Camera and Underwater Housing for Freedive Photography
Using a simple little camera underwater can produce pleasing results as shown below
The minimum/ least expensive - camera gear needed
I'm assuming as you are reading this,
that you are beyond using disposable cameras
of course, what you want to do can be done
with a 'high-end' digital compact camera in a purpose-built underwater housing
(underwater housing - a clear plastic box with a door, into which you put the camera to keep it dry underwater)
of course, what you want to do can be done
with a 'high-end' digital compact camera in a purpose-built underwater housing
(underwater housing - a clear plastic box with a door, into which you put the camera to keep it dry underwater)
it's interesting what can be achieved
with a fairly inexpensive compact
the photographs below - nearly my first taken at Hembadhu in the Maldives - were shot using a Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR
the photographs below - nearly my first taken at Hembadhu in the Maldives - were shot using a Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR
with a generic (one size fits many models of cameras) Seashell SS1 housing the
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR
the photographer - me - only knew how to use it in 'auto' mode ie point and shoot
In some photos it would have been good if I'd known about/ had - a colour filter, but in many cases the photo editing software did a good enough job for me
Fujifilm FinePix F70 EXR
the photographer - me - only knew how to use it in 'auto' mode ie point and shoot
In some photos it would have been good if I'd known about/ had - a colour filter, but in many cases the photo editing software did a good enough job for me
(rollover for a bigger image)
Giant Trevally
Citron Butterflyfish
Racoon Butterflyfish
Yellowhead Butterflyfish
Giant Trevally
Citron Butterflyfish
Racoon Butterflyfish
Yellowhead Butterflyfish
Underwater Housing - a simple approach
there are just two buttons - doesn't get much simpler
(but I think it's a bit too simple/ basic)
there are just two buttons - doesn't get much simpler
(but I think it's a bit too simple/ basic)
Underwater housing
Seashell SS-1 or SS-2
1 - presses the camera's on/ off button
2 - half pressed the other focuses the shot and...fully pressed, it takes the shot
the housing feels strong, the opening and closing lock is easy but secure
its not leaked with me - the side grips are good and it takes several different models of camera
(is a SS-2 model which takes several others)
for robust, simplicity - this is for you
but a housing giving access to the zoom button and the flash button is much better
2 - half pressed the other focuses the shot and...
fully pressed, it takes the shotthe housing feels strong, the opening and closing lock is easy but secure
its not leaked with me - the side grips are good and it takes several different models of camera
(is a SS-2 model which takes several others)
for robust, simplicity - this is for you
but a housing giving access to the zoom button and the flash button is much better
I have not mentioned the cheaper camera bags for use underwater -
our first and only one flooded the camera - perhaps we were just unlucky
using simple photo editing software (maybe the 1-click autofix), most compact cameras in an underwater housing can produce surprisingly good shots for little fuss
you can consider adding a filter but, it's not the 'must-have' I thought it would be as photo editing software does the job, unless you are frequently photographing at depths greater than three metres
a filter is pretty important if you are photographing at more than three metres, but for many of us, for freedive photography more often taking shots in shallow water, photo editing software does fine on its own. It's cheap (especially if the one that comes with the camera is OK) and does the job well enough, certainly until you get 'hooked'
basically, your shots will show nicer, more natural colours after correcting the colours with the software - those shots above are okay to me, even without having used a filter. and photo editing software corrected the colours very easily
if starting from scratch, I'd be inclined to see how you get on with software alone and see how deep you tend to be shooting -
so, specifically, when and why is a filter needed ---> Next page
you can consider adding a filter but, it's not the 'must-have' I thought it would be as photo editing software does the job, unless you are frequently photographing at depths greater than three metres
a filter is pretty important if you are photographing at more than three metres, but for many of us, for freedive photography more often taking shots in shallow water, photo editing software does fine on its own. It's cheap (especially if the one that comes with the camera is OK) and does the job well enough, certainly until you get 'hooked'
basically, your shots will show nicer, more natural colours after correcting the colours with the software - those shots above are okay to me, even without having used a filter. and photo editing software corrected the colours very easily
if starting from scratch, I'd be inclined to see how you get on with software alone and see how deep you tend to be shooting -
so, specifically, when and why is a filter needed ---> Next page
