Underwater/waterproof cameras, cases and housings

[KimberlyC]

Yes. There are plain bag type things that the camera goes into for around $25 and also they sell 35mm cameras in the housing. Give me a few moments to see if I still hav some links and I'll come back and edit this post.

Here's a bag - should fit a regular camera $30 http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/Cate...ock/DescSort_0/Filter_6=694/APC410.html?Hit=1

Here are a bunch on EBAY -http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=underwater+camera+35mm&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=48327&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search&fgtp=

Sorry I cleaned out most of my links.

 

[AndrewWG]

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.

I know what you mean. I used them in St Thomas years ago and although I was happy that I could get pics underwater, the pics were really quite bad. I still look at them and dream, but I wish I had a better camera fo rthe job back then. Of course, my P&S film camera bit the dust on our second day there due to an overload of rum punch causing my hands to not hold things as carefully! But that is a different story...

 

[extreme8]

Have you considered an inexpensive (relatively) digital waterproof camera?
The Optio W10 is under $200 now and it works great.
I use it places I'm afraid to bring my D200, not just underwater.
The kids have a great time with it in the pool when their friends are over. I just toss it in and let them have at it.

 

[tinksdad]

The cameras and housing change so fast that you can't find housings for cameras only a few years old at times (depending on the manufacture). What model of camera is it?? Maybe the bag would be a decent compromise, but it would only be good for a few feet of water pressure.

 

[Alacrity]

Digital seems to be the thing these days and the camera makers are making cased for many of their cameras. Film was the think not long ago though! I would look on Ebay for a housing for older cameras. You may find folks looking to sell their film set up as they go to digital!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Tinks dad, I just dug out my point and shoot camera and it is a Samsung Maxima Zoom 70i.

extreme8, your camera does great. Question though, we tried using the underwater camera when swimming at Xcaret's underground river. It was a dark area and of course the disposables don't have flashes and they really didn't turn out. Have you tried taking any pictures with yours where it needs a flash?

Andrew, note to self. Be careful of rum punch.

KimberlyC, I will check out those websites. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[tinksdad]

Tinks dad, I just dug out my point and shoot camera and it is a Samsung Maxima Zoom 70i.

extreme8, your camera does great. Question though, we tried using the underwater camera when swimming at Xcaret's underground river. It was a dark area and of course the disposables don't have flashes and they really didn't turn out. Have you tried taking any pictures with yours where it needs a flash?

Andrew, note to self. Be careful of rum punch.

KimberlyC, I will check out those websites. Thanks for taking the time.

Bummer! I couldn't find ANY housing that was made for that camera. Maybe a bag thing will work for you. If you're just snorkeling, then it will probably work just fine. Just no flash, unless you use your on camera flash.

The main trouble with underwater photography is water reduces the light that strikes your subject by an great degree. The deeper you go, the worse the problem gets. Also, since water is more dense than air (duh....) you have to get within a few feet to get the exposure you see in your head.

Canon and Olympus have several cameras that they also make an housing for. These work pretty well and are made to be water tight down to at least 60' and aren't terribly expensive.

Someone already gave you a link to LeisurePro but this is their photography page.

 

[extreme8]

extreme8, your camera does great. Question though, we tried using the underwater camera when swimming at Xcaret's underground river. It was a dark area and of course the disposables don't have flashes and they really didn't turn out. Have you tried taking any pictures with yours where it needs a flash?

I don't know how well it would work in really dark water or water with a lot of particles in it. In clear water where the subject is back lit or underexposed for whatever reason the flash works fine within 6 - 8 feet or so.
It's not a scuba divers camera since it only claims to be waterproof to 3 meters (maybe it was 5), but it's perfect for recreational use.
It's also dust sealed so beach sand doesn't hurt it either. Just swish it around in the water to wash it off!

The first time you take it in the water you get a "this just doesn't feel right" kind of feeling.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

extreme8, I just went to our camera shop and also Best Buy to look at your type of camera. One did have the Pentax W20 camera and the other had a Olympus Stylus 770. I am kind of leaning more towards that kind of camera since I talked with them about the waterproof cases. What I meant when I asked if you have taken pictures in a dark area is actually OUT of the water. We pretty much will be in clear water. I have also learned online at www.dpreview.com that Pentax is releasing a newer model, W30.

Then, I think about what Kevin said about Canon and Olympus cameras that have housings that can go deeper. I am so confused! We are just snorklers for now. DH has taken his first scuba class so he may want a camera to go deeper.

 

[tinksdad]

extreme8, I just went to our camera shop and also Best Buy to look at your type of camera. One did have the Pentax W20 camera and the other had a Olympus Stylus 770. I am kind of leaning more towards that kind of camera since I talked with them about the waterproof cases. What I meant when I asked if you have taken pictures in a dark area is actually OUT of the water. We pretty much will be in clear water. I have also learned online at www.dpreview.com that Pentax is releasing a newer model, W30.

Then, I think about what Kevin said about Canon and Olympus cameras that have housings that can go deeper. I am so confused! We are just snorklers for now. DH has taken his first scuba class so he may want a camera to go deeper.

You're in the same boat with all of us!! There is SOOOO many choices with different options and abilities that it can make your head swim. Frankly, as a scuba instructor we always recommend that you get good a buoyancy before taking a camera along since it adds to the task loading. I only mention that because it does affect timing. But, if you're going to buy a new camera for underwater then you might want one that will do both.

It is a money sucking hobby. Here's the one I have for the D200:

then there is additional ports for different lens, strobes..........


But its FUN!!! Here's a shot of a turtle feeding on sponges in Cozumel;

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Oh my gosh, I love the picture. We got to swim with turtles last year on the 10 day Wonder and I have since made turtles a favorite. Kevin, your camera is very intimidating to me. Who makes a D200?

 

[jiminyC_fan]

One more thing, extreme8, where did you buy your Optio W10? I would really like to buy one from a retailer and not on the internet. I found a retailer that had the W20 but not the newest W30.

 

[Gdad]

Here are a few shots with my W20- fun little camera mostly for work and places I would not take my dslr.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Oh my gosh, Jeff. What fantastic pictures!

 

[Gdad]

Thank you Sandy- I have also never used it underwater in low light but it does do alright in low light flash and nonflash on land. Good luck in finding something (and be sure to post some pictures with it when you do- would love to see Cancun!)

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I am leaning more towards the W30 (latest version of the W10 and W20) because of the pictures two of you have posted with the W10 and W20. They seem to be very clear and crisp on land and the water shots are great. the W30 can go down to 10' for 2 hours. My husband is leaning towards the Olympus Stylus 770 because it can go deeper to 33'. Does anyone use the Olympus Stylus 770SW that could post some pictures? Or does anyone have any opinions?

 

[Gdad]

Check the actual classification ratings on both cameras- I know when I got the W20 which said 6' for 30 minutes the Olympus at the time said something like 10' for 1 hour- but both cameras were JIS rated with a Class 8 waterproof standard. The time/depth examples were just two different marketing departments interpretation of the standard (One more conservative than the other).

 

[extreme8]

extreme8, I just went to our camera shop and also Best Buy to look at your type of camera. One did have the Pentax W20 camera and the other had a Olympus Stylus 770. I am kind of leaning more towards that kind of camera since I talked with them about the waterproof cases. What I meant when I asked if you have taken pictures in a dark area is actually OUT of the water. We pretty much will be in clear water. I have also learned online at www.dpreview.com that Pentax is releasing a newer model, W30.

I've never had any problems with it at night, but you need to take the limitations of the flash into consideration. One of my favorite photos of myself and my wife was taken with this little camera by my 8 YO daughter one night as we sat by the pool. I would guess she was nearly 15 feet away and the exposure was great.

I did purchase this one from Ebay, so I'm afraid I can't help you with retail locations.
I do like this as a carry around camera that I don't have to worry about. Heck, I've got filters for my Dslr that cost almost this much.
I'm sure the newer generations are even better.

This one was taken from the middle of the pool at RPR at Universal.
Nothing special, but you can see the exposure was good, nice saturation, sharp. An all around capable and fun piece of equipment.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I've never had any problems with it at night, but you need to take the limitations of the flash into consideration. One of my favorite photos of myself and my wife was taken with this little camera by my 8 YO daughter one night as we sat by the pool. I would guess she was nearly 15 feet away and the exposure was great.

I did purchase this one from Ebay, so I'm afraid I can't help you with retail locations.
I do like this as a carry around camera that I don't have to worry about. Heck, I've got filters for my Dslr that cost almost this much.
I'm sure the newer generations are even better.

This one was taken from the middle of the pool at RPR at Universal.
Nothing special, but you can see the exposure was good, nice saturation, sharp. An all around capable and fun piece of equipment.

WOW!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Check the actual classification ratings on both cameras- I know when I got the W20 which said 6' for 30 minutes the Olympus at the time said something like 10' for 1 hour- but both cameras were JIS rated with a Class 8 waterproof standard. The time/depth examples were just two different marketing departments interpretation of the standard (One more conservative than the other).

Now that is very interesting!!