SeaLife Reefmaster Mini ... Yes or No?

[Paco II]

I've read all the threads and looked at all the pictures I could find that were taken by the Reefmaster Mini. It seems like a decent camera for what it is. But I would love to get some opinions to the direct question of, should i buy this camera?

I am looking for something simple, not too fancy, but with the option of adding a strobe, wide angle lens, etc. The mini seems to fit the bill. I also like that it is compact. The very few actual reviews I could find online seem to be mixed. I'd love to get some feedback.

Thanks.

 

[bigfrog23]

its not a bad camera by any means and is not a bad camera to start but you will want more if you get it. i would consider looking at the cannon power shot cameras or the cannon SD camera line or the nikons lines of coolpix cameras. i recommend getting a camera with a manual mode on it. it will allow you to experiment more as time goes on and it is very useful when using a strobe. i recommend trying out several cameras until you find one that fits you the best.

 

[RoyN]

Its a unique camera that doesn't require a housing at all. It also is a 6 megapixel and will not float like the other cameras. BUT.....since it is new technology, I wouldn't recommend it for now until Sealife gets the bugs fixed out. I have RMA my camera up to the point where the guy at Sealife even knows my voice and the captain on the Beach Hopper 2 which I frequently dive with have forbidden me to touch anything electronic due to causing death to it. Otherwise, check out my picture gallery and make your decisions there.

 

[Paco II]

Wow! How many cameras have you returned? What types of problems were you having?

Also, where is the link to your photos?

 

[alcina]

You may have already found the links to various discussions and images, but if not, head to the Pink Link in my signature (also the Sticky at the top of the UW Photo area) and scroll down a bit til you find this camera.

There are also quite a few useful tips regardless of camera system you end up with.

 

[RoyN]

Right here, I was going to edit it but you sure are very quick!

http://community.webshots.com/user/RoystonJN?vhost=community

I don't know how many times I return that camera, maybe 4 or 5 times, but I did earn a new nickname: the touch of death. Every electronic stuff I've seem to work with has gone bad, I think my computer just recently had a bad crash because I can't find any of my old information on it.

 

[Paco II]

This is really too bad. I was very close to buying one, but now not sure at all.

 

[ScubaSteve772]

I have one and will upgrade it in the future. It works for what it is; a simple point and shoot basic camera. If you are serious about UW photography, I would recommend going with a canon/nikon and housing. But if you just want shots of your dives and something that is pretty straight forward, its a good pick.

Here are a few of my links on it. Not sure if you found these yet...

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=194413
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=194488

Personally I like the fact that it is simple and rugged and I don't have to worry about tossing it in my dive bag/bc pocket and getting beat up. I will probably keep it for a while and keep it in my BC for those shots when I don't have my "good" gear with me.

 

[Puffer Fish]

I would recommend a slightly different choice.. there is an new Fuji coming out... 12M point and shoot, with complete manual controls.. and Uwater white point adjustment. With their case (which is nice, by the way) you are looking at just over $400.

You can use a sealife strobe.. or Inon.. and Inon has wide angle lens for it (will have, with them being the same they make for the F10/F11).

With the Inon, you would be able to take something around 400 pictures on a set of batteries.

Sort of a small, E900, with a higher count sensor.

 

[Paco II]

Thanks. I did indeed find all those links. In fact, your threads got me interested in purchasing it. Your description of the camera is exactly what I am looking for. But I must admit that RoyN's problems with it concern me.

I have one and will upgrade it in the future. It works for what it is; a simple point and shoot basic camera. If you are serious about UW photography, I would recommend going with a canon/nikon and housing. But if you just want shots of your dives and something that is pretty straight forward, its a good pick.

Here are a few of my links on it. Not sure if you found these yet...

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=194413
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=194488

Personally I like the fact that it is simple and rugged and I don't have to worry about tossing it in my dive bag/bc pocket and getting beat up. I will probably keep it for a while and keep it in my BC for those shots when I don't have my "good" gear with me.