Underwater/waterproof cameras, cases and housings

[Alacrity]

Any recommendations on a good "water resistant" camera? It sounds like that would be the best way to go. The housing makes me a little nervous with such an expensive camera inside. We're not planning to dive, just snorkel, so depth isn't really an issue for us. Thanks for everyone's input.

All cameras are only water resistant at best...

Sea and Sea and Sealife are two companies that make underwater cameras. Each has made housed and unhoused waterproof cameras. You can find film and digital versions. Sea and Sea, for example, has the MX-5 and MX-10; basic film cameras that can be found fairly inexpensively.

A couple links that might get you thinkin'

Sea and Sea: http://www.seaandsea.com/index.html
Sealife: http://www.sealife-cameras.com/index.html

Many places on the web carry one or the other. Sometimes both!

 

[tinksdad]

Olympus has the Stylus 770 SW that looks pretty interesting. Says it's "waterproof" down to 33fsw. Not bad!!

I had two of the Olympus Camedia cameras in housings. Both the C4040 and the C7070. They were pretty decent cameras and offered manual as well as scene modes. My main reason for upgrading was the shutter lag which is standard with the P&S (although it IS getting better). Check out all the scene modes in the specs on that camera.... quite a few!

 

[Jeanne B]

The housing makes me a little nervous with such an expensive camera inside.

I have about $350 invested in my Canon A610 and Canon u/w housing which is about the same, and maybe even less, than some of the water-resistant cameras.

 

[Gdad]

I have a Pentax W20 - I use it for work as it is water and dust resistant. Not designed for diving but it works great for swimming, snorkeling, water rides, rainy days, etc. 7mp digital I think I paid about $225 for.

 

[pyrxtc]

Olympus has the Stylus 770 SW that looks pretty interesting. Says it's "waterproof" down to 33fsw. Not bad!!

I had two of the Olympus Camedia cameras in housings. Both the C4040 and the C7070. They were pretty decent cameras and offered manual as well as scene modes. My main reason for upgrading was the shutter lag which is standard with the P&S (although it IS getting better). Check out all the scene modes in the specs on that camera.... quite a few!

I just purchased this and it looks like it's going to work out just fine. haven't tried it under-water yet but will be soon. It will work ok as a P&S. Still figuring it out but not bad and the price is right for a waterproof camera. it is also shockproof to 5 ft and crushproof to 220 lbs. Also good outside to -10 degrees so if you ski or like to ahve fun outside in the winter then it would be great for that too.

( and the box does say "waterproof)

 

[Groucho]

Gdad, the Splash Mt picture is great!

Getting to the OP's question, I would definitely lean towards just one of the basic Pentax or Olympus water-resistant cameras... and if you need capabilities that they don't have, pick up a second camera. If you go with a waterproof housing, you're looking at one more thing to carry around and one more thing to either break or not attach properly, at which point the camera is toast, plus I'm sure that it's bulkier than just a ready-to-go underwater camera.

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

Last November the security at Port Canaveral wouldnt let let me have my film or disposable camera hand inspected.

I like the idea of having the disposables in the water, cant count the times ive let go of them, im lucky they float.

I think I might get a waterproof camera before my next trip though, i'll just have to be more careful with it.

 

[TigerLaw]

My waterproof camera pack finally came in the mail, so I am ready to start looking for the sunken mickey and the submarine boat - now all I need is to know what the heck I am doing!

So if anyone out there has tips for a first time underwater picture taker (flash/no flash/camera settings etc) please let me know!

thanks for the help!

 

[justplaingoofy]

only tip I have for you is if it takes film and you are flying be sure to carry it on with you. When passing through security take it out of the bag and ask for a "hand check".

xray machines will ruin your film...

 

[TigerLaw]

no more film cameras for me! I have a tizzy (panasonic dmc-tz1) and a dicapac water bag

 

[cryssi]

I've been tossing this back and forth since we found out we were doing the land and sea back in january. DH has *almost* decided on the less expensive camcorder, so there's a possibility that I will get the canon underwater housing for our sd600. I want to take CC snorkeling pics! lol

As a side note, I may even be able to get my 70-300mm for the D200! but that's for another thread...lol

 

[mylilnikita]

Hi
Planning a trip to Hawaii for October. Usually I would pack underwater disposable, Fuji, but would like to try waterproof pouch for my Nikon. Have you tried one and how well did it work? Thanks.

 

[GDUL]

I'm looking at the Pentax Optio W30 and the Olympus Stylus 770SW too. What I'm having a hard time with is that neither camera has an optical viewfinder. I know that both cameras state that they added features to the LCD to better focus them in bright / low light situations. Does anyone have an opinion about this? A third option is the Fuji F30. It does have an UW casing made specifically for it. Again, it doesn't have an optical viewfinder but reviews make it appear that Fuji has done a slightly better job at making an LCD screen functional in bright / low light situations. I've used Fuji digitals for years (FinePix 2400Z and S7000) and really enjoy them. That's why I considering the Fuji. Opinions? Thanks!

 

[Alacrity]

I'm looking at the Pentax Optio W30 and the Olympus Stylus 770SW too. What I'm having a hard time with is that neither camera has an optical viewfinder. I know that both cameras state that they added features to the LCD to better focus them in bright / low light situations. Does anyone have an opinion about this? A third option is the Fuji F30. It does have an UW casing made specifically for it. Again, it doesn't have an optical viewfinder but reviews make it appear that Fuji has done a slightly better job at making an LCD screen functional in bright / low light situations. I've used Fuji digitals for years (FinePix 2400Z and S7000) and really enjoy them. That's why I considering the Fuji. Opinions? Thanks!

It looks like the Fuji does have a housing according to digideep.com ( http://www.digideep.com/english/digital/photo/camera/FujiFilm/FinePix-F30/12/2432 ).

Looking at the picture of the cameras you mention, it doesn't look like they have an optical viewfinder.

 

[tinksdad]

I'm looking at the Pentax Optio W30 and the Olympus Stylus 770SW too. What I'm having a hard time with is that neither camera has an optical viewfinder. I know that both cameras state that they added features to the LCD to better focus them in bright / low light situations. Does anyone have an opinion about this? A third option is the Fuji F30. It does have an UW casing made specifically for it. Again, it doesn't have an optical viewfinder but reviews make it appear that Fuji has done a slightly better job at making an LCD screen functional in bright / low light situations. I've used Fuji digitals for years (FinePix 2400Z and S7000) and really enjoy them. That's why I considering the Fuji. Opinions? Thanks!

Using the LCD on the PnS is very easy underwater. Just stick the camera out there, frame and take the picture (adjust for shutter lag). The drawback is the hard sun, as it will tend to wash out the LCD a bit. Never used a Fuji, but I've heard decent reviews on them, many from divers that use them underwater. The Oly 770SW looks very intriguing to me. If it works as advertised that would a very easy camera to use for a broad diversity of situations!! Anytime you put a UW case around a camera it changes the size, and makes the adjustment of controls very different. You just have to get used to it.

 

[cryssi]

I'm thinking of getting the Canon housing for our SD600. It's almost $200. I also considered getting a Snap Sights waterproof 35mm reusable with flash for about $25...haven't heard of anyone using it, though. Most just recommend I get the Canon housing.

I'm not brave/crazy enough to get a housing for the D200...but then again, it wouldn't be worth it for just one day of snorkeling at Castaway...

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I ended up with the Olympus 770SW. I had to get use to not having the optical view but am doing fine with it now. BUT......it is VERY difficult to see it in bright light. I took it to the zoo and it was pretty much impossible to see the capture in the LCD screen.

 

[tinksdad]

I ended up with the Olympus 770SW. I had to get use to not having the optical view but am doing fine with it now. BUT......it is VERY difficult to see it in bright light. I took it to the zoo and it was pretty much impossible to see the capture in the LCD screen.

Cool!! You'll have to report back after some use and give us a review!!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Now that it is getting close to swimming time here in CO, I will try it out in a pool. Won't take it snorkeling until Sept. though.

 

[GDUL]

I ended up with the Olympus 770SW. I had to get use to not having the optical view but am doing fine with it now. BUT......it is VERY difficult to see it in bright light. I took it to the zoo and it was pretty much impossible to see the capture in the LCD screen.

Hmmmmmm, that's what I was afraid of ........... I want to make sure that whichever camera I end up choosing that it be functional for land shots since that's where most of the pictures will be taken.

I'm thinking of getting the Canon housing for our SD600. It's almost $200.

My SIL has an older Canon and UW housing. He has taken some nice UW shots and it has an optical viewfinder for land shots. Maybe I should broaden my search a little - LOL!