Getting Started With Underwater Photography.
Underwater photography has come a long way since I first became interested in the early 80's. At that time most people were using the Nikonus range of aquatic cameras, although some were venturing into housing 'land' cameras like the Pentax LX, the Canon F1 or the Nikon F4. I started with a second hand Nikonus IVa , and certainly they were (and still are) excellent in their way. However, they had the disadvantage that they were not SLR cameras and, therefore, judging distance was difficult with the longer focal length lenses, where the depth of field is quite small (refraction - the effect of light travelling through different mediums e.g. water and air, makes judging distance more complex). For macro photography, framers needed to be used, which is not ideal if you are trying to photograph anything other than a static or sessile creature underwater.
There was much debate at the time about whether Nikon would ever bite the bullet and produce an aquatic SLR camera. Eventually they did - the Nikon RS. Built round the Nikon 801 technology this provided many advantages, including the ability to compose a subject through the lens, auto-focus and full manual override capabilities. However, it was relatively bulky and heavy as well as being extremely expensive as none of the Nikonus lenses fitted the RS. It was not commercially successful and was eventually withdrawn. There are other aquatic camera options, such as the Sea and Sea range, but for most serious underwater photographers the housed land camera is the preferred choice.
The Nikon 801 was a very popular camera and this was followed by the Nikon F90x and more recently the Nikon F100. and F5. By far the most widely used housing in the early days was the Subal housing, and the latest version is still an excellent choice. However, it has strong competition now from such manufacturers as Sea and Sea and Aquatica. These housings are made of aluminium and are designed around cameras, such as the Nikon 801, F90x and F100, and are fairly compact. A somewhat cheaper route is with an Ikelite housing, which is made of a clear transparent injection-moulded polycarbonate (making it easy to see if you have a leak!). However, although designed around a large range of cameras, they tend to be somewhat bulkier and, due to the amount of air space inside, need to be weighted, making them quite heavy.
Similarly, with flashguns, the choice is between various aquatic strobes, such as the Sea and Sea YS50 or Aqua F6, and housed flashguns. The aquatic option is the most popular, although I personally use a Nikon SB26 and SB28 in custom built housings (made by a well known underwater photography, Kevin Cullimore). Aquatica make a housing for these flashguns, and there are a number of people around who will make housings to order, such as Ken Sullivan.
As far as lenses are concerned, the most widely used for underwater work are very wide angle lenses such as 15 and 16mm full frame fisheyes, or 20mm, and long lenses that give a macro capability, such as the 60mm and 105mm macro. Zoom lenses are becoming more popular but bear in mind that camera housings and/or lens ports may need to be modified to accommodate them.
Whatever route is taken, setting up to take photographs underwater is expensive and it pays to check out all of the options first with underwater photographers. By far the best way to do this is by joining The British Society Of Underwater Photographers, who meet in London once a month (see website www.bsoup.org). Here you will find experienced and fanatical underwater photographers who are more than willing to offer advice and share their knowledge with you.
There is also the friendly atmosphere of Photosub Underwater Photography Club, a club I formed about 12 years ago in the southeast, which has about 50 members, many of whom also belong to BSoUP. Similarly, the members are able to give excellent guidance for the anyone starting out in underwater photography, and the club organises many dive trips in UK and overseas each year, giving members the great benefit of diving with other underwater photographers (see website www.photosub.co.uk).
If you decide to take the plunge, I hope the above information helps to point you in the right direction. You can also contact me at len.deeley@btinternet.com, or go to my website at
www.imagine-photography.co.uk , where you will be able to find information on some exciting overseas dive trips for 2003.
A diver enters the wreck of the Carnatic, a P&O mail/passenger ship that hit the reef of Sh'ab Abu Nuhas in the Gulf of Suez in 1862 and sank with the loss of 27 lives. She is one of the finest wrecks in the Red Sea. Image taken with a Nikon F90x in an Aquatica housing.
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