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Author Topic: Underwater photos camera  (Read 3702 times)

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« on: October 28, 2012, 10:18 »
0
Which camera you recommend that is good for underwater photos in stock sites?

Or if you reccomend a special cover for an existant camera.  I have a 5d but i think is too heavy to manage under the water and i havent seen any special cover for that one.

Many thanks for your recommendations.


« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2012, 11:52 »
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I wouldn't recommend doing much underwater photography for microstock sites unless you have a very strong interest.  Costs for good underwater gear are just too high and returns too low unless you're a real pro (and maybe for them as well).

I've used several cameras with underwater housings, from P&S to DSLR.  They all work fine, but to get acceptable sharpness for stock you will need a strobe light or two unless you are somewhere with very clear water, and underwater strobes cost a fortune.  Plus a shock-resistant case to transport all of your gear, etc., and with the tough competition from some excellent underwater specialist photographers out there it will be difficult or impossible to earn back your investment.

That said, there are plenty of underwater housings for almost every camera out there including the 5D - see here (http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/canon-5d-mark-ii-housing-shootout/) for some comparisons.  Plenty of others are available.  You will probably spend 2-3 times the cost of the camera for decent underwater gear.  If you live somewhere where you can go diving a lot or otherwise will use it for a lot of pool shots you might be able to get your investment back, otherwise just do it for fun and if you get a few decent stock shots it's all for the better.  For example, I just searched on iStock for coral reef fish and got over 7500 images.  If you sort by downloads there are lots with blue and gold flames.  However, almost all of those are 5 years old or older.  If you look at the the best shots from the past six months they usually have no DLS yet, although I did find one with 3.  That's going to be a very long time to pay off your equipment, if ever.  So I wouldn't bother unless you're a serious scuba diver and have money to burn.

« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2012, 13:05 »
0
I wouldn't recommend doing much underwater photography for microstock sites unless you have a very strong interest.  Costs for good underwater gear are just too high and returns too low unless you're a real pro (and maybe for them as well).

I've used several cameras with underwater housings, from P&S to DSLR.  They all work fine, but to get acceptable sharpness for stock you will need a strobe light or two unless you are somewhere with very clear water, and underwater strobes cost a fortune.  Plus a shock-resistant case to transport all of your gear, etc., and with the tough competition from some excellent underwater specialist photographers out there it will be difficult or impossible to earn back your investment.

That said, there are plenty of underwater housings for almost every camera out there including the 5D - see here (http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/canon-5d-mark-ii-housing-shootout/) for some comparisons.  Plenty of others are available.  You will probably spend 2-3 times the cost of the camera for decent underwater gear.  If you live somewhere where you can go diving a lot or otherwise will use it for a lot of pool shots you might be able to get your investment back, otherwise just do it for fun and if you get a few decent stock shots it's all for the better.  For example, I just searched on iStock for coral reef fish and got over 7500 images.  If you sort by downloads there are lots with blue and gold flames.  However, almost all of those are 5 years old or older.  If you look at the the best shots from the past six months they usually have no DLS yet, although I did find one with 3.  That's going to be a very long time to pay off your equipment, if ever.  So I wouldn't bother unless you're a serious scuba diver and have money to burn.


Excellent explanation.  Many thanks for your suggestion.

« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2012, 13:48 »
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Then you have macro and wide angle ports, extension rings, ports, gears, sync cords, strobe arms, aiming lights, diopters, tools, and one big thing is knowledge of trouble shooting your system when it doesn't work.  Take it from me and sgoodwin...you need spectacular stuff and it is very selective in terms of what buyers purchase. One of my biggest frustrations was to have National Geographic purchase two of my images for about 50 cents each for web use.  A good system can run you $15,000 with the right lenses, camera and all the accessories you need to be competitive.  Look at what I just said.  I got 50 cents for a underwater image.  That can take more than a lifetime to re-coup your costs.  I have my system because I am in the industry, so uploading UW images is just because I have them, not because I went out and bought a system to get them for MS.

« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2012, 15:23 »
0
Then you have macro and wide angle ports, extension rings, ports, gears, sync cords, strobe arms, aiming lights, diopters, tools, and one big thing is knowledge of trouble shooting your system when it doesn't work.  Take it from me and sgoodwin...you need spectacular stuff and it is very selective in terms of what buyers purchase. One of my biggest frustrations was to have National Geographic purchase two of my images for about 50 cents each for web use.  A good system can run you $15,000 with the right lenses, camera and all the accessories you need to be competitive.  Look at what I just said.  I got 50 cents for a underwater image.  That can take more than a lifetime to re-coup your costs.  I have my system because I am in the industry, so uploading UW images is just because I have them, not because I went out and bought a system to get them for MS.

Many thanks Mantis.  I Will do what you recommend.

gillian vann

  • *Gillian*
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2012, 07:22 »
0
too heavy to manage underwater?? I'd think the weight would help? I am coveting UW housing, looks like fun. I think I might see if I can rent one next time I'm on hols at the beach.


 

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