CAnon A70 vs other camera

[audiotyro]

I wasn't sure where to post, took a gamble that this is the right place.

I have a Canon A70 and was about to buy a housing for it. However, the Olympus dealer here have special where I could get a brand new Stylus 400 Digital and underwater housing for about US$360. If I figure in the cost of the A70 housing and resale value for the A70 my cash out would be minimal. But I'd like to make sure that the camera I'm bringing down would be worth the effort. Meaning the pictures would be good.

I'm a newbie but would really like to be able to take "snapshots" to show non-divers and my kids what I see down there. I've been to the Oly outlet and haven't seen users of the Stylus 400 (replaced by Stylus 400). I've noticed several A70 users here though.

Any advice? Input? Thanks.

 

[alcina]

I love my Canon A70. Check out LukeRob's gallery for some of what it can do in the right hands & with lots of practice!

Have only used a stylus once and didn't like it as much as I liked my Canon from day one. justleesa has one and has some great shots with it.

I don't think you can go wrong with the Canon and a housing is around $150 US...you already have the camera...spend the extra money diving or for accessories!

 

[lukeROB]

What alcina said.
Remember you already know how to use the A70, this is important. I would stick with the A70, I haven't really looked at the lower end Oly's but there is a reason that the small Canon's were rated very highly in 'bang for the buck'.

As alcina said check my gallery to see that the A70 can be good underwater. I have a few expensive attachments which are used in most of the shots, but here are two that are just taken with the camera and housing.

Image by lukeROB (Copyright) posted at ScubaGallery

Image by lukeROB (Copyright) posted at ScubaGallery

 

[jmatheso]

I was just looking at the A-85 which is just a newer snazzer version of the A-70 versus Stylus 400 decision last month and decided on the Canon. While the Olympus really grabbed my attention I went with the Canon because I believe you had to open the Oly housing to turn the Stylus on and off (correct me if I'm wrong) but you could do that with the Canon in the housing. That was a show stopper for me. I've taken my first underwater pics with the Canon in its housing and couldn't be happier.

 

[artw]

I have the A40 and its housing, which I think is just a 2 year old, 2 megapixel A70
and I am more than happy with it
there are some close-up and night-macro shots if you follow the link to my gallery below

 

[audiotyro]

Thank you all for the feedback. Great pictures! Those shots with "stock" (just camera + housing) were really impressive. More than enough for a newbie like me. I hope to be able to take some soon. I'm actually quite happy with the A70 and was just tempted by the Oly's price. the A70 has enough manual functions to make me feel artistics and creative at times. And lukeROB is right, I already know how to work this camera.

Now I'm trying to locate a housing for my A70 in time for a trip in November! Thanks again to everyone!

 

[Scuba65]

Audiotyro...www.walmart.com has them and they are cheap..i believe like $150. that's where I got mine from. I also have the A70 and love it...I just ordered a strobe for it. good luck and give them a try for the housing.

 

[audiotyro]

Update: I finally got my housing. It was a close call since most dealers were out due to the camera being discontinued already. Had friends looking in the US, Philippines, Hong Kong and snagged it in Singapore.

The manual said to store the housing "carefully". Can anyone give more practical details? Is a big tupperware with silica gel ok? Ziploc bag? It also said store in an "opened state". Does this mean totally open (split apart) or would keeping the clasp unlocked be enough?

Can't wait to try it out but I'll have to wait for a couple of weeks. I'll probably try it in a swimming pool.

 

[AmyJ]

Would love to hear any thoughts about your camera A85 as I just got one and am leaving to take pictures in warm waters on Friday. My housing is on the way, so I haven't actually seen that yet. And I really don't know much of anything about photography in general... so any advice is appreciated...

did you use the underwater setting? auto settings? manual?? Thanks

 

[alcina]

The manual said to store the housing "carefully". Can anyone give more practical details? Is a big tupperware with silica gel ok? Ziploc bag? It also said store in an "opened state". Does this mean totally open (split apart) or would keeping the clasp unlocked be enough?
QUOTE]

I store mine one of two ways: with an old set of orings in the grooves and the good orings in a ziplock baggie inside the housing. Housing is closed, not clasped usually. or with the orings completely out and snugged inside housing.

I love tupperware for storing my camera gear. For shelf storage the tupperware by itself is fine & this is how I have those cameras that I just grab and go. For hauling around, I use one of those soft sided drinks coolers with the tupperware inside. Inside the tupperware is a padded camera bag or foam insert for the camera.

HTH