Advice on camera

[Jon Tunstall]

Hi I have a fuji 410 which I use in an underwater housing and am reasonably happy with the results.I like the size of it as its small enough to carry around on holiday.
The main gripe I have with this setup is the awful shutter lag. Its truly annoying, does anyone have any advice on a good setup, I know a few of you rate the 5050/ 5060 what is it like for shutter lag etc? Any replacement camera I get would need to be small enough to carry around on holiday but good enough to use under the water also.

Any advice appreciated.
thanks
Jon

[Narked@50]

Hi Jon

I use a 5050 and it's shutter lag is noticable, but not a major issue. Most things you photograph are likely to be still or close up, if there not, it will probably be a less than perfect shot anyway. The newer model, the 5060 is a bit better as far as I am aware but still has it a bit, I think you need to go to digital SLR to get rid of it, and I am sure the price is a significant jump and not for a small pocket camera either? (£000's I'm sure)

Either stick with what you've got for a bit till the prices come down, or hamer your Visa for Xmas.

James

[Jon Tunstall]

Thanks for the reply. Digital slr is definitely out of the window and I wouldn't get the full potential out of it. I never expected miracles out of the fuji410 but am unhappy about the shutter lag - you see fish, take photo - fish gone. It is however great at underwater movie clips which I like.
I may try and sell the fuji and my old Mx10 and try to raise the cash to get a better camera with less lag and possibly better features, so the Olympus may be a good bet.
cheers
Jon

[Jon Tunstall]

ok have been looking at the c5060 but the c8080 has taken my eye is it worth the extra £100? does anyone have one of them and what is the shutter lag like on them? dont mean to be a pain but any have a fuji f810 and have any views on the shutter lag on that as the fiancee really doesnt like the look of the Olumpus.
all advice appreciated.
jon

[rich.williams]

i have been looking at the 5060 as well, there seems to be a lot of good reviews of it, the best price i have seen is £299 and £150 for the case. The trouble is there are just so many camera's about now it is hard to know which to go for.

[J.D.]

Originally Posted by Jon Tunstall

ok have been looking at the c5060 but the c8080 has taken my eye is it worth the extra £100? does anyone have one of them and what is the shutter lag like on them? dont mean to be a pain but any have a fuji f810 and have any views on the shutter lag on that as the fiancee really doesnt like the look of the Olumpus.
all advice appreciated.
jon

I was thinking of getting the 8080 - have a look at this thread http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/fo...ad.php?t=12437

I think itll be a pretty decent UW camera and the lens is top quality, however the shutter lag will be similar to the 5060 (i think - writing this off the top of my head). For more details have a look at the review at www.dpreview.com.

What put me off the 8080 was the size of the olympus housing - its huge! Dont think id like carry a camera that size on every dive, and probably quite awkward for travelling. I think the ikelite housing is a bit smaller but itll cost you more.

Apart from that it seems to be a pretty decent camera, but not sure its worth the extra money compared to the 5060.

HTH
James

[Tim Ingmire]

The secret is technique, anticipation ............and luck.

I managed to get a couple of cracking fish shots in the red sea by just floating up to the subject dead slow with camera in position and got the shots. Watch the fish try and get a feel for where it's going, get your setup ready and move in real slow. Doesn't always work of course and it gets more and more difficult as the fish get faster. You can do it tho, even with fast moving fish like jacks - I know cos I've seen photos from people with similar set-ups.

Be patient, don't go for 'snaps' and your chances of succes increase.

Of course an SLR makes it a whole lot easier.

Does your camera have a full-time autofocus facility? This may help reduce the shutter lag. Or set to manual focus and then take the photo when the subject / or you moves into range - all this will help but will not remove the shutter lag problem.

Above all remember one thing. Fish are bastards and love nothing better than showing you their arses - reducing shutter lag only reduces the chances of a fish butt shot. Not even a dSLR can guarentee that won't get them.

Think of it this way - shutter lag is a disability that encourages you to develop better technique.

[sch]

As Tim says, you can always go for manual focus which will cut down on any shutter lag.

I can't remember how this effects the 5050 but I'll try and have a look tonight - esp. since I've got a new toy to try out with it and the housing.

Simon

[Tim Ingmire]

Originally Posted by sch

esp. since I've got a new toy to try out with it and the housing.

Simon

Oh? Pray tell.

[sch]

Originally Posted by Tim Ingmire

Oh? Pray tell.

One of those digital strobe adaptors so I can use my old TTL strobes

Will post a report/review when I've had a chance to play with it - will say that the guy in Germany is amazing, ordered and paid for Monday lunchtime and in my grubby mitts this morning, along with a bag of german jelly sweeties