by admin on September 21, 2008
The latest in digital technology meets the wonders of the sea! SeaLife’s DC800 Underwater Digital Camera captures the best of your diving adventures in beautiful, clear colours. The waterproof housing is effective in depths of up to 200 feet (60.96 meters), but easily removable for photographing top side scenes as well.
The DC800 is an 8-megapixel camera packed with features. An optical wide angle lens, 4x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom ensure you will pick up every detail of the subject. Five modes for underwater use include settings for UW colour correction no matter the environment. Two external flash settings adjust light.
If you have experience with underwater photography, you know that trying to make last minute setting adjustments can be enough to scare off the very animal you are trying to photograph. The DC800 has a SPY mode that can solve this problem. Spy mode automatically snaps pictures at intervals set by the user. It will continue taking shots until the memory is full or the shutter button is pressed again. With this function, a diver can concentrate on surroundings and finding photo ops without taking time to set up again between every shot. There is also a video mode for capturing high resolution videos with sound.
The SeaLife DC800 is out-of-the-box equipped with 32 MB of memory, lithium battery, and Media One and Cool 360SE software. Additional accessories can be purchased from SeaLife including up to a 4GB memory card and ProFlash accessory. It is also compatible with a variety of SeaLife lenses and other optional equipment.
Above the wave photography gets a boost with 16 different modes, tripod connector, timed shutter, and the same Spy and video capabilities. The camera measures a mere 3.5” x 5.5” x 3.4” and easily fits in a pocket or bag. Even in the polycarbonate shell underwater casing, it weighs less than 17 ounces.
Have you tried to photograph the elusive moray eel, only to get a picture of black space under a rock? The darts and turns of coral reef fish are designed to elude predators. They often elude cameras, too. Fast action shots are no challenge with a sensitive shutter response. The DC800 will be the only camera you need for capturing breathtaking encounters with ocean life or fun family life.
by admin on September 18, 2008
Fujifilm made a splash this year with the release of the world’s thinnest double image-stabilised 5x zoom camera: the FinePix Z100fd. The optional dive bundle makes the camera a good choice for the recreational underwater photographer.
The dive bundle features underwater housing effective to a depth of 40 m. Also included are an O-ring, O-ring grease and user instructions. The 8-megapixel digital camera is best intended for point-and-shoot photography. The images are sharp and clear, with a very bright flash, and inline with what one can expect from this type of equipment.
The Z100fd’s best feature is the relatively powerful 5x zoom. While it is a good camera for its intended purpose, I would recommend the SeaLife DC600 for lower depth/lower light underwater photography. SeaLife also has a wide range of accessories and flashes that are not available with the Finepix Z100fd.
by admin on September 18, 2008
The DC600 from SeaLife is not just another SCUBA diving gadget. This underwater digital camera goes from a pressure of 200 feet (60.96 meters) to above the waves with ease. The polycarbonate case is bulky enough to protect from collisions against rocks or even dive equipment. Out of the casing and above the water, it is a light weight, compact digital camera that fit in the pocket of your beach shorts.
Controls on the SeaLife DC600 are clearly marked and simple to operate. The macro function allows for close-ups when you need to capture even the smallest detail in your shot. A 3x digital zoom can photograph those underwater wonders before you get close enough to send them swimming. Built-in flash, self timer, and a standard tripod mount are great for family shots at the beach or holiday gatherings. The 6.1 megapixel camera can be even further extended with SeaLife lenses and strobes.
Your underwater camera is completely dependent on the casing that surrounds it. The clamshell design of the SeaLife DC600 housing is a cinch to open and close, but provides a tight waterproof seal. Like any model, though, the rubber O-ring must be protected from damage and foreign debris and should be inspected before and after every dive.
Diving with a camera presents challenges when facing the watery effects on light, colour balance and hue, depth and speed. With the SeaLife DC600, your adventures both underwater and on dry land will be captured in quality digital photographs your friends will actually want to look at.
by admin on September 16, 2008
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but an artful picture of your underwater dives is worth a thousand stories. The PADI Advanced Open Water Course specializing in Underwater Photography teaches camera handling techniques, preparation and care of equipment, the unique properties of underwater photography, and safety during your dives. Supervision from specialized instructors is especially important if you will be making your first underwater photography dives.
The Advanced Open Water Underwater Photography Course begins with these basic principles:
• Planning and organization
• Procedures and techniques
• Hazards of underwater photography
• Preparing your camera before and after a dive
In addition to these important basics, you will also learn photographic principles including:
• Composition
• Flash vs. available light
• Judging distance and light underwater
• Film types
• Water vs. air effects on photographs
• How descent changes affect colour and other properties
During the PADI Advanced Open Water Course, you will make one dive for Underwater Photography. The Underwater Photography PADI Specialty will require one additional dive.
Correct preparation of your camera and the underwater camera housing are crucial before a dive. A foreign object as small as a hair or grain of sand can cause the seal to fail and the housing to leak, resulting in ruined equipment. The O-ring and O-ring seat should be inspected diligently to prevent debris. The camera should also be inspected for “spidering” or cracks indicating the need for new housing. Some divers carry a magnifying glass to inspect equipment before and after a dive.
Photographic memories of your dives are so much more rewarding than log book entries! The variety of ocean fauna and flora has yet to be fully catalogued, and pictures of the amazing creatures you will come face to face with will delight family and friends for years to come.
by admin on September 15, 2008
You can take dive pictures with your existing camera provided you have an underwater camera case. There are a range of designs available, but at the least your case should be watertight, airtight, dustproof, and crush resistant. Some cases are also manufactured to resist rust, pests and chemicals such as oil, fuel, and solvents. Additional flame retardants and UV stabilizers can be added to the plastic to protect against fire and brittleness caused by extended sunlight exposure. The housing should protect the camera not only from underwater hazards, but also life on a boat at the mercy of the waves.
A pressure release purge valve utilizes an O-ring to ensure your underwater camera case achieves a perfect seal. The valve automatically engages when the case is closed and releases when the latch is opened. Accuform foam is another material used to protect your camera from adventurous abuses. This foam is a high-density vertically scored padding that holds your equipment snugly in place to prevent jostling and jarring.
Waterproof camera housings come in a wide range of sizes for both digital and 35 mm cameras. The best cases will have undergone rigorous testing in the factory including 24-hour submersion tests, drop tests up to 48 in (121.9 cm), and 400 lbs (181.5 kg) of weight stacking.
Posts
