Good wet camera? Good Wet Camera?

[Zephrant]

I'd love to get a housing for my D80, but figure I could get a new point-n-shoot plus a housing for it for far less. Not to mention less equipment at risk if a leak occurs. I'd like to take in-tank pictures, as well as take it on vacations (dive to 100' and snorkel).

Anyone have any experience with point-n-shoot units in housings?

Does optical zoom mean as much underwater? I've noticed that the pros tend to use a single non-zoom lens on the big cameras when they dive. Of course prime lenses are considered better, but having a good zoom has always served me well on land.

Zeph

 

[c1truz]

canon a540- 199 @best buy
waterproof case - 169.99

 

[fppf]

Zoom is useless underwater. You need to be within a few feet of your subject to get good shots. I would just save your penny's and get a housing. If your using an dSLR on land you wont be happy with a point and shoot in the water.

 

[edwing206]

but he is worried with it leaking. if the case leaks then he is out a camera right?

 

[fppf]

Thats what flood insurance is for.
And I have not had my case, or do I know anyone that has had there case leak.

Most case leaks are caused by operator error, followed closely by not following the mfgr recommended maintance.

That is if you buy a high end case, we are not talking those $100 and $200 specials.

Also if the case is going to leak it will start leaking as soon as you hit the water. If you look in the case and see it start to leak get it out of the water. The high end cases are designed so the water pressure holds the closed. The deeper they go the better the seal until the case implodes.

Just follow these rules and NEVER break them.

Put your camera in the case the night before, when your calm cool and relaxed.

NEVER say, oh wait I'll grab the camera and just throw it together.

Always clean and inspect your orings every time.

If in doubt throw it out (oring that is).

Follow the mfgr instructions to a "T" and remember maintance (oh when is the last time your scuba reg and BC was serviced?)

And last but the most cardnal sin, NEVER, EVER, NOT IN YOUR LIFE, open the housing on the boat.

 

[Zephrant]

Thanks for the tips- I'm still scared of the $2k for the housing on the D80 though. Considering that I'd want strobes too (another $500 at least) it gets expensive fast. Can't afford that plus the trip really. My wife does want a small camera for knock around use, so I figured it might be worth it.

Good information fppf- I agree, I'll miss having the DSLR I'm sure but I just can't dive enough to justify the big housing. I'd love to rent one on the island, but I'm afraid it may not be available when I need it.

I'll look in to the Cannon- Thanks-

Zeph

 

[maroun.c]

I remeber seeing a water proof P&S I think it was a Fuji or panasonic. If I remember correctly it was really cheap sometihng around 300usd. I'm sure it won't give you the results a DSLR would give but I guess it would be fine if a small camear for knockaround use is needed.
As for the zoom lenses, yo uwill not be able to modify the zoom once the camera is in the housing that's why they use a prime lens in addition to it being of better quality and usually fast.
Anywy yo uhave to be clsoe to your subject as light is really poor as well as particules in the water that increase along with distance.

 

[fppf]

Not true, my Ikelite has one control ring that I can put on the manual focus ring or the zoom ring. A lot of guys are using a wide angle "zoom" lens, 12-24mm. I don't really think of it as a zoom though in the sense.

Housing area in the $1500 range and strobes are in the $1000 range once your all done with the arms and cords.

 

[edwing206]

olympus has a waterproof camera but it is only good for 10 feet. why is that?

 

[fppf]

As depth increase pressure will build fast. Normal air pressure is 14.7 PSI, it takes around 80,000 feet of air to make that pressure. It only takes 33 feet of water to make the same change, about .5 PSI per foot.

Inside the case you want the pressure to stay at 1 atm or 14.7 PSI. As you go deeper the pressure grows and pushes on the case and buttons. If you ever have seen a high end case you will note that most of the "buttons" are levers that rotate rather than push. The pressure will start pushing all the buttons on you. There is also a point where the case can't hold the loads on it and it will just get crushed in.

 

[Zephrant]

I had a waterproof Minolta 35mm camera for many years- The one time I dove with it, the buttons all pressed themselves at about 30' of water.

It worked well for many years, then got a drop of water in it (not on the dive trip, just snorkeling) which wedged the shutter. 4 rolls and a month later when we got home I found out.

I swore I'd never snorkel with a film camera again.

 

[edwing206]

ok i get it, thanks