Diving newbie: cheap(er) options for underwater photography

[saumc]

Hi,
I am a newbie and looking for a cheap option for getting some decent underwater pics. I have a cannon power shot SX260 (it is not an underwater camera) - is it possible to use that with housing?

 

[KeithG]

check out ebay (or alibaba) for used housings. canon made housings for many of their small cameras. you may be able to find one.

an alternative would be to purchase a new waterproof camera like the oympus tough line and then stay very shallow.

a point and shoot camera without external strrobe has a limited range of potential shot types, but they are capable of great shots within that range.

some people also use a gopro setup.

 

[marcushall]

The Canon PowerShot D30 is relatively inexpensive, new at about $300, refurbished for about $225. It's rated as waterproof to 82', so slightly deeper is likely OK. Has a flash built in. It was one of the cameras I was looking at for my son before we found a good deal on s SeaLife 1400.

 

[diversteve]

Shooting Underwater has the Ikelite housing for it but at $436 you can probably do better price-wise with a different camera/housing.

Amazon.com : Ikelite 6148.26 Underwater Camera Housing for Canon Powershot SX-240 HS and SX260 HS Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

It looks like Adorama might still have one at $350 - they ship worldwide - but it's listed as special order so maybe not: Ikelite 6148.26 Underwater Housing f/Canon SX240/SX260 6148.26

The Canon housing for your camera is the WP-DC46. Maybe you can find one used on Ebay? Canon WP-DC46 Housing for Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Camera- WP-DC46- Canon WP-DC46 waterproof case protects your digital camera f

 

[RJP]

Hi,
I am a newbie and looking for a cheap option for getting some decent underwater pics. I have a cannon power shot SX260 (it is not an underwater camera) - is it possible to use that with housing?

The best - and nearly ONLY way - for a newbie to get decent underwater pics is to avoid diving with a camera until they have enough experience and skill to be able to hover motionless in the water column. If you can't do so - without touching bottom, grabbing the reef, propping yourself on coral, etc - leave the camera behind.

Don't be "that guy" with a camera. That guy gets crappy pics, damages the environment, and ruins the site/scene for everyone else.

 

[cathyinvw]

I just purchased a SeaLife Micro HD+ at the Ohio Scubafest for $799. I was told it has a Macro Setting, but it doesn't. Trying to return for my cost or will sell it for my cost plus shipping. It has the Sea Dragon 2000Lumen Photo/Video/ Dive light. Would keep it if it had Macro setting because it looks like it would take great pictures and video.

---------- Post added March 23rd, 2015 at 01:05 PM ----------

Mt Sea Life Micro HD+ is new.

 

[vannya]

Hi,
I am a newbie and looking for a cheap option for getting some decent underwater pics. I have a cannon power shot SX260 (it is not an underwater camera) - is it possible to use that with housing?

yes, is it possible, Camera Housing can protect your camera while providing and you still can access to all key controls.