Help the newbie...too many camera choices

[Greenman]

No, I'm not sure. I'll certainly post back when it arrives and I've had a chance to verify this from a review on Amazon.com:

"My only complaint is that the multi funtion wheel on the back of the camera is not accessable when in the case so you cannot use most of the manual funtions that require use of the wheel."

 

[TracyKent]

I've taken about 400 pictures underwater with my A80 and no external strobe (although I want one). It takes great pics in my experience. I don't have anything pro worthy, but I like it.

Hope this helps... I use the Canon U/W case.

 

[alcina]

Greenman -

I've done some checking and it looks like all controls are accessible from the housing. Double check your manual and have a look at this thread on the S80 - hth

 

[Greenman]

Thanks for pointing me to that thread, Alcina. GM

 

[Jupiter31]

The A80 is a great camera. It has the slower Digic I in it, but as you already use this camera you will be used to it and won't notice! I had and used the A70/A75s for a long while - would still be using them if some nice person hadn't flooded the last one. I picked up a cheap A520 to use...I haven't had a chance to get it underwater yet but the only downside to that model is two AA batteries instead of 4.

If you look at the pink link in my sig and scroll down a bit you will find the A80 along with a link to some photos (actuallly I think it's the A85, but same dog) taken with internal flash only.

I wouldn't worry too much about MP really - 4 and above will be fine.

Going with the camera you already have will save you some bucks, but if you think you would like the more MP and/or the newer technology then maybe check out some of Canon's newer models. Keep in mind that with your curren A80 you can simply add things like wetmate lenses to your housing. If you go with the A620, a great camera, you will need to head to the Ikelite housings in order to be able to put wet mate lenses on. Again, the pink link talks a bit about extras you may want to add.

Have fun shopping!

Just curious - what about other brands - this whole thread has been about Cannon; do you put them in a higher category than Nikon, Oly, Fuji, etc - or are they better for a beginners set up? thanks

 

[alcina]

In this particular thread, the OP stated in the first post that Canon was the range of choice.

In general when I answer I do lean towards Canon mostly, though Olympus has the 350 which is quite nice (and the venerable 5050 which I adore). Fuji has a couple choices, but neither float my boat though others love them.

I have quite a bit of personal shooting experience with the Canon range. I also am in a position to have first hand observations of other divers (from never picked up a camera to those who are quite comfortable with one) with a wide range of different brands...and the Canons consistently come back with better images.

There are quite a few members who use other systems and if you have particular questions on anything it's best to start a dedicated thread so the answers don't get lost

 

[randini]

Well, the thread is in the canon section.

Personally, I was looking into everything under the sun when I started looking for the camera I will be buying soon. I got turned off the Fuji's and oly's real quick beacuse of the xD cards. I don't like proprietary formats because the technology advances more slowly and costs more (yes I also avoid microsoft products when I can). Besides I already have several SD cards laying around and an SD card reader in my laptop. I don't want to deal with getting another format. This has also a turn off for me to look further into the Sony's. I must say I did see a oly Sp320 in person today for the first time, and I was surprised at how small it is for all the fatures that it has. The SP350 with (same thing but with a hotshoe) would be abslolutely perfect (IMHO) if it weren't for the xD card.

I've seen good things about the Nikons, but the major drawback, at least in their compact line, is a lack of manual controls. IIRC the most I can find in the currrent lineup is Aperture Priority and Manual WB in the P3 & 4, which, although the minimum for UW phtography (from what I'v been reading), really is not that much of an offering, especially since they are notably more expensive. At least here in Chile the P3 and P4 are more than 2x as expensive as a canon A540 which has more manual controls, but otherwise similar features.

By the way, I'm still a beginner as well. I just decided to buy a camera about two months ago and have been researching while I save my pesos. I still have yet to actually buy anything, so please don't think I really know what I'm talking about.

 

[Georgia bubble blower]

Thanks again for the replies. I really appreciate the advice you all have offered. Yes, I am pro Canon. I went through several brands of camera (Sony, Oly, Nikon) when I bought my first digital camera (A80) and for me, I personally found Canon to be the better choice. That is not to say that the other brands don't have their shining stars, I am sure they do, but I just found not only the build quality of the Canon to be exceptional but the photo quality was excellent as well and I personally thought they just looked better (photos) compared to several other brands my friends owned at the time. Now don't get me wrong, I am in no way even close to an expert on cameras or photography so this is just an account of my limited personal experience. I just know what I like and for me it was/is Canon. For others it may be any of the other brands and if so, great. Can you tell I'm trying real hard here not to offend anyone?

Anyway, as for my decision, I have decided not to rush things. Turns out my trip to the Keys will not be until April '07 so I decided there is no need for me to rush. I think i'll just keep an eye out for whats out there on the market, keep reading the posts here on SB and learning what I can from everyones experiences and make my decision when the right time presents itself. Who knows, I may even catch a great sale and save a buck or two. Thanks again.

 

[Jupiter31]

"I have quite a bit of personal shooting experience with the Canon range. I also am in a position to have first hand observations of other divers (from never picked up a camera to those who are quite comfortable with one) with a wide range of different brands...and the Canons consistently come back with better images."



Great point - thanks