G9 underwater image stabilization

[dougsturgess]

Someone I met on a scuba web forum recently used his brand new Powershot G9 in an Ikelite housing on some dives for the first time. He noticed all his shots on his first dive were blurry. He couldn't figure out why. On the second dive, he turned the image stabilization off and all the pictures were in focus.

Anyone have any idea why the image stabilizer would cause this?

[davidfig]

Wow! wonder if Canon tested the IS under water.

On dry land movements are faster. So I would assume that underwater the movements would be slower. Might be a good questions to ask Canon.

[dougsturgess]

Thanks. I've emailed Canon. I'll post their response.

[odvdveer]

I have made approx 900 images underwater with IS on and did not notice any problems. What I did to eliminate most motion problems was to use TV at 1/100sec

Olga

[dougsturgess]

Ok. I got a quick response from Canon & I understand their position but would have been nice to hear if there could be any technical issues using image stabilization underwater. It's good to here Olga has used it without any problems.

Official Canon response:

Dear Doug Sturgess:

Thank you for writing to us. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your PowerShot G9.

Sorry, but I don't have anyway to confirm the results of the images being shot with the G9 in the underwater housing, using images stabilization under water will cause blurry images. My apologies. Also
we don't support the use of third party accessories.

I do apologize, but Canon USA does not monitor, confirm, endorse, or attest to the accuracy any information posted on third party websites. It seems many customers are overwhelmed by the barrage of information (or misinformation) being posted on unregulated, non-Canon websites. Unfortunately, this is not something over which Canon has any control. We are able only to confirm the performance of the camera based on our own testing.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your PowerShot G9.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Ronald
Technical Support Representative

[cicopo]

I recently bought the G9 for underwater use but haven't gone diving with it yet. I always used the IS mode with my S1 IS and had no problems no matter which modes I shot in (P, Av, Tv).

[odvdveer]

Some samples with IS set to on shooting and TV at 1/100 seconds

http://odvdveer.nl/jalbum/Underwater%20Thailand/slides/IMG_0079.jpg

http://odvdveer.nl/jalbum/Underwater%20Thailand/slides/IMG_0053.jpg

http://odvdveer.nl/jalbum/Underwater%20Thailand/slides/IMG_0371.jpg

http://odvdveer.nl/jalbum/Underwater%20Thailand/slides/IMG_0671.jpg

http://odvdveer.nl/jalbum/Underwater%20Thailand/slides/IMG_0592.jpg

Olga

[JohnJ80]

I have made approx 900 images underwater with IS on and did not notice any problems. What I did to eliminate most motion problems was to use TV at 1/100sec

Olga

Same here. I'd bet that he had it backwards - he thought on was off and off was on. IS would make not care if it was underwater or not.
J.

[dougsturgess]

Great pictures, Olga. Thank you for the samples. Colorful creatures there in Thailand. I'm envious!

[NewattheGame]

Wow! I want one....

[Zebceponaf]

Ok. I got a quick response from Canon & I understand their position but would have been nice to hear if there could be any technical issues using image stabilization underwater. It's good to here Olga has used it without any problems.

Official Canon response:

Dear Doug Sturgess:

Thank you for writing to us. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your PowerShot G9.

Sorry, but I don't have anyway to confirm the results of the images being shot with the G9 in the underwater housing, using images stabilization under water will cause blurry images. My apologies. Also
we don't support the use of third party accessories.

I do apologize, but Canon USA does not monitor, confirm, endorse, or attest to the accuracy any information posted on third party websites. It seems many customers are overwhelmed by the barrage of information (or misinformation) being posted on unregulated, non-Canon websites. Unfortunately, this is not something over which Canon has any control. We are able only to confirm the performance of the camera based on our own testing.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your PowerShot G9.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Ronald
Technical Support Representative

Canon should have just shortened it up to "We dont know and don't care!"

what a lousy response!

[JohnJ80]

Canon should have just shortened it up to "We dont know and don't care!"

what a lousy response!

How would you expect them to know? What else could they say? :rolleyes:

J.

[steved110]

Do Canon make their own underwater housings for this camera?

Seems very generic reply, i would have thought someone taking the trouble to personalise it would not have been too much trouble, but there you go :(

[JohnJ80]

Yes, Canon offers their own underwater housings (although I doubt they make them).

[TooManyHobbies]

I recently bought the G9 for underwater use but haven't gone diving with it yet. I always used the IS mode with my S1 IS and had no problems no matter which modes I shot in (P, Av, Tv).

Which housing did you use? I think the Ikelite has a flash difuser while the Canon's housing may not.

[odvdveer]

I have the canon housing and it does have a diffuser

Olga

[TooManyHobbies]

Some samples with IS set to on shooting and TV at 1/100 seconds

Olga

The images look great, but quality of the images seems low. Is this because of downsizing, compressing, cropping, high ISO, or are these the full frame images that the G9 produces underwater?

No offence intended. I'm just trying to decide on a G9 with houseing or forking out the bucks for a DSLR housing for my cameras at $6k-$8k.

[odvdveer]

Thank you, I downsize and compress the images for internet so they will not get stolen, (I sell them full res on Alamy and the PhotoShelter collection). I have enlarged some to 30x45cm and they still look great.

Olga

[TooManyHobbies]

Thank you, I downsize and compress the images for internet so they will not get stolen, (I sell them full res on Alamy and the PhotoShelter collection). I have enlarged some to 30x45cm and they still look great.

Olga

Thanks for the feedback!

[MarKap77]

I'm just trying to decide on a G9 with houseing or forking out the bucks for a DSLR housing for my cameras at $6k-$8k.

Wow, that's kind of high for housing etc for a DSLR. I just priced a complete Ikelite setup for my 5D. Housing, two flat ports for two different lenses, and a strobe came to just under $2000.00US. I could bump up the strobe to the top of the line item and still be under $3000.00US. What brand of housing were you pricing to get to $6-$8k?

Regards

[TooManyHobbies]

Wow, that's kind of high for housing etc for a DSLR. I just priced a complete Ikelite setup for my 5D. Housing, two flat ports for two different lenses, and a strobe came to just under $2000.00US. I could bump up the strobe to the top of the line item and still be under $3000.00US. What brand of housing were you pricing to get to $6-$8k?

Regards

Ikelite doesn't make housings for the Mark III's. Sea&Sea or Subal does and they aren't cheap.

[MarKap77]

Ikelite doesn't make housings for the Mark III's. Sea&Sea or Subal does and they aren't cheap.

Yeah, I guess they aren't cheap! My first thought is that for the difference in price you could get a 5D body and the Ikelite housing and be about $1000 ahead of the prices you say it would cost to get a Sea&Sea or Subal housing. Besides, I don't like the aluminum housings, you can't see if the O-rings are sealed. But that's just me.

[Jethro790]

How can anyone justify such an expensive housing? I have an underwater case from Canon for my SD450- just a cheepie- and I'm still going to be bummed out when the camera dies because the case will become worthless. You can't buy an SD450 anymore. What do people do with these DSLR housings? If I bought one for my XTI and my camera body died, does the housing become useless to me? Course, the XTI is still available, but still, what about down the road?

[TooManyHobbies]

The lens ports and lighting are still good for the next camera case. And the pro mdol camera have a long life, but even still $4500 to $6200 just for the body case is a lot. Then lens ports aren't cheap either and I don't see why they are so expensive. Must be because production is so limited?

[tkoutdoor]

Wow, that's kind of high for housing etc for a DSLR. I just priced a complete Ikelite setup for my 5D. Housing, two flat ports for two different lenses, and a strobe came to just under $2000.00US. I could bump up the strobe to the top of the line item and still be under $3000.00US. What brand of housing were you pricing to get to $6-$8k?

RegardsI used a freezer grade ziploc "once". :-) Joke, don't try this at home your mileage may vary.

[TooManyHobbies]

My G9 comes today and the housing (Canon not Ikelite) arrives tommorrow! I guess i have more equipment to add to my list.

[JohnJ80]

How can anyone justify such an expensive housing? I have an underwater case from Canon for my SD450- just a cheepie- and I'm still going to be bummed out when the camera dies because the case will become worthless. You can't buy an SD450 anymore. What do people do with these DSLR housings? If I bought one for my XTI and my camera body died, does the housing become useless to me? Course, the XTI is still available, but still, what about down the road?

This is the nature of underwater photography. The models change so fast that the suppliers of the housings never develop any volume - hence they are expensive. The problem the housing solves is a difficult one in a very nasty environment for electronics. The housings also have to be as overbuilt as they can be. That is also why the canon ones are such a good value.

You are correct, when you housing floods - and one has to presume that at some point it will, then you need a new camera too.

I have the G9 housing and it worked well for me. I do plan on adding an external flash the next time I go out and use it though. That equipment, however, is portable between different camera models. Makes me also want to go and buy a spare G9 too.

J.