info. on reaf master dc310

[Red E2 dive]

I'm new to sb so if I'm in the wrong place please redirect me. My question is about the reaf master dc310 is it a good camera for the money. I don't own a camera, but I have barrowed one on a few ocations. I enjoy being able to share my experinces with other people, and I think photogrophy is somthing I will enjoy. also should I opt for the pro kit. Any info. you guy's can give will be great.

 

[alcina]

Welcome!!

You can do a search with the search function - use the advanced feature to type in your keywords (like dc310 or reefmaster) and then select the UW Photo forum. You'll find lots of conversation on this system

FWIW in a nutshell, I'd go for a consumer camera like the Canon A series and the Canon housing instead. I believe they are better cameras uw and above water. Olympus, Fuji and Sony also offer cameras you might consider. The A series can grow with you - you can add strobes and lenses later.

If you are already keen on photography, have a look at the Olympus 5050 - it's a very nice, very versatile system, too.

If you have the money and time to dive a dslr is wonderful...but pricey. I haven't moved to one and I have access to diving on a regular basis. I'll stick with the Oly 5050 for now

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Are you looking for fun pics that you can share with friends/family or postcard quality pics? I used to use a DC310 with the Reefmaster Strobe and it took fun pictures, no complaints, especially since it was a friends and I didn't have to pay for it

When I purchased my own camera, I went for the Oly 5060 and a housing for it. Better quality pictures and all the manual options I need to make for some pretty outstanding pictures(now if only I was a skilled enough photographer to take the outstanding pics the camera is capable of ).

Its really all in what you are looking for... Personally, I don't think the DC310 is bad at all for the price if you just want something to take pics and show friends.

 

[Corigan]

I was just looking at this road a few weeks ago. I had a sealife CL 35mm film w/strobe and a few other sealife products. I was looking to get a DC 310 and the best deal I could find was going to cost me in the range of $300-$320 for a brand new camera.

I decided to get a refurbished oly c-5000 for $199 w/ a manufacturer warranty of 90 days on the camera, plus I paid to insure it through DEPP.

I then paid $140 for the PT-019 housing to go with the c-5000.

So for an extra $20-$40 I ended up with a way better camera than what the dc310 has to offer. It's a 5mp and looks much better topside as well as below.

On another note, I got some really good photos in roatan with my sealife, strobe, macro. I wouldn't call them funshots as they look really good. Sealife's are definately not bad cameras. I do however agree with Alcina 100% and decided to go the other route. I even sold my other camera setup to help pay for most of this one. I am very pleased with the camera.

Matt

 

[DesertEagle]

The same money you spend on a Reefmaster can get you:

A Canon A85 4MP with Canon housing
A Nikon Coolpix 4200 in a Fantasea housing

The Reefmaster is appealing because it has a nice yellow housing. It looks serious. Now take a look at the camera itself. I think the camera is comparable to this:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...4?_encoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0001659B8

I would go for the Nikon or Canon. They have better resolution, good lenses (with a real zoom) and are really useful outside of the housing.

 

[NAIBdiver1]

I'm new to sb so if I'm in the wrong place please redirect me. My question is about the reaf master dc310 is it a good camera for the money. I don't own a camera, but I have barrowed one on a few ocations. I enjoy being able to share my experinces with other people, and I think photogrophy is somthing I will enjoy. also should I opt for the pro kit. Any info. you guy's can give will be great.

I have a ReefMaster DC310 and am very happy with it both in and out of the water. I'm also very happy with the service that ReefMaster people provide. I had a little spring come loose on a button and they replaced the entire housing - quickly!

Take a look at my gallery - I posted some pictures that I took with the DC310.

I have dual strobes, both the close up kit and the wide angle. I just purchased the flash link accessory and am planning on using the camera this weekend and in the Bahamas week after next.

I like being able to switch out lenses on the dive - if a macro situation shows up - I have what I need and if it's a wide angle situation - again I have what I need and can switch from one to the other on the dive. No more being set up for one and then a great opportunity is missed.

I bought my entire set up - piece by piece using EBay, Got some good prices.

Good luck

NAIBDiver1

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I think the camera is comparable to this:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...4?_encoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0001659B8

I'm thinking its closer to one of those Vivitar cameras you can find at WalMart.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

On another note, I got some really good photos in roatan with my sealife, strobe, macro. I wouldn't call them funshots as they look really good.
Matt

You were using the 35mm film camera though, not the DC310 correct? The digital is very limited IMO from over 2 dozen dives and several thousand pictures using one.

 

[Corigan]

You were using the 35mm film camera though, not the DC310 correct? The digital is very limited IMO from over 2 dozen dives and several thousand pictures using one.

Correct. I was commenting that I have gotten decent shots with a macro lens, strobe, and a sealife 35mm film (CL).

Matt

 

[NAIBdiver1]

I think the camera is comparable to this:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...4?_encoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0001659B8


The camera that ReefMaster uses is made by Vivatar - as close as I've been able to research, I think it's a Vivatar Vivacam 3715 3.3MP with firmware developed for ReefMaster.