Underwater/waterproof cameras, cases and housings

[GrumpyOne]

There are a lot of cameras that work underwater. Some are designed that way from the get-go (sea-and-sea) while all of the major manufacturers have some number of cameras that have manufacturer designed housings.

I personally use a Canon a620 with the Canon housing. The only problem with it is that the housing is only rated to 130 feet. While I could push my luck, I choose not to. When I upgrade to a DSLR I'll probably go with a housing that can go to 200-300 feet.

 

[tubachick]

You can see some underwater photos taken with an EWA Marine bag at:

http://barbieri.smugmug.com/gallery/1859532

Here are a few:

Great pics

 

[Gdad]

I have the Pentax W20 for work since it is dust & water proof. It takes decent pictures for a P&S but I have not tried it underwater yet. The EWA bag looks interesting though - I may need to look into that for my dslr.

 

[robertchance]

click the link for an answer

http://www.steves-digicams.com/cameras_wr.html

 

[SueEllen]

I just got the Olympus Stylus 720 for this very reason. It is shock proof (to a 5ft drop) and water proof (to 10 feet) It takes a fantastic picture too. I have been very happy with it so far (I've only had it a couple of weeks.) The only thing I miss is having a view finder (as I like that as a back up and not having to rely on just a digital screen) but the screen is very large so you can really see what you are shooting well.

Sue Ellen

 

[rtphokie]

REI has their Aquapac waterproof camera cases on sale. I just picked up the large case (which should be big enough to use the zoom on my Canon G3) for $24 (regularly $45)

 

[cryssi]

You can see some underwater photos taken with an EWA Marine bag at:

http://barbieri.smugmug.com/gallery/1859532

Here are a few:

wow...those look great! I would be so scared to take the camera underwater...

 

[cryssi]

Ok, so I'm thinking of getting one of those fujifilm quicksnap marine underwater disposables b/c I'm scared to take a real camera and don't want to buy one...but do you think that I'd get good pics if I took our p&s?

I really just want to take some snorkeling pics at Castaway...should I just get the disposable, or invest in a $100 housing for the sd400? You know, because money grows on trees and what's another $100 when I'm probably going to be buying some kind of lens...lol

thanks...

c

 

[Jeanne B]

We purchased an u/w housing for our Canon A610 but we do a lot of snorkeling. If this was going to be a one time shot than I'd probably have a hard time justifying a housing and a disposable would have to do. The disposables aren't great but you can get some okay pictures with them.

 

[cryssi]

do you get good shots?

we have a pool, but no kids yet to take pics of...it would come in handy later, perhaps?

 

[cryssi]

what about this:

DICAPAC UNDERWATER HOUSING FOR CANON CAMERAS

http://www.dicapac.com/eng/menual-02.htm

has good reviews, but I am skeptical??

 

[lsayd]

I have a Canon s70 and after looking at the less expensive options finally bought the underwater housing from Canon. We tried one of the "bag" types at a local store and felt the pictures looked like they were taken inside a plastic bag. We've used the camera snorkeling in the Keys, in local rivers, and in pools, and have always gotten great pictures (of course, the pool pictures are much clearer due to the water color - we used disposable underwater cameras before buying the housing and the difference in the pictures is tremendous). We also use it when we're on boats, in the rain, and around the pool if there's a lot of splashing going on. For us it was well worth the $159 I paid for the housing (we do test it each time we use it in a sink or something before taking the camera underwater - just me being compulsive! We've had it over 2 years, it's been in the water many times and have never had a leak), but I agree if you're only going to use it once, it's not worth it. But with a pool in the yard, I can bet you'd be using it more than on one vacation!

 

[cryssi]

thanks...I'm going to have to really think about it. thanks again!

 

[cryssi]

ok, just found another "disposable/reusable" underwater film camera w/ flash:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000HAMY84/yahoo-photo05-20/ref=nosim

anyone try this? I know I change my mind everyday, but if I can find an acceptable disposable, I might not have to invest in a housing...

thanks!

 

[aquafamily]

Hello, Heading on a disney cruise in a few months and would like to get a new p/s with and underwater housing for the trip, anyone have a model they would recommend? Looking for a camera that will take good land pictures as well as good underwater pictures (good color and quality).

 

[cryssi]

I am wrestling with that as well. Trying to justify the $125+ housing for our SD400, or purchasing a Snap Sights reusable underwater film camera with flash for about $20-30...

I have a friend who SCUBA dives and she uses her digital with underwater housing...the OEM one, not the cheaper "bag" ones like Aquapac or Dicapak...

what to do, what to do...??

I am guessing you want digital?

 

[Jeanne B]

I have the A610 with an u/w housing, this camera takes greats land pictures and I've been very happy with the u/w pictures compared to the one-time use cameras we used in the past. I don't think you can find the A610 anymore but based on my A610 I would highly recommend one of the current A6x0 series cameras (or A7x0).

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Hi everyone,

I know that several of you have purchased cases and/or digital underwater cameras. My question is: Do the cases work for a point and shoot 35MM camera? You know the kind that we all used before digital. I thought that it could save money if I could just buy a case for the old camera. I hate the thought of buying one for my digital camera. I love it too much to risk it. I am tired of the quality of the disposable underwater cameras.

Thanks for any help and advice!

 

[AndrewWG]

That is a good question. The quality of the disposable underwater cameras is horrible, but very conveinient. I have not seen housings for regular film P&S cameras but I'm sure something exists as I haven't really looked for them either. I am still looking for one for my S2IS but I don't think they made one for that for some reason. Oh well, I can get one for the Canon A85 I have and that is very close in size to a regular P&S film camera. I think it would have to have the bottons in the right place, etc. Someone here knows, I'm sure.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Thanks Andrew. I really want to do some major research on the subject before our next cruise. We just got back from Cancun and the pictures from the disposable didn't do it justice.