Waterproof camera?

[fisherm3]

I'd like to use my digital camera at Sea World and unfortunately it's not waterproof. Anyone ever use the waterproof point and shoot camera case from Dry Pak? It's about $19.95. Don't want to waste the money on it if it's not worth it or if I won't really need it. Will I need it around the dolphin feeding pool??

 

[Coachshoes]

i'm going to the adventure camps at sea world this year, and i have a sony camera so im buying a waterproof case ($99). Its better to be safe than sorry, if you want to sit in the splash zone and still take pictures, its a necessity. you get so soaked, and the water WILL ruin your camera. its something that you can keep, and you never know when you might need it again. plus having a digital camera underwater takes much better picture than the underwater disposible!!

 

[Tillikumtrainer]

i have a $500. digi cam and i threw it in a ziplock (double lock) bag, it works just the same....lol

 

[DixieDolphin]

For Sea World, I wouldn't bother with the fancy underwater housing. It's not hard to avoid the water at shows and such. I take my expensive DSLR all the time and haven't had a problem. The only place I take precautions is if I'm sitting in the lower section of Shamu Stadium. In that case, I use something called a Storm Jacket which I bought for weather photography... but a plastic bag from the giftshops, wrapped tightly around the camera will do just as well to keep it dry.

But if you're going to Aquatica or Discovery Cove, you'll definitely want the underwater camera! And if you plan on using it for other things as well (snorkeling, trips to the beach, etc) and just need an excuse to buy it.. well, go ahead!

But if you're only planning on using it for Sea World, I wouldn't bother with the extra money. Just take a plastic sack to toss it in when they get to the splashy parts. =)

 

[Mayra]

I'd like to use my digital camera at Sea World and unfortunately it's not waterproof. Anyone ever use the waterproof point and shoot camera case from Dry Pak? It's about $19.95. Don't want to waste the money on it if it's not worth it or if I won't really need it. Will I need it around the dolphin feeding pool??

We have a camera case from Dry Pak for my son's point and shoot. We've used it for our trip to Niagara Falls and to take underwater pic on the pool, it works for us.

But at SW never had to, we avoid the splash zone and we're fine.

 

[fisherm3]

Thank you for the responses and tips everyone. I decided against getting the dry pak. I don't plan on sitting in the splash zone. Taking a Ziploc bag should work fine for us.

DixieDolphin,
I wish we were going to Discovery Cove. My dream is to do a dolphin swim, but we'll have to wait to a trip without the kids to save $$$.

 

[a.brick]

I took underwater photos at DC last time i was there with a cheap waterproof camera bought at walmart. Although some of the images were a bit blurry most of them came out well and captured our fun time. so if you just want to get some photos to capture memories i would say buy a cheap underwater camera, if you want more high quality photos you may want to buy the waterproof case for your own camera. hope this helps!

 

[DixieDolphin]

DixieDolphin,
I wish we were going to Discovery Cove. My dream is to do a dolphin swim, but we'll have to wait to a trip without the kids to save $$$.

Heehee! Leavin' the kids at home for the good trip, eh?

Yeah, it's an expensive ticket... it's gone up a lot since I last went, too. Even the passholder discount has been reduced to a pittance. But I still think it's worth it! =D

 

[Dizneydaz]

I've used disposable watercams for the past few years. Last year since we were going to do DC I searched for a reloadable underwater film camera. I found one by Snapsights (w/flash) for $14.95 at REI. (now it's 16.95). I made a trip to our closest REI which is about 20 miles away and was able to locate a few (my DSis wanted one too). Surprisingly, some of the staff at REI didn't even know they had them.

Anyway the pictures came out pretty well-I used 800 film. I love the flash feature. The lense has a slight fish eye effect. Next time I use it I will have the pix put on CD and wait to order prints until after I enhance, edit them etc. on Photoshop.

I've taken my film SLR and digital cam. to SW many times and have never had it get wet. A ziploc should work well if you sit in the splash zone!