Underwater Photography 2

Time to expand my experiences. Time to try Underwater Photography.

I have been making underwater video for some time. When I first started, I was learning the camera, lighting, techiniques, editing and so on. It is time consuming and at the beginning I didn’t mind. I was absorbing everything, understanding new things when it came to editing. Things that “IF I did this while filming or did that” that would help me during the editing process. I have come to the conclusion that I love to do the filming part and not so hip on the editing portion. Both are important, but the filming also means the diving for me and the adventures.

So during trips I’ve made, I watch folks who take pictures, download the pictures to a PC, and perform some quick edit and be done. I started thinking, wow. I haven’t even downloaded by video to my PC yet, or even watched the raw footage. What a time saver. That got me thinking and interested in trying underwater photography.

Those who know me know I’m not going to buy a $500 underwater camera. After researching I have come to the Canon 5D Mark II with an Aquatica Housing, along with theith 9.25″ Dome Port. As for the lens, wide angle for sure, but which one I have not decided. I have one wide angle in mind, this Canon Lens. Now for the lighting, which lighting should I use?

Let me provide you with this list of suppliers of camera housings, domes, and lighting. I would like to hear from you as to which lighting I should use. Provide a brief reason why and I’ll consider all suggestions up to September 1, 2010.

Seacam Still camera and flash housing for Nikon, Fuji, Canon, Minolta, and arms for underwater strobes

Subtronic A good range of underwater strobes. Optional features such as TTL with almost any camera, lase aiming lights, color temperature control, arms

Inon Innovative flash guns, feature rich and compact.

Aquatica Housing for Nikon and Canon

Subal Still and flash housing for Nikon, Fuji, Canon

UK Germany Housings for various brands

Ikelite Still and video camera housings for a number of brands, arms and rigging also available

Nexus Still camera and flash housing for NIkon

Sea and Sea Stills and video housings for Nikon. Arms, flashguns, nikonos accessories and lenses.

Ultralight Control Systems Highly configurable flash arm systems

Hugyfot Still camera and flash housing for Nikon

Nimar Still camera housings

BS Kinetics Housing, lights and accessories

Nauticam Underwater Housing, domes and accessories

Ultima Digital Underwater Housing, domes and accessories

Watershot Underwater Housing, domes and accessories

The list of suppliers above provide a very good line up of options for you to consider. Know what you want.
Start first with what features do you need and want in a camera.

Find the best camera for what you can afford that have the features you need and want.

Next, look at housings. Do the housings provide the external method to control a feature supposrted by the camera. For example, auto focus vs. manual focus, setting white balance and reviewing the shot as a couple of examples.

You will need a dome (port). This will determine what type of lenses may be supported with the housing/camera/dome combination. Are you considering close up shots (macro) or more as the eye would see like shots, super wide angle.

Lighting. Let me offer one word of advise on lighting. Don’t skimp on lighting. Without lighting you have nothing. So choose wisely.

Remember at the beginning of th is post I mentioned I was considering the canon 5D Mark II? I understand a Mark III is in the works. It’s rhumored to be available mid 2011. Should I wait until then to buy a Mark II or by the Mark III?

Larry

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