Underwater Pics

Serenity Now! · 01-09-2006

I was very impressed with Mikey's underwater pics/videos. Does anyone have any suggestions about what brand/type of camera to buy for that same purpose?

Daddy B · 01-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serenity Now!

I was very impressed with Mikey's underwater pics/videos. Does anyone have any suggestions about what brand/type of camera to buy for that same purpose?

It depends on your level of proficiency (and many other factors), but a decent point-and-shoot digital in a proprietary housing should do it.

Others will no doubt be more specific, since I use film cameras.

Mikey · 01-09-2006

If you want to shoot video make sure you get a camera that has it....I use the Canon S500 with the underwater housing.....But am moving up to shooting with the Sony DSC 717 with the underwater housing.....Whatever you decide on may I suggest IF you have access to a pool to take it underwater there and practice before you head out to Playa or where ever to shoot.....And really important get yourself at least one extra battery two extra batteries are better.....Nothing worse then being out a couple hundred yards from the beach and your battery goes dead....It SUX! Also make sure to use the anti fogging stuff that comes in a tube and put it on the inside of the housing where the lens is and the view finder.....

aquavitgal · 01-09-2006

For Christmas we got our daughter a SeaLife SL155, DC500, Pro Set. $680. US. It includes housing, flash, 5MP camera which can be taken out of the housing and use on land, came with all attachedments you will need. We were just down in PDC, did some diving (excellent visability) and she took some fantastic pictures. You can spend alot more, but for a decent picture this was the best value we found. We looked into cannons, and nikons, put cost was substantually more for same results.

Mikey · 01-09-2006

I also want to add dont get caught up in the how big is your pixel thing....Unless you are going to blow your pics up to 8x10 or larger you really do not anything larger then a 3 mega pixel camera...Some of the best underwater pics I took was with a canon S100 2 mega pixel camera....

Serenity Now! · 01-09-2006

Thank you for responding. How about the underwater housing? Ever have any problems with leakage?

Mikey · 01-09-2006

Never....Just shop around....The camera that aquavitgal suggested is really nice and has shark mode....Makes it alot easier to capture great pics....Plus it has video/sound and 12x zoom.....How long before you intend to use the camera?

Serenity Now! · 01-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey

Never....Just shop around....The camera that aquavitgal suggested is really nice and has shark mode....Makes it alot easier to capture great pics....Plus it has video/sound and 12x zoom.....How long before you intend to use the camera?

141 days and counting!! :p Unfortunately...there is no time for vacation before that!

Mikey · 01-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serenity Now!

141 days and counting!! :p Unfortunately...there is no time for vacation before that!

Well you have plenty of time then....

If you already have a camera that you use for taking out and about on land I would look into one like aqua suggested....Just remember extra batteries and a card large enough to hold pics and video....Video eats up alot of space....

Serenity Now! · 01-09-2006

Yes it does sound perfect! We will definately be needing to use it on land as well. We are still in the Stone Age with our film camera and have been meaning to upgrade for awhile now. No time like the present!

Mikey · 01-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serenity Now!

Yes it does sound perfect! We will definately be needing to use it on land as well. We are still in the Stone Age with our film camera and have been meaning to upgrade for awhile now. No time like the present!

A good place to practice would be the Cenote Azul....Alot of fish and easy to capture on video/pics then move on to Akumal/Yal KU....I dont know If you have seen my Cenote Azul video but there were a ton of fish everywhere and its small enough you wont get so tired moving around....Plus its shallow in most spots....Good luck and lets see those pics and videos when you have them.....

Mikey · 01-09-2006

I also wanted to add a little trick I have learned while shooting underwater....It is really hard to try and look through the view finder in a snorkel mask while trying to take a pic/video of fish....Most of them do not stop and pose....Some do most do not...So try and get use to taking pics/video without having to bring the camera up to your face while you are trying to fight the waves, current, etc....When you get into a school of fish like you can find at Akumal Bay, Yal Ku, and Casa Cenote its pretty easy but when you are trying to shoot a single fish you wont have time to dive down a bit and bring the camera up to your face and hope the fish does not move.....So get use to holding the camera in front of you a bit and just take the pic/video....It will take a little time to get use to but after you have done it a few times you will end up with better pics and video....

Serenity Now! · 01-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikey

A good place to practice would be the Cenote Azul....Alot of fish and easy to capture on video/pics then move on to Akumal/Yal KU....I dont know If you have seen my Cenote Azul video but there were a ton of fish everywhere and its small enough you wont get so tired moving around....Plus its shallow in most spots....Good luck and lets see those pics and videos when you have them.....

I have seen it! Your videos are great. They are the reason I am all fired up to get an underwater camera! I will definately try to post my own "rookie" version...but be prepared...I'm sure I will be looking for the "how-to-tutorial" on posting them! Thanks for all the tips...I am making notes on all of them. BTW...I am shocked that the fish don't pose!!

That could be a problem!

Serenity Now! · 01-09-2006

I am looking at these Sea life DC500 Reefmaster...Is the Pro set necessary for snorkeling only? We are not divers...yet anyways...and I am not sure that we need the attachments in this set.

Also...how much video (apprx. time) can be taken with a 512 mb memory?

Mikey · 01-09-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serenity Now!

I have seen it! Your videos are great. They are the reason I am all fired up to get an underwater camera! I will definately try to post my own "rookie" version...but be prepared...I'm sure I will be looking for the "how-to-tutorial" on posting them! Thanks for all the tips...I am making notes on all of them. BTW...I am shocked that the fish don't pose!!

That could be a problem!

Remember some do....But I think they are the vain ones....They see themselves in the reflection of the lens and just dont move....Kind of like some people and mirrors....

Also If you have it start messing around with windows movie maker....Thats how I put all mine together....If you ever need help just send a PM will be happy to....

01-09-2006	#1 (permalink)
Serenity Now! way into it Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 146	Underwater Pics I was very impressed with Mikey's underwater pics/videos. Does anyone have any suggestions about what brand/type of camera to buy for that same purpose?

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01-09-2006	#3 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	If you want to shoot video make sure you get a camera that has it....I use the Canon S500 with the underwater housing.....But am moving up to shooting with the Sony DSC 717 with the underwater housing.....Whatever you decide on may I suggest IF you have access to a pool to take it underwater there and practice before you head out to Playa or where ever to shoot.....And really important get yourself at least one extra battery two extra batteries are better.....Nothing worse then being out a couple hundred yards from the beach and your battery goes dead....It SUX! Also make sure to use the anti fogging stuff that comes in a tube and put it on the inside of the housing where the lens is and the view finder.....

01-09-2006	#4 (permalink)
aquavitgal beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inver Grove Hgts, MN Posts: 361	For Christmas we got our daughter a SeaLife SL155, DC500, Pro Set. $680. US. It includes housing, flash, 5MP camera which can be taken out of the housing and use on land, came with all attachedments you will need. We were just down in PDC, did some diving (excellent visability) and she took some fantastic pictures. You can spend alot more, but for a decent picture this was the best value we found. We looked into cannons, and nikons, put cost was substantually more for same results.

01-09-2006	#5 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	I also want to add dont get caught up in the how big is your pixel thing....Unless you are going to blow your pics up to 8x10 or larger you really do not anything larger then a 3 mega pixel camera...Some of the best underwater pics I took was with a canon S100 2 mega pixel camera....

01-09-2006	#6 (permalink)
Serenity Now! way into it Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 146	Thank you for responding. How about the underwater housing? Ever have any problems with leakage?

01-09-2006	#7 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	Never....Just shop around....The camera that aquavitgal suggested is really nice and has shark mode....Makes it alot easier to capture great pics....Plus it has video/sound and 12x zoom.....How long before you intend to use the camera?

01-09-2006	#10 (permalink)
Serenity Now! way into it Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 146	Yes it does sound perfect! We will definately be needing to use it on land as well. We are still in the Stone Age with our film camera and have been meaning to upgrade for awhile now. No time like the present!

01-09-2006	#12 (permalink)
Mikey he likes it! Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 15,658	I also wanted to add a little trick I have learned while shooting underwater....It is really hard to try and look through the view finder in a snorkel mask while trying to take a pic/video of fish....Most of them do not stop and pose....Some do most do not...So try and get use to taking pics/video without having to bring the camera up to your face while you are trying to fight the waves, current, etc....When you get into a school of fish like you can find at Akumal Bay, Yal Ku, and Casa Cenote its pretty easy but when you are trying to shoot a single fish you wont have time to dive down a bit and bring the camera up to your face and hope the fish does not move.....So get use to holding the camera in front of you a bit and just take the pic/video....It will take a little time to get use to but after you have done it a few times you will end up with better pics and video....

01-09-2006	#14 (permalink)
Serenity Now! way into it Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California Posts: 146	I am looking at these Sea life DC500 Reefmaster...Is the Pro set necessary for snorkeling only? We are not divers...yet anyways...and I am not sure that we need the attachments in this set. Also...how much video (apprx. time) can be taken with a 512 mb memory?

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