A good, but not expensive camera!

[Happy Shark]

Can you tell me a good camera?
I want good pictures, but i don´t wanna spend too much money.
Thanx

 

[Jim Easley]

The one that I use is the Reefmaster by SeaLife. The cost of the camera and the case is under $200 if you look around for a good deal. Its simple and you dont have to worry about f stops and all that stuff. It takes pretty good pictures for a beginner. Also, the company will stand behind the warranty. Mine flooded once while on a live a board the first day. When I got back I e mailed the company with the sob story and they sent me a new housing and two new cameras just in case one breaks.
I am still learning how to take pictures.
Good luck.
Jim

 

[sactomags]

I, too, have a Reefmaster that was given to me as a gift for my first UW photos. I've gotten some incredible pics -- you just need to remember to be patient, have excellent buoyancy control (you need to hover and wait for that shot) and also remember that the fish (or whatever you're trying to snap) doesn't know what you are doing and you are in their world. Spend the extra to get the strobe -- you can also get other macro lenses.
I just "graduated" to a Sony DVC PC110 Digital Videocam and Gates housing. But I'm keeping the Reefmaster to use as well.
Enjoy!

 

[herman]

There are several cameras on the market that will meet yours needs. The reef master that has already been mentioned and you might want to look at the Ikelite Auto35 as well. In either case, do yourself a big favor and go ahead and get an external strobe. The internal flash on any of these cameras do fine on land but actually do more harm that good underwater. They cause a problem called backscatter, light reflected from particles in the water and make your picture look like it is snowing. An external strobe helps reduce backscatter. In addition, you need more light underwater than the internal flashes can provide. By going ahead and getting it, you can usally save a few dollars in a package deal and you will want one eventually.

 

[TexasMike]

I used the Reefmaster basic camera (without strobe) this past trip to the Flower Gardens. Once the photos comeback, I will post a link to them so you can see how they turned out.

This was my first "real" attempt at u/w photography, so I'm hoping that things worked out okay.

• BUT HERE IS THE BIGGEST TIP IN THE WORLD ABOUT U/W PHOTOGRAPHY

Make sure your camera is turned on [red]BEFORE[/red] you put it into the housing and jump into the water. I was so excited to do my first dive that I forgot. AND THAT WAS THE DIVE WHERE THE WHALE SHARK SWAM BY!!! ;-0

So I did see it, but don't have a photo of it <<major pout>>

 

[Greg G.]

Or my equivalent, make sure there's film in the camera. The little counter will still click off the shots even w/o film in it. I found that out while clicking away at a rare appearance of a young harbor seal who was very cooperative. Could have swore I put film in it. Never saw the harbor seal again.

Originally posted by TexasMike
I used the Reefmaster basic camera (without strobe) this past trip to the Flower Gardens. Once the photos comeback, I will post a link to them so you can see how they turned out.

This was my first "real" attempt at u/w photography, so I'm hoping that things worked out okay.

• BUT HERE IS THE BIGGEST TIP IN THE WORLD ABOUT U/W PHOTOGRAPHY

Make sure your camera is turned on [red]BEFORE[/red] you put it into the housing and jump into the water. I was so excited to do my first dive that I forgot. AND THAT WAS THE DIVE WHERE THE WHALE SHARK SWAM BY!!! ;-0

So I did see it, but don't have a photo of it <<major pout>>

 

[rcontrera]

Another inexpensive camera system is the Bonica Handy Snapper. It doesn't come with the GOALI leak detection system like the other two in their line, but at $99 it does a great job! Plus, you can get a close up lens, macro lens and strobe to go with it too. Then, if you decide to step up to their top of the line camera, the strobe just shifts right over!

Just my $.02

Ray

 

[terrydarc]

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ has Reefmaster RC (reconditioned) for $129 with the 5 pound "bulletproof" case, which I'm leaving home because of its size and weight, but it's a darned nice case.

If you're budget conscious, Sierra Trading Post is a good name to know. They've got all sorts of outdoor gear, including a bit of underwater stuff: wetsuits, camera bags and the like.

 

[WolfEl]

I'm looking at the Ikelite Aquashot-3 camera case to be ued with disposalable cameras. Anyone have anything to say? I'm not a real serious UW Photo bug at this point...just want to be able to take a few pics.

 

[The Chairman]

I am not real happy with my Reefmaster... Got it a year+ ago, never been flooded, opened inside. BUT it does not want to load or rewind very well. I lost 23 of 24 pictures this past weekend of my son's first ocean dive. What a major bummer!!!