Underwater Cameras

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Do any of you know where I may be able to rent an underwater camera that takes decent pictures? I really do not want to buy anything remotely costly, as I will only be using it once or twice a year when I go diving on a cruise. I bought a cheap film camera on our last cruise from their photo shop (depth rated to 100 ft and it was $30 or so) but never got to test it out as our port was cancelled and so was our dive trip. :( Don't know if it will take decent pics.

 

So, if you have any ideas, let me know. Thanks.

[tunseeker1]

If you already have a digital camera then look to see if you can get a housing for it. I used Canon camera and have gotten a housing from canon that works great for a good price.

 

The camera I used to use was a 1.3 megapixel that I used for 7 years with no problems. The latest cost me 160 for the camera and 160ish for the housing. I had the camera before I broke the latch on my old housing so I had to buy a new housing for the new camera.

 

The math. If you go diving 2 trips a year and buy or rent a camera you are looking at either 30 per camera plus developing the film (so 120 a year) or renting for between $50 and $100 a day. The housing is the only thing that you can say would be expense for only diving so in a single year of 2 dive trips it would be paid off.

 

Also remember that a housing like I recommend will also work well topside if its rainy or wet near a pool at home.

 

Housings- http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.aspx?op=dtSearch&Term=canon&SearchFlag=all&AdvSrchSortField=Relevance&DescSort=0&Page=1

 

You could also buy a decent underwater camera for under $100 that you can print 4x6 prints from the pictures.

http://www.scuba.com/scuba_gear.asp_category_535_sortby_unitprice

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Unfortunately, the camera I have, Kodak, does not make underwater housings for their cameras. I did try the generic underwater case by Aquapac -but not easy to use IMO. Would not go diving with it. I did try to snorkel with it. Thanks for the links - will look at them now.

[Donnaluv2cruise]

I have an Olympus 720 SW and love it. It can go underwater up to 10 feet and takes great pictures above water too. There's a newer version that can go underwater up to 30 feet. It's very small and easy to carry.

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Yes, I did see that camera, but most of my dives are deeper - up to 60 feet, so it wouldn't work for me without the risk of damage. Thanks

[QuasiTova]

I have an Olympus 720 SW and love it. It can go underwater up to 10 feet and takes great pictures above water too. There's a newer version that can go underwater up to 30 feet. It's very small and easy to carry.

 

Where did you buy it?

 

I cannot seem to find the Olympus Waterproof Digital Cameras anywhere!!!!!!

[BuzzF117]

Used this last week for 6 dives take pretty good pics and is rated to 100ft $139 really liked it

 

http://www.goprocamera.com/index3.htm

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Where did you buy it?

 

I cannot seem to find the Olympus Waterproof Digital Cameras anywhere!!!!!!

Circut City has them online I think and you may want to try Best Buy online.

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Used this last week for 6 dives take pretty good pics and is rated to 100ft $139 really liked it

 

http://www.goprocamera.com/index3.htm

Nice camera. Can you email me some of the pics you took so I can get an idea? Thanks. neurosxnp@gmail.com

[QuasiTova]

Circut City has them online I think and you may want to try Best Buy online.

 

Thanks, I guess I should have been more clear, I did see them online... but I wanted to find it in person so I could look at them before buying.

 

Used this last week for 6 dives take pretty good pics and is rated to 100ft $139 really liked it

 

http://www.goprocamera.com/index3.htm

 

I would like to see some photos taken as well :)

quasitova@aol.com

[John Y]

Scuba Toys has 2 very nice, inexpensive underwater digital cameras

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=SeaLifeECOshotDigitalCamera is 6 megapixels, rated to 75 feet for $199.95

 

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=SeaLifeMiniDigitial is also 6mpxl, raated to 130ft for $249.95

 

I have recieved excellent customer service from Scuba Toys (and if you join their forum you get 10% off all your orders)

[QuasiTova]

Scuba Toys has 2 very nice, inexpensive underwater digital cameras

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=SeaLifeECOshotDigitalCamera is 6 megapixels, rated to 75 feet for $199.95

 

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=SeaLifeMiniDigitial is also 6mpxl, raated to 130ft for $249.95

 

I have recieved excellent customer service from Scuba Toys (and if you join their forum you get 10% off all your orders)

 

Do you own either of these cameras?

[John Y]

Do you own either of these cameras?

Yes, the Reefmaster Mini. I have only used it once but was very happy with its pictures, both above and below the water. I will be looking to get a strobe soon so I can properly light the shots (and I should take the PADI Underwater Photography course too).

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Yes, the Reefmaster Mini. I have only used it once but was very happy with its pictures, both above and below the water. I will be looking to get a strobe soon so I can properly light the shots (and I should take the PADI Underwater Photography course too).

Did your pictures without the strobe come ot too dark? Is it worth it to get it without the strobe for starters?

[booth22]

You'll be okay without a strobe, especially if the camera/housing let you access manual controls- shutter speed, for example. Also being able to manually set the white balance is a big plus when shooting without a strobe. The pictures won't neccessarily come out darker, though a strobe will help for some shots.

 

Some of the photos on our site are with an external strobe, some are not. I won't say which are which :D

[cruzegirl]

Did your pictures without the strobe come ot too dark? Is it worth it to get it without the strobe for starters?

 

 

My first advice is to find a camera you like and use it without a strobe to get used to it. Even if it's in the pool until you get comfortable. Strobes while good and useful/necessary in some situations, are awkward. You need to practice to get comfortable so you don't flood or have bad buoyancy when using the set up.

My other advice is: Do not buy ANY Sea Life products.... They are cheaply made..... I had a complete set up in 2005 that flooded the first time used. Both the housing/strobe. Had a photography specialists look at it, couldn't figure out why. So it was sent back. Long story short, they do have good customer service. I say this as that camera set up had flooded 4 different times, they replaced the whole set up twice and the camera twice. The camera is cheap. That camera set up was in the shop more than it was used.

So, I bought an Olympus Stylus 600 in 2006. It's been a great on land camera and underwater camera. Never flooded and does some great shots without a strobe. Though there are times I wish I'd had a strobe. In fact, I'm planning to sell this set up in a couple of months....This shot was taken with the above camera and is a Flamingo tongue nudibranch....

Because........... I just bought the Olympus sp 550 uz. It's a combination of point & shoot/dslr. Though you can't change lenses but it has an 18X optical zoom........ And I have the strobe for it too. So there are several options for you..... I say, and always have, buy a land camera that has underwater settings that has a housing for it. It's the best of both worlds......... :D