LOST my A650!

[runway1]

Lost my A650 (long story) and I found that replacing it will cost far more than I originally paid. As I recall, I paid ~$350 for the camera two years ago. Replacements seem to be much higher - why?

Anyhow, my question is, what is a comparable camera to my beloved A650 that I can consider?

P.S. Seems I have an as-new Canon WP-DC18 housing for sale now. Excellent condition. Very well cared for with box and paperwork - $135 with shipping and ins. to lower 48.

 

[Gilligan]

There are many Canon choices but not with a 28mm lens. Just be sure you get one with the wider 28mm lens, a 3" monitor and full manual controls.

The SX200IS is a neat looking camera but you have to get an Ikelite housing for it. Canon doesn't have one, probably because of the pop-up flash feature. And you can't use the Ike housing with the camera's built in flash. You have to use a slave strobe.

Why not just go for the G10/WP-DC28 if you can afford it?

 

[Nemrod]

There are many Canon choices but not with a 28mm lens. Just be sure you get one with the wider 28mm lens, a 3" monitor and full manual controls.

The SX200IS is a neat looking camera but you have to get an Ikelite housing for it. Canon doesn't have one, probably because of the pop-up flash feature. And you can't use the Ike housing with the camera's built in flash. You have to use a slave strobe.

Why not just go for the G10/WP-DC28 if you can afford it?

Unless you want to use accessory wide angle lenses and then you need a 35mm equivalent. The exception is the Inon 28AD lenses but these don't works so well with most housings as they are not built to accept them. The difference between a 28mm and a 35mm lens underwater is nothing compared to the difference a wide angle wet lens makes which is huge, especially with the dome correctors.

Lower budget, Canon A590 with Ikelite housing and Inon 67mm wet lenses, Inon 100WAL with dome.

Alternate, Canon A640 with Ikelite, blah, blah

Higher budget, Canon G10 with FIX housing and their new ultra wide angle dome port lens.

N

 

[Splash-X]

Found one on eBay. Not a bad price, $100 with about a day left. Seller has no feedback and is in Thailand. Could be a risk but it might be a steal.

Canon PowerShot A650 IS 12.1 Megapixel - eBay (item 250457322710 end time Jul-05-09 19:04:50 PDT)


I would consider the investment of moving up to a Canon G10 and at least the Canon manufacturers housing. You may be able to get a good deal on a G9 too.

 

[peterbj7]

Why not search for a good used one? I recently bought a Casio used to fit a housing I already had, and it's as good as new. And I've twice done that with Canon S500s. Saves junking the housing.

I don't like the G10 underwater. I'm going to start a thread on it.

 

[Splash-X]

Why not search for a good used one?

The cost of a replacement, new or used, is more than the orginal cost of the camera.

i bought a a650 from Amazon on 12/14/2007 for $334.92.

The camera was stolen while on a dive trip (but we still had the housing). We ordered a new a650 on 5/27/2008 for $299.99 from Amazon. By this time they had already discontinued the model (May of 2008).

Fast forward to now, an Amazon seller has it for $799.99

I checked eBay real quick, $499 and $599. I checked Craigs List, nothing in Tampa.


So, what runway1 is seeing is that the cost to replace it, new or used, is more than what he orginaly paid for it. And with what he would spend he could easily upgrade to a G9, G10 or similar. He doesn't say if he uses it for above water use too, but I assume he does which makes going with a strictly underwater camera less of a likely option.

 

[peterbj7]

Keep looking. I had an almost identical story with my Casio EX-Z55 - camera stolen, still have housing. When I started looking there were either none available or they were silly prices. So I waited, and after a few weeks one came along that I snapped up for $60 plus postage. Perfect working order, better than the stolen one. You should get an A650 for $100 or so.

Beware an "upgrade" to eg. a G10. I did that, and I'm glad to have got back to the EX-Z55. Underwater simply a better solution.

 

[runway1]

Found one on eBay. Not a bad price, $100 with about a day left. Seller has no feedback and is in Thailand. Could be a risk but it might be a steal.

Canon PowerShot A650 IS 12.1 Megapixel - eBay (item 250457322710 end time Jul-05-09 19:04:50 PDT)


I would consider the investment of moving up to a Canon G10 and at least the Canon manufacturers housing. You may be able to get a good deal on a G9 too.

Saw that. Thailand, no feedback, nahhhh. I don't want the risk, but thanks for the tip.

 

[runway1]

The cost of a replacement, new or used, is more than the orginal cost of the camera.

i bought a a650 from Amazon on 12/14/2007 for $334.92.

The camera was stolen while on a dive trip (but we still had the housing). We ordered a new a650 on 5/27/2009 for $299.99 from Amazon. By this time they had already discontinued the model (May of 2008).

Fast forward to now, an Amazon seller has it for $799.99

I checked eBay real quick, $499 and $599. I checked Craigs List, nothing in Tampa.


So, what runway1 is seeing is that the cost to replace it, new or used, is more than what he orginaly paid for it. And with what he would spend he could easily upgrade to a G9, G10 or similar. He doesn't say if he uses it for above water use too, but I assume he does which makes going with a strictly underwater camera less of a likely option.

Yes, bingo! on all counts. $799 on Amazon! Can you believe that?