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Ocean Swim Camera

Started Jun 25, 2018 | User reviews
Tropical Light New Member • Posts: 16
Ocean Swim Camera
1

I do long ocean swims several times each week and have been carrying a camera with me on those swims for the past thirteen years. I briefly tried towing a bowling ball (Canon 5D in giant Ikelite housing) behind me, but when it refused to focus on a Humpback Whale swimming by, I gave up on it. Now I carry small cameras.

I have been thrilled with the results I've gotten with the Olympus TG4. Recently a magazine asked to use some of those swim photos, but were dismayed by the softness they displayed when blown up to a full two-page spread. Time for a new camera!

Enter the Canon G1X Mark III in the Canon WP-DC56 housing. It is still early days, but the results have been satisfactory. It almost matches the quality I was getting with the TG4, but with much higher resolution. It has been far superior to the Sony A6000 which had shockingly little latitude in RAW processing. Thankfully, the Sony drowned when its housing flooded.

Where I have been surprised with the G1X Mark III is on land. I had read in forum comments that the poor zoom range (not an issue for my underwater shots) could be compensated for by cropping in post production. Yeah, right! Well, it works. I have done 100% crops and have gotten amazingly clear photos.  I've tried several times to do this post, but every time I've tried to upload a photo to show what I mean, the site freezes up. So this time, no photos.

I will post more when I've have more results with this quite pleasing little camera.

 Tropical Light's gear list:Tropical Light's gear list
Canon PowerShot G1 X Sony RX100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 (TZ60) Olympus Tough TG-4 Canon G1 X III +3 more
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III
24 megapixels • 3 screen • 24 – 72 mm (3×)
Announced: Oct 16, 2017
Tropical Light's score
4.0
Average community score
4.4
bad for good for
Kids / pets
unrated
Action / sports
unrated
Landscapes / scenery
excellent
Portraits
great
Low light (without flash)
unrated
Flash photography (social)
unrated
Studio / still life
unrated
= community average
Canon G1 X III Olympus Tough TG-4 Sony a6000
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OP Tropical Light New Member • Posts: 16
Re: Ocean Swim Camera
11

By using a different browser, I've finally managed to upload photos. Hooray.

Here is a shot of my friends taken yesterday with the new G1X Mark III...

Here is the full frame of a Gold Dust Day Gecko on a Ginger flower...

And here is the 100% crop...

Oh, and as long as I'm uploading photos, here's one from a hike on Saturday...

Anyway, for a point-and-shoot compact camera (of which I've had many) I am thrilled.

 Tropical Light's gear list:Tropical Light's gear list
Canon PowerShot G1 X Sony RX100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 (TZ60) Olympus Tough TG-4 Canon G1 X III +3 more
redtailboas Regular Member • Posts: 420
Re: Ocean Swim Camera
1

Thanks for tellin the time to review. Will likely never buy this camera but you made several observations I found interesting.

-- hide signature --

My old account sacrificed so you could have an edit button on mobile devices.

sense Forum Member • Posts: 70
Re: Ocean Swim Camera
1

In true Canon style, create a product page, don't really describe the product and no link to the manual. In particular, I'm speaking of the WP - DC 56 waterproof case.  If anyone has some external flash experience with this product, please say a few words.

 sense's gear list:sense's gear list
Nikon D800 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4D ED-IF +3 more
OP Tropical Light New Member • Posts: 16
Trouble in Paradise
1

Update a few months later...

First, the camera is not very well constructed. The eye viewer assembly has shifted and is constantly blurry, plus it blocks the back of camera screen from opening. Also the exposure compensation knob popped off.

The entire reason I bought it is for underwater photography - BIG MISTAKE. After considerable use the o-ring stretched out and needs to be replaced. No big deal, right? WRONG.

It is not possible to purchase a replacement o-ring for the WP-DC56. I purchased the camera and housing directly from Canon, but they do not sell replacement o-rings for this housing. Nor does anybody else on this planet. So, I spent $1500 for a system which does not work.

 Tropical Light's gear list:Tropical Light's gear list
Canon PowerShot G1 X Sony RX100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 (TZ60) Olympus Tough TG-4 Canon G1 X III +3 more
OP Tropical Light New Member • Posts: 16
Re: Trouble in Paradise
2

I finally got through to someone at Canon to resolve my issue with replacing the o-ring on my WP-DC56 underwater housing for the G1X mark iii. They are going to send me a new underwater housing. I will be able to resume my underwater photography. Hooray.

 Tropical Light's gear list:Tropical Light's gear list
Canon PowerShot G1 X Sony RX100 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 (TZ60) Olympus Tough TG-4 Canon G1 X III +3 more
sueanne
sueanne Forum Pro • Posts: 21,078
Re: Ocean Swim Camera

Beautiful pictures. 

sense wrote:

In true Canon style, create a product page, don't really describe the product and no link to the manual. In particular, I'm speaking of the WP - DC 56 waterproof case. If anyone has some external flash experience with this product, please say a few words.

 sueanne's gear list:sueanne's gear list
Canon PowerShot A510 Canon PowerShot A650 IS Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Canon PowerShot S3 IS Canon PowerShot S110 +3 more
Dave
Dave Veteran Member • Posts: 6,230
Re: Ocean Swim Camera

sueanne wrote:

Beautiful pictures.

Seconded.  May I ask where?

 Dave's gear list:Dave's gear list
Canon EOS 80D Canon EF 135mm F2L USM Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM +10 more
hBill Regular Member • Posts: 279
Re: Trouble in Paradise

a work around ???

we have used permatex " red " - a silicone based gasket replacement in a tube. used in machinery - think older cars - instead of gaskets made of unobtainium . you just point it and squeeze . stands up to all sorts of bad liquids and temps though as the saying goes - ymmv .

warning - you'll likely have to put some sort of " release agent " on at least one surface to be sure you can easily separate the pieces later - or - scrape the old off and do it again . . .

sueanne
sueanne Forum Pro • Posts: 21,078
Re: Ocean Swim Camera

Beautiful 

Tropical Light wrote:

By using a different browser, I've finally managed to upload photos. Hooray.

Here is a shot of my friends taken yesterday with the new G1X Mark III...

Here is the full frame of a Gold Dust Day Gecko on a Ginger flower...

And here is the 100% crop...

Oh, and as long as I'm uploading photos, here's one from a hike on Saturday...

Anyway, for a point-and-shoot compact camera (of which I've had many) I am thrilled.

 sueanne's gear list:sueanne's gear list
Canon PowerShot A510 Canon PowerShot A650 IS Canon PowerShot SD880 IS Canon PowerShot S3 IS Canon PowerShot S110 +3 more
AEnortheast
AEnortheast New Member • Posts: 3
Re: Ocean Swim Camera

Thanks, your review has helped me make up my mind! For years, my go to camera was the Nikonos, because of it’s weather sealing...I shoot a lot on islands, at the coast, in fog etc. the G12, has been a great little camera for the past 7 years...I have had no complaints. But a few weeks ago the lens zoomed out, got stuck, camera is now...dead. Thanks for posting your images and especially the 100% crop. Pretty impressive!

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