Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/07/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]While it is very good news that you can fix the focus; two metres is too far for small fish and fauna. Hmm, just right for large fish though. You know, sharks and what not :-). Typically 0.5 metre is a good distance for reef photography. Fortunately when the water changes the lenses angle of view and focused distance, it also changes our vision as well. So if it "looks" to be 2 metres away, your camera will be focused correctly. Your auto-focus warning flashing its unhappiness for a while before firing may mean that the camera is waiting for something to work and then gives up. One thing I can say for sure is that your GR-1 will not like any salt water exposure period. Why not return the housing and buy an inexpensive (leicaly speaking) underwater camera. Canon makes an A-1 that works well (fixed focus underwater) or just get those disposable underwater cameras. They work surprisingly well and much better than a mis-focused GR-1. You are providing the Leica-Users and your family with great amusement. I am glad you are testing as that way you can be sure you will not be disappointed. However our kitchen is quite a mess right now what with everyone spluttering on their drinks..... Flash is a necessity if you do anything but surface snorkelling as the water filters out all the red light very quickly. The best time is when the sun is directly overhead and shining bright. So when conditions are poor for land photography they are perfect for underwater photography. I prefer not to use flash underwater as I like the challenge and shallow snorkelling. I have a wonderful photo of a sea turtle in the glistening sunlit water that was worth the effort. Now a funny story on my part! I was part of a snorkelling trip with my family and was having great time. I love slipping under people and taking their pictures silhouetted against the surface. Well there I was slipping through the water under my daughter lining everything up..... I just started to push the shutter release when BANG. I smacked head and shoulder first into a reef. OOOOOOUUUCHHHH! I was feeling moderately okay but my daughter is screaming silently underwater pointing madly at me. Salt water is great for cleaning up messy wounds so my blood was not coagulating in the least. I was soon enveloped in a cloud of red blood and very alarmed tourists! The tour operators thought I was mad when I asked if I could go back to photographing! They let me though. John Collier > From: "saadi lahlou" <saadi.lahlou@wanadoo.fr> > > The snap mode "fixes focus at a distance of about 2 meters". Does this mean > that in the water this distance will be different ? I have always had the > subjective feeling that in the water things are bigger, i.e. in a way > closer. So if the focus is set at 2m in air, what will be the corresponding > distance for things in focus in the water ? Does anyone have a rule of thumb