Leica M8 - Underwater Shooting - Anyone?

[wstotler]

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Paul--thanks for sharing your mishap. Glad you were able to recover from it.

 

The advice is already in mind. You bet there will be significant testing prior to dunking the unit. Every time. The M8 plus lens gives, oh, give-or-take about 7,200 good reasons for checking/testing and the forum adds another 1,000 or so. (I have the impression that more than enough "told you so" folks are sharpening their knives and biding their time, if you know what I mean.)

 

I actually don't have concerns about the watertight nature of the bag when it arrives, new, and out-of-the-box--although I am going to test it hard--I worry more about how it will hold up over time as the materials break down and lose their elasticity from normal use, wear, etc. I'll be reading the directions *very* carefully.

 

Cheers!

Will

[wstotler]

OK. The EWA Marine bag (model U-F) arrived today.

 

The provided 52mm step-up filter works OK with the provided plastic mount to fit inside the front glass window port ring (front of bag) when using the 35mm CV Nokton--nothing really smaller than E49 in the kit, so using the Summicron (E39) is out.

 

Rangerfinder focusing is impossible when the camera is inside the bag. Here's why: (1) The outer black ring around the optical port (part of the bag) is wide enough to halfway obscure the rangefinder patch. OK. Maybe there's a workaround, right? Nope. (2) The little rangefinder window "sees" the world through the front of the clear plastic bag which skews its view, making the RF patch wavy and focus not visible.

 

However, the viewfinder is completely usable.

 

Sigh. The lack of focusing means using zone focus to estimate distance + larger aperture OR chimping. Probably will be a combo of both.

 

The camera does fit well inside the bag. With the hand in glove and a little bit of a tight fit, focusing, setting aperture, and firing the shutter are all possible. A little restrained, but totally workable. Rear camera screen is clearly visible and also all buttons on the rear of the camera are accessible with a press.

 

So, I don't think this will be the watertight "rain bag" solution I was hoping for--because of the lack of RF focusing (unless I find a solution). But for use *in* water it should be good.

 

More later when I have it. <glub glub>

 

Cheers!

Will

[wstotler]

OK. Test a success.

 

Underwater Night Shooting with the M8 and 35mm CV Nokton f/1.2. (When somebody takes underwater photos with an M8 of their cat I'll consider myself bested.) ISO 320, pushed two stops in post. (Had to trade off light for shutter speed.)

 

Yeah, not exactly Cousteau and just my kid, but hey. Why not, right?

 

The zone-focusing works. It's a clunky setup. But framing is possible. And considering I've never shot underwater before, I'm very happy. (Considering that I'm wondering if ANYONE has shot underwater with the M8 I'm very, very happy.)

 

Just a few quick shots with my test subject. Yes, I turned the one photo 90-degrees. Thought it was more dramatic.

 

Note to self: remove the soft-release before putting the camera in the bag. It will rattle around in there when it comes off.

 

Shame it's so late in the summer now.

 

Cheers!

Will

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[pgk]

Will

 

Congratulations! I doubted that anyone would try the M8 underwater and you seem to have a bit of a first. Pix are interesting and its well worth playing with it some more by the look of things:).

[barcoder]

I saw your picture on Flickr Explore this morning. I was about to post a link here but you are way ahead.

 

Thank you for testing this out!

[wstotler]

Thanks, Paul. I put the Super-Elmar-M 18mm on it last night and played to get some additional shots. The SE18 did a fine job--I wrapped the edges of the metal lens hood with some electrical tape so it didn't scratch the glass--but framing was still difficult even through the external finder. The main problem is that I wear glasses instead of contacts. When I'm wearing goggles underwater I can see fine--wearing them corrects my distance vision. But as soon as I try to shoot through the finder (or viewfinder) to frame my vision is blurry, so it's troublesome. Doable, but not ideal.

 

Anyway, summer's almost over and we're closing the pool early next week, so that's probably "it" for the season. I may post a few more shots from the experiments in this thread a bit later.

 

The key point is that it's possible--but, like I originally said (and then you echoed) above, it's not practical compared to other solutions.

 

I put this in the same category as the Visoflex III--there are certainly easier ways to shoot macro. Well, there are certainly easier ways to shoot underwater. But for the cost of a waterproof bag (as with the cost of a Visoflex III), my M8 can now go someplace new. I just need to play.

 

Cheers!

Will

 

P.S. Lee--thanks. I was surprised to see it had made Explore. (And I should be so lucky with any other underwater shot--I've only been in Explore five other times and in '08 and '07.) Not bad for a quick dip in the pool at night as a test with the light on. And a photo with noise, not fantastically sharp, etc., etc. Guess it's moment. Here's the link, anyway.

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[wstotler]

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Last follow-up. Four shots taken with the Super-Elmar-M 18mm mentioned in my post above. Light was more tricky at f/4 on the SE18. But it worked OK during daylight.

 

Last post on this topic for me until next season.

 

 

Cheers!

Will

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[wstotler]

It's next season. First test complete. Additional pics and observations tomorrow. -Will

[wstotler]

Notes: Still quite difficult to frame reliably due to viewfinder blockage, but I'll be solving this with an external finder. Distance focusing works well when distance to subject is measured. (String + two floaters before the shot.) Shooting at f/2 solved most of my light issues--possible because of distance focusing. Still difficult shooting, but much improved.

 

Some samples:

Leica M8 Underwater - Space Womb by willstotler, on Flickr

 

Leica M8 Underwater Shoot I - Mirror to the Artifact by willstotler, on Flickr

 

Leica M8 Underwater Shoot I - I Hold Me by willstotler, on Flickr

 

Full set here:

Underwater Leica M8 - a set on Flickr

 

Now I just need to get working style nailed.

 

Anyone else bought a bag for their M8 yet?

 

Cheers!

Will

[pgk]

OK Will, I'm (sort of) impressed - as it a hard way to go about underwater photography - why don't you post these at Wetpixel.com :: Underwater Photography and Videography where you might get some interesting feedback?

[maccaco]

You are a "handyman" Congratulations!

[wstotler]

OK Will, I'm (sort of) impressed - as it a hard way to go about underwater photography - why don't you post these at Wetpixel.com :: Underwater Photography and Videography where you might get some interesting feedback?

 

Paul, thanks. It can do the work. I'm pleased because previously it wasn't clear that it could--nobody had done it before. Is the M8 ideal for this work? No. But I'm not sure what it brings to the table that's *unique* because from what I can tell it's been used a handful of times in these conditions--by me. I'll know why it can do something that other "purpose built" underwater cameras can't do, with practice. (And if another M8 user gives it a go.)

 

What I'm after now is the ability to reliably shoot f/1.2 and put focus where I want it.

 

Thanks for the link--I'm going to have a look.

 

Cheers!

Will

[Delfi_r]

Can you post an image what's all like? Underwater erhaps I'll no go, but under heavy rain it would be interesting to continue shoting with the M8

[Cyril Jayant]

Will

 

I've been shooting underwater for nearly 30 years. It's simply making life extremely difficult for yourself trying to use an M8 underwater. It's not impossible, but for the cost and, given that the only lenses viable would be the ultra-wides, there's an awful lot of very sophisticated and superbly effective options on the market.

 

That said, if anyone has been daft enough to use an M8 underwater I'd be interested to hear about it too:).

 

Hi Paul

I have visited your Web site and seen your Book before . I am quite impressed and I was wondering all these works were involved with Leica M/R cameras?

 

Best

Cyril

[bobdubois]

So far, I've cooked two cameras underwater. the first was a Nikon 4004S (I think that's an N401 outside of the US) snorkeling to a max. depth of 15' in an EWA bag. I'm happy to say the shot was worth it and the adventure provided an excuse for a camera upgrade. I also should mention that I used the bag successfully sea kayaking and it works great for that and presumably other wet environments.

 

The second was again snorkeling in heavy surge with a Canon G7 in a Canon dedicated housing. I have to admit, I was not as fastidious as I am with my DSLRs and placed the camera in the housing on the beach which may have resulted in a grain of sand compromising the seal.

 

Remember, this advice: "If you drop your camera in fresh water, take the batteries out, put it in a bucket of fresh water and bring it to the nearest repair shop. If you drop your camera in salt water, immediately pick it up and throw it as far out to sea as you possibly can."

 

If you do decide to take your Leica below the surface, please do post the outcome.

 

Regards,

Bob

[pgk]

Hi Paul

I have visited your Web site and seen your Book before . I am quite impressed and I was wondering all these works were involved with Leica M/R cameras?

 

Best

Cyril

I don't shoot underwater with Leicas! But they produce topside material which accompanies the underwater. I've just had a new book out (Ireland's hidden depths) which has Contax 645/Leica/Fuji/Canon/Nikon/Nikonos, slide and digital in it - some old material is surprisingly good and the M digital files are very smooth indeed.