Posted by Ian (216.183.136.3) on January 02, 2004 at 11:14:57:
In Reply to: Nikonos V pictures posted by ken on December 23, 2003 at 12:55:34:
: I use a Nikonos V with 28mm lens. I just returned from Cozumel where I was shooting Fuji 100 Sensia film. Most of my pictures were shot at 2-3 feet on f11. The pictures are great with the exception of Queen Angels( my favorite subject). The coral background are fine but most of the Queen Angels are somwhat washed out. Other fish with yellow like juvenile tangs and Rock Beauties are fine. Any suggestions on getting more vivd color on the Queens? Thanks
: Ken
Ken,
Andy gave you a very good answer. My short answer is that you get a copy of "Jim Church's Essential Guide to Nikonos Systems" and skip the rest of this reply. I try to reread this book before every dive vacation. Jim Church did a great job describing the Nikonos metering system, what its' strengths are and how it can be tricked. If the Nikonos V had a decent metering system you could leave the ISO dial at 100 and you would not have posted this thread. My guess it that your Queen did not fill enough of the center of your frame, so your camera thought that it needed to light the coral that was probably another two feet behind your subject until the coral had f/11 exposure. Way too much light for your Queen. You can try and guess in what way TTL has been tricked, and by how much, by dialing the ISO ring. Or, you can take control of your exposure by shooting manual. Once you use manual for a bit, you will get a good feeling the next time you see your prize at 3 ft and then set your strobe power for 4 ft (strobe charts are in actual feet, not apparent feet) and squeeze that shutter. Yes, Queen Angels are unusually reflective, so back that strobe power back a stop or two.
Ian