Underwater Camera?

[Anisum]

I actually just came into this thread to speak highly of the Olympus TG-4 (and all cameras in the line). I got one in December and it can handle anything. I've had with me during blizzards in Iceland, snorkeling in Nassau, and so many other places. I'm so glad you found it because I could not be a bigger supporter. I got it after seeing the pictures from my friend's TG-3. My friend bought it because she drops everything and she read so many stories about people dropping theirs in the water only to have someone else find it years later still working and intact. I hope you have as great an experience with the TG-4 as I have. Also, I would recommend a floating strap for it so that you don't have to worry about dropping it if you use it in the ocean.

Edit: I say blizzard in Iceland but it was just snowing really hard for like three hours to the point where we were soaked through our 'waterproof' clothing just being out there. It certainly was windier and harsher than anything we get in the Mid-Atlantic and it felt like a blizzard at the time.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

I actually just came into this thread to speak highly of the Olympus TG-4 (and all cameras in the line). I got one in December and it can handle anything. I've had with me during blizzards in Iceland, snorkeling in Nassau, and so many other places. I'm so glad you found it because I could not be a bigger supporter. I got it after seeing the pictures from my friend's TG-3. My friend bought it because she drops everything and she read so many stories about people dropping theirs in the water only to have someone else find it years later still working and intact. I hope you have as great an experience with the TG-4 as I have. Also, I would recommend a floating strap for it so that you don't have to worry about dropping it if you use it in the ocean.

After doing a lot of research myself, I'm getting this one for our cruise-- I appreciate the confirmation. We are into our GoPro and Nikon photos so this will be a nice addition for a different kind of capture.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

Does anyone have a GoPro Hero Session? I'm loving the size of it, as well as the (seeming) simplicity, but it looks like you have to use your phone at the same time which seems like a hassle. - this has prevented me from purchasing it.

The Session is meant to be used in a different way, so there is no LCD back. It's waterproof without a separate case, and no- you can't see what you're filming without connecting your phone. But the wide (almost 180 degrees) shots get what you need in them without thinking. It's meant for water sports, mounting, etc and activities where you wouldn't necessarily be behind the camera watching what you're filming. Nifty little camera but a different kind of use. May be for you if you read some more of think of it in a different use case than a traditional camera.

 

[Kuzcotopia1]

You could make your phone the underwater camera. I have used LifeProof along with a couple of friends (while in the Caribbean). It's a waterproof case. No problems with it and cheaper than an actual camera you may only use once.

https://www.lifeproof.com/

 

[BigredNole]

You could make your phone the underwater camera. /

The same reason I would not use my expensive DSLR for underwater. Cellphones are not cheap. I would not trust a plastic case underwater for something that expensive.

 

[The Sasquatch]

Does anyone have a GoPro Hero Session? I'm loving the size of it, as well as the (seeming) simplicity, but it looks like you have to use your phone at the same time which seems like a hassle. - this has prevented me from purchasing it.

I bought one for my April and it was fantastic. You dont need to use your phone to operate it, you just dont have visibility to what you are recording. You can definitly judge by the position you hold it and it has a wide angle. very small, easy to use and the quality is great. I bought the small floating handle which is great for carrying it around and holding in the water.

here is my video. Exclusively shot on my Hero Session

 

[21stamps]

The Session is meant to be used in a different way, so there is no LCD back. It's waterproof without a separate case, and no- you can't see what you're filming without connecting your phone. But the wide (almost 180 degrees) shots get what you need in them without thinking. It's meant for water sports, mounting, etc and activities where you wouldn't necessarily be behind the camera watching what you're filming. Nifty little camera but a different kind of use. May be for you if you read some more of think of it in a different use case than a traditional camera.

That's what I was curious about, if you do get the shots you are intending to, without having an LCD screen. Thanks!

I bought one for my April and it was fantastic. You dont need to use your phone to operate it, you just dont have visibility to what you are recording. You can definitly judge by the position you hold it and it has a wide angle. very small, easy to use and the quality is great. I bought the small floating handle which is great for carrying it around and holding in the water.

here is my video. Exclusively shot on my Hero Session

Your video gave me chills!!!! I am SOOO excited for our first Disney Cruise!!! Anyway, back to the Session- that video is great quality! You did all of it without using your phone?

So do you guys think my best course of action is to purchase a Session and a relatively inexpensive rugged camera to zoom and take other photos? (I don't want to deal with the waterproof casing of a regular go pro)

 

[RafikiTiki21]

That's what I was curious about, if you do get the shots you are intending to, without having an LCD screen. Thanks!

Your video gave me chills!!!! I am SOOO excited for our first Disney Cruise!!! Anyway, back to the Session- that video is great quality! You did all of it without using your phone?

So do you guys think my best course of action is to purchase a Session and a relatively inexpensive rugged camera to zoom and take other photos? (I don't want to deal with the waterproof casing of a regular go pro)

The Olympus one mentioned on here is about $300. Session is $199 and needs at least a handle, possibly other accessories, so you're close to the same budget. I think your decision rests on what you ultimately want as a result-- photos, video, both? And your skills, or willingness to learn, tools and software for post-production. (i.e. putting the video together or taking images from the wide Session and making good photos out of that). You probably can't go wrong, just need to think about YOUR style and what you ultimately want to have as a result, and what you personally are capable of. Plus the utility of life after the cruise too in whatever you purchase.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

I bought one for my April and it was fantastic. You dont need to use your phone to operate it, you just dont have visibility to what you are recording. You can definitly judge by the position you hold it and it has a wide angle. very small, easy to use and the quality is great. I bought the small floating handle which is great for carrying it around and holding in the water.

As my teens say- "GoPro or don't go" We love it for snorkeling, action shots. Small and fun. An investment, but my son has an attachment for it on his bike helmet etc. I have an DSLR Nikon, which balances the shots we want and need perfectly.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

PS: My first Disney trip I had a GoPro without a LCD back (similar in utility/style to the session). My only regret was for character interactions, I didn't always have the entire head in the shot. Second trip I had a LCD back and that made a big difference in framing my son and the characters-- but I was using the GoPro in a more traditional video camera fashion then. The cruise is a different style, but one more thought for you there. You can get this utility with the session via your phone-- and this interaction likely isn't in the water where its as critical of a shot.

 

[21stamps]

The Olympus one mentioned on here is about $300. Session is $199 and needs at least a handle, possibly other accessories, so you're close to the same budget. I think your decision rests on what you ultimately want as a result-- photos, video, both? And your skills, or willingness to learn, tools and software for post-production. (i.e. putting the video together or taking images from the wide Session and making good photos out of that). You probably can't go wrong, just need to think about YOUR style and what you ultimately want to have as a result, and what you personally are capable of. Plus the utility of life after the cruise too in whatever you purchase.

Yep, probably same amount of money, but I do think I would get more use out of an Olympus or Panasonic at other activities rather than solely a regular Go Pro Hero, so the value is there- and the time to learn the Go Pro is a issue. The Session has been marketed as a much simpler to use option, is this true?

 

[21stamps]

PS: My first Disney trip I had a GoPro without a LCD back (similar in utility/style to the session). My only regret was for character interactions, I didn't always have the entire head in the shot. Second trip I had a LCD back and that made a big difference in framing my son and the characters-- but I was using the GoPro in a more traditional video camera fashion then. The cruise is a different style, but one more thought for you there. You can get this utility with the session via your phone-- and this interaction likely isn't in the water where its as critical of a shot.

The phone/camera simultaneously intimidates me.lol

 

[RafikiTiki21]

Yep, probably same amount of money, but I do think I would get more use out of an Olympus or Panasonic at other activities rather than solely a regular Go Pro Hero, so the value is there- and the time to learn the Go Pro is a issue. The Session has been marketed as a much simpler to use option, is this true?

It's a more traditional use, you can likely turn it on and begin because its an intuitively "regular" style camera.

The Session is also "easy" to use but agree it has the general learning curve or understanding of how a GoPro style action camera is intended to be or CAN be used.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

The phone/camera simultaneously intimidates me.lol

That's really intended for mounting-- so you have the camera on something far away, or in action, and the phone can be used to view what the camera is currently viewing. Agree, it's an odd way to think and use at first.

 

[mcurrence]

I actually just came into this thread to speak highly of the Olympus TG-4 (and all cameras in the line). I got one in December and it can handle anything. I've had with me during blizzards in Iceland, snorkeling in Nassau, and so many other places. I'm so glad you found it because I could not be a bigger supporter. I got it after seeing the pictures from my friend's TG-3. My friend bought it because she drops everything and she read so many stories about people dropping theirs in the water only to have someone else find it years later still working and intact. I hope you have as great an experience with the TG-4 as I have. Also, I would recommend a floating strap for it so that you don't have to worry about dropping it if you use it in the ocean.

Edit: I say blizzard in Iceland but it was just snowing really hard for like three hours to the point where we were soaked through our 'waterproof' clothing just being out there. It certainly was windier and harsher than anything we get in the Mid-Atlantic and it felt like a blizzard at the time.

This is the one I was thinking of getting have read great reviews ... What are your thoughts on using it indoors ? My concern is low light ...
Thanks!!!

 

[The Sasquatch]

the only thing i need to work on is getting a stable shot because any time i was walking you get a little bounce so you need to remind yourself to stop and record. I am working on a longer video where you can see more. I brought my session and my canon t4i for anything i really wanted to take better pics with. And believe it or not, I use my iPhone 6 a ton...

 

[BigredNole]

After my recent purchase ($104), I would look at GoPro alternatives. I have only had it for a day and the video/image quality is excellent for what it is. It is not to replace a DSLR and it is limited to necessary lighting for good quality imaging. The same goes for the GoPro. As for accessories, you can get extra batteries for $15 delivered (3 extra batteries) and all the tripod/gizmos/case is another $20. Since those have to be purchased for a GoPro, no reason to add that in to the equation. Plus at $104, if it dies, gets lost, gets damaged, you are not out $500.

 

[21stamps]

It's a more traditional use, you can likely turn it on and begin because its an intuitively "regular" style camera.

The Session is also "easy" to use but agree it has the general learning curve or understanding of how a GoPro style action camera is intended to be or CAN be used.

the only thing i need to work on is getting a stable shot because any time i was walking you get a little bounce so you need to remind yourself to stop and record. I am working on a longer video where you can see more. I brought my session and my canon t4i for anything i really wanted to take better pics with. And believe it or not, I use my iPhone 6 a ton...

I think you guys talked me in to it!lol

@The Sasquatch I use my iPhone on most of our trips and always have pretty good photos! I travel alone with my son (just turned 6), when he was a baby I was a huge DSLR fan, but once the stroller was done (not having a place to store it)- so was my camera. I left it sitting at the zoo one day, realized it later, and unfortunately it never made it's way to guest services. I decided not to replace it because it is just too much for me to deal with now when we're out and about.

After my recent purchase ($104), I would look at GoPro alternatives. I have only had it for a day and the video/image quality is excellent for what it is. It is not to replace a DSLR and it is limited to necessary lighting for good quality imaging. The same goes for the GoPro. As for accessories, you can get extra batteries for $15 delivered (3 extra batteries) and all the tripod/gizmos/case is another $20. Since those have to be purchased for a GoPro, no reason to add that in to the equation. Plus at $104, if it dies, gets lost, gets damaged, you are not out $500.

Did you purchase the Amazon one? I've heard good things about it! The Session size just looks like it would work best for me.

 

[Ravenne]

I got a Nikon AW 100 and Fuji XP60 for our first cruise. I'm a long time Nikon shooter, including dSLRs, and love them, and along with recommendations, I decided to go with the AW100. Worst camera I ever had. Within 4 months, using it just a handful of times, the thing died on me. It wouldn't even boot up when I try to turn it on and had a black screen. Thankfully it was still under warranty so I sent it in for repair. I had it back within a couple of weeks and it worked. Great! I thought. Then it died on me again in the middle of my trip. Completely dead. Wouldn't even turn on. $250 paper weight.

The Fuji XP60 was amazing though. Loved it. Pic quality was great. It worked great until my husband drowned it in the Atlantic. (He opened the battery compartment while snorkeling.) Not the camera's fault, but it was great up until that point. I was able to salvage the memory card and the pics off of it at least. I loved that thing so much I bought the latest one, the XP90 to replace it for the cruise we just got off of. I still love it. Costco had it, along with a floating strap, case, and memory card for $190 a month ago...$10 off. I highly recommend it. I would love a GoPro but I hate the fish eye perspective of them.

 

[BigredNole]

Did you purchase the Amazon one? I've heard good things about it! The Session size just looks like it would work best for me.

I bought it from Gear Best. There is a code somewhere to get it for $104. It takes 2 weeks to get. No VAT on it either. For $50, I could easily wait 2 weeks. I had no rush need for it. I'd put it up against a GoPro directly to see the comparisons.