Quick intro from new member

Hello all, new member here. I've not been diving long, did my PADI OW and AOW in Malta (island in the Mediterranean) and got back into diving last October in Scotland (home). I bought a SeaLife DC310 from eBay which got me hooked on U/W photography though my photos were of variable quality (for a long time I didn't realise that the camera was fixed focus). I recently bought a SeaLife SL960 Strobe for use with the camera though I've only taken a handful of photos in that combination. Instead of spending more money on the old DC310 I've gone and bought a Fuji F31fd and an underwater housing for it. Looking forward to playing with it at the weekend if it arrives in time. I intend to set the Fuji up with the SL960 strobe, if that combination isn't much good then the DC310 and strobe will find themselves on eBay or in the hands of a club-member.

So, I was hoping that I could have some feedback on my previous photos and perhaps shed some light on where I had gone wrong in the past so I can get a running start with the new camera.

On to some of my better photos (you're more than welcome to visit my flickr profile to see the whole lot):

Welcome to Wetpixel.

Cheers

James

HI,

welcome you will find many people on this forum/ Website with lots of

experience to help you get the most from your photography.

Andy

Hello Nand,

Welcome to the Wetpixel Liveaboard. There are some excellent pros and amateur photographers on this sight who have gone through the evolution of cameras. I would recommend doing a search on the strobes. I think you'll find there are plenty of low end strobes suited for your camera selection. Additionally, I think that you'll read that the SL960 is not suited for digital; however, I've seen these rigs sell for a nice sum on Ebay.

Cheers,

Thanks ce4jesus, I guess I'll just use the F31 without the strobe to start with, to save any complications, problem is I was getting a lot of scatter in my shots when I was using the internal flash on the DC310 which I expect will be the same for the F31.

First dive with Fuji F31fd last night and although I didn't find the wrecks (poor vis and it looks like some builders removed our reference markers) I did get some decent photos. Below is my favourite, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/nand for more.

I'd also appreciate any thoughts on what kind of starfish this is.

EDIT: Someone on another forum suggested Ophiura ophiura (no common name).

Thanks ce4jesus, I guess I'll just use the F31 without the strobe to start with, to save any complications, problem is I was getting a lot of scatter in my shots when I was using the internal flash on the DC310 which I expect will be the same for the F31.

Hi Nand,

I saw you pictures on Flickr too, they are very nice consider if it only use w/ the internal flash or other people pointing lights. To proper expose subject, u do want to have a decent strobe. On land when u see some one flashes a flash light, u see how 'blind' that could be. In underwater because the density of liquid, the strobe power is usually much much more powerful in order to travel liquid to reach the subject. So while you have a great camera, F31d is really really good espeically for high iso like 800, it's ok to invest a mean strobe like an Inon 2000, Sea&SeaYS90, IkeliteDS51. They are entry level's good strobe and totally expandable when u move to other camears. WHile it's expensive, but worth the investment especially when u dive frequently.

I know this is an old thread but needed to find somewhere to introduce myself as not managed to find an 'official' intro page.

Im 21 and from cornwall and studying at Cardiff Uni (the proper one) and been into scuba and freediving for a few years now and only this year started to get into the photography and I will admit that I am hooked !

I have a GoPro Hero HD which is I use for freediving and when taking in less experienced divers and for filming and then a FujiFilm F80EXR in a Canon Housing which my parents bought for holidays (but of which I use a lot more), the fuji has a srobe as well which im looking forward to trying for the first time next weekend

Cheers

Andy

Hi nand, apology for hijacking your post again.

Similar to Andy's experience, i had the same problem when i was trying to make my first post on the "official" intro page.

Anyway, back to my introduction. I'm from Singapore and have been interested in underwater photography since my openwater course. Nowadays, i never leave for a dive trip without my camera. Underwater photography is like a addiction for me. Hope to learn more from all of you in this forum.

Cheers

hello

Wow! Cool. I'm really eager to try underwater photography. My friends were so involved in this craft and I want to join them. But before that, I would like to learn more before diving in. It is nice to read and learn here in the forum. I'm learning a lot.

hi hi

Hu

I am a new member, too. I love the underwater world and capturing the visual aspect of it.

I have a sea & sea MDX 40 housing, and a canon 50D camera that is supposed to be compatible with this housing.

I went recently diving and wanted to take this baby with me under. I tested the housing with the dome without the camera in the bath tub and it worked great, no bubbles no leak...

At the marina - fortunately - after putting the camera in and connected the rig, tested the strobes, I just wanted to give it another shot on a big material rinsing bin that was sitting on the dock... Got some big bubbles and the housing flooded!

The camera got wet, it stopped working... After my last dive of the day with another camera and another rig (backup), I checked my flooded camera, and THANK GOD, it worked again... There wasn't enough time for the water to get in... It was at the battery level only and thank God it was just fresh water from the bin.

I then went ahead and plugged put the housing together without the camera and tested it in that bin. No bubbles.. It seems that the camera is not letting the housing lock properly, I can see a 6th of an inch difference in that space where the Oring is. I need to check with you all if anyone has an idea what this issue might be.

I tried all kind of adjustments and pushing the camera is, but there is that base shoe that doesn't really go shorter than what it is... and that is what locks the camera to the housing with no wiggle room...

Please let me know...

Thanks

I am a new member, too. I love the underwater world and capturing the visual aspect of it.

I have a sea & sea MDX 40 housing, and a canon 50D camera that is supposed to be compatible with this housing.

I went recently diving and wanted to take this baby with me under. I tested the housing with the dome without the camera in the bath tub and it worked great, no bubbles no leak...

At the marina - fortunately - after putting the camera in and connected the rig, tested the strobes, I just wanted to give it another shot on a big material rinsing bin that was sitting on the dock... Got some big bubbles and the housing flooded!

The camera got wet, it stopped working... After my last dive of the day with another camera and another rig (backup), I checked my flooded camera, and THANK GOD, it worked again... There wasn't enough time for the water to get in... It was at the battery level only and thank God it was just fresh water from the bin.

 

I then went ahead and plugged put the housing together without the camera and tested it in that bin. No bubbles.. It seems that the camera is not letting the housing lock properly, I can see a 6th of an inch difference in that space where the Oring is. I need to check with you all if anyone has an idea what this issue might be.

 

I tried all kind of adjustments and pushing the camera is, but there is that base shoe that doesn't really go shorter than what it is... and that is what locks the camera to the housing with no wiggle room...

 

Please let me know...

 

Thanks

Hey karimlo

Welcome to Wetpixel!

Sounds like you had a lucky escape with your system! I'm not that familiar with the Canon 50D but is there a rubber eyepiece or screen protector that needs removing when the camera is installed in the MDX40 housing? Although both of these are relatively thin, they can have an impact on securing the housing properly and can prevent the housing sealing.

Tim

Hello Wetpixel!

New member. Retired and have purchased a Gladius Underwater Drone. Looking for tips and tricks to underwater photography.

I would love to try underwater photography.

Sounds really interesting.

Hello everyone, I'm a new member and have a little experience about underwater photography world. Love diving and I hope to learn from forum members and as well share my ideas. Thanks