Scuba Diving Camera
 

I was wondering what people use to get pictures of when they dive on trips. I dont want a $1,000 camera or anything for one trip but was wondering is it better to buy a camera that can go 65+ feet deep or buy a good camera and get a waterproof case? I'm definetly looking for suggestions and any tips for Diving in Jamaica (Ocho Rios).
Also just looking for opinions should I get diving certified or just snorkal for some.

From what I know about underwater photography, if you want something with DSLR quality you're going to be looking at about $1500 without the camera (for a proper underwater housing and a flash). I think that Olympus sells underwater cases for their underwater cameras (as the high-end one goes to 30 feet max unassisted). They have flashes as well for the set up. Might run you between $600-800 when you're finished but might be something to look into. This is a point-and-shoot cam as well, so remember that when you're worried about picture quality.

The biggest problem with 65+ feet is the lack of light (you lose alot of colors very quickly'). Generally the cameras flash is not enough to get the quality/ colors you will be looking for (This may not be true depending on what type of shots you want to take). Thats where the addition of a strobe comes in. I personally use a Sea & Sea DX-1200HD w/ a YS-110a strobe. Got for just over $1000. From my experience its a combination of both the camera and the strobe. A top end camera with no light won't make for a very good picture.

I think I have found the camera, it doesnt go the 100 feet but at that depth I dont think youd be able to see much anyway (without attachable light). I'm thinkin either
http://www.olympuscanada.com/cpg_sec...497&page=specs
or the based on continous speed
http://www.olympuscanada.com/cpg_sec...548&page=specs
Both can have attached lights to underwater cases for greater depths

I have the 8010. Works great but I also got the case. Took it down to 80 feet and a friend of mine took it past 100 when i lent it to him. Love it

Still trying to get the photo's off the card since the lap top corrupted the car

The olympus cameras are really just water proof for some fun in the pool or maybe snorkeling, I wouldn't use one diving without a case.

I use a canon G9 with a canon underwater case to match (about a $600-$700 combo at the time).
This picture was taken at about 60-70 feet without a strobe or any flash (iso 400)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...e/IMG_0453.jpg

More pics here:
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=64839

The advantage of this camera is that it's one of the few compacts that has aperture priority mode with a max aperture of f2.8.

Wow those pictures are ridiculous, i hope I can get half as good of pics as those. Definetly considering that setup. Would love other pics from other cameras :lol:

olypus stylus 1030 sw 10.1 megapixel
 

I've got the olympus stylus 1030 sw 10.1 megapixel camera and we took it with us to mexico and went snorkelling with it. It's only rated to 33 feet, but the pictures were not bad (all of them were taken very close to the surface of the water as I am a terrible swimmer).


Attachment 8138

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+1 on the G9
I used mine exclusively for a few years until it was stolen from a locker in Fiji ...

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...s/e9298071.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...s/308f110d.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...s/0b7cfa22.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...s/a24de6d8.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...s/353a08b5.jpg

I've been diving down to 80-90' in Horseshoe Bay area and the available light wasn't terrible, this is during the summer however.

many of the Canon point and shoots have diving cases.

Canon
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...aterproof+case

others
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...26ca047e00159a

Cheers,
Vic

If you're on a budget you can get a G9 used on ebay for around $250 or less. I wouldn't personally get a used underwater case but they can be found for around $200 or less new.

Waterproof cameras run from $29 to well over $5000 so you have to decide how much you want to spend and how often you are going to be using it. The entry level is a cheapo little film camera of fixed focal length and built in flash and uses 35mm film. The point and shoots are good for occasional use will go far beyond their rated depth. If you wreck one by going to deep they are covered by warranty. There is nothing in the camera that tells them how deep you went. Next step up is a point and shoot with a housing. all the major manufacturers make them, just pick one you like and can afford. This is what we use for all our dives and the pictures are great for personal use etc. If your looking for continuous use and professional quality then you are going to need one of the DSLR's and a housing and set of strobes.

Go Canon S95 with the Canon underwater housing. Awesome compact camera that you can still have full manual control for better underwater shooting. You'll be able to shoot RAW so you are able to correct white balance on the computer.
Also has HD video. Best option right now.

Will be the camera/housing choice for my wife for our next dive vacation.

I bought the ATC-9k at costco last month for $199.99. It has a camera but wanted it for the HD video, good to 65ft too! Gonna use it for filming my son swimming, snowboarding, and on my next scuba trip. Most of your good shots will be at 35ft anyways where there is plenty of light and coral.

http://us.oregonscientific.com/cat-O...on-Camera.html

Something to look at for a reasonable price.

Looks like a good option, definitely want to shoot in raw which I forgot to mention before, this will really help but you will still need to set WB underwater and often as software will only adjust so far, if you're way off it won't correct it.

I haven't had any issues with WB. The auto settings are pretty good. I've been shooting full manual with my G11 which helps a lot. Here's a shot at about 50' in the Cayman Islands that didn't need much work. From my understanding the S95 and G11/12 have the same guts.

http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/IMG_2178.jpg

Well I took a few shots with auto WB in RAW and could get the color right using PS, the scale just wouldn't go far enough. I guess it just depends on the light and what you're happy with. Realistically you'll always get better results using the custom WB, even in an aquarium never mind 50' down.

True enough. As easy as it is, it's just one more thing that I get the look for from my wife while diving.

After a while I could set the WB on the G9 with my eyes closed in about 2 secs. I haven't used the 11 but the 10 was the same so I'm assuming the 11 hasn't changed much.

One problem with the G9 and G10 is you can't change the aperture or shutter speed in the case so you have to make sure you set then to what you want before you dive meaning you certainly can't shoot full manual. Is the G11 different?

I guess it should be noted that when choosing a camera make sure you can actually use it how you want underwater....

I'd take a look at Cannon. I have an older setup but Cannon is one of the few companies that makes underwater housings for a number of their cameras. The housings are very reasonably priced (at least compared to companies like ikelite) and are quite well built.

I'd suggest you research which cameras have housings available and then select a camera. You'll find the cameras that have housings also have underwater modes that correct for colour etc.

The benefit here is that you have a regular point and shoot camera for surface work and then you plunk it into the housing when you dive. It's a good idea to have separate memory card for surface and underwater -just in case the enclosure ever floods, you still have all your holiday pics.

For diving, yes ! you'll always have more fun on scuba than a snorkel ! My advice is to take a class before you leave and get all the theory stuff done. Then do what's called a 'referral dive' when you arrive somewhere warm. Not only is it FAR cheaper that way, but you don't spend precious vacation time sitting in a classroom !!

why aren't any of these up for POTM :) great stuff

Diving is far better than snorkeling so I'd suggest getting certified. However don't plan on bringing a camera until you have at least a few open water dives under your belt. Once you have your open water you can actually take underwater photography courses as well.

I have an Ikelite housing so all controls are fully useable. One suggestion I have seen for the Canon G/S cameras is to use the customs settings on the camera. There are two custom setting that you are able to toggle back and forth. One can be set for distance shots and the other for macro.

I practiced with my camera in the housing in low light around the house in order to get acquainted with the functions. A suggestion for those that dive locally and use wet gloves is to even practice with them on. Don't forget, that diving with those, manual dexterity is lost. I dive with dry gloves so it's not too bad.

Another +1 to get certified. There is a world of difference being able to stay down for a long time versus snorkelling/free diving. You get to see a whole lot more. Definitely get comfortable in the water before trying to shoot pictures. Task loading can lead to potential issues.

I would tend to disagree with this. Do the entire course at home, it will be cheaper that way and you wont have to waste valuable holiday time practicing skills like fin pivots and mask removals etc. You are going to find that most of the dive destinations charge a lot more for their courses than any of the places here.

Depends where you go, typically these places in the Caribbean aren't that professional. As long as you're comfortable you'll probably just end up doing 4 dives without practicing any skills or maybe just a few skills the first dive. If you do find one of the few professional places they will likely check your log book anyway and still make you do skills since you're newly certified. But either way I'd rather do a few quick skills down their than dive the low visibility, cold lakes here.

I'd agree with doing classroom and pool skills at home then doing the 4 open water dives on your holiday provided after your class you feel comfortable enough with everything. That's what me and the wife did and I don't regret it.

I've used two different point and shoot cameras with the dive cases with pretty good success. An older Canon A95 with the dive case. My current setup is a Sony Cybershot DSC-TX9 with the marine pack. Here is a link to an album of dive photos from the Dominican with my Sony.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6a32ba3&type=1

As a lot of people have mentioned though it depends on the visibility and amount of light as to how good the colours are going to be without a good set of lights.