Underwater Photography: Does the Camera really Matter?

The camera does Not matter. Many times I get asked if I should buy Nikon, Canon, this model or that model... What you should be asking is what kind of lenses you need for the type of photography you want to take. Yes, I'm talking here about Dslr cameras (more about point and shoot below). Spend less money in the body that has the features you are finding for, and spend the rest of your money in good lenses. A very good expensive camera with cheap lenses will deliver low capability photos; revert the order and you have a great combination.

When it comes to brand; it certainly doesn't matter either. Most photographers buy one brand over the other because they have some lenses already or they like the colors of the advertising. The reality is that all cameras these days can deliver great photographs if used with high capability lenses... So pick your brand and go buy a body that can get you good easy operate over shutter speed, f-stops, Iso, white equilibrium and has a decent photometer (which is not as important underwater as it is above the water). When it comes down to sensor size then you have to determine in the middle of Full Format (Fx - sensor size equals to 35mm) or crop format (Dx - which is 1.5x on a Nikon and 1.6x on a Canon). Fx is much more expensive that Dx and to me it does not make sense to spend the extra cash... I rather spend the contrast in good lenses.

Underwater Photographer

Don't get caught in the Mega-pixel marketing campaign! More mega-pixels don't mean good photos. good lenses means good photos; again: spend your money in good capability lenses and forget the mega-pixel and camera features scheme. Some of my favorites Nikon D3100, 5100, D7000 or Canon Rebel T3, T3i or 60D. Don't discard older cameras that are awesome like the Nikon D40 with a flash sync speed 1/500 which you can get on eBay cheap these days (same goes for older Canon).

Underwater Photography: Does the Camera really Matter?

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Customer Reviews

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 30, 2011 05:25:56

Of procedure I'm new in underwater photography, but I researched a lot of lenses before buying a system. I certainly love my Tokina 10-17mm fish-eye which is thought about a great Dx lens that has thinkable, sharpness. Every underwater principles should have this lens for wide angle and of procedure if you would like macro a 60mm 2.8. If you have some some spare money go for a 105mm as well, but undoubtedly have those two lenses in your underwater camera box. I'm also a fun of wide angle photography on land and I truly believe that if you need zoom lenses is because you are not close sufficient to your subject, but that is just a matter of preference.

Now how about point and shoot cameras? Most point and shoot camera have no interchangeable lenses. If you have to determine for a point and shoot camera, buy a camera that allows you to operate shutter speed, aperture (f-stops), Iso and practice white equilibrium manually. If you have the allocation go for one that allows you to turn lenses, but If I have to spend 00 for a point and shoot, I would rather buy a Dslr and one good lens which is possible in that budget. Some of my popular point and shoot cameras are the Canon S95 and Canon G12; now keep an eye on your allocation as a Nikon D40 body can be bought for 0 on eBay and a Tokina 10-17 fish-eye for about 0 which will get you very close to the high end point and shoot cameras and you would have a killer setup.

If I would have to buy a camera for underwater use, I would pick Dslr. Brand and Features doesn't matter. I would spend the money on lenses. If my allocation is getting to high after including housing and strobes, then I would buy a point and shoot that has full by hand mode. I buy my tool from Sink or Swim scuba here in Nanaimo; they can certainly give you a great deal in many underwater housing, strobes and arms systems out there.

Here are some packages for you that I like (change the housing for your brand and/or lens)

Point and Shoot camera - Canon S95 (single strobe)

Ikelite Housing - Part #6242.95
Ds51 Substrobe - Part #3944.49
Single Tray with release - Part #9523.61
Point and Shoot industrialized - Canon G12 (dual strobes)

Ikelite Housing - Part #6146.12
Ds51 Substrobe X2 - Part #3944.49
Dual Tray with release - Part #9523.62
Dslr - Nikon D3100 with Tokina 10-17 fisheye lense (dual strobes)

Ikelite Housing #6801.31
Ikelite 8 Inch Port Dome - Part# 5510.45
Ikelite Superwide Mounting Body - Part# 5510.11
Ikelite SubStrobe Ds-161 Strobe w/ single Sync Cord & Ball-Joint Arm - Part# 3945.01
Ikelite SubStrobe Ds-161 Strobe w/ Dual Sync Cord & Ball-Joint Arm - Part# 3945.02

If you want to read more about underwater photography and my sense in this waters and how to transition from land to liquid under our conditions, please visit http://underwaterphoto.baires.ca/.

Underwater Photography: Does the Camera really Matter?The Fantasea Line Underwater Video Clip Tube. Duration : 4.33 Mins.

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Tags: underwater, uw, housing, camera, photography, diving, photo, dive, lens, strobe, flash, filter, Fantasea, Line