Best underwater camera, Fuji or the new Kodak?

[Chris in Boise]

Does anyone have any experience with the new re-designed Kodak single-use underwater cameras? I think they're called Max Sports or something like that.

I've always used the Fuji underwater cameras in the past, but I was wondering if should switch to the new Kodaks.

Thanks!

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by Chris in Boise
Does anyone have any experience with the new re-designed Kodak single-use underwater cameras? I think they're called Max Sports or something like that.

I've always used the Fuji underwater cameras in the past, but I was wondering if should switch to the new Kodaks.

Thanks!

I just bought the Kodak Max Water and Sport one time use camera for our cruise next month. This will be my first time using it, it states on the back Waterproof to 35 feet and uses 800 speed film. Most of the other underwater cameras I was looking at, stated they were waterproof to 17 feet. Hope this helps!!!

 

[MarkRG]

The most critical issue for good, clear pictures with any of the underwater cameras is to make absolutely sure it has 800 speed film. Either are only as good as the film in them, and the slower film will give less crisp pictures.

 

[justmestace]

Chris in Boise.....It also depends on whether you are diving or snorkeling. For diving, you would want one that goes to a greater depth, for snorkeling it's not as important. We snorkel, so this year I found what I'd been looking for....a reusable, underwater (to 9.9 ft) camera with a flash. After losing too many shots because it was not sunny enough, I'm really excited about this. I didn't want to buy an expensive underwater, but wasn't happy with the diposables. I found this one at Target..it's their brand and says Panarama on it. It came with a roll of 400 film, but you could put 800 in it, and the best part...it was only $19.99. When we go on our snorkel trips, other than cruising, I don't usually take my digital cameras, in case of loss or theft, so I missed out on any indoor and night shots with the disposables. Check one out, and see if it might be what you're looking for.

 

[kshabare]

My snorkeling photos all came from the Target camera that you just pop the film into and put back into the plastic sealed canister. If floats and had a rubber sliphandle was great.

Here are my snorkeling pictures: http://www.shabbyfam.us/snorkeling.html

Kim

 

[tracy Hill]

Go with the Kodak. We have used both when when go to WDW. We most defiantely like the Kodax over the Fuji. The pictures are clearer. We only use Fuji 400 film for my Canon but, I am more pleased with the quality of the Kodak for water cameras.

 

[SlyHubby]

we held the Fuji and Kodak side by side comparing the features of each and they were identical. We bought the Fuji as it was a bit less expensive. However, in the end, we were not happy with the quality of the pictures.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hhhhhmmmmm??? This is interesting. In a previous thread, most everyone came out in favor of the Fugi.

 

[Cruise]

Whichever you go with, you might want to ask airport security to hand check the underwater camera rather than send it thru the x-rays. I'm assuming you'd fly from Boise

Some of them actually state on the packaging that they should be hand inspected rather than go through the x-rays. And it's recommended for 800 speed film anyway.

good luck,
Julie

 

[ruvidu]

We have jused a good many disposable waterproof cameras on our cruises over the years and have found that the Fujis give much better color renditions. The blues and grees were just like we remembered. We have not tried the new, improved Kodaks though.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Not saying this because I LIVE in Kodak country, but the Kodak underwater camera (the blue one) is absolutely the best. In fact, I find it so good, that I buy it for my kids when they go to camp, jet skiing, etc, just because I KNOW the pics will turn out good & I don't want to waste my $ on blurry or low quality pics.
Last summer I bought 4 Fuji's just because they were having a very good sale & I needed so many - and NOT ONE of the cameras took decent pictures - at least compared to the pics we are used to with the Kodak. And all were used by a different person.
In fact, I discovered the KUC on our first DCL cruise - it was highly recommended by a store clerk & I was - and always am - very happy with the results. When we take pics on the beach in bright sunlight, we very often can't tell the difference between the KUC & our regular Minolta 35mm.

 

[mostyn17]

I pick the FUJI!! The camera shop could not believe that they were taken with that cheap camera. I also talked to a few on the cruise that wish they had bought the fuji...they hated the kodak...i guess its just what you perfer.

Travis

 

[justmestace]

Hey Chris! Simple question...and opened a can of worms!
Again, I want to reiterate...try to find the camera at Target that is re-usable...it's their brand and says "Panaview" ( I said it wrong last time). You can use whatever film you prefer, Kodak or Fujii, 200, 400, 800......I still believe that the quality of any underwater photo is determined by the amount of light, not the maker of the camera, at least for the inexpensive cameras. (If you want really good pictures you'd have to buy a really expensive camera with flash and zoom.) And, as I said, this camera comes with a built-in flash, so you have the light problem solved. At only $19.99, I figured it a bargain compared to buying and re-buying disposables.

 

[SeaGirl]

A friend of mine just got back from the Disney Cruise a month ago. SHe used the Kodak Waterproof Camera and her pictures were excellent. Very clear! You could even clearly see Mickey Mouse under the water (Castaway Cay snorkeling area). So, I vote for Kodak. After seeing her pictures, that's what I bought.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Photos are such a personal thing - anytime these topics come up it is bound to generate a lot of discussion. And since this is a discussion board that is a good thing.

Justmestace - that is good to know about the reusable at Target. Although this cruise is over I'm going to check it out anyway. We'd looked at one at Ritz Camera but at $100 without flash it didn't seem quite as good a proposition as the disposable.

I tend to stay with Fuji film as Kodak color blends tend to be too "hot" for my taste - their film leans heavier into the red tones while Fuji leans more to blues and greens. But for underwater it is the film speed and light availability that really matters. DH took a wide range of shots in Cozumel and you can tell when he is closer to the bottom or surface simply based on the color resolution.

Good luck!

Deb

 

[jrabbit]

I have used both the Kodac and the Fuji underwater cameras and I must say that for pictures underwater - they both suck!!

The Kodac was 400 speed and the Fuji was 800 and you really could not tell the difference. All of the colors are the blue/green of the water. When taking pictures of the fish with a reef in the background it looks like there are no fish there at all - you really have to look to see them - and in "real life" they really stood out from the reefs. On the pictures where I did not shoot the fish with the reef in the backgroud, they mostly came out as tiny black specks in the water. The Key West excursion was somewhat overcast, but Grand Cayman was a beautiful clear day.

Once again - will have to use my memory to remember the great snorkeling we had.

Having an underwater camera with a flash sounds interesting. If someone has underwater pictures taken with this camera, I would be interested in looking at them.

Finally, the airport security screeners really didn't like dealing with the disposable cameras. We had them in the original packaging and they opened them up (the "shrink wrapper" part). OK they were not happy with all the rolls of film we asked them to hand inspect either. OK, so that's a lot, but I think it was less that FantasticDisFamily brought

 

[Limmer]

I also prefer the colour in the Fuji cameras. I HATE the Kodak Max film (not sure if that is what's in the underwater Kodak but it is in all their other disposables.) The colour is horrible! I always prefer Fuji film.

 

[tpseller]

My husband and I are avid scuba divers, and have an underwater camera specifically for diving.

I have to agree with "justmestace" - The key is LIGHT! Whether it be a flash or a sunny day - no light -no good photo.

Since the color red completely disappears underwater at about 15 feet - it is difficult for a disposable underwater camera to pick up any colors except blue and green. (If you don't beleive me - and you have a small cut, look at your blood underwater -it will be green)

You can't imagine that you can see all these wonderful fish and things with your eyes - but when you get your photos -it's just a big blue blob!

You have to get close - and get light! Either a flash or a sunny day at a shallow depth.

The disposable cameras will all probably perform the same with the same weather conditions - but they are best used for pictures of you and your family in the water or really shallow pictures of sealife.

The camera from Target with the flash sounds intriguing though - may be your best bet for getting some good photos.

JMHO - I hope you have a sunny day and good luck with your photos!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

You're right jrabbit - I had a LOT more film than that. A couple of pointers.

Whether the screeners "like it" or not it is definitely within your right to request hand screening of ANY film or loaded cameras. It says so on the TSA site and I printed that page off and took it with me just in case.

A couple of hints that we picked up in this process that worked really well. First of all packing your film so they "must" hand screen it - inside the lead lined film safe bags - almost takes the decision out of their hands.

However, get to the screening area early - this is not one of those times you want to push the limits on time.

Stay calm and polite - regardless of how they behave.

Tell the screener when you approach that you have film in film safes that will need to be hand screened. You'll be asked to take the film and cameras out and send the rest of the bag through. It is a good idea to have one other member of your group right with you so they can pick that bag up off the conveyor while you walk to the table where the film will be hand screened.

I had taken all of the film out of the boxes and they were all inside clear containers. The containers were inside zip loc bags. The underwater cameras were inside the shrink wrap on the way down - obviously the used ones were out of it on the way back. Underwater cameras are of particular interest to be swabbed for explosives because of their design.

However, if the cameras are still in the packaging they shouldn't need to be taken out. According to a colleague of DH packing this way should minimize the hand inspection time and effort. They do NOT have to swab every roll of film. They did (and do) need to swab the outside and inside of the zip bags, and a sampling of the rolls. This was done by sweeping the wand through the containers.

Now at MCO the screener was not happy about getting the task and started to make a big production out of it - she swabbed the outside of a container and both ends of the film inside. A supervisor was there almost instantly reminding her of procedure and that ONLY dark containers she couldn't see through need to be opened.

It really didn't take that much extra time - maybe 10 minutes.

Deb

 

[piglet33]

Thanks justmestace for the tip about the camera from Target. I just got back from buying one from there. I plan on trying it out this weekend by the pool since I don't plan on going snorkelling until our cruise in November. Have you tried it yet? Do you think the picture quality is better than the disposables? I'll post my review after I get the film developed.

Thanks again for the advice.