good underwater camera?? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/06/2008 12:34:05 PM · #1

Im getting ready to take my basic and advanced scuba diving classes then will be proceeding to get my "underwater photography degree" so that I can get into doing underwater portraits. I have my rebel XT that I use now and will be getting another canon body but Im not real comfy about putting either body underwater. I waited too long for my first Dslr..then my back up to take a chance of having to throw them in the trash. Im looking for a good P&S that has a high mpix (wanting an 8mp)with a good photo print size (nothing smaller than 11x14 printing compatiable). The camera must also have underwater housing available. Im wanting the P&S to have the manual settings that my XT has. Ive looked at what the dive shop has but they are all 3mp which is not what I want or even need for this. Anyone know of a good camera that has all these options?
ETA: I was inspired to get into this by this photographer Zena Holloway tho I dont think my work will ever be close to hers I plan on giving it one hell of a try!

~~Cher~~

Message edited by author 2008-01-06 12:52:28.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

01/06/2008 12:56:32 PM · #2

I think Pentax makes a P&S which can go underwater without an additional housing, but I don't remember if it can go deep enough for scuba diving.

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

01/06/2008 01:02:49 PM · #3

thanks...Ill look into them but I need it to double for both portraits and scuba. I want to also take pics of all the pretty fishies down there and ship wrecks...lol

Message edited by author 2008-01-06 13:03:13.

yakatme

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

01/06/2008 02:06:48 PM · #4

Has anybody here actually heard of an underwater housing failing?

My suggestion is to get an underwater housing for your EOS-350D. I believe that there are far more concerns about failing housings than there are failing housings. I have never heard of a quality underwater housing failing although a lot of people have asked me how I can have the nerves to take a D70 underwater (gasp!) In my opinion, concerns are valid, but fear of using underwater housings are irrational unless you know for certain that to use one is taking an unreasonable risk of damaging your camera.

If the housing did fail, then a replacement for a used EOS-350D is under $400.00. Not a bad price to pay IF you lose this "gamble" considering that housings don't fail often enough to hear about it.

I wouldn't want to pay more money to downgrade my camera to a P & S and compromise the quality of my images or compromise my ability to take the best possible images just for the fear that a housing might leak. Especially since you say that you want to use this backup camera for portraits also.

I use the FD70 underwater housing made by Fantasea for my D70 and I have never had a problem with it. When I was shopping for housings, this was the least expensive one that I could find and it has worked great for me.

asimchoudhri

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

01/06/2008 02:12:06 PM · #5

pentax optio w30 is a great 7mp camera that can go to ~10 feet for 1-2 hours... slightly deeper for less time. it is a great camera above water as well. it's a perfect camera for fishing trips (doesn't matter if it falls in the water, and you can get underwater pics of the fish so that you don't have to hold hem out of the water and damage their gills before you release them). it can be used for scuba diving if you are careful about the depth and duration of your dives, but is probably more suited for snorkeling.

01/06/2008 02:52:43 PM · #6

I cant afford to put another $1200+ for just a housing then the price of my lights ect untill I see what kind of demand there will be for this kind of portrature.I can get a decent 6.1mp diving P&S with lights and and case for under $700. both are only rated for 200ft. I was hopeing to be able to dive deeper with a camera for my personal shots.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

01/06/2008 03:24:43 PM · #7

200ft is *more* than enough depth... unless you're doing technical diving, breathing a gas mix other than air, you won't almost certainly won't be venturing to 200 feet.

Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S

01/12/2008 09:14:05 PM · #8

I think i have found the underwater camera for me...what do you think about this one? I think its as close as Im going to get to my Dslr...please share your opinions for this. DX-1G Underwater Camera

BHuseman

Nikon D750

01/12/2008 09:17:00 PM · #9

I really wish that UW housings weren't so much money. When I get to Hawaii it is going to be very expesnive to re-outfit me with all of my scuba gear, and then add that cost of the UW housing and the strobes. But I can't wait to take photos underwater. Years ago when I lived in Japan, on Okinawa and was scuba diving all of the time I had one of those Ikelite Aquashot kits that you put the disposable camers into. While I never got any awesome photos, it was still cool to take photos underwater. I am sure with better equipment I will be able to get some awesome shots with either the 30 or 40D. I haven't decided which one will be the dive camera yet.

Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | S

01/12/2008 09:36:34 PM · #10

Originally posted by BHuseman:

I know what you mean...thats why Im looking for an underwater camera set-up thats cheaper than the $2,500 canon wants for the housing for my XT! the camera listed below has both manual setting and will take photos in RAW format! and for only $1500 and thats with the lighting set up!

good luck with the photos in hawaii...have a blast on ur vacation and dont forget to share the goodies with us when u get back! :D

BHuseman

Nikon D750

01/12/2008 09:58:51 PM · #11

Why are you buying a Canon Housing? For a 350 there are a couple of choices. In fact, you can get those choices under the 1K marker.

BH Link

With Strobe

Ikelite Housing

You can probably shop around a bit and get a bit cheaper, or try posting a WTB on a buy and sell forum. Someone may be wanting to upgrade to a 30,40 or 5D housing and need to unload theirs first.

I am not going on vacation to Hawaii, I am moving there. Of course that isn't until September of 2009 though, as I have to do a year in Greenland before I get to go there. But there is light at the end of the assignment tunnel!

Originally posted by smilebig4me1x:

Originally posted by BHuseman:
I really wish that UW housings weren't so much money. When I get to Hawaii it is going to be very expesnive to re-outfit me with all of my scuba gear, and then add that cost of the UW housing and the strobes. But I can't wait to take photos underwater. Years ago when I lived in Japan, on Okinawa and was scuba diving all of the time I had one of those Ikelite Aquashot kits that you put the disposable camers into. While I never got any awesome photos, it was still cool to take photos underwater. I am sure with better equipment I will be able to get some awesome shots with either the 30 or 40D. I haven't decided which one will be the dive camera yet.

I know what you mean...thats why Im looking for an underwater camera set-up thats cheaper than the $2,500 canon wants for the housing for my XT! the camera listed below has both manual setting and will take photos in RAW format! and for only $1500 and thats with the lighting set up!

good luck with the photos in hawaii...have a blast on ur vacation and dont forget to share the goodies with us when u get back! :D