Pics of some recent frags

[Rice Reef]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Well, I sure can't argue with the quality of your pics. I was trying to shoot through the glass. But I had it on a tripod, so motion blur shouldn't be a problem. Maybe I need to try some more underwater shots.

I was planning to return it this morning and look for another camera, but maybe I should give it another try.

Try using a remote shutter release?

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Rice Reef

Try using a remote shutter release?

I don't have a remote with this camera, although I could use the timer to release the shutter.

Also, my tank is acrylic which probably doesn't help with the auto focus.

[Reef Pilot]

OK, I tried the camera underwater, and the focus seemed to work a lot better. Maybe I will keep the camera after all. I came very close to returning it today. But now glad I tried it one more time. These shots were taken with the Macro setting (not the Super Macro).

Red Planet


Purple Stylo


Lokani - This one still was not perfectly focused, but colour is pretty accurate.


Ice Fields Tenuis - Used flash, so colour not as good, but I like the detail.

[daniella3d]

wow! awesome!

Now that's much better and a keeper!

[Reef Pilot]

Thanks, Daniella. I'm much happier with the camera, and have now decided to keep it.

[daniella3d]

I think you will like it. The more I use it and the more I like this camera. Oh and the video mode is great to!

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Thanks, Daniella. I'm much happier with the camera, and have now decided to keep it.

[Reef Pilot]

Yeah, I should try the movie mode underwater, with the pumps running, and close up to some corals, to see how it looks.

I did try the movie mode in my plane, in the cockpit, a few days ago. However, was disappointed, because again the AF would often focus on the windshield putting the scenery out of focus. My old Sony at least had a manual focus, so I could set it far out, and it did pretty well. This is not a big concern for me, though, as I am waiting to get a new POV camera for my plane. Most of the good summer float flying is done now for the year, so have until next spring to find a good one. Maybe by then the Gopro 4 will be out with GPS...

Getting a little off topic, but here is a youtube using my old Sony from a few weeks ago going into a local alpine lake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9o5Ytfr-g0

[daniella3d]

Must be an awesome feeling of freedom to have your own plane and go anywhere you want. Such beautiful scenery. When I see that I miss California as in Quebec where I live now it's rather flat everywhere and our greatest mountains are just tiny hills.

I understand for the camera...no manual focu is a problem for sure in that type of situation, but for the aquarium the camera is great.

Maybe you should get a DSLR for other type of photography and just the little Olympus for the aquarium and traveling light. Those little underwater cameras are usually limited in features. I tried a few and this was best for image quality but there are compromises.

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Yeah, I should try the movie mode underwater, with the pumps running, and close up to some corals, to see how it looks.

I did try the movie mode in my plane, in the cockpit, a few days ago. However, was disappointed, because again the AF would often focus on the windshield putting the scenery out of focus. My old Sony at least had a manual focus, so I could set it far out, and it did pretty well. This is not a big concern for me, though, as I am waiting to get a new POV camera for my plane. Most of the good summer float flying is done now for the year, so have until next spring to find a good one. Maybe by then the Gopro 4 will be out with GPS...

Getting a little off topic, but here is a youtube using my old Sony from a few weeks ago going into a local alpine lake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9o5Ytfr-g0

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

Maybe you should get a DSLR for other type of photography and just the little Olympus for the aquarium and traveling light. Those little underwater cameras are usually limited in features. I tried a few and this was best for image quality but there are compromises.

Thanks for your help, Daniella. I am a lot happier now with this camera and will be keeping it. I will have to do a lot more experimenting with it, but at least now I know I can get good shots of my corals. And that is what I was looking for. Being able to use it underwater is certainly a big advantage.

As for DSLR, my other photography needs (and abilities) are not that great, so will save/use that money for a good POV camera instead.

[Reef Pilot]

Kind of proud of this one, considering where it started. Growing like crazy now.

Jan/2013, frag was just a skin flap barely covering 1/2 of the plug, and hardly recognizable as a Red Planet.


Apr/2013, starting to show some growth.


Oct/2013, growth has really taken off.


Nov/2013, an underwater top down shot, about 4 inches across now.