More help, on lenses and flash this time

[jenkinsd 0]

I am asking for a lot of help here, and not giving much back. Hopefully in the future I will be able to put more in.

 

 

Still trying to decide on which camera to go for, I am looking into the Canon ID MK II may be the favorite so far. The reason for this is canon is offering me it for 3300€ including the 550EX flash for free. Which seems a very competative deal.

 

The only thing that puts me of the D70, is if I spend 1000€ on a camera plus 2500€ on a underwater case, and decide I want better next year. It is a lot to throw away.

 

I am a little confused on how lenses and flashes connect to the camera underwater.

 

I know that there are different ports for different lenses. Which seems simple enought. But how does one get around the fact you never know what type of picture you are going to take underwater until you get to it. Has anyone else addressed this, if they find themselves suddenly wanting to take a macro photo? Are there any lenses that are good at everything? or is it just tuff luck. Preperation is the key before you dive.

 

As i understand it, I can put the 550EX in a subal case and connect it to the subal camera case. How to slave flashes work? Or do they simply trigger from the light of the other flash.

 

Also, does anyone know a good UK/Ireland provider for underwater housing, that is competative and reliable for deliveries and service?

 

Many Thanks

 

Danny

[kcf955 1]

Hello Danny,

 

You can't really go wrong with either the D70 or 1DII. Both are great tools and deliver excellent results. As to which lens's to choose, I can only speak for the 1DII. You could easily get away with 3 lenses for UW use. 15mm FE for scenics, wrecks, large marine life. 17-40mm L, is a great all round lens for fish. This would be your multipurpose lens. The 3rd would be the 100mm macro. 1:1 magnification ratio, super sharp, USM for fast focusing.

 

As to when you would use each, well...it is up to you to do your homework before a dive and ask the dive master (assuming you are diving on a boat) what they recommend for a particular dive site based on what there is to see.

 

You might be better off just getting a dedicated dive strobe from Ikelite, Inon, etc. than trying to house the 550. The dedicated strobes generally have more power, wider angle of coverage and easier access to the controls. However, if you refuse to shoot manually and HAVE to shoot ETTL than housing the 550 may be the only way to go. I could see a dual 550 set up for macro working well but that it about it. Shooting manually is really quite simple and easy, especially with digital. It just takes some practice.

 

Good Luck, Keith

[jenkinsd 0]

Thank you keith, if you would not mind, could you explain shooting manually for me.

[Paul Kay 62]

Hi Danny

 

Several things. Firstly camera - any housing which will fit the Caonon EOS1DMkII will also take the full frame EOS1DSMkII model. I use the older 1DS MkI and have just picked up a used second body for half the new price a year ago so have a spare. An EOS1DMkII housing has great future potential as the body may be upgraded later (when prices drop) and so the lenses suggested above 15mm (not a full frame fisheye on the DMkII, but it is on the DSMkII), the 17~40 and the 100 macro can be used on the full-frame model too. I use all these plus a fixed 24mm - and each of the 20, 24 & 28mm Canon lenses can be used too (and behind smaller ports).

 

I would not worry about using the 550EX too much - I have/will use it and it works ok in ttl, but manual flash control is very easy with the histogram able to provide a great deal of feedback underwater. Flashes all connect via multi-core cabling but to use ttl with the 550EX effectively you would really need 6 core connectors and this can be tricky.

 

As to housings for the EOS1DMkII/DSMkII, in the UK, Ireland there are three available - myself (Seacam) - (I'm not advertising as this is straightforward fact!), Subal from Ocean Optics and Sea & Sea from various Sea & Sea dealers. Unless I am very much mistaken (and you will need to check with the other makes), all will be available to order only, and whilst supplies of ports and other items is often off-the-shelf this cannot be guaranteed! I do not think that there are any other housings officially imported into the UK/Ireland but am quite prepared to be informed otherwise. Lastly, all these housings are relatively expensive as housings go!

[acroporas 0]

But how does one get around the fact you never know what type of picture you are going to take underwater until you get to it. Has anyone else addressed this, if they find themselves suddenly wanting to take a macro photo? Are there any lenses that are good at everything? or is it just tuff luck. Preperation is the key before you dive.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

The way to deal with it is to become engrossed in what you are doing. When you are hunting for 1cm gobys, you wont even notice the whale passing behind you.

 

The same goes for when you are shooting with a FE. You will find that you stay farther from the reef and are looking around at the big picture. You would never see the pygme seahorse so you wont come back wishing you had the macro lens.

 

As far as desiding what lens to use, I dont ask the DM on the boat. I've found that most DM's dont give the best advise when it comes to what lens is best.

 

DM's can be usefull in making the decision, but you have to force it out of them. Ask very specific questions.

 

Dont ask, so what's down there? Or what's this site like?

 

But ask what angle does the reef slope? What is the % coral/bottom life coverage? What type of sesile organisms the bottom? What is the visablity?

 

When I'm deciding what lens to use.

 

First I ask myself: Water conditions?

 

If vis is on the lower end of the scale --> macro

 

Night/dusk --> macro

 

Water so clear Can ID fish on the bottom by leaning over the boat --> WA

 

If the water conditions dont dictate my lens choice by the dive site or just what Mood I'm in.

 

Wrecks --> WA

 

Low profile dive site --> macro

 

Macro is much more work--> not a good choice if you are fealing lazy.

[bmyates 3]

But how does one get around the fact you never know what type of picture you are going to take underwater until you get to it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

As others have said, you have to establish whether you're going for macro or WA before the dive, and choose a lens accordingly. In cases where the dive guide says it's kind of a wide angle, but kind of a macro dive, the closest you can come to both is (with the Canon 1DMkII) using the Sigma 50mm macro lens. It will do a good job on most macro subjects and still allow you to take fish/reef shots. The problem with that approach is that you end up being a "jack of all shots, master of none."

 

In general, it's better to make each dive a "dedicated ______ (either macro or WA)" dive, and just forget the other. You'll occasionally see something that makes you wish you had the other lens, but you'll end up with far better photos of each type.

 

BTW, if you're diving in extremely clear water, the Canon 100mm macro lens will actually enable you to get some decent "fish" shots from several feet away. In less than clear water, however, it's just a great "macro only" lens.

[james 0]

Hi Danny,

 

When you asked "Can you explain shooting in manual" that clued a lot of us in that you are just getting started.

 

With that in mind, you can get a $1000 camera and a $2,000 housing and I can guarentee you that for your first year or two, you won't be able to make better photos using a $8,000 camera setup.

 

So I know you want the best, but I don't see any reason for you to spend the money on it. You should get a modest kit, and use the other money to GO DIVING! Also you might consider going on a photo-centric dive workshop with some of the Wetpixel folks.

 

There is the upcoming Digital Shootout and Workshop in Bonaire, as well as many other photo-classes to look at.

 

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I think you should concentrate more on How to get started than what to buy.

 

Cheers

James