Available light macros: Magic filter?

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to underwater photography. I've used p&s's in the past but I just bought an ikelite housing for my 40d. I'm a graduate student so money is rather tight, and I may not be able to afford a strobe for a couple months (trying to get a used ds125). Anyhow, I'm using the canon efs 60mm macro, and was curious if anyone has used magic filters with this lens? I'll be making a trip to Moorea, French Polynesia for 3 weeks next month to do fieldwork and I'd like to make the most of my time there, despite not having a strobe. Any thoughts/recommendations for available light shots with this lens would also be appreciated.

Aaron

Hi everyone,

 

I'm relatively new to underwater photography. I've used p&s's in the past but I just bought an ikelite housing for my 40d. I'm a graduate student so money is rather tight, and I may not be able to afford a strobe for a couple months (trying to get a used ds125). Anyhow, I'm using the canon efs 60mm macro, and was curious if anyone has used magic filters with this lens? I'll be making a trip to Moorea, French Polynesia for 3 weeks next month to do fieldwork and I'd like to make the most of my time there, despite not having a strobe. Any thoughts/recommendations for available light shots with this lens would also be appreciated.

 

Aaron

Aaron -

I don't know where you are located but another option may be to find a good underwater photo shop that will rent you a strobe for the weeks of your trip. A strobe makes a huge difference in macro shooting and since you are going to such an amazing and far-away place you may really find the value of paying some money for the rental and reaping the images that you will have for the rest of your life...I know a good place to look into would be Reef Photo here in south FL. However, there are good shops in California, Texas, and New England that provide similar services and may be closer...

cheers!

- MDP

- MDP

Aaron -

 

I don't know where you are located but another option may be to find a good underwater photo shop that will rent you a strobe for the weeks of your trip. A strobe makes a huge difference in macro shooting and since you are going to such an amazing and far-away place you may really find the value of paying some money for the rental and reaping the images that you will have for the rest of your life...I know a good place to look into would be Reef Photo here in south FL. However, there are good shops in California, Texas, and New England that provide similar services and may be closer...

 

cheers!

 

 

- MDP

 

- MDP

Thanks Matt. I assumed that was the case. I'm in Los Angeles so I could make the trip to backscatter if there isn't someone closer to offer the rental service. But depending on costs it may just be worth it in the long run to find a used strobe My girlfriend is going to be so thrilled when I tell her I want to spend another large sum of money for a strobe .

Other than in very shallow water and fairly strong sunlight you will have trouble with macro and no strobe.

Invariably you will want to use small apertures so as to get a reasonable depth of field which means adding light (a strobe).

The magic filter is great ( I am a big fan) but as it knocks out about a stop and a half of light it too is going against you here.

You don't need a big ass strobe for macro - a DS50 or similar will work OK - but when you want to go wide angle then the big strobe(s) come in handy.

Buying strobes used is a good way to go.

Paul C

Other than in very shallow water and fairly strong sunlight you will have trouble with macro and no strobe.

 

Invariably you will want to use small apertures so as to get a reasonable depth of field which means adding light (a strobe).

 

The magic filter is great ( I am a big fan) but as it knocks out about a stop and a half of light it too is going against you here.

 

You don't need a big ass strobe for macro - a DS50 or similar will work OK - but when you want to go wide angle then the big strobe(s) come in handy.

 

Buying strobes used is a good way to go.

 

Paul C

Thanks for the reply paul. I've been looking at strobes a lot over the past couple weeks and have been reading the various beginner strobe threads here. I've heard many say to forget about the DS50 because of its limitations later on, and jump to a used DS125 which seem to be around 600ish. With that said, Sea and Sea strobes seem to be a bit cheaper but lack the TTL functions the ikelite housings have (if I'm reading correctly?) which I haven't been able to find out if its actually needed or not. I probably should have posted this in the beginner forum, but thanks for replies.

aaron

i'll second Paul opinion, I'm a big fan also of the magic filter, but would not/have not ever tought about using it for Macro, you definitely need a small aperture in almost every macro shot, so even sans filter you would still be strugling my friend.

I find the DS-51 to be a good little macro strobe, the price is right and it works with your housing, check AB SEA photo in Los Angeles (right in your back yard), I know they do a lot of underwater rental, ask for Allen, a bit rough around the edge but a good chap, he should have something for you to rent.

i'll second Paul opinion, I'm a big fan also of the magic filter, but would not/have not ever tought about using it for Macro, you definitely need a small aperture in almost every macro shot, so even sans filter you would still be strugling my friend.

 

I find the DS-51 to be a good little macro strobe, the price is right and it works with your housing, check AB SEA photo in Los Angeles (right in your back yard), I know they do a lot of underwater rental, ask for Allen, a bit rough around the edge but a good chap, he should have something for you to rent.

Thx for the help. I'll definitely check it out AB sea photo. Does the ds51 have enough power to do fish shots a reasonable distance away? Money is definitely an issue but I don't want to completely limit the type of shots I could take with an underpowered strobe.

aaron

Thx for the help. I'll definitely check it out AB sea photo. Does the ds51 have enough power to do fish shots a reasonable distance away? Money is definitely an issue but I don't want to completely limit the type of shots I could take with an underpowered strobe.

 

aaron

PM Sent.

I have a strobe that you can borrow for your trip and am in LA.

Let me know if you are interested.

Bill