Top Down Photobox

Any SLR doesn't have a digital zoom. The camera simply allows the lens to do
that therefore, the pictures are crystal clear. Go to your LCS and have them
give you a quick class. Looks like you are into photography so, you will
probably eventually own a digital SLR.

The kit retailed for $999, but included a smaller lens. They were out of the
lenses, but had the bodies in stock. I bought the body and opted for the
28-105mm lens.

So, for ~$1300, I got the body, strap and lens... oh, and documentation in
English and Spanish . I could have saved money online (like $250), but
wanted to give the business to my LCS because of the services that they give
you when you walk in the door (you know what I mean).

I have the worst luck in the world, I am the guy whose son got hit with a
flying tire at the Indianapolis Speedway 3 years ago and the guy that had a
semi trailer run up and over his Vette in Tampa this past Summer. (both
events were all over the news.)

So, you can probably understand my worries.

I would love to test one of those boxes. I have an ~1800 gallon reef stocked
with about $40k in corals and about $3k in fish (We bought that from one of
the insurance settlements ).

I just need to figure out more about the internet and how to upload pictures
and such. I am going to take a class.


"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
Hi John,

You had the Fuji S602Z and replaced it with a Canon Rebel? Basphemy!
grin
Actually, I really like the Rebel from what I've seen so far. Can you
clarify
what you mean by this statement?

"Digital optical zoom SUCKS. This lens blows the crap out of any digital
camera."

Do you simply mean you have way better ability to zoom with that lens,
compared
to the built in zoom function of the Fuji, or are the results simply much
clearer?

And of course, what did all of this cost you? Don't leave out the details,
you
know what I mean.

I'm actually coming up with another box design that I think will make people
feel pretty secure if they want one. I'm going to test it with my camera
first
to see how I like the feel of it. If I forget to contact you, please email
me
and I'll be happy to make you one.

Btw, it is kind of hard to drop the camera in the water, relatively
speaking.
The box is bouyant because of the air space, plus I tend to lean it so that
the
part the camera is lying against (the base or rear wall) is actually leaning
on
the frame of the tank. Regardless, a person has to be thinking when they
use
this, similarly to a scuba diver with contact lenses on. You can flush out
your
mask, but you have to be aware how you do it.

Marc


John Little wrote:

That is pretty cool, but that would really suck if you dropped the camera
in
the water.

I picked up the Canon Digital SLR "Rebel" last night and bought a 28-105mm
lens with it. Digital optical zoom SUCKS. This lens blows the crap out of
any digital camera. I had your camera and sold it recently to upgrade to a
real digital SLR. What an awesome camera!!! You would not believe what
this
thing can do. I would have been willing to pay twice what I paid for the
camera and I wish I would have bought it earlier than I did. I will post
some pictures on-line soon.

Are you going to sell any of those boxes? I could probably make one
myself,
but I really don't have the time and would be willing to send you $50 for
one if you come up with a model you would like to sell. $50 seems fair.

Let me know.

John

"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
I built a new top down box to fit my camera last night, and gave it a test
run.
This one is smaller, rather streamlined, and allows me to access the
buttons
more easily.

Negative: Easier to let water into the box. I need to slope the side
walls
to
avoid this potential risk.

Positive: The camera is mounted so I'm able to hold it as a unit and not
two
separate pieces in a juggling act.

Here are a few shots from using it:

Camera in the box, mounted with set screw
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_box_used.jpg

Looking at the unit from below (clear base):
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_box_base.jpg

Side view, still able to access buttons:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_box_side.jpg

View from photographers perspective:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_box_top.jpg

Lens visible through clear base:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_box_window.jpg

And here are a few shots with it tonight:

Golden Acropora colony, starting to see some green tinge:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_acro_colony.jpg

SPS frag; extends polyps every night:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_bluishsps.jpg

SPS frag; bright green:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_frag.jpg

My orange Montipora capricornis, burned again by my milli this morning!
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_mcap.jpg

The Acropora milleopora that burned the coral above:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/..._greenblue.jpg

I bought a red Goniopora from a club member two days ago, but it does look
purple to me. sigh It hasn't really opened up yet, but it is starting
to
check out the reef a little:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_goni.jpg

Green fuzzy Pocillopora:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_pocillo.jpg

My other Milleopora, that yesterday started to RTN. I may have saved it,
but
only time will tell:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_milli.jpg

This frag is an SPS with purple tips. It has been knocked down to the
substrate
several times, but has continued to keep its color. It has to be a very
hardy
coral!
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_purplesps.jpg

Green Slimer that is regrowing tissue after severe problems
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/1203/td_slimer.jpg

That's all I got, for now....

Marc

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com