What Camera?

[bfessler]

I am thinking about getting a new camera for Tank Shots. I have a faily new Canon 8MP camera, (about 1 year old), but when taking close ups in the tank the focus isn't all that great.

What cameras do you photo buffs use? Do you recommend a manual focus camera for close ups of coral and fish? I would like to spend around $500.00 but less would be good if I can still get some quality shots.

 

[Anonymous]

I have a Canon, and if I can't get it to focus on what I want to I used to use manual. But I've discovered that if it's in focus to my eye it isn't actually in focus. Switch the thing on the lens to manual, it'll still do the beepy thing to let you know which area it's looking at. You know, the little dots inside the boxes you see through the viewer when it's on?

Edit: Oops, I don't think you say what model your Canon is. We have an EOS DSLR, it's 5yo so not so many megapixels.

 

[bfessler]

I don't remember the model number but its a point and shoot 8MP. It does a great job on everything except real close macro shots. I think shooting through the glass confuses the auto-focus. That's why I am looking for reasonably priced DSLR or other option with the ability to manually focus the shot.

 

[bfessler]

Has anyone had experience with an Olympus 1030SW? A friend just recommended this camera. He just sticks the whole thing right in the tank and takes the picture.

The camera is shockproof up to 6.6 ft, impact resistant up to like 250lbs, waterproof up to 33ft, and freezeproof up to like -10 degrees or something. For me, it is an all purpose camera that takes great pics, and is indestructable.

I use the fully submergable Olympus stylus 1030SW. They have a new model that is probably better. It is 10.1 MP and has a lot of functions for a point and shoot. It takes great super macros. I just stick my arm in the tank and snap away.

Here is a picture he took with the camera.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't remember the model number but its a point and shoot 8MP. It does a great job on everything except real close macro shots. I think shooting through the glass confuses the auto-focus. That's why I am looking for reasonably priced DSLR or other option with the ability to manually focus the shot.

Yes, the glass totally borks the auto-focus, it hits the glass and that's all it "sees".

We went with an Oly C-8080 a few years ago for our dive photography because the rig was so much cheaper than trying to outfit the Canon. Unfortunately, on one of our dives in Puerto Rico we believe someone picked up the rig and dropped it, it began taking on water at depth through the flash housing and ruined everything.

In my opinion, for the very best UW or aquarium photography advice you simply must contact Bob Fenner and see what wetwebmedia has up on site regarding such.

 

[Len]

The Fuji EXR sensors (two or three models have them right now) are probably pretty nice to capture the dynamic range in reef tanks. Otherwise, I'd go with a Canon P&S.

Ideal solution is a dSLR, but they get pricey.

 

[Petsolutions]

Our photographer here created a neat gadget he uses to mount onto his camera to allow better photos of corals in holding tanks, but wow the picture taken from that Olympus submersible point and shoot is pretty darn nice. I imagine it's also pretty easy to deal with when you don't have to worry about dropping the camera into the tank. 8O . I'm going to have to do a little more looking into those I think.

I'm an amateur photographer as a hobby, and at home I shoot with a Canon DSLR and a few different lenses. I shot a bit with it at work to try it out on some corals, but got mixed results with the lens I had on the camera (50mm F1.8 Canon "nifty fifty"). Probably would get a lot better results with a specialized lens.

 

[snakeadelic]

I like the description of that Olympus, but I'd love to stick with Canon when my current camera finally expires. My camera may be a total noob special--it's a PowerShot A720 IS--but it has more than earned my loyalty! I bought it online, factory refurbished, and it came with manuals, batteries, memory card, tripod, everything a noob needed . It arrived on 4-19-09 with its internal image counter zeroed, I almost never photograph people or their homes & possessions, and the last image # I downloaded was 86,100. I have taken it from sw Montana to Oregon (all the way to the beach twice, Portland & environs at least 6 times, zero issue with salt air or vastly increased humidity), eastern Washington, the Idaho panhandle, and all over sw Montana to places like Dillon, Coolidge (elevation in the 8000+ range), Bannack, and Sula, not to mention that insane 350-mile run to Billings--half of which had to be done with a gale-force side wind--in May of last year. I hope to add several of the Southwestern desert states in the coming couple of years. It has taken photos for me at temperatures ranging from 107 F (Billings) to -15 F (home). I have photographed nerite shells 2-3 mm across, wild birds deliberately trying to evade the lens, and entire mountain-range panoramas. It has been dropped four times, twice onto concrete, and the precisely 2 glitches I've had were a brief lens-cover jam and a recent numbering glitch that means my total image count is probably 50-100 higher than the camera thinks. I take this thing places I wouldn't dream of taking my purse; heck, I take it places I won't wear my glasses out of fear for their safety. I've worn the finish off the casing everywhere my hands normally rest.

Does anyone know if there's a Canon in the $500-ish range that will behave like the Olympus 1030SW described above? I don't need a whole lot in the way of underwater features, tho being able to stick the camera in a tank for a shot would be a blessing should the chance ever arise for me! I'm not a photo-equipment geek, sadly...I'm a nature nut with a good eye and lots of free time, and one who really appreciates tech advice.