Disposable Underwater Camera at Shark Reef

[trypnotic]

I recently got my pictures developed from my Kodak underwater disposable camera that I purchased specifically for Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon. They turned out VERY grainy - perhaps an overcorrection from the photo lab for the blurry photos? I don't know. Has anyone else had any problems with the same camera/same place?

What I did get out of it was pretty neat - at one point some very large, colorful fish got within inches of me. Perhaps they were interested in the clicking noise the camera made when I wound the film.

I wish I would have taken the time to enjoy the swim more - I got like I normally do and paid more attention to taking photos than I do enjoying the experience!

 

[KimWDW]

Mine came out fine. It was a yellow Kodak disposable underwater camera... comes in a plastic case that you keep it in for protection. Crystal clear. That's too bad yours came out grainy.

 

[trypnotic]

Mine came out fine. It was a yellow Kodak disposable underwater camera... comes in a plastic case that you keep it in for protection. Crystal clear. That's too bad yours came out grainy.

I'm glad yours turned out! Your description sounds just like the camera I had. I may try to take the negatives to another photo shop and try again.

 

[HopperFan]

and one thing I found - on the same roll. The pictures I took in the morning were crisp and beautiful. The ones I took in the afternoon after the reef had been well visited were grainy. As the day progresses there is a great deal more sediment in the water from everyone stirring it up. I think the camera would be much more sensitive to it than we are. A possibility but maybe just your camera. PS I have had much better luck with Fuji water cameras.

 

[msr709]

I also used the Fujiwaterproof camera and my pics came out very clear. I also went first thing in the morning and the water was crystal clear. HTH

 

[trypnotic]

It seems like the graininess came from photo lab trying to do some touching up however I think you're right that if I went right away in the morning the water would be much clearer. I went around noon and the line was quite long. Will try the Fuji underwater cameras next time just in case! Thanks for the recommendations

 

[ralfrick]

Look at the negatives. If they are mostly clear, then they are underexposed, which is probably the case. The typical photo lab isn't going to do anything to a print beyond making it lighter/darker or adjusting the color balance if it's too green/red/etc. Visibility due to sediment or a dark/cloudy day and such could definitely be a factor, especially if there's no flash. The more water you shoot through (i.e. stuff far away), the more light you lose. The red end of the spectrum gets eliminated very quickly.

For what it's worth I say this as a professional photographer, former photo lab manager and certified diver. (Six weeks and one hour until I'm diving at Epcot, wave if you're there)

Cheers.

 

[ReggieB]

I would agree with the sentiment that it is probably a lab problem. The place I use is so geared towards digital processing now. I used an underwater camera about 10 years ago, and the pictures were awesome. The ones I got back recently were not so great, you would have think technology would have moved on! I have a printer that can do negatives, so I am going to try and see if the pictures are any better if I print them, I have a feeling they might well be.

 

[ReggieB]

Oh and in response to the above post from ralfrick. I appreciate what you are saying about the underwater shots not coming out so great, but I got grainy photos from just a regular 'beach shot' (with good lighting conditions, I might add)

 

[thinkerbell]

Just thought I would add that sunscreen and tanning lotion can break down the plastic that the case is made of some and if you get it on the plastic over the lens, it takes very blurry pictures. We learned that the hard way.

 

[foxtrotter]

Okay, I know nothing about these cameras so have no advice, but I just have to say that when I first read your title I read:

Disposable UnderWEAR Camera

 

[HopperFan]

Okay, I know nothing about these cameras so have no advice, but I just have to say that when I first read your title I read:

Disposable UnderWEAR Camera

Thanks for my best laugh of the day