What are my options for digital cameras?

[JustJules]

I have been browsing this forum... there are all sorts of knowledgable folks here, but I haven't found a summary email that can help answer this question: what are my options when it comes to digital cameras/housings for underwater photography?

I'm thinking of getting the camera first, then the housing. That means that I have to be sure to get a camera that has a housing available for it. What's out there? Maybe someone has a link to a page with lists that I haven't found yet...

Thanks.

Julie

 

[syruss32]

Jules,

I looked around for underwater digital cameras and there doesn't appear to be a lot of choices. I found this one

CANON S300 DIGITAL CAMERA WITH HOUSING

at Divers Discount

It has pretty much every feature you could want at a cost including strobes and such.

Also Olympus cameras have housings here is some info on those and you can buy pieces it looks like from Ocean Brite Systems

And here is a page that claims to be "The Digital Photography Resource for Divers"

That should help get you the answers you need!

 

[ScubaBaby]

Julie

I agree it would probably be best if you can afford to buy both, to buy the camera first, but you must make sure you can get the housing afterwards. That way you get to play round with the camera first and work out all the toys before you take it down under!

ScubaSearch Results on Digital Cameras and housing

Marine Camera Distributors

There are a couple of links for you....hope that helps! :sunny:

 

[Dee]

I recently researched this subject. I already have a Nikon Coolpix 880 and the only housing available for it is one from Ikelite.

After all the research and talking to other divers with digital cameras, I'd choose an Olympus 3040 with either a Tetra housing or the Olympus PT-10 housing.

Here's a few links...

Digital forum - steves-digicams

Cliff Shade

marscuba

uwimaging

instructions

 

[NINman]

Good choice I currently have the Olympus 3030z just one down from the 3040. I don't have a housing yet mainly because I want to wait and see what Santa brings me. The camra is great but make sure you get either the 128 or 64 megs chips. I can put 163 pics on the 128 at highest quality/compressed. I will post a review when I get the housing. (Which I am still trying to figure out what I want)

 

[WetDane]

Hey Julie,

I have the Sony DSC-P1 with the MPK-P1 housing from Sony as well - I like it a lot.
that camera and housing is discontinued, but now there is the Sony DSC-P5 and housing for that.

another web site to look at is:
BackScatter

I would say that the most important feature to look for in the camera is that you have exposure control of some sort - I really like my camera, but it does not offer me as much control as I would like... On the other hand, my entire setup - camera and housing was about $800 and that is hard to beat.

If you want to see some images drop me a line and I will send you some.

Big T

 

[FloridaDiver]

I own and love the Olympus 3040 with the Tetra housing. The camera is a well engineered, ergonomic product that gives outstanding results.

The housing, like the other Light and Motion housings, is extremely well made. It allows you to control virtually any camera function you would need. It's small, light and easy to hold. The only drawback is that it is rather expensive. Still, I'm glad I spent the money.

 

[TexasMike]

There was a really good review of the Olympus cameras and the housings that fit them on RSD (Rodale's ScubaDiving.com) last month.

Click here to read it.

 

[JustJules]

You guys are awesome! There isn't any other resource on the 'net like the collective brains of Scubaboard.

I see I have a lot of reading to do. I'll let you know what I finally decide, if you're curious!

Julie

 

[Rooster]

another good source of info for UW digital is
http://www.wetpixel.com/

The site is a little hard to get around on, but there's a lot of good info on digital cameras and housings there

Dive Safe,
Rooster