Canon S90/ S95, Canon S100, Canon G11/ G12 Underwater Settings

Settings for these popular cameras

By Scott Gietler

 

 
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Recently I taught an underwater photography class where I was able to use a Canon S90 and a Canon G11 underwater for some time. Afterwards I did quite a few dives using Recsea & Ikelite Canon S95 housings, with Ikelite & Dyron macro & wide-angle lenses.

 

Here my recommended Canon S90 , Canon S95, Canon S100 and Canon G10 / G11 / G12 underwater settings, if you are using an external strobe or flash:

 

Canon S90/ S95 / S100, Canon G11/ G12 settings for Macro

  • Manual mode, F6.3, 1/500th, ISO 100; 
  • Zoom in half-way
  • Macro mode, auto white balance, flash on forced flash mode
  • Turn internal flash to it's lowest power setting
  • Strobe on manual power; adjust strobe power as needed
  • These cameras also have a great focus check feature

 

When using a diopter like the Dyron 67mm macro lens

  • Zoom all the way in
  • Shoot at F8 for maximum depth of field
  • Keep macro mode on
  • Use a good focus light to help the camera focus

 

Canon S90/ S95 / S100, Canon G11/ G12 settings for wide-angle & fish

  • Manual mode, F6.3, 1/125th, ISO 100
  • Zoom out
  • ** Adjust shutter speed as needed to control background exposure
  • Auto white balance, flash on forced flash mode
  • Strobe on manual power; adjust strobe power as needed
  • Turn internal flash to it's lowest power setting
  • If you are using a fisheye lens or dome port, turn macro mode on

 

If you don't have an external strobe / flash

You are shooting with the internal flash. In manual mode, the camera won't set the exposure of the flash automatically, you'll have to set the flash power yourself, which is no fun. To get that capability, which is basically TTL with the internal flash, use Av Mode, F5.6. In bright conditions, use Av Mode, F8.

 

Shooting the Canon S90, S95 or S100 in RAW mode

I like shooting RAW, and I definitely recommend it especially when shooting ambient light photos underwater (flash off) with a Canon compact camera.

 

The Canon S90 lens has some severe barrel distortion when shot at it's widest setting. This is automatically correct in the LCD, jpeg files, and Raw files when using Canon's DPP program.

 

However, you'll see the barrel distortion if you open up a Canon RAW file in another RAW editor like Adobe photoshop. There it must be correctly manually (Image / Filter / Distort / Lens Correction). If you own a Canon S90 here's some more great reading.

 

Canon S90/ S95 / S100 Battery advice

If you are using the Canon supplied batteries, the battery life indicator is not accurate. Always change batteries after 2 dives.

 

Advanced Settings

Our compact camera moderators posted some of their favorite underwater camera settings for the Canon S90/ S95 in this thread

 

Got questions about using the Canon S90, Canon S95, Canon S100, Canon G11 or Canon G12 underwater?

Post a question in our forums, in the compact camera corner, or call the Canon experts at our sister site Bluewater Photo & Video.

 

Further Reading

 

Support the Underwater Photography Guide

Please support the Underwater Photography Guide by purchasing your underwater photography gear through our sister site, Bluewater Photo & Video. Click, or call them at (310) 633-5052 for expert advice!

 

Comments

I like to know what are the

Submitted by Ravi (not verified) on Tue, 10/11/2011 - 04:02.

I like to know what are the best setting for S90 with Inon Z240 strobe

I just ungraded to a G12 with

Submitted by eevynn on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 08:26.

I just ungraded to a G12 with a Inon Z240strobe, if I set my camera to manual mode F8, 1/500th, ISO 100, how about the setting on my strobe? Can i set it to STTL? If not, should I just use the AV mode? What should i set to?

Hi everyone, I really need

Submitted by Roy (not verified) on Sun, 07/10/2011 - 09:12.

Hi everyone,

I really need your help.
I'm going to dive in the Galapagos and I want to upgrade my photos with a strobe for my camera.
I have the Canon G12 with a uw-dc34 housing.

My question is, what strobe should I get?
I saw recommendation for S&S 110a, inon s2000 and inon d2000.
Will they fit the housing I got?
Do you recommend those strobes?

Thank you for your help
Roy

Hello Roy, Perhaps this

Submitted by Zig on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 00:11.

Hello Roy,

Perhaps this article will assist you with your decision.  http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/underwater-photography-strobes

Also, the best place to pose questions to our fellow photogs is in the Forum here ---> http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/forum/index.php

[size=85]Michael Zeigler

Editor - Underwater Photography Guide
[url]http://www.uwphotographyguide.com[/url]
[url]http://www.seainfocus.com[/url][/size]

Hi, I'm using the S90 with

Submitted by Chris (not verified) on Thu, 03/31/2011 - 21:29.

Hi,
I'm using the S90 with the canon housing, no strobe. I typically use the underwater setting and cycle between video and stills. I am trying to get crisper photos and less blue. I've read numerous posts but typically end up confused. So I'm looking for a simple way to get better photos, but still be able to take video. Is this even possible? I have read manually setting WB can be the key, but if I set WB in video, do I have to also set it in still, and if I switch between the two will I have to reset each time? Finally, can I just use a white dive slate for WB or do I need a special card?
Thanks for helping a new camera user!
C

I am also just learning to

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/30/2011 - 15:46.

I am also just learning to shoot photos underwater and Ive been reading a book called the underwater photograher by Martin Edge, its a fantastic read and I fully recommend it.

One easy way to bring back

Submitted by Lyndon (not verified) on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 20:34.

One easy way to bring back the colour is to set the WB to Cloudy. Of course if youre comfortable with setting the WB manually that would be the better option. any white plastic will work.

HTH

Hi everybody, A basic

Submitted by FreeDiver (not verified) on Tue, 03/15/2011 - 08:18.

Hi everybody,
A basic question for you, I've got a G11 housing (fisheye seatool G11) and my question is : can I use it for the canon G12 ?
I know that the button from the front would not be able but at least is it ok to use the G12 in a descent way with my G11 housing..?

Tkas in advance and would you excuse my english lvl :)

I am new to all of this and I

Submitted by Carlos (not verified) on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 17:06.

I am new to all of this and I just got a Canon S90 and a WP-DC35... I cant afford the strobes right away and was curious if I use the defuser if I don't have strobes... probably not but just want to make sure.

Thanks,
Carlos

Carlos, I currently use the

Submitted by redberyphoto on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 19:03.

Carlos,
I currently use the same set-up as yours, do not own strobes and NEVER use camera flash. If money is tight, you can get by without strobes.

You can compensate loss of light with auto ISO and bring the colors by adjusting custom white balance every time you change the depth. And practice, practice, practice.

Is this as good as using strobs? Probably not. It depends what you are trying to acheive. Skills are good substitute for equipment.

Check the results of this approach on my website www.redberryphoto.com/underwater

My article on this subject was published in May 2010 issue of Undercurrent.

Good luck.

Michael

Redberryphoto.com

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