What we Need is an Underwater DSLR manual

Having recently upgraded to a DSLR I think that underwater photography at a simple level is fine.

Unfortunately in the digital world nothing is simple and having read hints and ideas from this site and others it seems overdue that someone should write an online manual. This needs to be something that can be updated by users ( a bit like wikipedea). It would be handy if it was split up into camera suppliers (rather than housings) and within these categories different housings have instructions supplied by manufacturers and hints and advice supplied by all of us.

There could be an opening section that covered general underwater photographic advice and suggestions again updateable by the users.

If Wetpixel were to host this kind of development then it would benefit all of us.

Ardy:

The manual you discuss, are you looking more on the instructional how to shoot side, or on the assembly and specific housing operations side?

A "Wiki" for underwater photography would be a fun thing to do. Sometimes however, it's nice to just sit back and read a good ol' book I've found this one to be my personal favorite:

http://www.amazon.com/Underwater-Photograp...pd_bxgy_b_img_c

JP

Having recently upgraded to a DSLR I think that underwater photography at a simple level is fine.

 

Unfortunately in the digital world nothing is simple and having read hints and ideas from this site and others it seems overdue that someone should write an online manual. This needs to be something that can be updated by users ( a bit like wikipedea). It would be handy if it was split up into camera suppliers (rather than housings) and within these categories different housings have instructions supplied by manufacturers and hints and advice supplied by all of us.

 

There could be an opening section that covered general underwater photographic advice and suggestions again updateable by the users.

 

If Wetpixel were to host this kind of development then it would benefit all of us.

Ah Ardy,

We would need to revise it every 18 months or less

It would be handy if it was split up into camera suppliers (rather than housings) and within these categories different housings have instructions supplied by manufacturers and hints and advice supplied by all of us.

Actually there is more operational similarity within a housing brand than by pooling by camera brand. A given housing brand may also share accessories across various housings that serve more than one camera brand. See: http://www.seacamusa.com/technotes.shtml

There is quite a bit of info on line, at least for some brands.

Ardy:

 

The manual you discuss, are you looking more on the instructional how to shoot side, or on the assembly and specific housing operations side?

Hi 'h2ophotopro' and the rest of you Guys,

I am thinking of a manual that has a how to shoot with a DSLR section up front that could carry general tips and hints on the assumption that the readers already own a DSLR and Housing. The other sections should be dedicated to the type of camera manufacturer with sub sections on housing manufacturers. I am assuming this is the best way to set it up because when ever I am checking compatiblity or availability on DigiDeep I always look to the camera first and then the housing. Still it is not important as a search would bring up all Subal for instance.

Deep6 - I am assuming that it would be continuously updated and not just by us but all underwater photographers.

The idea of setting this up under "Wiki" was half suggested by johnspierce and maybe that is a better place for it.

A lot of this stuff is already written but its all over the place and would require in the early stages to cut and paste a lot of it.

If we can get this off the ground then the pain we all go through in terms of getting information could be dramatically reduced and the quality of it improved.

It would also be easier for manufacturers to post information knowing it was the 'bible' for DSLR's with housings.

regards to all.

Not really sure what you want. The mentioned book gives a lot of info on technique, with not a lot of reference to the bits and pieces. How e.g. the canon 40d works together with the Subal housing, is only appropriate for that combination.

Cameras dont care in what housing they are, and camera manuals are easily downloadable at nikon or canon. The housings differ in how they access the controls, and how to set up strobes etc.

The last post looks like you just need an extended compatibility chart ?

A "Wiki" for underwater photography would be a fun thing to do. Sometimes however, it's nice to just sit back and read a good ol' book I've found this one to be my personal favorite:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Underwater-Photograp...pd_bxgy_b_img_c

 

 

JP

I second that!!! Great Book!!! Inspirational...