Discovery Cove - underwater camera

[Mickey Rules]

Hi, my girlfriend and I will be spending a day at Discovery Cove, and I'm wondering what experience anyone has with underwater cameras. I've been doing some research, and really don't want to spend a couple hundred dollars on another camera since I've just graduated and because I'm not sure when I'd ever really need an underwater camera in the near future. I'm curious if anyone has tried the Fujifilm disposable 35mm waterproof camera, or if anyone has had any luck with the lower end (under $100) underwater cameras. I'd rather not buy one of the bags to put my camera in since the reviews have said there was some leaking for the model I'd need. This obviously isn't going to be a SCUBA dive or anything like that, just the snorkeling and trying to get some decent shots of us in the water and of the fish (I'm aware we can't use it for the dolphin experience, but hope to get some shots from the beach area). The photos don't have to be stunning (especially given the quality end I'm looking at), just good enough to capture the memories. If anyone has any info, I'd really appreciate it! Thank you!!

 

[spiceycat]

long ago - years in fact - brought one and it worked great. It was a much, much cheaper disposable camera - think it was $30.

 

[DCTooTall]

I too used a cheap disposable back in 2007 on my trip. The pictures looked good when I got them developed.

 

[nyygirl44]

For our trip last year, I bought everyone the Fuji waterproof disposables and the took very nice pictures. We also found a Kodak underwater camera on clearance at Office Max for about $30. It took amazing pictures underwater but above water they were not very good quality.

 

[HopperFan]

Until I bought my Fuji XP (now $150) I used the Fuji disposables. They worked fine, grainy, sometimes not very colorful, but a good option if you have no other. I would suggest you really think about the math etc on it. I was paying $10 a camera then around $15 to develop so roughly $25.00 per roll. I usually took several rolls just at Discovery Cove. I understand where you are coming from but underwater isn't the only use for these type of cameras. I have taken it to the water parks - on all the slides, the beach, the park in the rain, snow skiing, water rides, sports in iffy weather etc. It made more sense to invest in the camera. It was paid for with roughly 6 rolls of film. I've used it so much (and I own lots of cameras) not just Disney. It also has HD video so I can tape top quality with sound.

These first two pictures are from Discovery Cove with DISPOSABLE Fuji cameras.

These two pictures are from Discovery Cove with my FUJI XP Waterproof (dustproof, sandproof, shock proof and freezing proof) Camera.

 

[Mickey Rules]

Thanks everyone! I'm taking another look around and doing some cost/benefit analysis to decide what I think is the best thing for me to do right now. Thanks again!

 

[mjplantz]

We bought a like new Kodak Playsport ZX3 off ebay for ~$50 with extra SD cards etc. We love it, it take great pictures above and under water and also shoots 1080P HD video. We have used it at Aquatica, Discovery Cove, around the house and we are really please with it. Battery life is very good. I forgot what the differences are to the ZX5 but after a lot of reading most people favored the ZX3.

 

[Ametista]

I used the dicapac bags for a few years snorkeling, hated them, frankly. It is impossible to see what you are taking pics of because of this weird glare off the plastic. Then I bought the Olympus Tough and I love it. It takes incredible pictures underwater and is a good enough camera to use for the whole vacation. I doubt I will ever buy a "regular" camera again since my Tough works in or out of water. Plus if my daughter (or I!) drops it it's shock resistant too. You have to carry an extra battery if you will be doing a lot of video.

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-TG-32...&qid=1377371025&sr=8-4&keywords=olympus+tough

 

[Mickey Rules]

Thanks again everyone. I liked the photos and reviews I saw about the Fujifilm xp60, and found some amazon gift cards, so I purchased that for about the same as I would have spent for the disposable. Hopefully it all works out!