Flooded My SeaLife... Upgrade time ??

[MyPC8MyBrain]

I've been taking UW pics on the last several trip to Cozumel with my SeaLife D500 with analog strobe. Here is a link to slideshow if you want to view some pics. [some were shot by GF with her Dimage with UW housing]

SlideSghow

On the last day, I caught the corner of the desiccant pack under the Oring and flooded the beast. The camera is no more. Now I'm faced with replacing the internal camera [$300] Upgrading to the D600 [$350?] or ditching the rig and it many shortfalls and upgrading [$$$]

In typical photog fashion, I am of course leaning toward upgrading .

I'm considering a used Oly C8080 and a PT-023 housing. Only 2 annual diving trips dictate that I keep spending to a minimum, but still desire good to great results. Ebay seems to have these items available to some degree still.

I think I can get camera and housing for under $500 and this will give me a good topside camera as well. Then I'll just invest in decent strobes that I can keep should I decide to upgrade the camera/housing some day. I'm thinking dual DS51's [?] should suffice.[i want TTL]

Any thoughts ? Is there a better camera/housing setup in that $ range? 5050 instead with Ike housing ? I can't spend thousands, but can spend some.

Thanks !

 

[gary-ramey]

For the money you'd shell out for the C8080/housing (assuming you can still find one) you could get you an SP350/housing with an Inon strobe. I like the optics on the earlier Olympus cameras with the 5050 possibly being the best however the SP350 out does them both in most other areas.

 

[ghostrunner007]

Did you like the DC500 , if so just goto to Walmart or a simular store and buy a vivitar 5340s (1/2 the price that sealife wants for it) and then just load the DC500 firmware into it. Its the same camera.

By the way I havea DC500 as well and I love it, nice cheap starter camera

Great pics by the way

 

[mike_s]

Call Pioneer Research, the company that makes Sealife. I've heard stories of people sending them their flooded camera and getting a replacement for no cost. Worth a try.

 

[alcina]

I wouldn't get the 8080. I'd look at the 5050 or the newer 350 if you are going Olympus.

If you can live without RAW, then the Canon A series are great and there are quite a few choices out there.

The Pink Link in my sig (which is also a sticky) has some more options, ideas and examples!

 

[MyPC8MyBrain]

Did you like the DC500 , if so just goto to Walmart or a simular store and buy a vivitar 5340s (1/2 the price that sealife wants for it) and then just load the DC500 firmware into it. Its the same camera.

By the way I havea DC500 as well and I love it, nice cheap starter camera

Great pics by the way

Now this is the kind of information that we love.... AWESOME !!!
Found one on ebay for like $115.

No, wait... now I don't get to upgrade
Well maybe I'll hang with the SeaLife a bit more. I just wish I could get the flash level sorted out on this thing. Things get blown out easily. And you can almost forget macro stuff.

Wow wow wow... great tip

THANK YOU !

 

[alcina]

I just wish I could get the flash level sorted out on this thing. Things get blown out easily. And you can almost forget macro stuff.

Isn't this reason enough to get a new system??

 

[MyPC8MyBrain]

Yes, yes it is. but for $115 I have to fix it and at least ebay the set for moola towards a new rig.

Looked at reviews on the OLY PS-350 and it seems that it carries the 2 additional negatives that I did not like on the DC500.

Eats batteries [20-30 pics on AA?]
Shutter Lag [8/10 second ?]

I want a camera that I can shoot 2 tanks worth without opening [and fogging] the case on the boat.

Thoughts ?

 

[ghostrunner007]

OK, to do macro use the digital strobe with the difusser attached then the color will not be washed out. To get longer battery life just go and buy the new batteries thet are rated at 750 mah now. Mine last 2 hours easy

 

[alcina]

Hmmm, that seems odd for battery life on the 350. Always use rechargeables - the others suck.

Pre-focusing will go a very long way to minimizing the time between pressing the shutter and taking the photo. Once you "get it" it's not that tough - I use dslr, the 5050 and various Canon A series cameras. While there is a definitive difference, of course, I rarely miss the shot I want with the shutter lag heavy cameras. It's just practice, knowing your rig and finding ways to work with it.