Cave photography on the cheap

[Daz_of_caving]

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this has been a question asked 1000 times but are the Water-proof disposable cameras any good for cave photography which I am really wanting to start doing for my socity

If not what would be the best (cheapest and safest) way to cave photograph?

Thanks in advance

Daz :chair:

 

[dunc]

Any kind of waterproof camera is useful especially if you don't have a suitable case (peli-case, daren drum and any other forms of carrying/protecting them) - if you have a waterproof case you can get away without a waterproof camera but it requires great care when handling it and I've heard of cameras being shafted even when they've been handled carefully underground.

You will find with the flash being on the camera it sometimes causes problems of fogging/spotting (see first pic below as an example) - the light from the flash bouncing back off moisture etc in the air. It doesn't happen with every shot (as the second pic shows, same camera/cave/day), circumstances vary as I found out when I first started using a camera underground!

The best results will be obtained using a suitable camera with the flash covered with some form of filter along with a slave unit (fireflys are a commonly used one) connected to a cheap (non-dedicated) flash probably purchased off ebay. Having just one flash a short distance from the camera (held in an out-stretched arm) makes a big difference to the above mentioned problem, plus they are generally more powerful so will light up more passage than an on-camera-flash. But with this comes extra cost..... :-\

At the end of the day it depends how much a waterproof disposable costs and how many pictures you plan on taking as it may be more cost-effective in the long run to purchase a waterproof digital camera.. You can then purchase the extras at a later date if you wanted to...

 

[ogofmole]

You do not really need a waterproof camera for cave photography, almost any cheap digital camera will do in the drier sections of a cave, as long as the camera can be transported in a BDH or similar container. But having a waterproof one gives you many more options of where you can take photos. Most cheaper digital P&S cameras have a night shot mode which should give you a 2-3 second exposure which when using the self timer and the camera is mounted on a small mini tripod, you can then manually fire a external flashgun to light up your subject - but everyone must stand still whilst the shutter is open.

 

[Rob]

but everyone must stand still whilst the shutter is open.

Unless you all have your lights off, then you can go crazy!

 

[Brains]

we only have a cheap digital happy snapper, but the results are sometimes ok. Keep it dry in a suitable container, and protect it from knocks. Take spare batteries and have fun. See the results on mine and Ditzys trip reports.
Look at other peoples pics - do you like the subject, the composition, etc. Try your own versions, bear in mind you, like us, will only have a single on board flash initially. Work with it and do your best. Distance shots will be difficult so try closer work. U/g shots can lack scale, so add in easily recognisable things for reference, like people (or dogs...) etc

 

[Pitlamp]

A lesson I've learned is that you get what you pay for. Or maybe not . . .

The camera industry is remarkably good at enticing people to fork out loads of coin for good quality equipment only to supercede it with something better - but which is then incompatible with accessories you bought for the "outdated" system. The ultimate example of this is the change from film to digital. If you ever decide to make a long term "investment" in camera equipment - just bear this in mind.

There's quite a lot to be said for starting with a cheap thing because you will find yourself taking it to places that you'd not dare to take something expensive. Then again you well never get stunning quality images.

So it's all a case of balance. I'd start with something cheap, which will quickly teach you the limitations of cheap stuff - but by then you'll be in a better position to invest in something more sophisticated without wasting money on unnecessary features.

An important guiding principle with cheap cameras is to pick one with the flash as far as possible away from the lens. The great advantage of a waterproof version (provided you observe the sealing process religeously every time!) is that when it gets covered in filth you can just rinse it off under a waterfall.

Cave photography can be both frsutrating and rewarding. Enjoy!

 

[Daz_of_caving]

Thanks for all your replys

Were doing Great Duke and Yourdas on Saturday so will take a cheap little camera and post the results in a trip report on Sunday  Then take it from there

Thanks

Daz 8)

 

[ttxela]

I managed to get a camera from a website that specialised in refurbished returns, but I can't find the site now  . It's not waterproof but I keep it in a Pelicase. If you add a filterholder and a UV filter you can get the lens away from the flash a bit to get rid of some of the "orbs"

 

[graham]

Thanks for all your replys

Were doing Great Duke and Yourdas on Saturday so will take a cheap little camera and post the results in a trip report on Sunday  Then take it from there

Thanks

Daz 8)

Great Douk and Yordas.

 

[cap n chris]

Greyharm's on one today!

 

[Brains]

Thanks for all your replys

Were doing Great Duke and Yourdas on Saturday so will take a cheap little camera and post the results in a trip report on Sunday  Then take it from there

Thanks

Daz 8)

Great Douk and Yordas.

Well... you could go there, or the similarly sounding but differently spelt well decorated grottos with easy access as originally suggested?

 

[Daz_of_caving]

Thanks for all your replys

Were doing Great Duke and Yourdas on Saturday so will take a cheap little camera and post the results in a trip report on Sunday  Then take it from there

Thanks

Daz 8)

Great Douk and Yordas.

Thanks, I seem to get every cave name wrong :chair: The last one was Mystral (Mistral)

Daz 8)

 

[Brian Bean]

Isn't Yordas is printed Yourdas in Seleceted caves of Britain and Ireland?

 

[Local Bloke]

I would look carefully before you buy a cheapo camera as you will become frustrated, It should at least have some manual control, aperature priority. The flash thing can be very important as most cheap/ or even expensive digital cameras have a pre flash prior to the main flash firing this makes using slave flashes very very dificult, you  need to be able to switch this off in someway.

You also really need as wide an angle as possible or be able t fit a add on wide angle.

Buy the best you can afford, it will also be good for other stuff if you look after it.

e.g. check ebay out for seconhand Canon G9's Olympus C5060 or C7070. you can also get an underwater housings if you go that way.