Compact & RAW?

[HenrikBP]

My wife gave me $500 and told me to buy an UW camera . I'm up for padding that amount some to get what I want. So I've been researching UW cameras and want to ask the Forum what I'm missing:

- I want to shoot RAW. I like the work process and have the necessary hardware/software. I would prefer not to hack a Canon to get RAW capability.

- I want a compact camera, as pictures will be secondary to the diving itself. No strobes yet. I know - quality will suffer. I'll make do with the internal flash for now.

- I'll be shooting pictures for memories and to show the family. Mostly wide angle (no adapters yet) and pretty fishes.

- would like to shoot short video clips and would prefer HD.

- I want to start out with a camera that will grow with me should I decide to expand my gear with strobe(s) and such.

For compacts that seem to fit the bill I've so far found Canon G10, Nikon P6000, Sea & Sea DX-1G, and if I go with an (expensive) 3rd party housing the Panasonic LX3 may be an option too.

The Canon G10 seems to be the obvious choice with good specs, lots of housing options and 3rd party support. Many UW photographers have taken stunning pictures with the G10. But I think, as the technology is developing now, that Canon missed the mark in their choice of sensor (noise) and the slow lens compared to earlier G-models.

The Nikon gets mixed reviews, especially for the price.

Don't know much about the DX-1G

The Panasonic LX3 looks like it would be a great UW compact - and it got a nice write-up in "Underwater Photography" issue 47. Of course the least expensive housing is about $650 :shocked2: The LX3 seems to compare well with the G10 in some reviews, less so in others. None of the housings for the LX3 allows the use of the internal flash.

So; am I missing any brands/models?

Other thoughts?

Thanks

Henrik

 

[Nemrod]

The 500 dollars is not going to get you an underwarter camera short of like a SeaLife etc. By the time you purchase a houisng, strobe, tray, lenses, adapters etc you will be more in the 1,500 dollars range or MORE.

I know this is not what you want to hear but frankly the Canon A590IS with Ikelite housing, tray, Inon 100 Type II and Inon macro will run circles around the G10 because--BECAUSE--the G10 does not accept readily the above mentioned wet lenses. Image quality and bells and whistles aside, it is the combination of factors that prevails. The best camera specs in the world are useless if it cannot mount the optics to get the pic. Underwater the G10 sucks until you put it in a 1200 dollars housing with an additional port and then it barely equals the pauper 590IS, WTH.

Unless macro is all you want, then get the G10.

You said mostly wide angle, the G10 is virtually mostly horrid at wide angle due to the inability to mount wide angle wet mount lenses. The FOV of the native lens through the flat port is barely 50 degrees--not wide angle. If you got the Ikelite housing then you could get a barely respectable 65 degrees FOV with the dome port. Ikelite calls that wide angle--yawn, yawn, pa-tooey.

N, if it isn't science, it is mythology, just the facts mam

 

[JCAT]

I would prefer not to hack a Canon to get RAW capability.

Actually, your not hacking the camera, but installing a modified operating system on the memory stick. Not really a hack and the camera is not affected. I use a 570IS and it works great for RAW. Now, if I was a better picture taker things would be great.

cheers

 

[Diverjim3483]

First, does you wife have a sister. I could use $500.

If all you have money for right now is the camera/housing, the DX-1G would be a good choice. You could always rent a strobe for this camera for your first outing. Its WA isn't as bad as some of the others you listed; it takes movies, just not in HD. It does RAW AND its a camera you can definitely grow into with accessories. With the 2G coming out we are seeing the 1G come down in price.

Let us know which way to decide to go.

Jim

 

[HenrikBP]

I know this is not what you want to hear but frankly ...

Well - yes I realize $500 won't buy the full package by a long shot. But with the "padding" I mentioned, I could get camera and manufacturer housing. For instance; Canon G10: $370 (refurb) + WP-DC28: $175 at Adorama. Total = $545 Not that I'm set on the G10 - just an example

Really, what I'm looking for right now is an "UW Tourist" set-up. Camera and simple housing. I do *want* RAW, and would like the camera to have enough options, in-camera as well as available accessories, that I can build on that later on.

At work I have a Canon A650 where I installed the "hack", so I'm familiar with it. It works ok - most of the time - but the write times can be frustrating for some of the shooting I do.

I appreciate the feed-back guys. Thanks

Henrik

 

[CompuDude]

So what you're looking for is a compact camera for UW photography that shoots raw AND has good write times AND supports good add-ons for wide angle work?

Does such a creature exist?

 

[diverrex]

So what you're looking for is a compact camera for UW photography that shoots raw AND has good write times AND supports good add-ons for wide angle work?

Does such a creature exist?

yes that camera exists, just not with an inexpensive OEM housing

 

[Cecil]

What about an Olympus 350, that is a great older camera and I'd be surprised if you can not find one on E-Bay.

 

[CompuDude]

yes that camera exists, just not with an inexpensive OEM housing

Care to share with the rest of the class?

 

[diverrex]

Care to share with the rest of the class?

Well I'd say the G9 (discontinued) with a Patima housing (discounted) fits those citeria. Others would say the G10 in the FIX housing with the WA adaptor does.

But you are then looking at something like $1,000 for housing and another $500 for WA lens.