0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Chris Young

  • Bluefin Tuna
  • ***
  • 424
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 1
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 06, 2010, 06:57:13 AM
I notice that quite a few of us use the Canon G series cameras. They are a pretty good bit of kit, specially when you learn how to use them fully, which I might add I don't :-[
After Steve mentioned the Polarise filter I did a bit of searching and found these lenses, Wide angle, telephoto, fisheye, macro to name a few, you can also mount a circular polerise filter to them.
Certainly can turn these little cameras into a versatile piece of gear .
Check them out at www.raynox.com 
Last Edit: April 06, 2010, 07:06:47 AM by Chris Young

Rob Ciotucha

  • Guest
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 06, 2010, 10:51:05 AM
Colin how do you find the Lowepro waterproof bag? Ive been looking at the the dryzone 100 but cant make my mind up between that or a pelican case.

Cheers
Rob

Hi Rob,

I've had my dryzone 100 for many years and it's been subjected to temps of -40 in Canada, +48 in Oman and torrential rain in an open boat (everywhere). Can't speak for other waterproofs 'cause I've never felt the need to change. One tip - if you buy one, make sure you lubricate the zipper that closes the waterproof section before every trip (if it doesn't operate smoothly, the zipper can fail to close properly and render the thing non-waterproof). Any kind of silicon gel (supplied with it) or spray will do.

Cheers

Colin

PS
When I don't fill the case with camera gear, I top it up with a couple of my reels (despooled) - nice way to carry some onto the plane with you!


Thanks Colin i think i may go ahead and get one of these bags, and the idea filling the bag up with reels also sounds a good one to me.

Cheers for your input.
Rob

Jon Li

  • Giant Trevally
  • *****
  • 1114
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 06, 2010, 11:46:23 AM
When I go fishing , my small Lumix LX3 is always the one I bring and the big camera stays home , even then I don't seem to take enough photo with it , fishing come first and I am pre-occupied by it so I let other take the photos .

Jon .
It's not what you don't know that gets you into trouble , it's what you know for sure that ain't so . Mark Twain .

Duncan O'Connell

  • Past Sponsor
  • Bluefin Tuna
  • *****
  • 472
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 06, 2010, 03:14:08 PM
I have gone to the opposite extreme with cameras, I like the idea of compact, and I do carry around a Canon D10 waterproof for quick shots. However, when it comes to getting consistent quality shots, still nothing beats a quality SLR, good lenses and a flash.
I end up carrying around a Nikon D700, 2-3 lenses (a super wide angle 12-24mm is my standard lens in a boat) and an SB600 flash, all in a Pelican case. The 1520 case is a bit of overkill, size wise, but it is a hangover from days when I used to carry a 80-200 2.8 in the kit as well. When choosing a case for an SLR, I would recommend sizing it to fit the camera with an accessory flash permanently on the camera. This cuts down a whole lot of mucking around when you dive in to grab the camera for quick shots.
The benefit of the case is that they are virtually indestructible - I've held my hilux rear axle off the ground with the case standing up (long story, would have taken a photo but the camera was still in the case!). We have even used them as raised casting platforms on fly fishing trips. The downside of the case is that they are heavy and bulky, but as far as I can see it is the only way to guarantee the safety of an SLR camera on a boat.

I think which way you go really comes down to what your priorities are out on the water. If the only time you pull out a camera is when a fish is being landed, then stick to a small compact. If you are in the habit of putting down your rod specifically to take photos, even right in the middle of a hot session, then an SLR will be worth pushing your weight limits for. Plus, if you want a proper wide angle lens to get up close and personal with your subject and really make the pictures stand out, the only way you can do it is with an SLR. Another way of looking at it is if you want a record of your trip, then modern compacts do an awesome job, but if you want to get your pics in a magazine on a regular basis or want to explore the art of photography, then pro-style compacts like the Canon G series or better still a full blown SLR is pretty much the way to go in my opinion.

In regards to the polarising lens issue, I used to use them 100% of the time in a boat, until purchasing the 12-24mm lens. This is so wide angle that it can't shoot with a polariser at any wider than 24mm or it cuts in at the edge of the shot. I've found that not using the polariser makes little difference to most of the 'grab and grin' style shots. Where you do miss it, is when shooting a fish swimming around in the water - the polariser cuts down substantially the amount of glare on the water surface. Usually I make a dash for another lens I keep with the polariser on for in-water shots. Another reason that people use polarisers is to make the colours look deeper and richer. These days, with the quality of editing programs available, it is pretty easy to duplicate this at home. In fact most quality cameras deliver as standard the rich, punchy colours that we used to really have to work for back in 'ye olden days' of film.

Duncan
Fish Head - Specialist Fishing Tackle

Jay Burgess

  • Giant Trevally
  • *****
  • 1112
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 06, 2010, 04:27:34 PM

I end up carrying around a Nikon D700, 2-3 lenses (a super wide angle 12-24mm is my standard lens in a boat) and an SB600 flash, all in a Pelican case.

Duncan

Is that the lens you used while we were in Bugatti?

Alex Jordan

  • Bluefin Tuna
  • ***
  • 356
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 07, 2010, 05:32:53 AM
Got an Ixus 75 in a waterprrof housing - looks like a fisher price toy ...

Wanted a GoPro wide angle surf cam but not got round to it so I have a waterproof sanyo vid cam and a waterproof HD headcam - hoping to get some POV vid from our trip next week - don't think anyone has done that yet?


Andre van Wyk

  • Dogtooth Tuna
  • ****
  • 535
  • DARK CONTINENT DARKSTAR RIDER
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 07, 2010, 05:59:23 PM
a waterproof HD headcam - hoping to get some POV vid from our trip next week - don't think anyone has done that yet?

Alex that would be awesome!! But you are gonna look pretty frikken funny walking around Brando flats wearing a helmet cam!!! Make sure Sharpie gets some pics of that!!! : )

I have used a number of cameras over teh years, and being in the production business, I get exposed to and get to play with the best of the best out there... very few of which are actually suitable for angling photography unfortunately... taking a 60 Megapixel Phase One Digital Back on a Hassleblad H3 out on the flats is probably not the smartest idea, especially as the whole rig costs more than my house!!!

SLR's are truly they way forward if you want to spend as much time capturing fishing pics, as fishing.... I think someone above hit the nail on the head when they said exactly that... Nothing can compare to the freedom an SLR gives you in shooting style, options, clarity.
At the same time, they are bulky, and expensive... Bulky isn't a problem on a boat, but if you are trekking across the flats or Land Based, its an extra b1tch to carry and unpack everytime you wanna shoot...
There are some pretty good "dry bag" casings which fit SLR's with Flash and all... while one wouldn't take them to 5 metres, for keeping the camera dry and frree of salt and other worries, they are great and allow you to have them on hand at all times....

That being siad, the modern compacts like the G series from Canon shoot incredible pictures so easily, so are a great bet as well...

I think it all breaks down to how much fishing vs photography you want to do, and how important those images at the end of a trip are for you. 
To Ride, Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth...

Duncan O'Connell

  • Past Sponsor
  • Bluefin Tuna
  • *****
  • 472
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 07, 2010, 09:23:39 PM

Is that the lens you used while we were in Bugatti?

Yes that was the one

Duncan
Fish Head - Specialist Fishing Tackle

Greg Lee

  • Guest
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 08, 2010, 05:47:53 PM
Personally I found the Lowepro to fiddley compared to a two clip Pelican lid.
Yes the backpacks great for travel and dragging your gear around airports but for action time with fish ready for release nothing beats the ease of a Pelican.

Regarding camera gear, I'm on the SLR team here but I don't get to go as much as some so I try to get the best shot possible.
D5mkII with a combo of "L" series lenses and a Speedlite 580 flash. A combo like this makes even a novice like me fluke a few decent shots!

Greg


Colin how do you find the Lowepro waterproof bag? Ive been looking at the the dryzone 100 but cant make my mind up between that or a pelican case.

Cheers
Rob

Hi Rob,

I've had my dryzone 100 for many years and it's been subjected to temps of -40 in Canada, +48 in Oman and torrential rain in an open boat (everywhere). Can't speak for other waterproofs 'cause I've never felt the need to change. One tip - if you buy one, make sure you lubricate the zipper that closes the waterproof section before every trip (if it doesn't operate smoothly, the zipper can fail to close properly and render the thing non-waterproof). Any kind of silicon gel (supplied with it) or spray will do.

Cheers

Colin

PS
When I don't fill the case with camera gear, I top it up with a couple of my reels (despooled) - nice way to carry some onto the plane with you!


Thanks Colin i think i may go ahead and get one of these bags, and the idea filling the bag up with reels also sounds a good one to me.

Cheers for your input.
Rob


Rob Ciotucha

  • Guest
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 08, 2010, 06:14:33 PM
Personally I found the Lowepro to fiddley compared to a two clip Pelican lid.
Yes the backpacks great for travel and dragging your gear around airports but for action time with fish ready for release nothing beats the ease of a Pelican.

Regarding camera gear, I'm on the SLR team here but I don't get to go as much as some so I try to get the best shot possible.
D5mkII with a combo of "L" series lenses and a Speedlite 580 flash. A combo like this makes even a novice like me fluke a few decent shots!

Greg

Hi Greg thanks for your input, another thing to think about. May i ask what size pelican case you use?

Thanks
Rob

Greg Lee

  • Guest
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 08, 2010, 08:05:35 PM
G'day Rob
I run two different ones dependant on lens and if I take a video camera as well. I have an  older model thats similar to a 1520 but a little deeper and a 1560 with built in trolley if weights aren't an issue.

Greg

Ben Rutkin

  • Guest
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 08, 2010, 11:44:03 PM
Im with Andre - DicaPak dry bag for $50-$60

Its not what Im after being a spearo as well, but there was a pro photographer on our recent freediving course with his $25,000 SLR get up swimming around with us.

I think they are limited to about 10m depth.

MikeOsborn

  • Guest
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 15, 2010, 02:33:17 AM
I have the cannon 50d and rebel xsi with different lenses all fitted inside a small pelican box. I ruined 3 camera's before investing in the Pelican case and it has been a godsend. I travel with it on the plane as well as my backpack with no issues. I am on the water almost on a daily basis and the boss doesn't want average quality pics taken on a point n shoot.

David Noble

  • Bluefin Tuna
  • ***
  • 359
  • Liked:
  • Likes Given: 0
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
April 15, 2010, 12:26:05 PM
I'm using the new Canon Powershot S90.  It's very similar to the Lumix LX3 and G10 but much more compact (and user friendly).  Still wide angle, perfect for boat shots.  I'm stoked with it and have bought an underwater housing for it.  I'm still getting used to it, especially the housing though I'd recommend this to anyone..  Takes excellent low light pics also.   I don't think I will bother with the pelican case on boats, it can live in it's u/w housing in the Lowepro camera backpack and handle any treatment.

Cheers David

jay currie

  • Guest
Re: The conundrum with cameras .......
May 03, 2010, 08:11:16 PM
I have a canon slr and a olympus underwater camera. I only took the olympus on the last trip to Fiji due to lack of room and the wife isnt real fond of me taking the slr. The olympus was very handy and does take some good pics but just not up to the standard of the slr , I only really noticed comparing pictures from the last trip to Hervey bay using the slr. I will diffently be taking the canon slr from now on and using the olympus for kayak trips. Also I have a pelican case for the canon and it is a valuable investment especially if you are as ruff on gear as I am.