GrUvGrL Posted July 17, 2012 #1 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I have been considering options for underwater pics and video besides the obvious... buying a underwater camera. I have 2 VERY good cameras that really are not ready for replacement so buying a camera even a $200 one is something I rather not consider. Or consider as a very last option. There is the option of just purchasing a waterproof disposable - but you get pics no video I was considering a water proof housing case for my current good camera, however at a cost of over $300 I would be better of just buying a cheap waterproof camera. I have come across a waterproof case for a Iphone... 'aquabox' cost is anywhere between $35 to $70 depending on where you buy from and there are similar cases for Iphone (which to be honest... I would be very content with lessor quality photos from my Iphone for my underwater experience) Was wondering if anyone has any better suggestions or any experience with the aqua box or any similar devices to waterproof a Iphone and how these devices worked for you... would be really crappy to ruin my Iphone and have to replace it. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted July 17, 2012 #2 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I have been considering options for underwater pics and video besides the obvious... buying a underwater camera. I have 2 VERY good cameras that really are not ready for replacement so buying a camera even a $200 one is something I rather not consider. Or consider as a very last option. There is the option of just purchasing a waterproof disposable - but you get pics no video I was considering a water proof housing case for my current good camera, however at a cost of over $300 I would be better of just buying a cheap waterproof camera. I have come across a waterproof case for a Iphone... 'aquabox' cost is anywhere between $35 to $70 depending on where you buy from and there are similar cases for Iphone (which to be honest... I would be very content with lessor quality photos from my Iphone for my underwater experience) Was wondering if anyone has any better suggestions or any experience with the aqua box or any similar devices to waterproof a Iphone and how these devices worked for you... would be really crappy to ruin my Iphone and have to replace it. Thanks! The video below was shot with a Flip HD Ultra ($83 online + Ikelite case $60 - $80). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy4Koko Posted July 17, 2012 #3 Share Posted July 17, 2012 fuji makes a nice inexpensive line of underwater cameras in the low hundred buck range... I have an xp10, which is a few years old, that has served me well in addition to my 'good' $300 camera! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wecamp Posted July 17, 2012 #4 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I bought a refurbished Kodak Easyshare Sport C123 Digital Camera from Amazon for our trip and I am so glad I did. It was cheap, like $65 with shipping, and took such great pictures. And we could have it in the water no worries. Took it on the cave tubing, no worries. And it took great picture out of water too. I can't get a picture to upload right now. I can try later if you want to see one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrUvGrL Posted July 17, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I am begining to think that for the cost of 2 waterproof disposables I could buy a cheap waterproof digital camera I can reuse on future underwater adventures and it'll do video! I just checked amazon for Kodak Easyshare Sport C123 - none available but coleman makes a waterproof camera for 80 bucks! Anyone know anything about these colemans? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrUvGrL Posted July 17, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted July 17, 2012 The video below was shot with a Flip HD Ultra ($83 online + Ikelite case $60 - $80). Most of the flips and cases I came across online are much more expensive... you may have lucked out on them prices!:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dms_cruisers04 Posted July 17, 2012 #7 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Been looking at waterproof digitals ourselves. Coleman reviews were bad, lots of leakage apparently. We might try a Kodak Playsport Zx3 or Zx5. Been seeing good reviews so far. And both are listing under $100 on Amazon so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSRussell Posted July 17, 2012 #8 Share Posted July 17, 2012 In May, I bought a Kodak PlaySport (Zx5) HD Waterproof Camera of off Amazon. Tried it when I got home, it didn't leak at all. When I used it on my excursion, I had it on 'underwater' settings, and mistakenly put it on black and white. It takes very good pictures, though. I like the fact it takes an SD card. Melanie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dms_cruisers04 Posted July 17, 2012 #9 Share Posted July 17, 2012 In May, I bought a Kodak PlaySport (Zx5) HD Waterproof Camera of off Amazon. Tried it when I got home, it didn't leak at all.When I used it on my excursion, I had it on 'underwater' settings, and mistakenly put it on black and white. It takes very good pictures, though. I like the fact it takes an SD card. Melanie Thanks Melanie! :) Always great to have a first hand review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisFemmeKat Posted July 17, 2012 #10 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I take tons of video when I go snorkeling on my cruises. I use my Flip in an AquaPac. It works well, is not too expensive and is guaranteed. You could get an AquaPac and put whatever small camera you want in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldwolf Posted July 17, 2012 #11 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Been looking at waterproof digitals ourselves. Coleman reviews were bad, lots of leakage apparently. We might try a Kodak Playsport Zx3 or Zx5. Been seeing good reviews so far. And both are listing under $100 on Amazon so far. We bought my son a Kodak PlaySport Zx3 about 2 years ago. I can't recommend it enough, it cost about £70 (probably cheaper in the US and 2 years on) and the HD quality of the underwater video is stunning. It's also pretty tough, we've taken it down water slides with no problems. It's great for snorkelling as well. If it cost twice as much it would still be a great buy. I think the Zx5 has now replaced it. And no, I don't work for Kodak. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacBrokefoot Posted July 17, 2012 #12 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Another endorsement for the Kodak Playsport...waterproof to 10ft, perfect for beach video or when you are hanging out in the pool or hot tub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrUvGrL Posted July 17, 2012 Author #13 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I take tons of video when I go snorkeling on my cruises. I use my Flip in an AquaPac. It works well, is not too expensive and is guaranteed. You could get an AquaPac and put whatever small camera you want in it. I did look up the AquaPac for my cameras, which are far from small... (both are pretty big cameras and would not fit into the AquaPac) - and each expensive enough I do not want to chance looking for a bigger sized aquapac. That was really where I was conflicted... I mean if I have to purchase a smaller camera to use a AquaPac, would it not be better to just purchase a smaller camera which is waterproof? I looked up the flips and they seem to be almost a couple hundred dollars, factor in the cost of the AquaPac, I am where I dont wanna be price wise. BUT - I will say this... the first person to post to this thread after me had a video he posted with his flip and I thought it worked great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrUvGrL Posted July 17, 2012 Author #14 Share Posted July 17, 2012 We bought my son a Kodak PlaySport Zx3 about 2 years ago. I can't recommend it enough, it cost about £70 (probably cheaper in the US and 2 years on) and the HD quality of the underwater video is stunning. It's also pretty tough, we've taken it down water slides with no problems. It's great for snorkelling as well. If it cost twice as much it would still be a great buy. I think the Zx5 has now replaced it. And no, I don't work for Kodak. :p Thank you! I think I will be checking this out!! Seems like quite a few people are suggesting this one and if the price is right one of these lucky cameras may find a new home... in my backpack! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herfnerd Posted July 17, 2012 #15 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Used to use a dica-pak on my digicam - took marginal pix at best Kodak gets a lot of favorable reviews but just be aware that they have left the digi-cam business during restructuring so warranty/service may be iffy..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dms_cruisers04 Posted July 17, 2012 #16 Share Posted July 17, 2012 and no, i don't work for kodak. :p lol! :d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OKCruiseMan Posted July 17, 2012 #17 Share Posted July 17, 2012 If you do get to your "last option", I would recommend the Canon D10. Now that the D20 is out, the D10 has been discounted. Shows $250 on Amazon, but it seems I have seen others post having seen it closer to $200. I've used it for several years with good luck on pics and video (non-HD video). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afergvip Posted July 17, 2012 #18 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I purchased the Olympic Tough 820 and absolutely LOVE It!!!! It takes awsome pictures out of the water and in the water!! It was $300, but so far well worth it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ib4cruzn Posted July 17, 2012 #19 Share Posted July 17, 2012 When filming underwater you may want to consider an underwater filter. They come in various shades of red depending on your dive depth. This counters the natural blue hue of the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herfnerd Posted July 17, 2012 #20 Share Posted July 17, 2012 When filming underwater you may want to consider an underwater filter. They come in various shades of red depending on your dive depth. This counters the natural blue hue of the water. Many UW digicams have an underwater mode that compensates for the blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summercruisin' Posted July 17, 2012 #21 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I love love love my Kodak playsport. I've had it for about two years, and I take it everywhere we go. It has been to (and survived beautifully) DC (where it got dropped in a public toilet....ewwww :o), New York (where we were caught in pouring down rain), Disney, Great Wolf Lodge (trying to film the Howlin' Tornado made me fall off the raft :rolleyes:), several beaches, a nearby small waterpark with slides, many birthday parties.....and so on. This Thursday we will be taking it with us to Florida and to cruise on the Legend next week :D. I've had no problems with it leaking, and there are several other benefits: it fits in a pocket, it's sturdy and can take being dropped, it's easy to charge and easy to use, it's easy to switch from camcorder to digital camera, and it comes with a free movie making program that is very easy to use as well (and that can include media from other sources, if you have another video or digital camera and want to mix in stuff from there). I have made birthday videos for my kids and niece and nephew, and I made a great movie from our last Disney trip (I'd love to show it off, but I attached copyrighted music to it so I can't upload it to Youtube :cool:). There are a few drawbacks, most notably the zoom (not smooth) and it is so light it is hard to hold still while recording. I've been very happy nonetheless and wouldn't hesitate to suggest it for someone else. Oh, and I also do not work for Kodak. I'm a teacher (who used her Kodak Playsport to record class for National Board renewal as well :)). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy0810 Posted July 17, 2012 #22 Share Posted July 17, 2012 We bought an Olympus TG-310 and have loved it. I'll post some underwater photos when I get home. If you do purchase an underwater camera, read the directions. We had to put vaseline around the outside lining of the camera/battery section to seal it. When we bought ours, we caught it on sale at Best Buy and got it for $100 new w/ accessories. They have some refurbished ones for that amount now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hassellcastle Posted July 17, 2012 #23 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I too just purchased an Olympic Tough 820 and took it on our cruise last week. LOVE IT! It took some amazing pics and vids underwater. We'll worth the money spent. I got it on sale at Best Buy for about $269 plus I bought the 32 gig sd card and the floating camera strap for $21. The $21 floating camera strap is money well spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hassellcastle Posted July 17, 2012 #24 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Don't know if this attachment worked or not. But here is a pic I took last week at a reef I found will snorkeling at Nachi Cocum in Cozumel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMWTim Posted July 17, 2012 #25 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Might check out the Nikon AW100. I absolutely love it. Has all the bells and whistles, GPS, 1080p..ect ect. Here is a vid filmed entirely with a AW100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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