Needing some help getting into Photography.

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lardo5150

lardo5150

Contributor
Messages
99
Reaction score
2
Location
Little Elm, Texas
# of dives
25 - 49
Well, I have a lot of homework to do in this area. I am not wanting to be some professional, but I would like to take some decent pics to show all my friends who dont dive what they are missing.

I want to start with a Canon. I can take care of the housing, I know where to get them, but I am on a budget.
I was even thinking of going with the SeaLife camera, someone had posted pics they took with that and those were good enough for me, but I would like to have a decent camera for use on land as well so I will go with the canon.
I have seen on this board that a lot of the popular selections are the S70's and s80's but I think they may be the older models.
What can you recommend for a first camera. I am on canon now and they have a million different models. I would like to stay within the 200 dollar range, if it is possible, if not, I will work something in there.
So what do you think, good basic model to start off with :D
 
Lardo -
I was in your situation last year and evetually went with an Oly 5060 with the PT-020 housing. I did a lot of research and found out it wasn't as simple as having someone recommend a good camera for me. I had to first determine what it was I was looking to accomplish. I wanted a camera I could grow in to, both topside and diving, but was not a professional SLR. I also wanted the option to add various attachments.

A few important things you should ask yourself:
Do I want something I can grow into?
Is there a housing available? If so, how deep is it rated?
Does the housing accept external lens attachments, e.g., wide angle, macro?
Does the camera accept lens attachments?
What type of strobes does the housing support, e.g., manual, auto?

Digideep.com is a great site to research cameras and available housings. They also show you many user submitted pictures taken with each camera. Other, more experienced photographers on this site may be able to point you to other resources.

Good Luck.
 
Thanks DumboDiver, i am actually on there now.
I am on Dell.com, cause I have some good coupons, trying to get one for the price I want, and then match it up with a housing if one is available. Not as easy as I thought. I may have to spend just a little more money.
Ya, something I can grow into, cause I just want to take some simple pics. Nothing professional, but good enought that i will be able to show off colors on reefs and fish. I will keep doing my homework today. There are SO MANY choices.
 
DumboDiver gives good tips. I will say that the S70 and S80 are not exactly "older models". They are still part of Canon's current lineup. The S80 is no longer new enough to warrant the "new" flag, but it's still fairly new, and was released more recently than the S70, if I'm not mistaken.

Even if they're not the newest of the new cameras, they're still very current and solid choices. I would heartily recommend either, even if you have to save up a bit longer than planned to get it. :)
 
Jamdiver:
I'd also recommend the Canon A610 or Canon A620..
And in light of your budgetary recommendations i'd go for the A610..

It can be had for just under $200 at some sites, check here...
http://www.justdiscounted.com/live_templates/multilayertemplate.php?currentMpage=35
Dell especially has good deals if you wait for it..

Btw, love the Samuel L. Jackson beer avatar :D :)
Click to expand...
The canon a610 is a great camera. However, if you are planning on using any add-on lenses (wide angle, macro lenses), I suggest you look at another model. The canon housing will not accept lenses and the only housing available that will take add-on lenses is the ikelite housing and it is pricier than the canon housing. Just something to consider.
 
midwestdvr:
The canon a610 is a great camera. However, if you are planning on using any add-on lenses (wide angle, macro lenses), I suggest you look at another model. The canon housing will not accept lenses and the only housing available that will take add-on lenses is the ikelite housing and it is pricier than the canon housing. Just something to consider.
Click to expand...

Great advice there midwest..
Actually lardo I think perhaps the best course of action, would be wait a little save up some money and perhaps buy the S80 in the Canon housing, or the A610/A620 in the Ikelite housing..

FWIW, YMMV.
 
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