Waterparks

[monarchsfan16]

Looks like we're going to be trying out Aquatica this summer. I think I'm going to want a camera with me. I'm just not sure what my best option is. I will tell you that buying an underwater digital camera is not an option. I don't spend THAT much time in environments that would make it worth it.

So, my point and shoot is a Nikon Coolpix S60. I've contemplated the waterproof pouch option. Are those viable options in general? And more importantly, what's the likelihood that the touchscreen would actually be sensitive to touch through the pouch in general, but also underwater?

Am I better off just getting a disposable waterproof camera? Do those take "ok" pictures? I know I'm not going to get the caliber pictures I get with my SLR (Nikon N80), but would they be "not horrible"?

Which is my best option? Any other options I'm not thinking of?

 

[Spinning]

for years I used those throw away cameras for underwater and they were fine. I also brought a "real" camera to take pictures of the kids playing. So it worked fine for me.
But 2 years ago I did buy an olympus underwater camera (now they run around $150) best money ever spent for ease and time! Now I jsut take that to the beach, water park, pool etc. It takes nice pictures and is digital.....But that isn't what you wanted to hear...
so yes I like the throw away cameras and would use them again if needed!

 

[tlhbdm]

We did some research and yes I would say that the disposable underwater camera would be ok. We just bought a fujifilm underwater digital camera today at Best Buy for $200. Just playing around with it, it takes awesome pictures. I'm excited to use it at Typhoon Lagoon and see how it does.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I bought 3 disposable underwater cameras for our trip. Not planning on being underwater but I figure were doing alot of water and pool stuff. I cant imagine being anywere near the pool with my DSLR. Whats the best brand for disposables?

 

[monarchsfan16]

Thanks! Glad to know I can get ok pics with a disposable. I'd LIKE to get a real underwater digital, but as a grad student, it's a bit hard to justify that one. Especially since I'm sort of saving to upgrade the archaic film SLR to digital...preferably before film is nonexistent

 

[zackiedawg]

For me, the underwater pouches work just fine. There may be differences between some of them - I have been happy with Dicapac's version as it seems about as secure as one could expect with its 3-way seal. I've got a Sony TX1 that goes in the bag when needed - I've used it in rain, in the pool, etc - and it works just fine. The plastic lens section is a decent optical quality - it will suffer a little bit of detail loss if you shot with it in the dry on a nice day, but nothing too noticeable in wet conditions or water where there is some distortion anyway. And for $25-30 or so, it's a nice, cheap option that can be used over and over again.

BTW my TX1 also has a touch screen, and no problem manipulating it through the plastic of the waterproof pouch. I can't vouch for all touch-screen cameras as some may be more or less sensitive, but I can confirm mine seems to work fine through the pouch.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Thanks Justin, that's good to know. I'd love to not have to sacrifice the zoom ability of my digital for a disposable.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Getting good underwater shots is hard, especially if you go much below the surface. I usually bring a waterproof p&s or put a non-waterproof p&s in a waterproof shell when we go to waterparks. My main goal is to have it for above water shots without having to worry about it being damaged.

I've used my DSLR in a waterproof bag, but it makes me nervous. I find that they start to leak a bit over time. Whatever approach you use, put silica packets in the case to hold down condesation and double/triple check your seals.

The biggest challenge that I've found is keeping the lens for getting covered with water droplets. I've considered various solutions like Rain-X and a chamois cloth, but I haven't really tried them.

Here are a couple of videos I shot with a waterproof housed Canon G9 at Typhoon Lagoon:

http://photos.barbierifamily.org/Di...-Typhoon-Lagoon/8835125_B4Meu#585497705_DgpT9

http://photos.barbierifamily.org/Di...-Typhoon-Lagoon/8835125_B4Meu#585511258_XbcSw