Using a cheap camera

[Dee]

SSIdiver02 once bubbled...
Has anyone had experience with the minolta weathermatic?

I had one about 25 years ago. We took it on vacations into the mountains. It took very good pictures, considering it's limits. Beast lost it on an elk hunting trip one winter.

LOL...guess that's not really any help, huh?

 

[RooLuvsToDive]

I have a Minolta Weathermatic with a zoom, and I like it okay. Of course, I've not taken it diving, but I have taken snorkeling pictures and scuba pics in the pool. The closer pictures were great (the ones in the pool were VERY clear), but the ones where the subject was 8 feet or more away had a lot of backscatter. I did a self portrait, too, and it was really cool despite the bubbles I was blowing! I guess I need to work on timing my bubbles and my shutter clicking!

I don't like the fact that this camera will only go down to 33' and that there apparently isn't an additional flash to go with it.

Any other input??? I WILL definitely upgrade at some point---after I buy the NECESSARY scuba gear---because I do love photography!

 

[Former FLL Now MSP Diver]

Bob3 once bubbled...
There's another style of camera/housing somewhat similar that has a greater depth rating, here's a sample from ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1393805910

I've got that camera. It's OK, but you don't want to use it at close to maximum depth. On mine pressure on the case at 80'+ makes it compress enough that the shutter button no longer lines up properly and it stops working until I go shallow again. It's made me miss a couple of good shots.

However in the 60' and less range it's taken some great pictures for me, especially diver pics like this. But you do have be close to avoid the backscatter.

Marc

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

I've got that camera. It's OK, but you don't want to use it at close to maximum depth. On mine pressure on the case at 80'+ makes it compress enough that the shutter button no longer lines up properly and it stops working until I go shallow again. It's made me miss a couple of good shots.

I was wondering, given it didn't use non-compressable housing like lexan, but instead use their "polymer" housing, which I presume is some form of plastic.

But this is their "125 feet" unit, so it might be different.

 

[scorpionfish]

Dee once bubbled...


I'd stay with 100 speed film. The 400 is faster but it is also grainier when printed. Unless you plan to shoot a whole lot of fast action, there's more reasons not to use it than in favor of it.

Hi, Dee!

I usually operate under the assumption that folks who use a "cheap" camera will be much more constrained by the quality of the optics than the speed of the film. And, for most lenses if one stays in the middle to high end of the f/stops, the quality of the image is better. A higher ISO number will allow that.

But, much more important is that if one is just making snapshots that are 4 x 5 or 5 x 6, the grain issue is a non-issue: it cannot be seen. On the other hand, and there is always another hand, if one is making enlargements, grain becomes an issue. But, then again, so does the quality of the optics.

For most point and shot stuff I think that ISO 400 is far superior since focus is much better with the lens stopped down. I.e. the depth of field is so much greater. Better to have a focused subject than a blur!

Well, I shall prepare myself for the slings and arrows of The Great State of Texas--whose eyes are now upon me!

Scorpionfish--slow, but in focus

 

[nickjb]

Lwang once bubbled...
That camera goes down to 15m, not 30m.

It might go down deeper without leaking, but the shutter might trigger automatically due to the external pressue. And with its build in winder, you might end up with a whole roll of film being shot on its own.

To prevent that, you might want a manual wind camera or one that goes down deeper. But if you insist on that camera, you might be able beef up the shutter button's spring so that it won't get depressed by the water pressure.

Other users have reported that it is fine at deeper depths (Reported depth ratings are usually conservative). The case is actually very well made despite its cheap price. Anyway it has a shutter lock so that isn't a problem. I doubt I will take a pics that deep as they would be a bit blue, just on the way back up.