Essentials for the s90 in Hawaii

Darkhorse

Darkhorse

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I've decided to rely on the s90 for my upcoming honeymoon to Kauai. I don't want to screw around with multiple lenses or formats, I just want to have fun first and foremost. Hence, the s90 will be the workhorse here.

I've just ordered the underwater housing:

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That should be good when kayaking and snorkeling. But what else should I get?

Also, one problem I've noticed with my camera - some weird orangey spot has started appearing on the LCD. I took the camera to Texas and when I came home I noticed it was there. No idea how it happened, there's nothing indicating it was dropped or anything like that. Any ideas?

Also I've recently started using RAW with the camera (finally, after much resistance to RAW) but my Aperture trial expired. Biting the bullet to purchase the software is going to be difficult - but damn if it isn't a great program!
 
I suggest taking a backup film point and shoot, for digital is destined to fail when you need it most. The most important accessory with any digital camera is not a flash or waterproof housing, but it is a backup camera. Try the Olympus Stylus Epic.
 
RE the orange spot: One glass layer of your LCD may have a minute crack in it, which causes the LC in the LCD to bleed. It will probably get worse. I'd second the advise to bring a backup.
 
Don't forget to grease up the o-ring on the underwater housing.

Also, I just ordered a adjustable wrist strap for my S90. It's a Olympus 202316 Water-Ready Adjustable Strap and was $5 on Amazon.

Some people have suggested using the strap from a Wii remote as you can find them for a buck.

John
 
jsrockit said:
What makes you think digital cameras are prone to failing anymore than a film P&S?
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Personal experience as well as both advice and accounts from various sources of various types of photographers.
I have had over 5 digi point and shoots break on me (Nikon, Canon, Olympus, 2x Ricoh, Casio), while my Stylus Epic (film point and shoot) has prevailed-- even though it has been used 20x more often than the digis and in more demanding situations (kayak trips, 200+ days skiing, rain, 100+ days at the beach, etc).
 
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I'm. Bringing. An. OM-1.

Let's continue this conversation without the assumption that the s90 will be eaten by a sea turtle on my first day there.
 
Darkhorse said:
I'm. Bringing. An. OM-1.

Let's continue this conversation without the assumption that the s90 will be eaten by a sea turtle on my first day there.
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It's not the sea turtles, it's the makos. 😀

Congratulations on your marraige!

I don't know about the s90, but recently when my Sony DS50 screen went out on me, I was able to find a seller of many different screens from China. Took a little over a month to arrive, but it even came with a plastic tool to help in separating the case halves, and pulling off the old screen. I am not really mechanically inclined and I got it to work fine so most should be able to do so. Actually, I guess I am more mechanically inclined than I thought. I got it back together and even managed to have a couple of parts leftover that weren't needed after all. :bang: 😀 (not really).
 
another SD card or some way to transfer files to another medium (laptop?)...those RAW files will fill your main card quickly. And don't forget the charger (or even extra batteries). And maybe something to keep the camera from the sun so it won't be fried.

you probably want to see if Canon will fix the screen under warranty. Any further signs of use on the camera might give them an excuse to charge you for an inherently bad LCD.

btw, test out the underwater case with tissues in a tub before using it with your camera. Check for leaks. And you might want to check for buoyancy of the u/w case with the camera in it (naturally, it should be floating) so that it won't sink if you drop it while kayaking. (Not sure if it comes with weights for diving)
 
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binky said:
another SD card or some way to transfer files to another medium (laptop?)...those RAW files will fill your main card quickly. And don't forget the charger (or even extra batteries). And maybe something to keep the camera from the sun so it won't be fried.

you probably want to see if Canon will fix the screen under warranty. Any further signs of use on the camera might give them an excuse to charge you for an inherently bad LCD.

btw, test out the underwater case with tissues in a tub before using it with your camera. Check for leaks. And you might want to check for buoyancy of the u/w case with the camera in it (naturally, it should be floating) so that it won't sink if you drop it while kayaking. (Not sure if it comes with weights for diving)
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Canon sells weights separately.

John
 
aperture64 said:
I brought a digital point and shoot (Canon G9) to Oahu and regretted it since I got back. The sun was too bright to see the LCD and the digital format didn't do justice to the blue and greens of Hawaii. I wish I had taken Fuji Velvia or another slide film.
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I'm in southern California so I'm no stranger to sun.

I was wondering about the weights. I saw they cost $27 too, and I thought there had to be a better way. The housing itself was $180 and came bundled with other stuff like an extra battery for the camera and some silica gel and silicone for repairs.
 
As someone who honeymooned in Kauai, let me pass on a couple of tips. I went with my M7 as my main camera, backed up by an XA (this was a few years ago). My biggest regret was not taking a longer lens; this was because I took one of the whale-watching boat trips around the Na Pali coast. Great day out, Mai Tais to die for, but I was severely "outgunned" because I didn't have anything longer than a 135. The boats don't (are not allowed to) get close to the whales.

Tips - Brennekes for food and drink on Poipu beach. Take a helicopter ride around the Na Pali coast and make sure they take the doors off. Walk the Waimea Canyon. Go to Princeville and watch the sun go down over Bali Hai. Go to a luau at Kilohana. Visit Hanapepe and the swinging bridge. Hire a 4x4 so you can get to the best beaches.

Above all, enjoy. I know I did.

Kauai

Regards,

Bill
 
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BillP said:
As someone who honeymooned in Kauai, let me pass on a couple of tips. I went with my M7 as my main camera, backed up by an XA (this was a few years ago). My biggest regret was not taking a longer lens; this was because I took one of the whale-watching boat trips around the Na Pali coast. Great day out, Mai Tais to die for, but I was severely "outgunned" because I didn't have anything longer than a 135. The boats don't (are not allowed to) get close to the whales.

Tips - Brennekes for food and drink on Poipu beach. Take a helicopter ride around the Na Pali coast and make sure they take the doors off. Walk the Waimea Canyon. Go to Princeville and watch the sun go down over Bali Hai. Go to a luau at Kilohana. Visit Hanapepe and the swinging bridge. Hire a 4x4 so you can get to the best beaches.

Above all, enjoy. I know I did.

Kauai

Regards,

Bill
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We'll be in Poipu. The long focal length thing was a big concern for me as well - more so than a wide angle. I have a 40d and a 70-300mm IS lens which would be good for whale watching. We actually haven't discussed whale watching - mainly snorkeling, mai tais, hiking, and ziplining. I'm not too interested in a helicopter ride, mainly because of the expense.

I suppose it couldn't hurt to take a lot of photo equipment... but I'd still like some room to pack my ukulele. I've been practicing.
 
We lived in Hawaii most of our lives and are considering a return to the Big Island. On Kauai you are more likely to encounter large amounts of rain rather than sun, especially if you are going to be upslope a lot. So plan for that. Keep your film in water proof baggies. The underwater housing is smart, as that's where the real action is. Around, in, and under the water.

Having traveled more than we would like, and having always brought only a small film camera until the last few times, I can tell you that the shots we most enjoy looking at are the ones from the film camera. Digital mostly gets downloaded to the old computer, but film shots are nearly always prints. Sure, you can have your digital shots printed, but most people don't because they take a gazillion photos w/ the idea that "someday" they will go through them and print out the keepers. We never did, and I don't think many people do. There's something a lot more fun about opening the envelope and pulling out the 4x6's. And a good film camera w/ good film will generally give you better photos (hold the brick bats, it's true. I have the photos here). There's more exposure latitude, so things don't get blown out if the camera doesn't expose perfectly. Besides, when your friends see that film envelope they suddenly remember all their pressing engagements. Gives them a heads up.
 
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binky said:
Still do?...as if they don't charge enough for the case already. I just loop a big brass ring with a lanyard to mine.
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Pretty cheap on eBay, new in box.

The housings are very expensive when they are new and for a recently released camera, but I went the route of using a older A710 Canon and was able to find a new housing on eBay of about $50 or so.

A lot cheaper and the fear factor of destroying your new camera, like the S90, isn't there. Nobody wants to sink their camera, but if it's a older model, like the A710, not too many tears will be shed.

John
 
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