I'm wondering if it makes sense to take the Fisheye FIX Light or similar along for the ride on my S&S 40D housing when using the Canon 10-22 or the 10-17(zoom ring no manual focus). As always I'm guessing you guys and gals would say "It depends". I can see where it might be a help if your shooting CFWA shots especially at depth. Am I thinking about this correctly? If you are shooting mantas for example would you carry a focus light for AF or just preset the focus and let the DOF take care of the rest? As always your thoughts are appreciated.
Steve
Hi all,
I'm wondering if it makes sense to take the Fisheye FIX Light or similar along for the ride on my S&S 40D housing when using the Canon 10-22 or the 10-17(zoom ring no manual focus). As always I'm guessing you guys and gals would say "It depends". I can see where it might be a help if your shooting CFWA shots especially at depth. Am I thinking about this correctly? If you are shooting mantas for example would you carry a focus light for AF or just preset the focus and let the DOF take care of the rest? As always your thoughts are appreciated.
Steve
It Depends B)
Seriously - With my Canon 20D and a Sigma 15mm Fisheye, I took my FIX light off when I shot wide angle (at $400, and relatively prone to flood - I'm paranoid about diving with it if I don't need it - Dutch blood). In general, I only shoot wide angle in good weather/vis though, so if you're diving green water or a cloudy day - it might help for CFWA.
I just bought the Tokina a couple months ago, so haven't played with it UW yet (16 days till I leave for Lembeh/Raja Ampat and counting!). But my Sigma was really forgiving on autofocus - and if I ever had trouble - I would just focus on my fin - and let the incredible depth of field take care of the rest.
Bruce
"$400 and relatively prone to flood"!
Might I suggest something cheaper? I have found that a UK miniQ40 LED works fine, as long as the system is within about 3' of the subject (so that strobe light dominates).
For anything further away MF should work for a reasonably wide lens.
I really only use a focus light on wide angle in dark spaces: caves and wrecks. On the reef it doesn't seem necessary, nor in the blue.
Tim
B)
"$400 and relatively prone to flood"!
Might I suggest something cheaper? I have found that a UK miniQ40 LED works fine, as long as the system is within about 3' of the subject (so that strobe light dominates).
For anything further away MF should work for a reasonably wide lens.
I really only use a focus light on wide angle in dark spaces: caves and wrecks. On the reef it doesn't seem necessary, nor in the blue.
Tim
B)
I've never flooded mine - but I saw 2 flood on one liveaboard trip a couple years ago; so I've been really careful ever since. My old 20D camera with the 100mm lens struggled to autofocus in a lot of situations - really was a difference between something like a Q40 (where I started) and the Fixlight. Was it really worth $400 - not sure - it did really help autofocus. And the variable power output kicks butt on night dives, as you have total control of the light. But it is a lot of money for a flashlight - no argument here.
