Underwater/waterproof cameras, cases and housings

[jiminyC_fan]

I prefer a rubber or rubbery plastic wrist strap. One that is big enough to put around my neck when I get tired of carrying it or am snorkeling back to the shore.

Are you talking about the "coil" looking kind?

 

[rtphokie]

Are you talking about the "coil" looking kind?

If it's heavy enough, I suppose that would work.

 

[pyrxtc]

I have yet to buy one for myself, but it is on my list!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I have yet to buy one for myself, but it is on my list!

Good luck!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Just got back from a scuba shop and bought a mini snappy coil. It snaps onto your life jacket or suit or whatever you choose. It looks like it will be perfect and easy to use. Cost was 22.99.

 

[beachbunny]

Does anyone know where I can purchase a waterproofing cover for my Canon S3-IS? I've seen plastic covers for other cameras but I can't find one specifically made for my camera. I'm going to the Galapagos next year with AbD and don't want to get my camera wet while photographing all that great wildlife.

 

[bob100]

Does anyone know where I can purchase a waterproofing cover for my Canon S3-IS? I've seen plastic covers for other cameras but I can't find one specifically made for my camera. I'm going to the Galapagos next year with AbD and don't want to get my camera wet while photographing all that great wildlife.

there are various types of bags and devices such as those in www.aquapac.net
but real water proof casings cost more than the camera!
you can search "water proof / underwater in the S3 forum -
/www.s3users.com

 

[beachbunny]

Thanks bob! I was afraid it would be expensive. I've also got a Canon Elph that Canon makes a cheaper case for. Maybe I'll take both cameras with me and only use the Elph in or near the water.

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

I have a Nikon D50 that I use for everything else, but am always afraid to take it near the water. My DH bought me the Olympus Stylus 850 SW underwater camera for my birthday. Does anyone have any experience with it? I know it won't compare to my D50, but I wanted a point and shoot that I could use around and in the water. I won't be able to really test it out until our next trip in May, so I was wondering if anyone had any samples.

Thanks!

 

[Gdad]

I have a Pentax W30 which is a similar underwater P&S. I like it a lot- great for playing with the kids in the pool or on a rainy day. I actually dropped it over the side of my Kayak in about 6' of water and just hopped in and retrieved it.

 

[pdarrah]

I don't have the olympus, but a bunch of other DISers on the DCL eastbound panama canal cruise bought it for that trip. They all seem pretty happy with the photos they took. One DSLR shooter did say that the shutter lag is pretty bad, but they felt it was worth that annoyance for the convenience of using it in the water.

 

[annnewjerz]

I have the Olympus 1030 SW (which is the newer version of the 850 I believe). I took it on our vacation to Mexico in August and took LOTS of underwater pix with it snorkeling and even in the pool. Here are a couple (a lot!) of my favorite shots. It really worked great...just don't drop it in deep water, it's heavy!

I would definitely recommend this camera. I recently purchased my first dSLR but I wouldn't ever get rid of this camera. The ability to take it in the rain, on wet rides or even down into the ocean is just a great thing to have.

Ann

 

[BorisMD]

My 15 yo son has that camera, and I'll say that I am quite impressed by it. I don't have any samples, as they are all on my son's computer, but it does a great job.

I second the advice to not drop it. They don't float. I attached one of those foam keychain floats to the wrist lanyard, and while it still doesn't float, it sinks more slowly, and you can see it better if it's under water. Not sure if that will work in the dark river water around here, though.

Regards,

Boris

 

[MickeyMom2Boys]

Thanks to all for the tips so far.

annnewjerz - great pictures!

I don't expect it to be as good as my DSLR, of course, but I'm excited about being able to photograph in and under water! I can't wait to use it at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon in May!

 

[jewelmicky]

What is the difference between the Olympus models? P&S, underwater, and tough? I saw an Stylus 790 at Meijer for 249 and a 1030 at Best buy for 379....what is the difference in the various models?

 

[michellem1118]

If they are both styus SW models, then the differences are... the 700 series is a 7MP camera, while the 1030SW is a 10MP camera; the 700 series is waterproof to 10 ft, while the 1030 is waterproof to 30 feet; they're both shockproof, but I think the 1030 is shockproof from a higher distance (will survive a greater fall). We have the 1030W and absolutely love it - its our primary point-and-shoot camera. We went with the 1030SW because we wanted the greater depth on the waterproof end - when snorkeling I've been known to swim down more than 10 feet underwater, and didn't want to ruin the camera accidentally. The higher resolution was also a plus.

Check out http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_sw.asp for more details on the individual cameras.

 

[annnewjerz]

I have the Olympus 1030 SW as well. I bought this camera specifically for a trip to Mexico we took this summer where I knew I would be doing a lot of snorkeling, swimming and underwater shooting. Overall, I was VERY pleased with the underwater shots. They came out clear, crisp and it was really fun just taking the camer straight into the water without having to worry about a possible leak in an underwater housing for a normal point and shoot.

As far as the above-water pictures, they came out just fine...but I wasn't thrilled with it. Some things I liked: the fact that it's 10 megapixels, the various program modes, it had an image stabilization option. The things I didn't like: the fact that there was no viewfinder. This was a biggie for me. I hadn't had a point and shoot without a viewfinder before and figured it wouldn't be a huge deal. However, when I began to use the camera I really didn't like the inability to review pictures on the LCD in the strong sun because of the glare without finding somewhere to hide for shade.

All in all, I would say it's a great little camera. If I didn't plan to use it underwater I wouldn't purchase it again for all dry-land shots, but it is really handy if you plan to snorkel, swim, take pictures in the rain, go somewhere with below freezing temperatures, etc.

 

[wdwwishes]

We bought the 850Sw for our girls (9 and 12) and we've been very pleased with the investment ($300 for kids is a little high but our thought was get a "workhorse" and we won't have to replace it). The cameras are easy to use, have great features, take short movies and produce some pretty good shots. This model is "drop proof" from 5 feet, goes underwater 10', can go outside down to 14 F and is 8 megapixels. This model is still available for less money than the newer versions. You just have to look for it. If you're looking for a waterproof camera, this is the only one availabe (I think). I'm sure you'll be happy with any of these models.

 

[mom2d&b]

I am looking for suggestions on a small digital camera to use underwater. It does not need to go very deep, maybe 6 - 8 feet. I currently use a Nikon D50 but am looking for something small that I can throw in a purse and use everyday and at/in the pool.

Lisa

 

[annnewjerz]

I am looking for suggestions on a small digital camera to use underwater. It does not need to go very deep, maybe 6 - 8 feet. I currently use a Nikon D50 but am looking for something small that I can throw in a purse and use everyday and at/in the pool.

Lisa

I have the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW and I think it's great for underwater pix. I don't LOVE it for above water photos (I like my D60 or Canon p&s better because they both have viewfinders rather than just LCD screens).

The fact that I don't have to worry about any underwater housing leaking, I can just fasten the wrist strap and go...it was great for our vacation this past summer. I took it in the pool, on the beach, snorkeling through caves and out on the coral reef to swim with the sea turtles and got MUCH MUCH MUCH better pix than I had two years earlier with a disposable underwater.

It was under $300 when I got it in July of 08 from Best Buy, so should have gone down by now. It goes up to either 15 or 30 feet into the water (don't drop it though, it doesn't float and is pretty heavy), it's shockproof and also can be used in below freezing conditions.

Happy shopping!!