to do color correction later.

 

The housing: performed as advertised. All functions are accessible from the housing with the exception of one of the scroll wheels. There is a work-around involving holding down one button while selecting with another. Where this becomes an issues is when you're shooting in MANUAL mode and you need to change either the aperture or shutter speed. While clumsy at first, you quickly get used to this workflow layout. I would strongly recommend getting an external strobe with this housing. The lens port gets in the way of the internal flash so you need to frame your shots favoring the upper part of the viewfinder--you'll get shadowing in the lower portion of the frame. What I really like about the housing is its size. It's small and compact. Considering luggage restrictions on airlines these days, the less bulky my carry-on, the better.

 

What's not great about the housing is the lack of TTL. The Sea & Sea strobe had to be synced via an optical cable connected to the housing with a hand-cut Velcro shade placed on top of and around the camera's internal flash. This meant a lot of trial and error to get the exposure just right.

 

I did have problems manually setting the white balance while in manual mode. You really have to have the lighting correct before you set the white balance. So a lot of initially yellow tinted shots, but easily corrected in Photoshop or iPhoto (for quick previewing). This seemed less of a problem if I shot in PROGRAM mode and white balanced on my hand. If someone could explain why this is the case, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

As far as setting the white balance, it is a two button-press procedure with your right hand. If you want you can set a short cut function button which is accessible with your left hand or awkwardly with your right. Keep in mind, if your right hand is tethered to the housing you still need another hand to hold the white slate, or a very patient dive buddy willing to wait for all your futzing.

 

For the amount of diving I do (one 10-day trip a year to somewhere warm), this is the right camera for me. The pictures turned out great for my first time. I did take a photography course while I was down there, and that helped out a bunch. The instructor was Troy Hooper of Innerworld Images (http://innerworldimages.com/), definitely check out his site. He's available through Sea Saba.

 

I still feel I can grow into this camera, and once I get more comfortable with it we'll see if I have a desire to move to an DSLR with the housing, strobes, lenses....$$$$$$$$$.

 

Pictures are coming. Check back in a day or two.

 

Hope this helps.

[sooke 0]

Here's my recently posted gallery of macro shots from Lembeh. http://gallery.me.com/peinlee#100031&b...k&view=grid

 

G10

DC28

Sea&Sea YS110alpha

Inon 6x macro wet lens 67mm

 

The casing has been working well since December, but I think I'm diving a little bit more than it's been designed for.

 

I'm curious as how you attached the Inon macro lens to the DCWP-28 housing. A special adapter?

[CompuDude 0]

I'm curious as how you attached the Inon macro lens to the DCWP-28 housing. A special adapter?

If I had to guess, I'd say a technique list this was used: http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=25455

[escape 84]

I'm curious as how you attached the Inon macro lens to the DCWP-28 housing. A special adapter?

 

http://www.uwdigitalcamera.com/goods_detail.php?goodsIdx=284

or

http://www.fun-in.com.tw/catalog/product_i...roducts_id=1387

Edited May 13, 2009 by escape

[CompuDude 0]

Ooh, nice, someone made a real adapter for it!

[CCL 0]

HAHAHAHAHA Thanks LERF!

 

Hello,

I am a new member, I just registered specifically to add this question: You indicate that QUOTE The housing: performed as advertised. All functions are accessible from the housing with the exception of one of the scroll wheels. There is a work-around involving holding down one button while selecting with another. Where this becomes an issues is when you're shooting in MANUAL mode and you need to change either the aperture or shutter speed. While clumsy at first, you quickly get used to this workflow layout UNQUOTE. COuld you please specifically tell which buttons or which sequence of buttons you press to change the aperture and/or shutter speed without using the scroll wheel? I could then try on a friend's G10 and decide how to move forward ( G10+WP-DC28 or G10+Ikelite housing).

Thanks a lot

[escape 84]

COuld you please specifically tell which buttons or which sequence of buttons you press to change the aperture and/or shutter speed without using the scroll wheel? I could then try on a friend's G10 and decide how to move forward ( G10+WP-DC28 or G10+Ikelite housing).

Thanks a lot

 

FYI:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/canon-cor...nual-focus.html