disposable cameras

[wendi]

hi , i am new to this, i have been hoping for a site like this.

i have just seen a housing for disposable cameras made by ikelite, does anyone have any idea if they are any good. i only want pics to share with family and friends and show them what i see down there. it came with 3 disposables with it, but i was wondering if any would fit once i had used those.
any advice apprieciated
thanks
wendi

 

[socaldiver]

Wendi,

I used a disposable camera once, but only while snorkeling. If I am not mistaken, the disposables are only effective to a depth of around 20 ft. I am not versed on the Ikelite housing for disposable camers, sorry. What I might suggest you do is go to Ikelite's website and see what you can find out about this housing.

However, IMHO, you would be better off spending a little more money possibly and purchasing a Sea & Sea or Sealife camera. They are reasonably priced, point and shoot, underwater cameras that are effective at far further depths than the disposable.

 

[Bob3]

The bad thing about the Ikelite housings for disposable cameras is that your housing will outlast that particular design of camera, making the housing obsolete. (Ikelite housings usually last a long time, good stuff).
You can find lots of said housings on ebay, some of which can be converted for use with a cheap digital.

 

[DivingGal]

The disposables tend not to be good below 20ft. Great for snorkle, rotten for diving. Most may survive the "trip" down to deeps, but few (if any) function.

In addition, as you'll soon find out, u/w photography generally required additional lighting (strobe) - the built in flashes provide little extra light that you need for most pictures.

IMHO - save up your money and buy a "real" u/w camera if you want to take pictures at depth.

 

[wendi]

:mean: thanks for the help - im sure you are right - its best to save up a bit and get a proper point and shoot. i can certainly see the advantage of being able to add a strobe (especially in our sometimes slightly murky UK waters). will also give the ikelite website a look
thanks again
wendi

 

[DivingGal]

You might even try renting a camera from your LDS. When taking pics in less than "warm" waters -- you have the additional issue of trying to use all the setting knobs while your hands are encased in neoprene.

just an idea...

 

[herman]

Hi Wendi and welcome to the board.

I would suggest avoiding the Ikelite housing that uses the disposable cameras, I can't seem to remember want they called it. It did a fairly good job but I worry about the cameras being discontinued. A much better option that is in the same price range is the Auto 35 Ikelite makes. It's the next generation of the case you are talking about but uses a small point and shoot 35mm camera. It's also a lot less expensive to use due to it using regular 35mm film instead of the disposables....Getting the film processed is also easier. Both cameras do a reasonably good job however. And whatever camera you decide on, make sure it has a strobe available, they are a must for UW photography.

 

[Jonathan]

Before buying my u/w camera I used normal disposable cameras with whaterproof housings - as others have said alright down to 5m but won't work much below that (and not worth it any way due to the light). Good fun though for taking pictures as people get in and on safety stops.

I can also vouch that they go deeper than advertised and survive - I snapped one at 48m, forgot I had the little chap in a pocket!

My recommendation - good fun whilst you are saving for the real thing.

Jonathan

 

[AliKat]

Wendi,

I just went diving with a family who had the Ikelite housing you are talking about. The wife said she paid $245 for the housing, the strobe, and it may have come with a macro kit. Not all cameras will work. We were in Ishigake, and they had trouble with a locally purchased disposable that did not fit just right. They also said that they had to decide on the surface which lense to use as they could not be changed under water, and it seems like the macro could not be used with the strobe.

http://www.waterproofcameras.com offers the Sealife Reefmaster pro with one strobe and a close up lense for 348.88. I'm sure the extra hundred $$ will quickly be made up in the cost of the disposable cameras...all you would need is film. You can get just the camera for 168.99. They also offer a Sport diver camera for 99.93. This camera is supposed to accept all the accessories of the Reefmaster.

 

[chuckrt]

Hi Wendi,

Welcome to the board. At our LDS we had a few factory reps in and one happened to be for the MX 5 MX 10 and Motormarine cameras. they have a new MX5/2 out that has a strobe and all the diff. lenses and these cameras do take great pictures. The company will,for anyone already with an Mx5, replace the older versions for a slight fee if you buy the strobe and sorry I can not remember the exact price fut it was really insignificant compared to a new system.

chuckrt