Is the G15 more camera then what I need?

[Interceptor121]

Everybody has different views. It is quite standard to recommend people that start with underwater photography set up that allow for a wet wide angle lens
Unless you have specific requirements for land photography it makes more sense to buy a lower end camera that takes a lens than a more expensive one that does not
The proof of the pudding is when you will eventually go to Bahamas or you will try to fit a whole turtle in the frame and with the bare lens unless the critter is facing you this is not a possibility
Your shots are good but I don't see a manta or a shark in there? I shot tiger sharks of 3.5 meters years ago with an Ixus65...

 

[Tigerman]

Does that answer your turtles, mantas and sharks?
Granted the zebra shark is only like 2,5 meters instead of 3,5 but it looks like I have some leftover space in the shot too..

Edit: Also, I just realized - The G7 which I shot these pictures with is even narrower than the newer G series models - The G7 is 35-210mm equivalent.

 

[Interceptor121]

They fit because you are 1 mile away
On my last liveaboard trip there were two people with canon G cameras that could not fit a few mantas in a shot
The G series and the S series have the same processor the only difference is the lens and few quirks like a ttl wired connection that you don't need underwater picture quality is very similar too
Unless you need the additional zoom the G camera are not the way to go for underwater use
It would be different if you have one and want to do something with it
Starting fresh it is non worth investing in a Camon G camera

 

[Tigerman]

Geeze, whatever you say, guess your yardstick is a lot shorter than mine..

 

[uncfnp]

I agree with you 100% Tigerman. I think Interceptor121 has missed the boat!

 

[Interceptor121]

I did not miss the boat but the last boat I was on had 3 people with G9-G10-G12 that could not take a decent picture in Manta cleaning station however one of them spent a long time explaining me the great features of the camera on land. Still she did not go home with any good shots

The canon G15 costs nearly as much as a Sony RX100 why would you even think about buying one? Canon seems to be trapped in upgrading their now old releases and not investing in innovation, the only new camera with some good concepts is the G1X and it is a bit of a flop

There are good deals on the S100 right now and the Sony RX100 costs less. If you want a practical camera the S100 is perfect if you want outstanding compact quality the RX100 is the way forward despite what proud G owners say in general terms the G cameras are just good for close ups and that is it

 

[uncfnp]

Again, you have missed the point. Its not that the g series is her best option but rather that you can enjoy underwater photography without wet lenses, strobes or other bulky and expensive paraphernalia! I admit that my photos may not live up to your standards but i enjoy them and thats what is important to me. And i have been on boats where i have gotten shots that others have missed so i am not sure your personal experience is completely valid. Or perhaps i am just that exceptional.

 

[coralcruiser]

I did not miss the boat but the last boat I was on had 3 people with G9-G10-G12 that could not take a decent picture in Manta cleaning station however one of them spent a long time explaining me the great features of the camera on land. Still she did not go home with any good shots

The canon G15 costs nearly as much as a Sony RX100 why would you even think about buying one? Canon seems to be trapped in upgrading their now old releases and not investing in innovation, the only new camera with some good concepts is the G1X and it is a bit of a flop

There are good deals on the S100 right now and the Sony RX100 costs less. If you want a practical camera the S100 is perfect if you want outstanding compact quality the RX100 is the way forward despite what proud G owners say in general terms the G cameras are just good for close ups and that is it

I'm not sure what search engine you've been using but the RX100 is several $100s more than the S100 and at least $150 more than the G15.

Then add to that the fact that the housing for the RX100 is several $100 more than the canon housings (if looking at the canon oem housing). I'm not sure if sony has an oem housing for theirs.

Now lets talk about WA lenses. I've been shooting since 1989 and my first digital was the canon S45 or 45 (can't remember). I've had 3 more digital cameras since then, have added a strobe, a focus/vide light with arm and the +5 and +10 subsee magnifiers. Interesting to note that I have not added a WA wet lens and find much joy in shooting underwater without it... not to say that I will never have one... but we all have our own particular interests when it comes to subjects we like to shoot.

I'm getting ready to buy another system yet again and, while I'm looking at the RX100 v G15, I'm leaning towards the G15. In looking through all the hundreds of shots I've taken in just the past 3 years, the ones that I liked best were taken with my G10.

When all is said and done, it still comes down to individual preferences and needs.

If someone is leaning toward the S series, the S100 with Fix housing can be had for right around $850.... an excellent deal.
If someone is leaning towards the G series and doesn't want an aluminum housing, I would recommend the G15 (over the G12) with either the canon oem or ike housing.

---------- Post added December 9th, 2012 at 09:36 AM ----------

And i have been on boats where i have gotten shots that others have missed so i am not sure your personal experience is completely valid. Or perhaps i am just that exceptional.

**LOL**

When I first moved to digital, I used only the camera, internal flash and housing, to get a feel for what that would be like. Gotta admit, with only the camera and small oem housing,, I was able to it it into crooks and nannies and take shots that I certainly can't get into now with all my added on gear

 

[Interceptor121]

There are two criteria to choose a camera housing:
1. Full manual control of camera settings
2. Availability of housing that takes wide lenses
This is not my theory is the same that professional shops adopt when advising divers that want to do photography

In some cases with new camera with HD video is actually better to have a wide angle lens than a strobe as that allows you to take videos of sharks and turtles

A 28mm camera in water behaves like a 35mm on land because of refraction. You need to step away from subjects and this makes your strobe less effective

Everybody that has done some basic underwater photography training knows the key principle: get closer, a wide angle lens allows you to do just that

Now if you have made a mistake and have bought a camera housing that does not allow for the lens you don't even know what you are missing out, but if you start fresh you should take into account the key principle of underwater photography and allow yourself to get closer to the subjects

A few example pictures of ambient light photography with an Ixus65 and an Inon UWL105AD


To fit those subjects in without a wide angle lens you would have needed to be more than double the distance away

More water between you and the subject more particles more distractions more noise less colour more backscatter

There must be a reason why the G series is not one of the package offer cameras in most of the specialised shops out there? Only backscatter offers a G series in a plastic housing, bluewaterphotostore offers it in the recsea housing (that takes a dome), reef photo does not offer it, cameras underwater in UK does not offer it, don't you guys think that if the G series was such a wonderful performer those shops did not want to delight their clients???

The op was asking should I return this G15 and get an S110 instead? I would recommend him to return it and get himself an S100 where there are plenty of offers out there that can grow with him and his abilities for at least 3 years

 

[ivakdiver]

Okay. My two cents. If the original poster wishes to keep things very simple and does not see an additional strobe or wet lens in their future needs, I would suggest the Canon S100 in a Canon case, unless they can afford the FIX HOUSING.
I purchased an S100 and Canon housing prior to a trip to Roatan last Feb and was very pleased with the results as it was small and quite easy to move in on some subjects without arms and strobes getting in the way. It was the first time I had used such a simple setup in over 35 years. True no wide angle etc BUT This still gives the option of adding on later, IF, they decide.