BUYER'S GUIDE TO WATERSPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
To photograph watersports like surfing, sailboarding and boating from the water requires specific camera equipment and waterproof camera housings. This guide will help you purchase the equipment you need to make photographs from the water perspective. It is important to determine the conditions under which the equipment will be used and the watersports you will be shooting. Get as much information as you can about the equipment you are planning to buy.
CAMERAS:
The most widely used 35mm camera bodies are
manufactured by Canon and Nikon. Both companies produce quality
camera bodies that can be grouped into two categories; the top-of-the-line
professional body and the mid-range body which often proves to be the best
choice for watersports photography. If you need a very fast motor drive(more
than 5 fps) and super fast autofocus system, the professional body is what you
need. If a reasonably fast motor drive(2-5 fps) and a very fast autofocus
system will do the job, the mid-range body is a good choice. The professional
model is more expensive than the mid-range bodies and often has features that
are not used for this type of photography. They are also much larger and
heavier than the mid-range bodies. This is a very important consideration for
use in the water. The mid-range bodies are fairly inexpensive and very small
and light. The camera bodies worth consideration are the Canon EOS1n,
EOS3 and EOS1v. The Nikon F5 and F100 are quality
cameras. While Canon has the edge in autofocus technology, Nikon has a
reputation for durability and quality lenses. All Nikon lenses can be used with
all Nikon bodies.
Digital cameras are quickly replacing 35mm film
cameras for both serious amateur and professional photographers. As with 35mm
film cameras, there are top-of-the-line professional bodies and mid-range
bodies, both can produce good quality images. A digital camera that produces an
image of 8 megaixels or better is preferred. The "crop factor" of digital
cameras must be considered when buying digital cameras and lenses. If the crop
factor of a digital camera is 1.6 (like the Canon EOS 20D), the lens focal
length will be magnified by 1.6X. This is a real issue for wide angle lenses,
which are widely used in camera housings for watersports like surfing. Digital
cameras like the Canon EOS-1Ds MarkII, 1D MarkII, 1Ds and
EOS 20D are suitable for water photography. The Nikon D2X and
D200 are also worthy of consideration.
LENSES: A camera does not make a good photograph, the lens does. Always buy quality glass. For surfing, the size of the waves determines the lens. For small waves up to six or eight feet, a wide angle lens like a 20mm or 24mm would be the choice. A fisheye lens like a 15mm or 16mm lens can also be used. For larger surf up to ten or twelve feet, a 100mm or 135mm lens would be a good call. Autofocus zoom lenses are popular, especially the 70-200mm. This is the lens for the biggest waves and for shooting off of a personal watercraft. This zoom is also a great lens for sailboarding. Always buy a quality zoom lens like a Canon L Series. Cheap zoom lenses take poor photos. When choosing a lens for a digital SLR, the crop factor must be considered. Some lenses, like the Canon EF-S series lenses, are made specifically for digital SLRs.
HOUSING: A waterproof housing should protect your camera and lens from the water and from shock. Most housings are made from a combination of acrylic and fiberglas. Aluminum is strong, but it oxidizes quickly in the ocean environment and the metal transfers shock from impact directly to the camera. It is best to go with a custom-built box like a Photographic Support Systems housing. These housings are specifically designed and built for surfing and watersports photography. Housings made for diving do not work well for surface sports. With sensitive camera equipment, it is just as important to protect the camera from impact as well as keeping the camera dry. Pistol grip housings are best for wide angle/small to medium size wave use. Some cameras need to have the handle on the side of the box. The Photo Support housings can use a number of different lenses with different front plates.