Sea&Sea DX-8000G

Has anyone used the Sea & Sea DX-8000G yet? I am looking for some beginner help with basic settings for this camera and the YS-25 Strobe to use underwater to get some good images. Is anyone using auto or are you using manuel settings? James, I know you have done a review on this camera but you didnt really elaborate on the settings you were using in your review.

Thanks

Yvonne

I use the DX-5000 and YS-25 strobe (but have used the camera underwater only once so far. As far as I know, the 8000 and 5000 are very similar if not the same other than 8 versus 5 MP. I used it fully auto: auto-focus, exposure and white balance. I plan to experiment some as I get the opportunity. When using the strobe I use full power flash on the camera (the lightning bolt on the flash settings). The diffuser in the camera should be up. I also put some black tape over the diffuser to block more light to avoid backscatter. Adjust the power on the flash to get correct exposure for your conditions. I have used the manual mode on land and find that it is somewhat limited on the 5000; you can set the aperture to one of three settings and it sets the shutter speed. I'm' not certain if the manual mode on the 8000 is any different.

I have some sample images online at http://dbeedle.com/custom.html . The shots from Tobermory are with the DX-5000 and YS-25 strobe. The others are from the DX-3000 and YS-25.

Overall I find the 3000 and 5000 to be a nice size, flexible for land and water use and easy to use. They do lack the flexibility and some of the quality a SLR but have done well for me for casual shooting.

I shot it in manual mode with manual flash power. I think I just set the shutterspeed at 1/125th and changed the fstop and flash power as appropriate.

Cheers

James