sp-350

[LindaBluedolphin]

Very nice first pics. You can post them directly by copying the IMG line under the picture in Photobucket and pasting it to your post. Make sure you include the brackets on both ends. 480x640 will post the right size (or anything close to it)

Larry thanks for the tip, but I have a very old and slow computer and use dial up and if I posted them in the thread it would take forever, geez everything takes forever. With that said I don't want to spend the money on DSL or wireless as it would cut into my diving budget.

Next purchase a new computer...

 

[scubawifenmom]

I went with Thomas Distributing. Easy to use website, prompt service, I think I had them in 2-3 days via UPS. I was very pleased.

I decided to go with the CRV-3 vs. AA (I have those and a charger), but even with the firmware upgrade I was having some problems. The CRV-3 worked great.

I would recommend changing them after every couple of dives, mine died on the 2nd dive day (my own fault), and I did not bring a spare. I will always have a spare from now on.

Thanks - Just placed order for RCRV-3 with Thomas Distributing. I went for a dive after work Monday intending to shoot some Ratfish under the Edmonds Oil Dock http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/USA_West/Washington/Edmonds_Dock/index.htm. Finally got close enough to a few Ratfish attracted by my dive light to get off a great pic when the batteries died. I was using recharged AAs.

 

[donblume]

Marco,

Sounds like you are paying too much for digital equipment. I just bought a SP-350 (my second one, just in case I flood one) for $241. US, shipping included from Buy.com I just mailed in the $50. Rebate dropping the cost to $191. US. The Rebate ended June 30th.
Good luck with your UW pictures. Don

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

Glad you ordered the batteries, they worked well for me. My only piece of advice is be sure they are freshly charged for the days dive and don't use them a 2nd day without recharging.

I think you will be happy with the camera, batteries and Thomas Distributing, I read several E-Opinion reviews about them before I bought, they were on target.

Enjoy!

 

[Larry C]

You'll also find they hold more charge after they've been charged a few times. Both of mine had issues the first day I used them-my camera froze up and turned itself off. After a few recharges, it seems like I could leave them on forever.

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

Larry, thanks for the tip. Do you usually let your battery run completely down before you recharge it?

I have only taken my camera down 3 times. Day 1 of diving the current was pretty strong and it was a drift dive so I left it on the boat. Day 2 no problems. Day 3 the battery died in the middle of the 2nd dive (my fault should have charged it), then it was fine on day 4. Learn as you go, I guess.

 

[bfisher]

Guys, Ive been sneaking around on this thread for a long time. Gotten lots of tips. Now it's time to post a link and see what people think. I'm a new user of an SP-350 so the pics may not be the best. Especially since I didn't have my strobe set correctly. Live and learn. Here's the link. Hope it works.

http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/1B9XJ8qZ

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

I got a page error

 

[bfisher]

Me too. My fault. Wrong URL.

http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/IB9XJ8qZ

Hope this works. I just tried it from my home page.

 

[bfisher]

OK, it worked for me. Sorry about some of the shore slides. Guess I should edit them out, but I still have lots to learn. Hope nobody was bored.

For anybody interested in knowing there were pics of 4 arrow crabs. How often do you get a seahorse and arrow crab in the same pic.

Another thing. This was drift diving and we know what that means. Sometimes you just can't get set up for pics the way you'd like. And a couple times the camera was in sleep mode when something popped up (rats). And only my second time underwater with this camera.

As time goes on I'll be getting more selective of my shots and try to get more macro, but I guess the only way to learn how is to push the buttons.

Any and all criticism is very welcome.

Barry