Headed to Abacos for a week, looking to buy a camera.

[coralhound]

Do any of you have recommendations for a dive camera? I have spent some time on the net looking and think I am leaning to the Sealife reefmaster possibly with the remote flash.

http://www.waterproofcameras.com/product/SL332/SeaLife-Reefmaster-Mini /

http://www.waterproofcameras.com/product/SL337/SeaLife-Reefmaster-Mini-Elite-Set /

I looked at the HERO as well - What do you all recommend?

Thanks

Chris

 

[Stylaster]

I ended up going the canon route, purchased a canon g12 digital and got the canon underwater housing for it. Grand total around 300.00 This gives you the option to use the camera for other things too.

 

[Diverjohn]

I also went the Canon route, S90 with Canon housing. I also added on an Ikelite digital strobe and tray to provide extra light at depth.

Cons with this is that it's hard to add on ports and magnifiers where as with an Ikelite housing they will just screw on.

 

[r-balljunkie]

There was a smoking deal on the EPL-1 with PT-EP01 housing for $399.

You might find remnants of that around the Internet. I went with this package, and it’s a good intermediate setup for UW photography. The EPL-1 is a very capable micro 4/3 camera on land too. I like it, as it’s easier to travel with, verses a full DSLR setup.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/olympus-outlet/439066-e-pl1-pt-ep01-special.html


There’s an EPM-1 deal on Olympus's sight now for $499, camera and housing/focus ring.

This is a smoking deal too.
http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/e-pm1-black-with-14-42mm-lens-with-pt-ep06-uw-housing.html

I personally wouldn't go with the sealife setup, its not very flexible out of the water, rather mundane. Its only positive is "ease of use".

If you have any inkling of camera knowledge, you're going to be unimpressed with the specs and performance.

The drawback with the gopro is its inability to adjust WB. you'll find your video is blueish below 30'. The aforementioned oly's will shoot 1080 video and allow for WB adjustment.


The canon S series gets good reviews too for UW performance. I have several friends that use these, with great success.

The G-12 is a bit dated, and the Canon WP‑DC34 UW housing is very suspect, IMO, prone to flooding. I would definitely do a check out dive with the housing, less camera before I dove it. My friend had water in his, first test run.

Good thing he took my advice and did a check out dive, or his camera would have been toasted.

The canon housing port is also awkward (its rectangular, verses round) and doesn't have a threaded 67mm adapter, making add on lenses impossible

ikelite makes a much much better housing for the canon, but its a bit pricey.



Remember to shoot RAW, you can tweak the photo, post processing.

The next accessory is a strobe setup, which can often surpass the cost of the camera setup. A single strobe will get you by, but eventually you'll want a dual setup if you are serious about UW photography.


Good luck!!!

c

 

[Capt.B]

I've had my Cannon Power Shot SD780 IS Digital Elph for about 2+ years. I purchased the cannon underwater housing for it. Taken it on dozens of dives, both scuba and free diving, as well as pool parties/beach. Never had an issue w leaks (wash w fresh water and clean the seal after every dive). Overall great value. Works very well in high light conditions. Once you go below an atmosphere the colors do start to all become blue. Also, doesn't work well when water clarity diminishes. If you are diving shallow in the clear Bahamian water, a set up like this would work well. You can get the cannons used all over the internet; the underwater housing is more difficult. In fact, you should make sure that the underwater housing is in stock for the particular camera before you purchase.

Good Dives.

-B