benthic survey on coral reefs

[a-26]

Dear all,

I am a marine biology student seeking for advise. I would like to conduct an benthic survey on coral reefs, using photographic images. Unfortunately I am a total beginner and know nearly nothing about underwater photography.

I would like to know if there is anyone is out there who could give me some advise on

-what camera to use (minimum requirements that the camera need to have, advise on brand,.... )

-what kind of flash to use, how far i will be able to see with that in claer water

-and how much I would have to spend on a camera that is taking pictures that I can use for assessment...

From which distance to the benthos it would be the best to take the pictures to recognise substrate and algae/coral cover? I would like to have the largest possible area covered on the pictures.

Is there a way of taking these pictures from the boat, e.g. let the camera down with some kind of string?

I am happy and grateful for any advise!!!

[Dawn]

Hi!

While I don't have answers for you off the top of my head, I may know someone who could give you some help.

Dr. Stephen Swearer at the University of Melbourne. He was doing various coral reef surveys (primarily looking at marine life histories) in St. Croix when I was down there assisting with research back in 1997.

http://www.zoology.unimelb.edu.au/staff/swearer.html

Good luck!

[Ingemar Lundgren]

A digital DSLR with a UW housing would do the job. I donīt know what type of pictures you want to take but on a DSLR you can change the lens so that you can both shoot macro and wide angle. I would go for a Nikon D70 in a housing. here are some examples of housings http://www.backscatter.com/hostedstore/products/favoriteSLRhousings.html


Is cost an issue? A drop camera could maybe work but i doubt it. If you have a large budget you could go for an ROV (remotely operated vehicle). They cost anywhere from $10.000- $1000000. There is a thread on the forum about a new low cost ROV. We have not tested it yet so i canīt tell you if itīs good or not. http://www.ocean-discovery.org/forum/showthread.php?t=203