uw cameras question

[foneguy]

for those w/ experience, i am looking into the sea n sea dc 500 uw camera. any opinions.....just for vaca diving and rec diving w/son thanks

[xSandman3`]

There are so many good little digitals out there it's hard to pick just one. You can get good housings for pretty much any camera. I have three different Olympus cameras with housings, and I have to say that the Oly housings are really cool.

[bruce-r]

I guess it would be OK for a single use point and shoot camera, but if want a better camera that you'll be more likely to use UW and on land, you should consider getting the Canon - PowerShot A570 and the Canon housing for it, the Canon WP-DC 12

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I guess it would be OK for a single use point and shoot camera, but if want a better camera that you'll be more likely to use UW and on land, you should consider getting the Canon - PowerShot A570 and the Canon housing for it, the Canon WP-DC 12

 

 

This is what I just purchased based on the recomendation on one of the scuba forums. Amazon.com has the above products for $300 combined. $136 for the camera ann $160 for the housing. Great prices given list price is about $199 for camera and $240 for housing.

 

I have not had a chance to test it out underwater yet, but the camera is user friendly, has an underwater program, and many manual controls.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A570IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B000NK3H4S/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1204509649&sr=8-1

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-WP-DC12-Waterproof-A570IS-Digital/dp/B000OEP3JA/ref=pd_sim_e?ie=UTF8&qid=1204509649&sr=8-1

 

 

Chesk these links out.

 

 

 

This is the forum and the thread where I got the recommendation on the Canon.

 

http://forum.scubatoys.com/gear-information/10029-reefmaster-cameras.html

[scubaran]

I've been using Canon Powershots with enclosures for a long time and think they work great above and below the water. I am currently using a Canon A620 (7Mpixels) with the Canon enclosure along with an external strobe triggered by a fiber optic cable that hooks onto my housing. It all works great and I get excellent pictures underwater. I think by going with a surface camera with an enclosure just increases your fexibility of taking pictures (for surface shots I have a barrel adapter that allows me to put on any 52mm lense so I have a 2x telephoto and a 72mm wide angle lense for it, they work great).

 

Randall

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I've been using Canon Powershots with enclosures for a long time and think they work great above and below the water. I am currently using a Canon A620 (7Mpixels) with the Canon enclosure along with an external strobe triggered by a fiber optic cable that hooks onto my housing. It all works great and I get excellent pictures underwater. I think by going with a surface camera with an enclosure just increases your fexibility of taking pictures (for surface shots I have a barrel adapter that allows me to put on any 52mm lense so I have a 2x telephoto and a 72mm wide angle lense for it, they work great).

 

Randall

 

Which strobe are you using?

[boastud]

I had the dc500 pro with the strobe, and it took great pics. The camera topside outside the case worked great also. I would pay the extra $125 and upgrade to the dc600 though.

[scubaran]

Which strobe are you using?

 

Hi,

 

I have:

 

Epoque ES-150 DS

 

I actually think it's no longer being made but I'm sure there's a like strobe out that has replaced it.

 

r

[FamilyDoc]

I have the Sealife Reef Master. It doesn't have a case, it just goes directly underwater. I love it. It can do video or stills and runs on AA batteries. We actually have 2 since there are four of us divers in the family.

[foneguy]

I guess it would be OK for a single use point and shoot camera, but if want a better camera that you'll be more likely to use UW and on land, you should consider getting the Canon - PowerShot A570 and the Canon housing for it, the Canon WP-DC 12

have you seen the a20is? or if anybody ised this canon? looks the same but is 8mp? look same as the a570 and same features

it looks like this is what ill go with seeing yall like the 570is

[scubaran]

have you seen the a20is? or if anybody ised this canon? looks the same but is 8mp? look same as the a570 and same features

it looks like this is what ill go with seeing yall like the 570is

 

Hi,

 

If you mean the a720is you can do a comparison with the A570is at dpreview:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona720is/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona570is/

 

Hope this helps,

Randall

[ortho_rn63]

This is what I just purchased based on the recomendation on one of the scuba forums. Amazon.com has the above products for $300 combined. $136 for the camera ann $160 for the housing. Great prices given list price is about $199 for camera and $240 for housing.

 

I have not had a chance to test it out underwater yet, but the camera is user friendly, has an underwater program, and many manual controls.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A570IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B000NK3H4S/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1204509649&sr=8-1

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-WP-DC12-Waterproof-A570IS-Digital/dp/B000OEP3JA/ref=pd_sim_e?ie=UTF8&qid=1204509649&sr=8-1

 

 

Chesk these links out.

 

 

 

This is the forum and the thread where I got the recommendation on the Canon.

 

http://forum.scubatoys.com/gear-information/10029-reefmaster-cameras.html

 

 

We used this exact camera and underwater housing on our recent cruise and I LOVE IT!!! Simple to use and the pics are great! Bought hte camera at BB on sale and the case at AMazon.... I'll never go back to disposable again!

Kim

[NeurosurgeryNP]

We used this exact camera and underwater housing on our recent cruise and I LOVE IT!!! Simple to use and the pics are great! Bought hte camera at BB on sale and the case at AMazon.... I'll never go back to disposable again!

Kim

I got both on Amazon for $300.

 

Kim -

 

Do you have some sample shots from the camera? Can you upload them or can I give you my email address?

 

How did you use it - underwater mode? DId you play with the manual controls? Were you diving with it or just snorkeling? Did you use the flash diffuser?

 

Thanks, Jen

[scubaran]

How did you use it - underwater mode? DId you play with the manual controls? Were you diving with it or just snorkeling? Did you use the flash diffuser?

 

Thanks, Jen

 

With my canon a-series I only use the underwater mode while snorkeling in shallow water. It does a minimal red adjustment on blue environments but I find manually setting the white balance (or setting it to cloudy) or using an external strobe to be the better alternative. As far as the internal flash, diffuser or not, it doesn't work well under the water. The flash, being right next to the lense causes backscatter (lights up the particulates in the water causing white blobs all over the picture). I actually have blacked out my flash on my enclosure with black electrical tape. If you're not using a strobe then use manual mode with the ISO set to 200, the white balance to "cloudy", and the f/stop to around 1/120 sec. (any slower and you'll have blurry pictures).

 

Randall

[gmcrow]

I was really close to buying the s&s DC500 until I read tons of negative reviews on camera sites. Went with a Canon SD600-- they are now up to SD1000. Should be housings for all. We have had many digital cameras and Canons are our favorite topside. You can see pics and video taken with the SD600 at http://www.cruisedivers.blogspot.com

[ortho_rn63]

I got both on Amazon for $300.

 

Kim -

 

Do you have some sample shots from the camera? Can you upload them or can I give you my email address?

 

How did you use it - underwater mode? DId you play with the manual controls? Were you diving with it or just snorkeling? Did you use the flash diffuser?

 

Thanks, Jen

 

Jen,

I haven't figured out how to upload pics on CC so if you want to send me your email, I will gladly forward some pics to you! My email is tkaaj1 at consolidated dot net.

We used it on underwater mode and just snorkeled. We forgot the diffuser in the room on the ship!

Kim

[jlswisc]

for those w/ experience, i am looking into the sea n sea dc 500 uw camera. any opinions.....just for vaca diving and rec diving w/son thanks

 

I am about to buy as well and have done extensive research. The choice seems obvious now:

 

The Olympus Stylus. No casing needed, 7.1-10 megapixels depending on the the model and totally water proof.

 

The Olympus Stylus 770 SW is the 7.1 and seems to be very popular.

 

They just came out with a brand new Olympus Stylus 1030 sw.

 

If you search this forum for stylus there is a thread with tons of pictures. They are AMAZING.

 

Official website (can buy much lower than MSRP price)

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1287

 

Thread all about the camera with pictures:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=642911&highlight=stylus

[bruce-r]

I am about to buy as well and have done extensive research. The choice seems obvious now:

 

The Olympus Stylus. No casing needed, 7.1-10 megapixels depending on the the model and totally water proof.

 

The Olympus Stylus 770 SW is the 7.1 and seems to be very popular.

 

They just came out with a brand new Olympus Stylus 1030 sw.

 

If you search this forum for stylus there is a thread with tons of pictures. They are AMAZING.

 

Official website (can buy much lower than MSRP price)

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1287

 

Thread all about the camera with pictures:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=642911&highlight=stylus

 

That choice might be OK if you are only going to snorkel, but it is unsuitable for scuba diving as it is only rated to 30 ft depth.

[jlswisc]

Ah yea, didnt realize you were going to dive all the way. Could always get a casing for it, but then again you could get a casing for any camera.

 

Still a good thing to have on the beach, when you dont plan on going diving.

[foneguy]

this is one from a disposable hey ortho rn63, to attach a photo when replying click on the little paper clip and upload from comp. then it will post as a thumb nail

[foneguy]

well im waiting for the a570is and housing...hope its worth the hype!!!!!!

either way it will be nice to see the pics between dives

[NeurosurgeryNP]

I just go the A570IS housing -it seems really simple to use and all of it's functions are accessible exccept for the print function. Going on a trip in 3 weeks - will let you know.

 

I did call Canon and but a couple of extra o-rings for the case just in case we have a problem while on the trip. They were a bit pricey at $17 each - but I guess if you don't want your camera flooded - it's not so bad. Ordered them yesterday from Canon USA and received them today.

[scubaran]

I just go the A570IS housing -it seems really simple to use and all of it's functions are accessible exccept for the print function. Going on a trip in 3 weeks - will let you know.

 

I did call Canon and but a couple of extra o-rings for the case just in case we have a problem while on the trip. They were a bit pricey at $17 each - but I guess if you don't want your camera flooded - it's not so bad. Ordered them yesterday from Canon USA and received them today.

 

Don't forget the Desiccant paks to keep the lense from fogging as the camera warms up in the enclosure while taking pictures. Lost too many good pictures to fogged lenses before I started packing these on every trip.

Randall

P.S. Can't wait for the pictures! :D

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Yup =- have them too from he Preservation Station (a recommendation I got from an uw photographer) - very small and they change colors to tell you they are no longer useful.

[scubaran]

Yup =- have them too from he Preservation Station (a recommendation I got from an uw photographer) - very small and they change colors to tell you they are no longer useful.

 

Cool, have to check them out, I've just got the white kind and switch them out after every dive (btw, they can be reused, I just turn my oven on to warm and let a batch "cook" for 1/2 hour or so, good as new.

 

Randall