U/W photography newbie

[Izzy]

Hi all,

im interested to go into u/w photography

i m using a D80 body, with 17-50 Tammy.

Some questions though hope u guys can enlighten

1. The need for external flash or lights? i know it's critical but which, flash or lights and any recommendations for it?

2. i see the some ppl are using colored filters and such for u/w photography? is there a need at all for filters? and it's purposes for u/w uses?

3. Casing recommendation and things to look out for? does it provide options to switch lens or change case all together?

4. my subject would not be macros but more to u/w landscape.

appreciate any reply

[howeikwok]

Originally Posted by Izzy Hi all, im interested to go into u/w photography i m using a D80 body, with 17-50 Tammy. Some questions though hope u guys can enlighten 1. The need for external flash or lights? i know it's critical but which, flash or lights and any recommendations for it? 2. i see the some ppl are using colored filters and such for u/w photography? is there a need at all for filters? and it's purposes for u/w uses? 3. Casing recommendation and things to look out for? does it provide options to switch lens or change case all together? 4. my subject would not be macros but more to u/w landscape. appreciate any reply

1. For a DSLR, you'll probably need need a strobe with a hard-wire option to connect to the hotshoe of the camera in order to sync with the strobes. Models include: Inon Z-220/240, D-2000w, Sea & Sea YS-110, YS-250, Ikelite DS-50/51, DS-125, DS-200. There are some other european brands but not sure where to get them. Power wise, strobes like the Ikelite DS-125, DS-200 and Sea & Sea YS-250 are more powerful and re-cylce faster so that's impt for landscapes U/W. The downside is that these buggers are expensive and heavy.

2. There are underwater filters available. Google for magic filters, made by a U/W photographer called Alexander Mustard. The results are pretty good with his DSLR.

3. Housings for D-80 range from Ikelite, 10Bar, for polycarb housings and Sea & Sea, Nexus, Subal for alu housings. You won't need different housings but need different ports for different lens that you want to use.

4. Get a housing with a dome port, 8" or more.

[Izzy]

thanks for the prompt reply

4. dome port 8" or more, sorry waht the the 8" refer to? and why is more better?

[bighead]

8" is the diameter of the dome. It allows a wider angle of view. But gt its own problems as well. There is also a 6" type.

[h2o]

From a laymen's view, bigger dome size will give a better corner to corner sharpness. For dome port, SIZE does matter.

However, there is more to having a bigger dome size to get sharper pictures. Proper placement of the dome is also one of the factor.

Usually this headache is taken of by the housing manufacturers and they will have a recommended list of which port to suit which lens for reference.

For users, we have to decide which port to use base on our budget. However, you will have to consider the packing problem that comes with a bigger dome.

If you are interested to read more technical stuff on dome port, UWP mag 1st issue has an article on it. You have to download it.

http://www.uwpmag.com/download.html

For explanation on proper placement:

http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/prope...and-placement/

[Izzy]

thanks a lot guys, apart from my interest, the equipment im buying will also be part of the "company's" so can splurge a bit, of course must get the right equipment too.

[howeikwok]

woah in that case defn alu housing and the big gun strobes with nice glass ports..

[Izzy]

like dat, give me somemore recommendations leh? where's a good place to buy u/w stuff?

[lovells19]

here they can help you

[howeikwok]

Originally Posted by Izzy like dat, give me somemore recommendations leh? where's a good place to buy u/w stuff?

In singapore, you can try oceanic focus, scubacam and sea & sea...

If you have friends in taiwan, try fun-in...

In japan, try mic21...

[Jesse73]

Originally Posted by howeikwok In singapore, you can try oceanic focus, scubacam and sea & sea... If you have friends in taiwan, try fun-in... In japan, try mic21...

Hey! I am also having the same problem. I want to buy an underwater set up for a Nikon D80 with a Tamron 18-250mm. Do I get the same 8' dome?
Apart from the strobes and housing that you recommended, what are the other must haves? For basic diving; Not pro or anything.

About the Taiwan place, the price is much higher as compared to oceanic focus since thats in USD. Thats sad; i thought it'd be cheaper lol

[howeikwok]

Originally Posted by Jesse73 Hey! I am also having the same problem. I want to buy an underwater set up for a Nikon D80 with a Tamron 18-250mm. Do I get the same 8' dome? Apart from the strobes and housing that you recommended, what are the other must haves? For basic diving; Not pro or anything. About the Taiwan place, the price is much higher as compared to oceanic focus since thats in USD. Thats sad; i thought it'd be cheaper lol

If you check the prices of the inon and sea & sea strobes, you'll find them a LOT cheaper than spore prices. USD$400+ for a YS-110 is pretty darn cheap.