SeaLife DC500 5.0 MegaPixel Camera Pro Kit

[bperrybap]

If you do a search for "DC500" you'll find several posts that
talk about it. I've posted a few with likes/dislikes about it.

One of the biggest issues that I have with the camera is
custom batteries. They are $25 each and you can't have your
spares charging while you are using the camera.
(The camera is the charger). This is my first camera with
custom batteries. I much prefer AA or AAA since rechargeables
are very cheap and non rechargeables are available everywhere.

That being said. I still like the camera.
I really like its compactness. And for me its for "snapshots"
to share with folks and for that, even 5mp is too large for e-mails
and WEB access. I really like the video capability.

For movies, it does realtime mpeg-4 compression.
(Alot of cameras don't compress the video which makes video
take up alot of memory space.)
The manual claims you can get
30 minutes of video on a 512MB in (640x480) hires mode or
2 hours in 320x240 (lowes) mode.
If you get the newer 2gb mmc thats about 2 hours in hires mode
or 8 hours in lowes mode.

From my playing with the camera, in low res video mode, I
noticed that I get very close to what they claim.

For the super techie stuff you can download the manual
from the sealife page.

--- bill

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

They are slightly more expensive. But I will tell you the picture quality between the two are not comparable. The Sea & Sea produces much better results. The fact that they came out with a camera (just started shipping last week) in the same price range as the Reefmaster is excellent given the quality of the photos.

 

[mike_s]

I've posted a few with likes/dislikes about it.

One of the biggest issues that I have with the camera is
custom batteries. They are $25 each and you can't have your
spares charging while you are using the camera.
(The camera is the charger). This is my first camera with
custom batteries. I much prefer AA or AAA since rechargeables
are very cheap and non rechargeables are available everywhere.

Bill. You've brought up a very good point on this camera that
I haven't thought about. I've got the DC310 now and it uses AA's
and I've bought NiMH rechargables for it. On vacation when
I've diving several times a day over multiple days, I'm always
charging extra batteries.

On a Liveaboard with the new DC500 charging system you wouldn't
be able to take your camera on about half your dives due to charging
time, even if you had an extra battery (since you need the camera
to charge the 2nd battery).

Another thing is that with the DC500 I'd still have to carry my AA
rechargeable batteries and the charger for the strobe.

so that's two whacks against the battery system. I don't think
it makes me rule out the camera though.

How long does a typical recharge take and how long does the battery
last if used for multiple dives in one day?

 

[bperrybap]

Even though I'm against having cameras that use custom
batteries, I'm not sure the battery thing is a deal killer.
I plan on getting an extra battery.
I haven't timed a charge time from empty to
fully charged but it was definitely under 2 hours, so even on a
live aboard, I'd think you could charge both your batteries prior
to going to bed for the evening.
It is a pain though. And for less than the cost of a single extra
battery I can get a 20 pack of AA NiMh batteries or a 10 pack
and a charger at Fry's.

The new Sea & Sea DX 750-G seems comparable, is a bit
cheaper AND uses AA batteries. If I were looking
today, I definitely take a look at it as well.

On the plus side, the DC500 charger is universal and will work
everywhere on any voltage power including the funky power
in Bonaire. They even include the power plug adapters.

The docking station is kind of nice. It is used for hooking up
to a PC and for charging.
No need to pull batteries or the MMC. Just pop in the docking station
and you can upload all your images.
Also, if you want, you can use the camera a webcam.


--- bill

 

[bperrybap]

Bill. You've brought up a very good point on this camera that
I haven't thought about. I've got the DC310 now and it uses AA's
and I've bought NiMH rechargables for it. On vacation when
I've diving several times a day over multiple days, I'm always
charging extra batteries.

On a Liveaboard with the new DC500 charging system you wouldn't
be able to take your camera on about half your dives due to charging
time, even if you had an extra battery (since you need the camera
to charge the 2nd battery).

OK, so I am totally amazed. Today, ScubaToys just got in
a seperate battery charger for the DC500. Now you can charge
a spare battery while you are using the camera.
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=SL15135
I have no idea how Larry got this but this is GREAT for me.
(It is not even listed as a product on the SeaLife Web site)
Thanks Larry!

--- Bill

 

[mike_s]

OK, so I am totally amazed. Today, ScubaToys just got in
a seperate battery charger for the DC500. Now you can charge
a spare battery while you are using the camera.
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=SL15135
I have no idea how Larry got this but this is GREAT for me.
(It is not even listed as a product on the SeaLife Web site)
Thanks Larry!

--- Bill

Wow... that's pretty cool. It's good to see that SeaLife has a seperate charger.
takes care of that problem.

But $25 for a battery and $25 for a charger is pretty expensive compared
to what I got my 2300maH AA'd and charger for. Especially when you consider
you still have to buy the AA's and the AA Charger for the strobe. So now
you've got to have two (or three) sets of chargers instead of just one.
(two or three if you include the base charger, the AA charger for the strobes,
and the 3rd if you get the optional 2nd battery charger.)

It's an added expense that you wouldn't have if the DC500 used AA batteries
because you already have to buy that charger.

At least the optional charge is available. But it seems like more stuff you
have to haul with you to the caribbean that could have been simplified.
BTW... thanks for posting the link so that if I ever get this camera,
I at least I know the extra battery and charger option is available.

 

[Bbarnes]

Here are a couple of other pearls of wisdom about the DC500 and Sealife. Yes, there is a spare battery charger available but you also have to buy an additional AC adapter separately in order to run the charger. That takes your costs up to about $75 for the spare battery, charger and adapter. One thing that the manufacturer recommends is completely charging, discharging and recharging that battery in order to get the longest charge. (I bought the spare battery charger from Leisure Pro and it turned out not to fit the battery. Come to find out the item had been recalled. I was instructed to return the ill fitting one to Pioneer Research for replacement.) If you order these, be sure to have them physically check to make sure the battery fits securely inside the charger.
However, on the HUGE positive side, be sure to consider the customer service of the manufacturer. When we had problems with our Olympus C5060 we got absolutely no help from Olympus. However, SeaLife was great to replace my camera from my DC310 TWICE, without me asking for replacement. I had merely sent the unit in after it flooded and asked if the camera was repairable or replaceable.
The addition of the 3X, 8X and 16X lenses help balance the color and are worth buying. It is my secret weapon as I get alot better color in my pictures that the guys that I dive with who have much more expensive cameras.

 

[*Floater*]

The addition of the 3X, 8X and 16X lenses help balance the color and are worth buying. It is my secret weapon as I get alot better color in my pictures that the guys that I dive with who have much more expensive cameras.

I thought the DC500 didn't work with the macro lenses, at least that's what a customer service represenative told me. I have the DC310, and along with the custom battery issue, the lack of DC500 compatible macro lenses has kept me from upgrading to the newer model (plus I spent my money on other scuba gear anyway)...

 

[Les]

I have a DC500. I just purchased it about a month ago and took it to Hawaii and found it takes good pictures. I have the external flash but not the new digital flash. The flash worked very good but I just purchased the flash link and that helps the flash fire consistently no matter what position the flash head is pointing. I am an entry level U/W photographer and the camera is fine for me. I can not detect a shutter lag when that function is selected. Overall it is a good camera. Heads above the previous models. Just my two cents. I know there are probably better digital cameras, but for the money I think it is a good pick.

P.S. I would send you a sample but I lost the 1 gig card I had the photos on. So I do not have any pictures.

you mention a flash link for your strobe. I have the SeaLife DC 310 and our local waters do not have the best vis. sometimes my strobe goes off and sometimes not. I think it is due to the flash being confused with ambient lighting. night photos are ok and no backscatter. can you explain abit more about this flash link(pros and cons) and where do you purchase from? Is it something that is removed for night photos?I have just seen the new DC 5 series with a digital strobe. can anyone explain how this is different. What is the wire linking the strobe to the camera? Is that the link you mention?
thanks,
Les

 

[mike_s]

The flash link is a 'fiber optic cable' that goes between the flash and the camera to ensure the external flash/strobe fires no matter what angle the strobe is at.
you can buy them for $20-$30 bucks anywhere they sell the Reefmaster camera.

Since it is optical, it does not require a connection through either housing, but captures/transfers the light to the strobe.

see http://www.reefmaster.com/accessories/flash_link.html