| Underwater camera
Posted: 4/1/2008 3:52:50 PM | | I hope this doesn't get deleted, but I thought I'd post this to travel. I'm going to Galapagos Islands (Thanksgiving 2008). We'll do some snorkeling. I'm looking at underwater cameras. I'd prefer digital cameras, but don't want to spend more than $500. Any tips? From what I've read, flash is important. | |
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| Underwater camera
Posted: 4/4/2008 12:33:49 PM | Just a few thoughts:
You can google scubaboard and there is a forums place there for underwater photography. It ranges from low end to high end. this may give you some ideas
My first guess is to visit a couple of your local dive shops (LDS). They usually have something that can fit your bill. Including the housing for the camera.
There is a prominent dive shop in NYC that advertises online (don't want to say which one). They have a large selection.
Good luck. | |
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| Underwater camera
Posted: 4/5/2008 2:25:38 PM | | try Ebay for underwater housing as that is the pricey thing | |
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| Underwater camera
Posted: 4/5/2008 5:00:28 PM | How serious do you want to get with your pictures? Or are you just looking to capture the fun moments?
The Go Pro Hero is good for a cheap, effective underwater and active camera. Has no view finder though. But super easy to use.
http://www.goprocamera.com/index3.htm
For a more serious camera, with an insanely good price and 180' depth rating without breaking the bank, go with Intova-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O1AVLS/ref=pd_cp_p_1?pf_rd_p=250314001&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000Z8B96Q&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0F1D7TJGB38HEMSPDQ4D
If you want to take really great close up photo's, you will absolutely want to grab a strobe/external flash as well.
Just remember, you won't get much, if any picture quality difference going from $150 camera to $500 camera, the major differences will be when adding external lighting as lighting is the main issue with clarity and underwater photography. | |
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| Underwater camera
Posted: 4/5/2008 9:30:57 PM | | Make sure you get an external flash...........one that is at least 4 inches away from your camera lens.......any closer and all you get is little white spots as it lights up all the silt in the water. Check online for cameras you can pick up in the states.......some good buys with the strong canadian dollar right now. | |
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| Underwater camera
Posted: 4/8/2008 4:39:08 PM | Hi Sue,
As an ex-navy diver I have some experience in these matters. If you want a digital underwater camera be prepared to pay a lot of money. If you want a cheaper alternative I have a non-digital u/w camera which has served me well. It is in good condition & I would be willing to sell it if you are interested. E-mail me at ace_dann@yahoo.co.uk
Regards | |
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| Underwater camera
Posted: 5/13/2008 6:42:59 PM | I don't see why an underwater housing requires paying a lot of money to get something satisfactory. I have a few dives under my belt, too and have taken about 4000 underwater photos.
The canon, sony, samsung and olympus range do underwater housings for their popular camera styles. I personally like the canon housings as I have personally tested a couple down to 80 metres without failure on several occasions. They are rated to 40 metres. Canon also have a "custom" mode (sometimes 2) that allows you to set white balance or a macro mode to the custom setting(s).
The underwater housing will come in handy on other camping trips and the like so and it can be used as a hard casing for the camera when travelling.
With respect to the OP it seems they just want happy snaps with quality, something a disposable may not provide. I certainly wouldn't recommend a custom housing, stobes and TTL for the OP. That is where the money is.
I would avoid film cameras like the plague. There is a steep learning curve for underwater photography and with the digital view finder you can check the image and its histogram instantly.
Enjoy the trip!
cheers, | |
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| Underwater camera
Posted: 5/15/2008 7:44:30 PM | | I don't know about digitals but when I went tubing in Costa Rica I had an old-fashioned water-proof disposable camera that was great. Yeah it's old school but it was inexpensive and it took great pictures. | |
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| Underwater camera
Posted: 5/20/2008 1:04:05 PM | Everyone - thanks so much fo the advice on the underwater camera. I have a Canon Powershot S1 IS (digital camera). The photos on my profile were taken with this camera. I checked out the Canon website and they have underwater housing for the camera. Since this is an "oldie" but "goodie" camera, I'll be using it for underwater photos. Canon's website also gave some good tips about underwater photographing.
Now, I'll be looking at buying another camera for on land purposes. I am kind of leaning towards the Canon Powershot S5 or a Nikon Coolpix 80. I'm going to take a hard look at both cameras. I've been pretty much a Canon owner my whole life, so am partial towards Canon. | |
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