Zeeman
Contributor
So, I did it, got a nice 2nd hand setup from a fellow SB member, and this is what "I" think...
It's a Canon 400D with an Ike housing, I'm currently using an Inon D2000W and an Inon Z240, with 10 bar arms.
Let's start bad.
IT'S FREAKING SO HEAVY!!!
And, it takes up a heap of space. I have never been over limit with my luggage before, or struggling for space, even when I have gone skiing in North America or Europe,with my skis, boots, poles, clothes, I've always been a good 3 or 4kg under.
Not anymore
Flying back from the Philippines with what I thought was bare minimum (2/3mm wetsuit, alum backplate, Oxycheq 30lbs wing, Zeagle regs AND camera gear, along with a few shirts, shorts, socks etc, had me 2kg over with my main bag, and about 6kg over with my carry on (What? Put my lenses in my check in bag - are you INSANE? Do you know how much that stuff costs?). Anyway, I'm now in the process of finding a thinner wetsuit, lighter aluminium backplate, an 18lbs Oxycheq wing... you get the idea.
Lens choice - choose wisely, young padawan, for you can not change underwater...
That'll mostly cover the bad...
The good...
Viewfinder - the 400D has a small (for a DSLR) viewfinder. Let me just say, the first 20 minutes of the first dive with the 100mm macro lens were hell. I was starting to consider how much I could get for all this stuff on ebay. I couldn't find anything in the viewfinder, I couldn't frame shots - I missed my 2.5 inch LCD live view!!!
But I stuck with it, I decided that I was not going to be beaten. Sure, my eyesight sucks, and I wasn't wearing contacts, so all is not lost - my contacts ought to help. Then it happened. There is was, a purple fan, and there were Pygmy Sea horses on it. I'd tried before, but never quite managed to shoot one, even with live view. I just couldn't find/see the little suckers.
The first minute or so was hell, I was spraying and praying. then I took a lung full of 21%, realised I was becoming too buoyant, exhaled and focused - I looked through the viewfinder at where the DM had pointed, half pressed the button.. AND LOOK!!! There is a tiny little thing in the viewfinder, I can see it, it looks different! SNAP!!!! Got the little sucker - sure, it was out of focus, and it'll never be published, but I got it! The clarity of the viewfinder actually helped, even if it is small, it is clear, I can see more detail! I took a few more, some of them were almost in focus, one or 2 are worth saving!
Anyway, here's one, it's not great, but it's the first I've ever taken (unashamedly cropped)
Anyway, once you get the hang of it, I don't think it is possible to go back to live view. 320x200 pixels on 2.5 inches does not compare to the near infinite resolution of the human eye (even a poor example of one).
Speed - the focus and image saving is so fast - it just locks on and you keep clicking.
Image Quality and lenses - Once you get something in proper focus, the images are that step above a P&S. I loved shooting with my A640 - it taught me manual control, and I shot some good (for me) shots with it. Some really good ones even. But the 400D really is a step up - especially with the 100mm Macro...
RAW - is wonderful. I shoot only RAW now, it really helps bring back those shots you would otherwise just trash.
Anyway, originally I was thinking of a 40D or even a D300 at one stage, luckily, I got the 400D, and now realise "I" need to improve before better electronics start making a difference.
Anyway, a couple more samples. Not great, but very good for me
Z...
It's a Canon 400D with an Ike housing, I'm currently using an Inon D2000W and an Inon Z240, with 10 bar arms.
Let's start bad.
IT'S FREAKING SO HEAVY!!!
And, it takes up a heap of space. I have never been over limit with my luggage before, or struggling for space, even when I have gone skiing in North America or Europe,with my skis, boots, poles, clothes, I've always been a good 3 or 4kg under.
Not anymore
Flying back from the Philippines with what I thought was bare minimum (2/3mm wetsuit, alum backplate, Oxycheq 30lbs wing, Zeagle regs AND camera gear, along with a few shirts, shorts, socks etc, had me 2kg over with my main bag, and about 6kg over with my carry on (What? Put my lenses in my check in bag - are you INSANE? Do you know how much that stuff costs?). Anyway, I'm now in the process of finding a thinner wetsuit, lighter aluminium backplate, an 18lbs Oxycheq wing... you get the idea.
Lens choice - choose wisely, young padawan, for you can not change underwater...
That'll mostly cover the bad...
The good...
Viewfinder - the 400D has a small (for a DSLR) viewfinder. Let me just say, the first 20 minutes of the first dive with the 100mm macro lens were hell. I was starting to consider how much I could get for all this stuff on ebay. I couldn't find anything in the viewfinder, I couldn't frame shots - I missed my 2.5 inch LCD live view!!!
But I stuck with it, I decided that I was not going to be beaten. Sure, my eyesight sucks, and I wasn't wearing contacts, so all is not lost - my contacts ought to help. Then it happened. There is was, a purple fan, and there were Pygmy Sea horses on it. I'd tried before, but never quite managed to shoot one, even with live view. I just couldn't find/see the little suckers.
The first minute or so was hell, I was spraying and praying. then I took a lung full of 21%, realised I was becoming too buoyant, exhaled and focused - I looked through the viewfinder at where the DM had pointed, half pressed the button.. AND LOOK!!! There is a tiny little thing in the viewfinder, I can see it, it looks different! SNAP!!!! Got the little sucker - sure, it was out of focus, and it'll never be published, but I got it! The clarity of the viewfinder actually helped, even if it is small, it is clear, I can see more detail! I took a few more, some of them were almost in focus, one or 2 are worth saving!
Anyway, here's one, it's not great, but it's the first I've ever taken (unashamedly cropped)
Anyway, once you get the hang of it, I don't think it is possible to go back to live view. 320x200 pixels on 2.5 inches does not compare to the near infinite resolution of the human eye (even a poor example of one).
Speed - the focus and image saving is so fast - it just locks on and you keep clicking.
Image Quality and lenses - Once you get something in proper focus, the images are that step above a P&S. I loved shooting with my A640 - it taught me manual control, and I shot some good (for me) shots with it. Some really good ones even. But the 400D really is a step up - especially with the 100mm Macro...
RAW - is wonderful. I shoot only RAW now, it really helps bring back those shots you would otherwise just trash.
Anyway, originally I was thinking of a 40D or even a D300 at one stage, luckily, I got the 400D, and now realise "I" need to improve before better electronics start making a difference.
Anyway, a couple more samples. Not great, but very good for me
Z...
