Underwater photography help

[liquidcowboy]

I have been diving for about 6-7 years now and I just got my gf certified as her anniversary gift. Now that we can finally dive together we are wanting to get into a little underwater photography. Right now I have an olympus fe-20 digital camera and I have ordered an ikelite housing for it. I want to get an external flash but not sure where to start? I have priced some out and they seem to be really expensive. Anyone know of any decent cheaper lights? I don't want to spend too much in case we don't pursue this as a regualr hobby. Any info and help I really appreciate it.

 

[dendronepthya]

I was in the same boat a few months ago. I went to wetpixel.com and also read http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/

The UW photography guide was by far the most helpful. Before underwater photography, I had no idea about external flashes. The way mine work is by a fiberoptic cable going from the camera housing to a light detector on the flash. When my camera's flash goes off, the light sets off the light detector and the external flash immediately fires. Some people prefer an electrical connection, but it is one more thing that can leak.

Here is a pic of my setup:

 

[dendronepthya]

Oh, the lights I have are Inon S2000's. They are about $450 or so. Not cheap, but they are small and powerful.

 

[Recty]

Oh, the lights I have are Inon S2000's. They are about $450 or so. Not cheap, but they are small and powerful.

BTW, have you ever posted any pictures taken with your setup? I remember your thread about the camera but I dont remember seeing any shots of scuba or snorkeling with it.

 

[liquidcowboy]

Thanks for the info! I was searching google for external uw strobes an ran upon an Intova strobe. Have you or anyone heard of this brand before? So far the reviews I have found on it by users isn't too bad. Everyone says its really decent for the price which is only $164. Since the housing is costing me almost $200 I think I may try out this light before I jump in too deep lol

 

[dendronepthya]

@Recty - I haven't yet! I live in Ohio, but at the end of the month, I'm going to Miami. Not too much reef I hear, but I might get some decent fish pics. Or an alligator.

@liquidcowboy - I haven't hear of that brand. One thing to consider is to just use your on-camera flash the first time. See if you have a lot of backscatter issues. If you are diving in crystal clear water, it may be good enough. UW photography is really expensive. I think my total kit is about $4,000, and some can get way over $20,000.

 

[liquidcowboy]

Thanks for the help. Btw I live in Miami, well just norht of it and there are a lot reefs down here, from west palm all the way to the keys. In the miami area its more artificial reefs, but still some pretty good growth and a lot of really cool ship wrecks. We dive the area regularly so if you want some info about sites to see just let me know.

 

[sphelps]

I use a G9 in an underwater case without a strobe and get decent results. As long as visibility is good all I have to do is set it aperture 2.8 and about iso 400 and I can usually take shots at 1/100 even at 60 feet. I considered hauling around more gear but too me anything more would just seem like work and take away from the experience.

I took this in Cuba, somewhere in the range of 60-80 feet down.

 

[WarmWaterWuss]

I would try some macro work with just the on-camera flash and see what you think, like in 20 - 30 feet of water on a sunny day. You can get some great macro shots and also see if you like U/W photography, it can be really frustrating.

Just a note, when you go in with your camera don't just jump in, have someone hand you your camera once you're in the water or at least hold it to your chest and do a backroll protecting the camera with your body. Have fun.

 

[lbaldrey]

Sea & Sea makes a good low budget strobe that you can use for most shots excluding wide-angle.

I use a Olympus SP-350 with the Olympus housing and a Sea & Sea YS-25.

 

[lbaldrey]

you may need an optional strobe adapter/connector? for the Ikelite housing...