[Coral-List] Digital Photo-monitoring

[William Allison]

Hi Gary, I have used Nikonos as you describe but with 28 mm. I went to
Olympus then Sony-Cybershots in housings and found I could put a Sea and Sea
16 mm wide angle lens on using simple adaptors (e.g., metal hose clamps) to
make a push-in mount. I measured significant perispheral distortion with the
point and shoot cameras when on wide angle without the adaptor - worse with
the adaptor - much more than with the Niks. Can't say how it would work with
your needs but something to think about.

Bill

On Fri, May 30, 2008 at 5:28 PM, G.P. Schmahl <george.schmahl at noaa.gov>
wrote:

> We have a long term monitoring program of coral communities at Stetson
> Bank in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico where we have photographed
> permanently marked locations annually since 1993.  Historically we used
> a Nikonos camera with 15mm lens at a distance of one meter from the
> substrate.  We are now trying to replicate the same field of view using
> a lightweight digital camera.  Has anyone had this or a similar issue,
> and can advise on appropriate equipment?
>
> The use of a housed digital SLR is problematic due to the large size and
> weight.  (The camera is attached to a framer bar, dual strobes and
> camera mount, which is quite clumsy to swim with.)  I would prefer a
> housed high quality point and shoot camera.
>
> We have tested a Nikon Coolpix P5000 in an Ikelite housing with the
> wide-angle adapter.  The photos come close to matching the Nikonos field
> of view (if you move it 20 cm farther away from the substrate), but
> there is noticeable edge distortion.  I can send a sample photo
> comparison if anyone is interested.
>
> Can anyone recommend a digital system that will replicate a Nikonos
> w/15mm lens?  I would be interested in digital SLR/lens combinations as
> well if anyone has worked that out.  Thanks.  GP
> --
>
> George (G.P.) Schmahl
>
> Sanctuary Superintendent
>
> National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
>
>
> Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
>
> 4700 Avenue U, Building 216
>
> Galveston, TX  77551
>
>
> (409) 621-5151 ext. 102
>
> (409) 621-1316 (fax)
>
> george.schmahl at noaa.gov
>
> http://flowergarden.noaa.gov
>
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