Underwater/waterproof cameras, cases and housings

[ldrprn]

Does anyone have any experience with waterproof digital cameras. I'm looking for an inexpensive one that I can take when we go kayaking. I love taking pictures of our trips, but I'm always aftaid I will ruin my camera.

 

[KramBerries]

DPReview had an article reviewing several waterproof cameras fairly recently. Another option is to just buy a waterproof shell for your existing camera.

 

[My2Girls66]

Just got this e-mail from Abes of Maine. $119
http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=PNOWS80K&l=SELLUP
I use a SeaLife Reefmaster that looks exactly like this except the color. $85
http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-ViviC...6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264951009&sr=8-6

I haven't used either but both are inexpensive. The SeaLife EcoShot I have takes nice photos both under and above the water and it does look exactly like the Vivitar. I use it snorkeling, in the pool and kayaking.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Olympus sells their own refurbished waterproof cameras on ebay (or at least they did). I got one for about $100.00, and I'm very happy with it. It's an Olympus Stylus 850SW.

 

[ldrprn]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like there are moe out there than I thought. I'm sure I'll find something that will work perfectly for me.

 

[WDWFigment]

Another equipment purchase dilemma. For our honeymoon, Sarah and I will be staying at the BoardWalk Villas and Old Key West. While we won’t be going to the water parks that trip (darnit!), we will be spending time in the pools, and I would like to have a waterproof camera. More importantly, we are considering a Disney Cruise in early 2011, and I know we will definitely want an underwater camera for that trip.

First, Sarah and I are both PADI licensed, and so for the DCL trip, I would like to have a camera that is capable of going to Scuba-depths. However, given health issues, Sarah might (probably) won’t let me go scuba diving…so maybe this isn’t such an important consideration after-all.

Second, I would prefer a camera that has full manual control.

Third, I would prefer a camera that can shoot RAW.

Fourth, megapixels, zoom, and other features are not that important.

Finally, cost-effectiveness is a big thing. Purchasing a housing for our D40 or D90 is not a viable suggestion. I am willing to spend around $100-450, but if I spend the upper end of the spectrum, I want a feature-laden setup.

Here is what I’m thinking thus far: a lower end camera ($180-300) is going to mean a P&S that doesn’t shoot RAW, doesn’t have manual controls, but will be compact and have reasonably effective best shot modes. With $300-450, I might be able to get a used Canon G9 and its housing (Canon had a special on the housings for $76 last Memorial Day and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t buy one then!), but given its age, I’m wondering if that’s a wise idea.

So what would you do? Are there some cheap underwater compacts that offer manual options and/or RAW at a relatively low price (I searched and couldn’t seem to find any)? I’m willing to sacrifice depth for those features, as I likely won’t be able to take it more than 15’ down, anyway.

 

[Bstanley]

An idea that might open up many more cameras for you to select from - If you are comfortable with using the CHDK 'add-on' software you can get RAW functionality out of virtually any Canon P&S (and many offer extensive manual control). I have an 8 year old A40 that I keep around just because I have an underwater housing for it - and with the CHDK software even it can produce RAW files (in .DNG format).

The CHDK WIKI.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I don't believe that there is a dedicated waterproof P&S that does RAW. I use a Canon G9 (which does do RAW) in a waterproof housing. I like the combination. It's a good pool camera.

For diving, forget about it. You lose light very quickly with depth. That means that you need underwater strobes, a camera with a hot shoe, and a shell with a hot shoe. That's all doable, but it isn't cheap.

For me, the value of the waterproof camera isn't so much underwater photography, but wet environment photography. It's great to be able to shoot while swimming around.

 

[WDWFigment]

An idea that might open up many more cameras for you to select from - If you are comfortable with using the CHDK 'add-on' software you can get RAW functionality out of virtually any Canon P&S (and many offer extensive manual control). I have an 8 year old A40 that I keep around just because I have an underwater housing for it - and with the CHDK software even it can produce RAW files (in .DNG format).

The CHDK WIKI.

I read about this in passing elsewhere. I am certainly comfortable using it, I just need to read a bit more about it. Looks like it should open up some options for me!

For me, the value of the waterproof camera isn't so much underwater photography, but wet environment photography. It's great to be able to shoot while swimming around.

This is going to be our primary use, too.

 

[pgowder]

I debated with this same question on our last trip. We were planning on a day at the waterparks (ended up not going).

After reading the reviews of the cameras out at the time that were waterproof I decided against them.

I bought a waterproof camera bag from eBay for $15-20. It went right over our Canon Elph. We use it all the time at the pool now!

It does cause some barreling, but you can crop around it. Or you can zoom some and avoid it altogether.

Here's one of the images from the pool at Wilderness Lodge.



View it on Flickr

 

[originalkk]

I'm a bit of an underwater photographer, and I would echo what Mark has said.

If you want a camera that you could take to diving depths, you'll need to find a major brand one with the features you need and which also has a cheap housing available. You'll need to allow a few hundred $s for the housing on top of the cost of the camera.

Alternatively you could look at a used older compact camera and housing (I'd be careful with used housings though)! I have an Oly 5060 that is many years old which has full manual, RAW, and a relatively wide angle lens (you need to get as close to the subject as possible), with Oly polycarbonate housing. There are also used 5050s around which are at least as good. There are also a number of good Canons you could consider as a used purchase.

The main issue with older compacts underwater is autofocus delays due to low light (newer ones may be better). This is obviously more of an issue with depth. My 5060 also takes a loooonng time to write a RAW file to the card, and you can't take another until it has done it, so I normally just shoot JPEG.

If you are planning on going underwater with a housing, you may benefit from manual controls, as auto exposure can be tricky. RAW would also make white balance adjustment easier (if without a strobe). However, these are both more significant issues at scuba depths.

If you are only planning on using it in pools and for surface snorkelling, I would just get one of the basic 3m waterproof cameras or a cheap compact and plastic bag housing. If you are likely to be diving (scuba or free) to any depth, I would look at a camera with good low light auto-focus, and available with a polycarbonate housing rated to 40m.

 

[donaldduck1967]

The Cruise line Board has a few threads on the same subject. You may want to check over there.

 

[Golf4food]

Pentax just released or is soon to release a new waterproof Optio you may want to check out. I don't think it shoots RAW either, but still sounds like a good camera with a lot of features.

 

[pgowder]

Here is another option I just noticed while looking at some lenses to rent!

http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/camera-compact-underwater

 

[pgowder]

Or for an SLR
http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/camera-underwater-dx-1g

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Pentax just released or is soon to release a new waterproof Optio you may want to check out. I don't think it shoots RAW either, but still sounds like a good camera with a lot of features.

And they say they will have an underwater housing down to 60 meters for it.

 

[DznyFan]

Tom, have you looked into the SeaLife or Sea and Sea lines? I know the SeaLife Reefmaster Mini, DC600 and DC800 all just shoot jpeg, but with the 600 and 800 you should be able to find a strobe on ebay. Yeah, as Mark mentioned (and if you dive, you know) you'll lose light at depth (depending on the vis) and of course color. The Sea Lifes have a nice feature for adding reds at depth - even the Mini. The Sea and Sea DX-1G and DX-2G supports raw, but they're over you budget. If you're a diver, though, you might find you use it more than you expect.
A friend who's a DM at The Seas who was looking to get into a cost-effective setup a couple years ago was looking for RAW format as well, but was running into the combination of more expensive cameras plus expensive housings. Let me shoot him a message and ask him what he's shooting with now, and I'm going to PM you with a couple of suggestions for resources.

 

[Goofygirl17]

We have a Canon digital rebel slr. It takes great pictures but it's a pain to carry around the parks. We're looking for a reasonably priced digital, waterproof, point and shoot camera so I came to the experts!

Thanks!!

 

[ukcatfan]

I didn't know what to think from your title. Where I come from "pos" means something completely different and point and shoot

From everything I have heard, the quality of shots is nearly equal with the major brands. The newer more expensive models will have the best features, but that does not mean that a closeout one or a step above the best will not suit you just fine. It is probably best to read some reviews to learn about the differences b/c someone on here might like a feature that you do not and so on. I would probably stick to Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, and Canon. As far as I know, the other major brands do not make waterproof ones yet.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Thanks! I looked at my title and thought the same thing! That was the camera we had that was held together by black electrical tape!

My husband has been reading reviews of all the cameras but hasn't decided which one to get yet. I figured it would be good to ask all the camera enthusiasts here!