Surf Photography equipment

[Deepwaterdesigns]

Hi all,
DWD again.
I have just baught myself a new camera and im looking to start doing some surf photography, just for fun really and getting good shots of mates, nothing on a professional level. but im looking on some input on the equipment.
for those who dont know me, i am also a SCUBA diving instructor and have quite a bit of familiarity when it comes to taking marine life pictures and using a camera in the water, but i am aware that surf photography is a whole different ball game.

the camera i have is a Nikon p7000, its basically a fixed lens DSLR and uses the same technology and functionality as the pro level DSLR,s like the Nikon D90, D3000 etc... but in a more compact system for easier travel use, as i cant travel with a whole bag full of lenses, dome ports etc... and to be honest i cant afford a full DSLR right now with all the lenses i would want and need, then another $1000-3000 just for the housing

the camera itself is very fast, quick to repond and seems to handle well with fast motion objects.

here is a run down of the camera itself





CoolPix P7000 Digital Camera
10.1MP High Resolution Sensor 3"
Ultra High Resolution Display 7.1x 28-200mm Zoom Lens (35mm Equiv.)
HD Video at 720p Resolution
High-Speed Shooting at Up to 1.3 FPS
Subject Tracking Auto Focus
Greatly Enhanced Low-Light Photography
up to 6400 ISO

Now that i have the camera, i am looking at the housings and strobes, arms, filters etc.... please bare in mind the camera will serve 2 purposes, firstly for Diving photography, and secondly for surfing and general larking about

the housing i am looking at is this:




Fantasea Line FP7000
Underwater Housing for Nikon P7000
Depth Rated to 200' (60m)
Access to All Camera Controls/Functions
Shock Resistant
Double O-Ring Seal
Removable Double Fiber Optic Connection
Removable Flash Diffuser
Special Mount for Lighting Accessories
Labeled Controls f/Comfortable Operation
Wide Range of Optional Accessories

Again this is suitable for diving, and i am thinking that the shock resistance will help with taking a beating if worse comes to worse. im not going to be using this in DOH barrels or anything rediculous, but i think it should be able to handle what me and my mates will surf in. usually 3-5ft

Lastly im also looking at flashes and strobes, and here is what i came up with



Durable watertight housing together with remote land flash
Nano focus light
2 - 12" Flex arm
Dual tray
Fiber optic cable

the one thing i am concerned about with this is the Flex arms, they are great for diving as you can re-position them at any angle especially when taking macro shots and close ups, but im worried that they may move a bit too much in the waves and ill constantly be struggling to re-position them.

anyway, if anyone with experience in this field can point me in the right direction i would greatly appreciate it. the total set up will end up costing me around $1200, ive already spent $450 on the camera, so you can understand that i want to make sure i get the right gear before investing further.
thanks in advance

[drowningbitbybit]

the camera i have is a Nikon p7000, its basically a fixed lens DSLR and uses the same technology and functionality as the pro level DSLR,s like the Nikon D90, D3000 etc...

No, really, it doesnt... trust me on this
Ive got a Nikon D7000, and also a Sony something-or-other very similar to the Nikon P7000.
The compact 'big zoom' cameras are great for what they do, but they're not DSLRs.
The problem with the 'advanced compacts' is that they will give a very 'flat' picture - which will be fine for diving, but its rubbish for surfing pictures.

But anyway, I know you're not looking to get professional-level photos just yet, so I'll stop going on about that.

First of all - dont get ahead of yourself. Forget about getting lighting and strobes for the time being (at least for surf photography - I know nothing at all about diving photography). Flash photography is a whole other art (a flash doesnt do what most people think it does...). You need a strobe for surf photography for nanosecond moments in the barrel, right close up to the surfer, not for taking a picture of your mate falling off that 2ft closeout

Cameras like those have rubbish zooms (they'll look okay taking a static photo on land, but they do it at least in part digitally, which is just the same as blowing the picture up bigger afterwards), and even with a DSLR, you need to get right in close to take good shots in the water. So first of all you'll need the right spot, then surfers who don't mind you potentially being in the way, and the willingness to take an absolute beating going over the falls
You'll need fins too. Doing it with a board is a liability, and you wont be able to move fast enough without one without fins.

I've done a little surf photography (with a compact camera) and its a lot of fun. 99% of shots are hopeless, but the good ones make it worthwhile.
I also know a guy who's a surf-photog pro and the situations he'll tell you about are amazing. Chucked over the falls at Pipeline anyone?

[jaffa1949]

I'm with DBBB on this, the fixed lens cameras cannot do the job of a genuine DSLR and they do flatten out in water shots.
If arms on that housing come off, then the whole thing will be OK for average shots in the water, board mounted That is you on the board or boogie body means you become more of a target in the line up as there are two things for the surfer to dodge and another thing for you to control.

Believe me getting the water shots is difficult... need to have your swimming up to a good level, even for a benign surf day.
I'm totally knackered after a session. I've been trying for quite some time and the results I've achieved have not been in line with the effort.

I run all this for my shooting
Canon EOS550D Lenses from 35mm to 400mm for land shots and I've spent more on the quality of the lenses than the camera body. There are some water housings custom made for this and the best lens used at a professional level is the Canon Lens EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM and the housing is built around that but you are looking at AUD $2000 for the lens alone.

I talk to Digital Camera Warehouse and I know there is one in the UK too and maybe your travelling will help bring some of the stuff down in price duty free.

Now for my watershots I use an Olympus MUj 1000 tough 14 meg pixel camera waterproof to 10 metres + a housing with a pistol grip, I also wear a boogie board arm strap as extra security. This produces OK shots but nothing great.

I have a video camera Sony High Definition to tape camera and water housing, which is great in the water but on a board or boogie board even with the inbuilt stabiliser the video bobs up and down.
I use a surf mat to shoot video as it is easier to stabilise in the water and duck dive and I can surf on the waves behind the surfer, getting some good shots there, it is obvious in some of the technique I am very much a beginner, but it is fun trying.
Long answer!
BTW if you are taking photos of mates ask them to pay a little for good shots, tailor your prices to their budgets on the basis that you are using the money to upgrade your equipment This helps to cover your printing costs not as dear as film but up there.

I have photo quality printers at home as ordinary paper prints fade so quickly.
Enough already
I also take free shots of the local grommet competitions and if I get a good shot of the winner I blow it up as a prize!
Then do that, upgrade

[esonscar]

HI DwD . . . Something not mentioned anywhere in any surf photography post herein to date is the requirement to keep all and every lens component clean and clear at all times . . and how to do that in the water! Dried salt will accumulate on an underwater housing just as it accumulates on surfboards (and you!) while in the sun. Be vigilant of your optics else blooming will occur. Go web-search how to do it . . . you might find something . . . if anyone has uploaded their secrets that is !

[jaffa1949]

True I'm always amazed by guys who have high quality equipment but treat badly, but I guess it shows in their shots in the end.