Can I use Q40 LED torch as a strobe???

[Yvonne]

It was my first time using my underwater housing for my Ixus 430 recently over the weekend. I've noticed that the flash wasn't sufficient. Can I use the torch for additional lightning? Well I'm not willing to spend alot of money to gear up this underwater housing, in case I will be up grading the cam in future. I would just like to try out photography underwater first.

 

[uginz]

eh.. theoratically you can lah.. but only for macro... ;p you might need to find a way to firmly attach the torch to the housing. :dunno:
wide angle shots, the LED torch still won't be strong enough.

 

[kthan]

Well I'm not willing to spend alot of money to gear up this underwater housing, in case I will be up grading the cam in future. I would just like to try out photography underwater first.

the housing and camera may change, not the strobe stays.....Get any of those optic fibre triggered strobes and u can use them for a long time, regardless of digital camera models.

i think there should be a write-up somewhere in interesting articles on strobe-camera pairings

 

[fongwee]

I agree with kthan. A strobe is really necessary if you want better than average pictures. I shot without a strobe for around 3 to 4 trips. Finally I get a chance to shoot with a strobe and the difference is amazing.

It is a good investment and if you are willing to pay a bit more, they can go along with your equipment upgrade.

You should consider these strobes.

Inon D180/s or D2000:
Optically triggered and can be used on almost all consumer digital cams. Can be used on Nexus DSLR housing if you plan to upgrade.

Ikelite DS50, DS125, Inon Z220/s & Sea and Sea YS-90DX
The ikelites can be optically triggered by a manual slave sensor and by a sync cord. No problem with upgrading to DSLR.
Inon Z220/s and Sea and Sea can also be optically triggered triggered by a fibre-optic or a sync cord

If you are really thinking of upgrading next time to a DSLR, I would advise choosing one from the 2nd group. If you just want to upgrade from one consumer digicam to the next, any strobe listed above would do.

For more information, refer to the link below
http://www.digitaldiver.net/strobes.php

A strobe is a good investment

 

[kthan]

to make yr selection easier, I have used the Ikelites and S&S, but I will get the Inons if I were to buy again.

if u were to join any of the local dive trip with the people here, u will get a pretty good idea of the strobes

 

[seewhy]

My take on this is getting a strobe is good but you will have to get a camera with manual exposure (ie able to set apperture and shutter) to fully appreciate it. You present set up, like mine, only have auto exposure, which mean whenever you have flash on, it will always be at max apperture and 1/60 shutter speed. Because the camera still think you are using the internal flash only, the strobe will overexpose the shot for a lot of them. I am presently using a small Epoque strobe (cheapest strobe option).

Using the torch to light up your subject (useful for macro only), do allow the camera to evaluate the exposure thus giving reasonable good results (exposure wise).

 

[DTan]

won't using a torch give 'hotspots'??
i tried once and realised the photos look not evenly illuminated and have 'hotspots' the effect too warm for my liking.

yvonne, why don't u post your weekend UW shots?

 

[kthan]

block the internal flash or diffuser. then u can still use an external strobe. but w/o manual control, strobe usage will not be optimum

 

[beivied]

in my opinion, Q40 (led or not led) will not have enough power or beam width to serve as sufficient photography lighting. C4/C8 LED maybe yes.

 

[zick]

wat bout the uk light cannon?

 

[beivied]

wat bout the uk light cannon?

that one is ok. some people use it for uw video light as well. but if you are dong uw photography, and using it mainly for that, why not get a cheaper end strobe e.g. sunpak? i think it should work better for the same price, as a strobe for uw photography.

 

[waisj]

The tick about these torches is that they's never *ever* give as much light as a reputable proper underwater strobe.

On the other end of the spectrum, coverage angle would be a limitation in the long run.

 

[Yvonne]

Hi Hi...thanks for all your help! I understand that a strobe will cost at least $400+. I dun have the money yet leh. And I will be diving soon. I dun mind getting a high end torch to aide my photography.

P.S. Btw how do I use the script thingy to post photos ah?

 

[sehsuan]

in my opinion, Q40 (led or not led) will not have enough power or beam width to serve as sufficient photography lighting. C4/C8 LED maybe yes.

wah, i'm so discouraged... i just got my Q40... :cry:

CANNON? die liao. i'd rather CANON :bsmilie:

Yvonne, save up something that you'll use long term. I think I'll use my Q40 for almost eternity cos it's more environmentally friendly to use AA rechargeables :bsmilie:

flood already also not so heartpain

 

[waisj]

Hi Hi...thanks for all your help! I understand that a strobe will cost at least $400+. I dun have the money yet leh. And I will be diving soon. I dun mind getting a high end torch to aide my photography.

P.S. Btw how do I use the script thingy to post photos ah?

well i've been using my digicam for a year without strobes and it served me well, though i'd be the first to say that i'd need dual strobes with drive capabilities. heck i'd even think i need a Dslr,

since i've used internal strobes and got quite good results (in my own humble opinion) i'm just wondering why are you saying that the internal strobe is not suffice?

could it be that you are trying to take bigger stuff?, even if you're using a Q40 or any other light even a light cannon, you'd be limited to fairly macro shots.

I would think understanding your camera's capabilities would be important to get the type of pictures you can/could take.

Hope i make sense.

also care to elaborate why you'd say your internal strobe is not sufficient?

 

[waisj]

Hi Hi...thanks for all your help! I understand that a strobe will cost at least $400+. I dun have the money yet leh. And I will be diving soon. I dun mind getting a high end torch to aide my photography.

P.S. Btw how do I use the script thingy to post photos ah?

yvonne, when posting photos, you'd need to know the exact link to the photo that you have uploaded to. you can try clubsnap's own free photography galleries.

Right click on the photos you've uploaded and you'd be able to see the exact link to the photos.

then use the

tags to hot link the photos.

xxx would be the address of the photo

 

[Yvonne]

Here are the pictures!!!
I noticed that while flashing the object from certain angle will cast a shadow onto the object. If there's an object in btw the corals, the internal strobe is bright enough to capture the object. And using internal strobe for every pictures uses up my battery in no time. Any idea if they have extra long lasting batteries for IXUS 430?? (I dun mind 3rd party batteries)

 

[waisj]

Here are the pictures!!!
I noticed that while flashing the object from certain angle will cast a shadow onto the object. If there's an object in btw the corals, the internal strobe is bright enough to capture the object. And using internal strobe for every pictures uses up my battery in no time. Any idea if they have extra long lasting batteries for IXUS 430?? (I dun mind 3rd party batteries)

hi yvonne,

this is your "exact address"
http://images.myphotoalbum.com/s/sg/sgd/sgdi/sgdiv/sgdivers/albums/album03/04_25_150.sized.jpeg

just put the

tags before and after it and you will be able to hot link.

let me know if you still can't get it. i can edit your post for you and after that you can have a look at your self .

 

[waisj]

yvonne,

First off, your photos are not bad.

However it is suffering from "novice underwater photographer syndrome" . I'm not trying to be blunt,

I used to say ages ago when the sub-forum started.. "Get close" "Get Low" and "shoot up"

A major reason for this rule is that shooting down on coral will yield a flat result.. this it is better to place your subjects(whenever possible) at eye level, if nudibranchs are the subjects then try to take the photo at the rhinophores level.

It is still some what the style that i'm shooting today.

Exposure wise your photo are quite ok. I'm guessing you'd might need to underexpose a bit as some of them look to "hot" for me.

I think the best bet and most economical option for you now is to get another extra battery. Torches (besides hotspots) just doesn't come close, seriously, you'd be better off with your internal strobe.

also if you are taking macro, remember to force your camera's flash to always on. 90% of underwater photography is flash photography. especially macro, it be 100%.

hope it helps

 

[Yvonne]

Oh yes yes yes.....:cheergal: