Sony Cybershot W80

[shoutatthesky]

I just received an underwater housing from Sony for my W80. It is rated to 40m but I intend use it mainly as a training tool at first.
My question is how do I test it in the water before I put my camera in it so I know there are no leaks?

 

[The Killer's me]

no need...

 

[shoutatthesky]

Please explain? Are you saying that there is NO chance it will leak. I just figure it was probaly made in a batch of thousands by some Chinese factory worker who couldn't give a damn and I doubt whether Sony test them for leaks.

 

[pelagicbeing]

Hi i have also just purchased a Cyber Shot W80. and was wondering if you have tested it underwater yet in the housing?
How did the shots come out?
Can you post any examples?
Did you purchase the Marine light as well ?

I am thinking of getting the housing for this, but do not know how it would cope without a flash in UK waters, and turning a marine light on and off is hardly subtle for our jittery marine friends :0)

Thanks for any feedback.

pelagicbeing

 

[shoutatthesky]

I have taken my W80 in the marine housing into the pool about 4 time now. I tested it empty before I used it with the camera (just in case).

Here is some video I have put on Youtube. There are a few more pool vids if you search under my username. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIBUFH2f1Lw]YouTube - Dynamic Apnea - Technique Training[/ame]

And here are some photos.

 

[shoutatthesky]

Actually those examples don't show up that well. I resized them a bit for ease of uploading. They look better on my computer.

I am really happy with the camera. I don't have any external light or strobe. The diffuser on the housing works really well. I would imagine that the video quality would be greatly enhanced in the ocean with an additional light.

The one downside with this camera is that you can't zoom whilst in video mode. I don't think this will be a big issue underwater.​

 

[pelagicbeing]

Thanks Adam for the pictures. I cannot access the U-Tube at the mo as i am at work :0(

I have searched around and apparently you can get a fiber optic cable to trigger a slave strobe for this housing (although i dont think it is made by Sony).

I have a digital video camera underwater setup as well, which works great, and takes superb footage, however am thinking i would like to focus more on still photography (so looking to sell this in the near future.) So am just deciding if its worth getting the housing and sourcing a strobe, or better to save my money and go for the works ( SLR and Housing etc.) once i have sold my Video setup.

Can you switch the macro function on and off whilst the camera is in the housing?

I would be very interested to see how it copes in the sea when you get there?

On the other hand 100 GBP for a housing is pretty good for the housing market and wouldnt break the bank! The land shots i have taken so far, have been superb, and the camera appears to be incredibley versatile and adaptable.

I will have a look at your video tonight when i get home.

Thanks

pelagicbeing

I have taken my W80 in the marine housing into the pool about 4 time now. I tested it empty before I used it with the camera (just in case).

Here is some video I have put on Youtube. There are a few more pool vids if you search under my username. YouTube - Dynamic Apnea - Technique Training

And here are some photos.

 

[shoutatthesky]

At the end of the day I decided on this camera and housing setup because it is a great compromise between still and video. And for freediving you don't want the bulk of an SLR I wouldn't think.
I hope to test it out in the ocean soon - I am just waiting on Elios.

Right, now back to work pelagicbeing:t

 

[pelagicbeing]

Thats what i was thinking ...nice and compact, particularly under monofin power :0)

Do you know if you can switch the macro function on and off with the housing?

I think i may well just order one....test it out at the pool session next thursday and hopefully the sea the following one! Will post some pix when i have them.

Thanks again.....
BAck to work :head ...but lunch first

pelagicbeing

 

[shoutatthesky]

Do you know if you can switch the macro function on and off with the housing?

Yes

 

[pelagicbeing]

Thanks! If the Macro is half as good underwter as it is on land...it could make for some beautiful shots

Thanks again.

pelagicbeing

 

[shoutatthesky]

Here are some pics of some of my dogs puppies - because everyone loves puppies.

 

[fcallagy]

Adam you should feed them food, not each other

 

[shoutatthesky]

They are just playing in that pic but you should have seen them this morning(and I should have run and gotten my camera) 7 puppies trying to overwhelm 1 chicken and the puppies mother (who would never hurt anything) running around them trying to discourage them. They are only 5 weeks old and already showing signs of being good hunting dogs. Or maybe I need to feed them more!

 

[island_sands]

Here are some pics of some of my dogs puppies - because everyone loves puppies.

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww this is the dog i want :inlove

adam try the housing first with no camera in it, even in a big bin or pool it should work as a leak test.

 

[shoutatthesky]

You could call it 'Chocolate' . Just remember they don't stay puppies forever.

Check out post #5. There hasn't been any leaks so far. I tested it in the sink. About 15 cm deep just like it said in the manual.

 

[pelagicbeing]

Still havent got round to buying a housing yet. But i shall aim to order one wednesday next week. Anyone got any shots using the set up in the sea yet?

I am wondering when i looked up light sources for the housing and it came up with a marine light as opposed to an external strobe...do digital camera's need the external strobe? or the fact that they can adjust automatically negate the need for them? I know with my underwater video setup, i have never had a probelm with not having a light source on the housing, the camera see's more than i can with my eyes.

pelagicbeing

 

[shoutatthesky]

Took my camera into the sea for the first time today. Here are a couple of samples.

No leaks.

 

[pelagicbeing]

Great photos! Thanks for posting them.

I ordered my housing on Friday last week, so should arrive before this weekend with any luck. Now all i need is some good weather on Saturday and i can test in the UK's big green :0)

If it arrives before Thursday, i shall also test it in the pool at the next training session ( although the pool has worse visibilty than the UK sea's sometimes...lol!)

pelagicbeing

 

[roban]

Could I ask those of you who've used this camera a couple questions?

How's the lag time between shots with this camera? How about the focus time, or any delay between pushing the shutter button and the picture actually taking?

Thanks!