Which G series to buy for underwater work?

[Tom Reichner]

Hello!

I am no stranger to POTN. However, I am completely unfamiliar with the G series line.

I've only had two Canons - a 5D and a 1Dmark2. I am interested in doing some underwater work of native fish and possibly even ducks (when they dive beneath the surface).

I have learned that there is no practical way to use my DSLRs underwater (I've looked into underwater housings for them and deem that they are unsuitable due to non-availability or price).

I recently spoke with a photographer who used to have a G10 with an underwater housing. He said that he was pleased with how it worked underwater when the water was clear and there was a lot of light. He had not shot in adverse conditions, so he really couldn't tell me how his G10 performed in slightly murky water or in low light. He did say that the housing made it impossible to operate the turnwheel adjustment, which caused some inability to adjust settings quickly when conditions called for quick changes.

Does anyone have extensive underwater experience with G series cameras and Canon brand (or 3rd party) housings? If so, I would greatly appreciate any advice or recommendations you may have on this subject.

In particular I would like to know what the best G series body/underwater housing combo is for underwater work.

I am a bit of a stickler for image quality, and do not want to compromise very much when it comes to noise at or above 400 ISO.

I also want to a G series camera that has good, fast AF in AI servo mode. I'll need to track quickly moving fish in low-contrast conditions.

[rang]

I have some very limited experience with the G9 in the Canon underwater case.
I've used it down to shallow 30' depth. I used it with a slave flash by Nano in it's own UW case on a stalk.

Just a caution...Don't expect high ISO performance like you are used to with your 5D. And the comment about clear water is an understatement as murky, silty water will just reflect you flash like crazy.

You can get to nearly all the adjustments that you would need with alternative button push combinations. It's been so long now I've forgotton the combo but it is posted on one of the Scuba boards. I just printed it out way back when.

Good luck hunting down that post.

[scubasushi]

G11 and S90 are the 2 newest cameras in the PnS lineup - both work fine underwater and can get some stunning results.
Canon has housings or you can go for better built housings by Ikelite (at a slightly higher cost) [or Aluminum housings from various vendors at $$$$$$]

Focus speed and shutter lag will be significantly worse than your dSLRs and you will see significant noise if you try ISO400.

If you have murkey water with lots of stuff floating in it, you will get backscatter if using the onboard flash. To significantly reduce this, an external strobe should be used. With very clear water and very close up subjects, the on board flash is fine.

If using the G10 and an Ikelite housing, I'd recommend an Ikelite strobe (the G10 Ikelite housing has the ttl circuitry in the housing...but you pay a price $$$ for this at around $600) . If going for the S90, no TTL circuitry in the Ikelite housing (but then again it's around $300) so you could either use an Ikelite strobe and a slave sensor or an Inon strobe. If using Canon housings for G10 or S90, you can use Ikelite or Inon strobes. Remember that water eats your light///even with a powerful strobe your only going to be lighting 6 feet or so max...on board flash probbaly only 1-2 feet.

If you REALLY want to get fancy..2 substrobes are the best option...but at about $1k a pop, your looking at a big investment (but you can use use them if you ever house your dSLR).

For some sample prices (and also the possibilty to ask questions) try these people : http://reefphotovideo.com/