Underwater/waterproof cameras, cases and housings

[DISNEYLOVER70]

I finally did it... I broke down and bought the Canon Rebel XT. I absolutely love it!!!! I am an amateur but the shots I have taken on auto are incredible.

Anyways...my question is this; I bought it, now what? I didn't get the kit that comes with it, because the bag holds extra lenses and it huge. I want something that I can put the camera in while on rides to protect it from water. Any handy ideas?

When I went 3 years ago, I brought my Canon Elph, which took good pictures, but all my night shots and several others were blurry. So as much as I don't want to carry this bulky camera around, I am going to.

I am sure I can go to Circuit City where I bought it and find some type of bag, I just wondered what other DIS'ers have done with their cameras while on rides...

 

[captaincrash]

I have never taken my DSLR on a water ride and would not dare to unless very throughly protected. Two ideas I found on ebay (not that I'm recommending either of these - but it is all that I found) is first... this "Rain hood" option which is nothing more then a bag with a lense filter and hood up front~ and it's cheap at $20.99+$10 to ship ... copy item number 7586531646 to your Ebay search box to see it...

and this second alternative is a bit more serious. it can be seen by copying this number 7579826945 to your Ebay search box. This item costs $300 and is rated to 150' for a DSLR and hot shoe mounted flash.

 

[Jeanne B]

Here's a link to the aquapac waterproof cases that I've seen recommended a few times in the past. I bought a Canon underwater housing for my A610 last month for $170 for but we'll be using it for snorkeling. For rides at WDW I'm sure you could find another alternative for less money.

http://www.aquapac.net/

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

I will check into all of that. I have to come up with some type of plan, I really want this camera at Disney, but I ride ALL the rides with my kids..have to think about this I guess.

 

[dcg0317]

I would just get a nice camera bag to use in the parks and at home, I have a camera backpack that I brought to WDW with me, and I also brought the Tamrac photo sling bag to use in the parks, just bring some gallon size zip lock baggies and a large garbage bag to put the camera and camera bag in when going on water rides, that's what I did and I belive most here on the photgraphy boards do too.
http://www.tamrac.com/welcome.htm

 

[mabas9395]

Are you looking for a water PROOF HOUSING so that you can take pictures under water? Or are you looking for water RESISTANT BAG so you can carry the camera in the rain or on Splash Mountain and have it not get wet?

Depending on what you want, the answers are very different.

I have a Rebel XT and carry it around in a Tamrac Digital Zoom 4. Its not weather proof and it doesn't hold extra lenses, but when I want to just grab the camera and go, it works great. But since I have added a few accessories to my collection, I am also in the market for a larger bag that can hold three or four lenses and a flash.

 

[WillCAD]

If you're looking for something to keep your camera dry on water rides and in rain, you could try the WillCAD Camera Poncho (patent pending). This is a self-service product, some assembly required. Instructions follow (click any pic for the full-size version):

Materials and tools required
* 1-gallon Ziploc bag
* Scissors
* Camera

Step 1
Cut approximately 1/2" of the bottom corners off the Ziploc


Step 2
Take strap off camera, put camera in bag, lens facing to bag zipper


Step 3
Feed strap connectors through clipped corners of Ziploc and re-connect to camera


Step 4
Seal bag and admire your cleverness


Step 5 (optional)
You can take a pic when your camera is inside the bag by opening the zipper. This may expose your lens to water and requires caution to keep the camera dry, but it can work. I have personally gotten a few pics in very heavy rain like this and kept the camera perfectly dry the entire time.


Result:

 

[Belle's Castle]

Willcad....very nice. Nothing like keeping it simple!

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

and everyone else for some great ideas!!!!!

 

[lauriegs]

Does anyone own one of these? My dh thought it would be good to have one, so we could use it by/in the pool, and wouldn't worry when we're on water rides and such. Just wondering if it's worth the investment, and which brand is good. thanks!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I've used the Pentax Optio WP and it's more than decent. I won't use it as my main camera (but that's just because I'm too analytical about my pics) but at the same price of a proper underwater case for my camera, I'd rather but that.

The other option, but I haven't tried is the Olympus 720 SW. It's not only waterproof, but supposedly shockproof too.

 

[disneyfan551]

A little OT, but...what type of zoom does the XT have? This is a camera I'm considering buying and I don't understand the lenses and all of that stuff... I love the pictures from that camera, but am used to a 10x zoom with my Z1 and I hope to have the same (or more!) zoom on my next one. Thanks!

 

[WillCAD]

A little OT, but...what type of zoom does the XT have? This is a camera I'm considering buying and I don't understand the lenses and all of that stuff... I love the pictures from that camera, but am used to a 10x zoom with my Z1 and I hope to have the same (or more!) zoom on my next one. Thanks!

The Rebel XT is one of a class of cameras called SLR (Single Lens Reflex), which have interchangable lenses.

SLR lenses are measured in focal length, or the distance from the lens to the film plane or sensor. This is expressed in millimeters. I don't know all of the multiplication conversions, but I do know that 125mm on the Rebel XT is roughly 6.9X.

When you buy a Rebel XT, the most common configuration is a kit which comes with a zoom lens which goes from 18mm to 55. 18mm is a nice wide-angle.

However, the interchangable lens system gives you tremendous flexibility - you can buy the camera body only and buy other lenses - there are hundreds on the market, from super-wide to super-tele.

My choice in lens was a Sigma brand 18-125mm, which gives me wide angle to about 6.9x. It cost a little over $200, in addition to the camera, and is an excellent lense that takes pics without a lot of fish-eye looking distortion, which is called pincushion, when I shoot a wide-angle shot.

 

[disneyfan551]

Wow, thanks for the detailed info! I really do appreciate it. Do you have any suggestions on where to buy the camera/lenses? I worry about buying online, and really worry about buying anywhere! Mostly because I did have to return 2 Z1's before, and I know that Costco has a good return policy, so that is who I used during my last purchase. Of course, they don't have alot of options, and I've even seen cheaper prices online. What would you suggest?

Thanks again!!

 

[mabas9395]

Disneyfan551,

The X's that you see in zooms, whether its 3x, 4x, or now 10x and 12x, is simply how much longer the longest focal length is than the shortest focal length. For example, camera #1 can have a range of 15mm-150mm and camera #2 can have a range of 50mm-500mm and both would have a 10x zoom because 150 is 10 times greater than 15 and 500 is 10 times greater than 50. So using 10x as your guide can sometimes be misleading because its no guarantee how much "reach" your lens will have.

As for buying online, costco is fine but they don't have much of a selection. I have bought from B&H Photo and Adorama Camera, both of those have a very well established reputation for quality and respectability.

If you are thinking about getting an XT (its a great camera btw, I love mine) but you don't understand "the lenses and all that stuff", be warned that while a dSLR has the potential for incredible photos, it also has the potential for horrible photos if you don't know what you are doing. So if you get one, be prepared to spend at least a little time in learning about shutter speed, aperture and ISO and how they inter-relate.

There a bunch of great pleaces to learn more, such as this book "Understanding Exposure" http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/08...f=pd_bbs_1/103-0471160-1077438?_encoding=UTF8

And these websites:

http://photoworkshop.com/canon/
http://www.dpreview.com
http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/

Have fun and good luck with your new camera.

 

[WillCAD]

The best deals you're going to find on a Rebel XT are online these days.

B&H Photo is the biggest and the best. They are the most reliable, reputable camera dealer, with the best customer service and return policies, of any camera dealer in the US. Their prices do tend to be a bit higher than their competitors, but if customer service is important to you, you absolutely cannot go wrong with B&H.

I have bought from Adorama a few times with good results. They are also one of the biggies, and their prices can be lower than B&H, or equal. If their price is equal or higher, go to B&H instead.

I have also bought from Tri-State Camera. They are also a big, well-known, reputable company. I found recently however that the prices on their eBay store are often better than the prices on their own web site, so check that out first. They are listed on eBay as tri-state1. In fact, they currently have the Rebel XT listed on their eBay store for $778.97 with the 18-55 kit lens http://cgi.ebay.com/CANON-EOS-DIGIT...24756QQcategoryZ43454QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

A Rebel XT is a pretty good beginner SLR. SLRs tend to be more complex than point-and-shoots, but that complexity comes from their flexibility. If you are really looking for a great camera, an SLR is the way to go, because SLRs are more like camera systems than just cameras. You can add new lenses, external flashes, and other accessories to a basic SLR, one thing at a time over several years, to build your camera outfit, and if a component breaks or you feel that you have outgrown something, you can buy a replacement without buying a whole new camera.

 

[toyotaae86lg]

Hi there, i'm looking for a nice digital underwater camera I can use in the hotel pool. I think it would be cool to get some pics underwater of the fiance and I. I have come acroos two cameras: Pentax Optio W10 6.0 megapixel Waterproof Digital Camera and the Olympus Stylus 720 SW 7.1-Megapixel Digital Camera With Shock Proof and Waterproof Design. The pentax is priced at $250 and the Olympus is priced at around $350. I only need it to go down probably 4 feet because it is going to be used in a pool. I want to know if anyone on this forum has had any experience with either of these. I just want the camera....I don't want to use disposable and I dont' want to buy a new camera and get a waterproof case. I'll spend the money but I want the digital camera/waterproof all in one package...If anyone can help that would be great...cheers
chase

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I've only used Pentax Optio WP (first generation) picture quality is not bad at all, but the looking at the LCD outdoor in even only semi-bright light is near impossible. Maybe they've improved upon that.

 

[Stephieann]

How well does the fuji one time underwater cams do?

 

[Ratpack]

I think that is the ones we use, greenish blue in color. They do pretty well as long as there is plenty of light. Nice sunny days in the pool should give you some good shooting conditions. Overcast days could turn out dark since there is no flash. We usually keep one in our pool bag.