Camera Purchase suggestions
- Thread starter mscrog
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Since you already have an idea of some of the features you would like, I would head over to www.dpreview.com and use their search and comparison features to start building a short list. Then I would check out www.digideep.com to check on available housings.
Also have a bit of a cruise through this forum as there have been a lot of shoppers lately and some great input from board members on various models!
Have fun shopping!
Also have a bit of a cruise through this forum as there have been a lot of shoppers lately and some great input from board members on various models!
Have fun shopping!
mscrog, I only have experience with the Oly C-5050 and C-8080 point n' shoots in their respective Oly housings. (Mostly cuz I can't afford a DSLR - *sniff*) They are great for sharing photos via email and make for some pretty good 8x10 prints. Oly has a new SP350 with 8 megapixels and a 2.5" screen for less than $300. If the quality is like that of its predecessors and you are on a budget, this may be your answer.
Many threads on this. There are very nice point&shoot systems and people get amazing results with them. Only disadvantage is the shutter delay when shooting moving creatures, you get a lot of fish butt. But they tend to be smaller, easier to handle and have "wet" lenses you can attach underwater to go from Macro to W/A.
DSLR is what many go with. Major issues here are expense, size when traveling and you have to commit to a lens for a whole dive, meaning one range of subjects. So of course when you are shooting shrimp eyes with your super macro setup a whale shark shows up.
Here is a great thread on the process.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=120748
Canon or Nikon you can’t go wrong.
DSLR is what many go with. Major issues here are expense, size when traveling and you have to commit to a lens for a whole dive, meaning one range of subjects. So of course when you are shooting shrimp eyes with your super macro setup a whale shark shows up.
Here is a great thread on the process.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=120748
Canon or Nikon you can’t go wrong.
Thank all of you for the replies and I can tell by the picture that are posted on your sites that I am getting some expert advice. The two definitive web sites Alcina recommended were both excellent. It seems that many divers are not particularly fond of Sony digital cameras. I was wondering if there was a particular reason for this. Thanks.
mscrog:
I'm probably not fully qualified to answer this, as I have only ever had Sonys (P-150)
Most of the Sonys lack RAW file format and custom white balance, neither of which I have used (obviously) so I can't say if they would be a big advantage or not.
The things I like about the P-150:
Fast autofocus, even in low light, giving very short lag times.
Large sensor, so hopefully low (ish) noise.
Good battery life ~180 minutes.
Can easily use Sea & Sea wet lenses.
The biggest factor between good and bad pictures is often the external strobe (and the user of course!!). To me cameras are much of a muchness, I would never buy an expensive camera and skimp on the strobe.
bertschb
Contributor
I used a Sony P&S underwater for a couple of years. Had fun but it was soooo slow and with no external strobe I was limited to close up work. I ended up getting a Canon 20D with Ikelite DS125 strobe and it's soooooo much better there is no comparison. If you have the money and are serious about getting REALLY good shots get a DSLR with a good strobe. After the first dive you'll never look back.
Mustangfreak
Registered
Canon>* 
I have a Sony DSC W-7 and love it! It is 7 mp and does great with rechargeable batteries. Tons of shots! Also, the shutter speed is quick and there's not a lot of lag time when you take the picture or when it saves to the memorystick. I just bought a Sony housing and used it for the first time this past weekend. Check out my pics! I am very pleased with it. I am really partial to my Sony. I think it does a fine job in the water. My husband has an SLR, and my pics often turn out just as good or even better than his. I just love it. With the Sony housing, all of the features are accessable underwater. The video works great, too. Take a look and see what you think. I am by far no expert. Right now I am saving up for my strobe set-up. But I think the pics are pretty good for just starting out.
Gilligan
Contributor
Whichever poiny-and-shoot you decide on give serious consideration to the Ikelite housing versus the camera brand ones.
Ike is making housings for several of the point-and-shoots for under $300. While this is still slightly higher than the camera brand ones, a major plus is the Ike adapter that allows for the use of the 67mm wet mount wide angle and close-up lenses.
The newer point-and-shoot housings do not have a 67mm lens port.
Ike is making housings for several of the point-and-shoots for under $300. While this is still slightly higher than the camera brand ones, a major plus is the Ike adapter that allows for the use of the 67mm wet mount wide angle and close-up lenses.
The newer point-and-shoot housings do not have a 67mm lens port.
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