New Camera For Newbie

[sig]

Hi, I'm looking to get a digital camera in the next couple of months.

I've read some post on the Canon S40 and feel this might be more than what I want.First let me start by sayingI have used a couple of digital camera's but next to that I no nothing about digital camera's. I'd like to get something I can use for daily photagrphy and the occassional diving photo shoot. My biggest limiting factor is money. I'd like to spend only $200.00, I might go as high as $300.00 but would rather not as I have a baby on the way and the spending is going to be curbed. If it is possible I'd love to spend under $200.00 but I am trying to be realistic. At this time I just want something for daily use and would like to get the housing later. That being my secound qeustion. If you feel I can get into a decent camera for my price what would I be looking at spending on the housing.

Please let me know what I should look for and what I should spend. Any info on housing and the camera's will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[notabob]

Going with a simple Canon digi cam would probably be your best bet, as far as $$$ is concerned. The S40, while a great little 4mp camera, is out of your price range. Expect to spend >$400. The 3mp S30 can be had for a bit less ($370ish). You can get a 2mp Canon A40 for a little over $200. The A40 is still a fairly capable camera, great for snapshots, and you can make very nice prints up to 5x7 or maybe even 8x10 from them. Canon also makes a housing for those cameras, good to 100ft, which can be had for less than $200 when you're ready. Check Adorama or B&H for some nice deals, or look on eBay. Hope this helps!

-Roman.

 

[Dee]

Roman's probably given you the best suggestions for your price range.

 

[WisGal]

for UW housing for my A40 hadn't heard of the Adorama before. Thanks for posting those links! Has one of the better prices for UW housing so far

 

[notabob]

Always glad to be of help. I too found Adorama to have some of the best prices around. I've had pretty good luck with them so far.

-Roman.

 

[Dee]

Did you know that Aldorama is the photo part of Leisure Pro?

 

[notabob]

Owned by same people, same address, etc. I've had pretty good luck with both so far. Not to start another online/LDS debate, especially in this forum , but while there's been quite a bit of talk about LP not being an authorized dealer for the gear they sell, Adorama actually seems to be listed as an authorized dealer for a number of retailers.

-Roman.

 

[Dee]

I've had very good dealings with both places.

 

[sig]

Thanks for all the help. Is a 100ft about the maxx for housing or are there any offered for about 200ft or even 150ft.

 

[Dee]

The Oly housings up to the PT-015 have a 30m limit to them and the newest PT-015 has a 40m limit. I don't think any of the clear Ikelite housings have a deep depth rating but someone correst me if I'm wrong.

L&M's Tetra housing is metal and I think it's depth rating is 250ft. I'd have to dig through some websites to varify any of that! But as an Oly PT-010 owner, I'm sure of the Oly stats. I've had mine down a bit farther than the rating with no problems so there's some 'fudge factor' involved!