For my photography I have always used a small compact camera, compact telescopic tripod and now high power LED lighting – this all makes a really small and effective photographic set up, leaving lots of space for expedition gear - but I have hit a snag.

My first camera was the Minolta Di-Image Xt, with Carl Zeiss optics. The camera was 3.1mp, and had the bonus of going into long exposure (upto 5s) when you turned the flash off. Despite the camera being from late 2003, it produced fantastic sharp images until last summer when I changed it.

After spending much time looking at camera specs and user manuals, I chose the Samsung i8, 8mp, lens that did not come out, and up to 16s shutter exposure. Spec wise its functionality seemed perfect. I’ve been using it from late summer and have been disappointed. The biggest problem is the focusing, almost all my shots now are taken unfocused as it just cannot focus underground, whilst the Minolata just needed the tiniest bit of light / spot and it would focus. Also the images from the Samsung when looked at 1:1 scale are very mushy, did not get this with the Minolta. To boot, the software is sloppy in terms of processing speed.

So I am after a new compact to match (yes you guessed it) the Minolata, but updated with 8mp, long controllable shutter etc…. After searching and reading about the Panasonic Lumix cameras, these look like they can do what I need providing they don’t have focus issues underground. I’ve looked at reviews and functions and it all seems very good.

Has anyone got any experience using them underground? I was thinking about the LZ10, with up to 60s shutter.

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To be honest 60 seconds sounds a bit short if your not using shed loads of light sources.

even outdoors i can be doing two minutes plus.

Leica lens as well. points for that.

60s is plenty, I on average use 6-8s on the Samsung, and only for big flats or stopes do I go up to 16s

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I have recently been used my old Lumix FZ30 (8 megapixels) underground. It has the advantage of a manual zoom and manual focus rings and a flash hot shoe. Maximum shutter is 60 secs which is just about OK for a large chamber with multiple flashes. Downsides are size of camera and nosie at high ISO settings.

hI mARTIN, hOW IS THE FOCUSING ON IT WHEN YOU USE THE AUTO?

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The FZ30 has a real manual focus ring on the lense - just like a dSLR camera. Manual focus can be used on both automatic and manual exposure settings. The current FZ series camera doesn't have the focus ring. I think that the manual focus ring was only on the FZ30 (8meg) and FZ50 (10meg) and the older 4meg/5meg FZ10 and FZ20 cameras.

Manual focus ring: now there's a handy feature! :)

The Nikon 8400 can - thankfully - be locked out to infinity, but otherwise it would be a bit of a pain having to rely on a digital focus in very low light conditions.

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Ferret was collecting info on cameras that are currently being used underground, any updates Ferret???

In general how do people find their digital cameras for focusing underground, not just for distance but within say a 1 to 4 metres? My friends Cannon DSLR has issues as well. I am still thinking of my Minolata and how easy it was with that! Why, when technology has apparently moved on for the better?

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well i was going to say i was a bit wrong about my calculations on time but overall 20-30 seconds with a d200 nikon and tokina 12-24 lens on infinity turned out about right.

you can see them here including some close focus manual stuff.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pacef8/ 

I use the compact DMC FX100 12mp. Built like a tank, doesn't like it too damp like any camera, just be very careful. Doesn't do RAW but their more expensive versions do and also have manual focus capability.
I stick mine on Starry Sky mode (as compared to Baby Soft Skin mode!), pre focus, get out the Tesco £10 torch for 15, 30 or 60 seconds, and off we go, nice and simple. I then have a laugh at the mates carrying round their car engine size outfits!
The Leica designed lens attracted me and the combination of small camera and torch is ideal when the going gets tight!
Heres a boring general shot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28709338@N04/3072425386/in/set-72157606226995585/ 

How does it cope with auto focusing in the range of say 1 - 5 m?

Some nice pics there, like the posters - they almost look eastern European.

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Heres a boring general shot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28709338@N04/3072425386/in/set-72157606226995585/ 

There's some very nice shots in that album with very even lighting - surely that's not just with a Tesco torch?! 🙂

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Regarding close focusing I can pre-lock focus as with most cameras on about 1m then re frame the shot.
Yes the shots I linked to on Flckr were taken using the Tesco £10'er, it's amazing value unless you're a cave diver!
Flattening the contrast and increasing saturation slightly in Photoshop can give really good results.
I accidentally got a splash of water on the camera top recently and it temporarily died, got home and stripped it down to clean the sensor, all OK now.
A policeman friend tells me the new generation torches such as the Tesco are also good if someone has a go at you late Saturday night in the pub, shine it in their eyes and they'll have a hot spot for about 1 minute giving you time to get to work on them!

Am taking my FZ28 down Cwmorthin in a couple of weeks. Don't know how much lighting we'll have but will post any decent results.