New to diving and want a nice camera

[ChiefZero]

HI all,

I was looking around for a nice underwater camera that won't get in my way has I am still learning to dive efficiently but I want to take al the least decent pictures with it. I am quite capable with any land camera up to DSLRS but With a limited buget plan on starting with a nice piont and shoot underwater. I have been looking around for cameras and can't decide which one I should get. I was told by a dive shop that for the price and skill level a good starter is the reefmaster mini. I have also looked at DC500 DC600 DC800 DC1000. the DC1000 with a price tag of $500 is quite pricey but I hear alot of good of it.

The bottom line is:
~I want a underwater camera
~Needs o be easy to use, not to interfere to much with my diving
~A price tag perferably under $500 but better around $300 to $400
~Good quality and picture taking time

So what you think out of the sea life ones, I will go with the reefmaster mini if people think that it is the best for me?

thanks
the poor college student ChiefZero

 

[DandyDon]

Reefmaster mini is a starter model to get a diver to buy two cameras, I think - it, and the one they really want next. You can get a good DC500 on Ebay for around $200. I suggest learning to dive comfortably first, camera later - but if you just got to get one now...

 

[flyingfrawg]

Hi ChiefZero -

Starving student... having been one once and the recent acquirer of a DC1000, I would take Don's advice.

Get the diving down a bit first. Let your instructor know you really want to master neutral buoyancy control *because* you goal is to integrate photography into to your diving activities in the future. When he/she says you have what you need and you are really comfortable underwater, then spend the money to get the best you can afford (you could be saving a little in the meantime and have the $$).

Early on I found the camera was very distracting, so I spent extra time working on the diving comfort and control issues before starting to experiment. Now I can pay more attention to the camera when I have it and methodically learn how to get better results rather than worrying about scuba basics at the same time.

If you want to experiment, see if a dive buddy has one you can borrow to play with once and see how much of a distraction they can be early on...

Best,

HI all,

I was looking around for a nice underwater camera that won't get in my way has I am still learning to dive efficiently but I want to take al the least decent pictures with it. I am quite capable with any land camera up to DSLRS but With a limited buget plan on starting with a nice piont and shoot underwater.
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thanks
the poor college student ChiefZero

 

[driftwood]

Hi Chiefzero,

There are two schools of thought. Become a good diver, then get the camera. Or let the chase for good photos force you to become a good diver.

Before you go down that road, see if your LDS has an intro class to UW photography. A lot of LDS's will give you the class for free if you buy a camera. See if they will credit you if you take the class first. Better to spend $100-$200 before you commit to $500. Also, my LDS rents cameras, take one out for a dive and see how you respond to the additional task loading on your dive.