What systems

[rawls]

If I were to invest in a underwater digital camera and strobe...What brands does anyone suggest that have good picture qualities without breaking the bank. I know you basically get what you pay for, but I would like to read about what you ladies and gentlemen use. Lets say in the $500-$600 range. Do any packages exist in this price range that have good pic quality?...any other suggestions would be appreciated..Thanks!

 

[Dee]

Olympus, Canon and Fuji are leading the parade at the moment. You can probably get the camera and housing within your budget but the strobe will break your bank. It's not unusual to pay as much for the strobe as you do the camera...or more. It's an important piece of equipment but most of these brands of cameras have very powerful internal flashes. Personally I use an Oly 5050 and used the internal flash for quite a while before I added a strobe. So I would concentrate on the camera/housing first and add the strobe later.

 

[alcina]

Have a look around the forum...there have been some quite long and inclusive threads on what's new at the moment.

The Canon A620 is really capturing people's hearts. I've always liked the A series and it sounds like some of the "issues" in previous models like slower focus time have been addressed.

 

[Jamdiver]

Friendly suggestion and I'd just like to repeat alcina's tagline here...

Shopping is fun .

 

[diversteve]

Dell just had an A620(7.1MP) for $339, but the deal is gone now. They're on Ebay new for under $350. The A610(5MP) is slightly under $300.

Add the WP-DC90 for $160 and you've got a usable system for around $500. Plus you've got to love the fact that one of the A610/20 presets is "underwater".

Bonica, Sealife and someone else all make a non-dedicated strobe in the $180-300 range. I've seen them on bhphotovideo.com

 

[scubaindian]

Here is the latest dell deal for Canon A620. Use
Canon PowerShot A620 7MPixel, 4X Optical Digital Camera $399 - 25% off coupon
Code: 2HZK625XTSZTSX Exp 12/6 5:59am CT or 5000 uses - $20 coupon = $279.25

For the 20$ coupon, use code:1P002ZF2T7QPD0 and pay with PAYPAL only. You will have to pay TAXES in some states

I ordered but they is a 2 week wait in getting it. So I brought it through jr.com for 339$

 

[Jamdiver]

I was about to post that info...
Canon Powershot A610.. $204.25!!!
http://www.justdiscounted.com/live_templates/products_on_page.php?currentPage=630

Plus free shipping......
God bless sales & rebates

I'd also add that if you order the housing through Amazon, you'll get free shipping and are unlikely to pay sales tax depending on the state that you reside in.

 

[scubaindian]

Here are the other canon deals. 25% off is only on the A610 and A620. Damn it, I paid 40$ more at jr.com (next cheapest place) b'cos dell is frigging slow in shipping.

Canon PowerShot A410 3.2MPixel, 3.2x Optical Digital Camera $149 - 18% off coupon
Code: 94H4X7476W10LG Exp 12/6 5:59am CT or 10,000 uses = $122.18 shipped free

Canon A520 4Mpixel digital camera $199 - 18% off Coupon
Code: 94H4X7476W10LG Exp 12/6 5:59am or after 10,000 uses - $20 coupon = $143.18 shipped free. Add any item to pass $200.

Canon PowerShot A610 5MPixel, 4x Optical Digital Camera $299 - 25% off coupon
Code: 2HZK625XTSZTSX Exp 12/6 5:59am CT or 10,000 uses - $20 coupon = $204.25

Canon PowerShot SD400 5MPixel, 3X Optical Digital Camera $299 - auto 15% off - $20 coupon = $234.15 shipped free.

Canon PowerShot SD500 7MPixel, 3X Optical Digital Camera $399 - auto 15% off - $20 coupon = $319.15 shipped free.

Canon PowerShot SD550 7MPixel, 3X Optical Digital Camera $449 - auto 15% off - $20 coupon = $361.65 shipped free.

Canon PowerShot S2 IS 5MPixel, 12X Optical Digital Camera $499 - auto 10% off - $20 coupon = $429 shipped free.

Canon PowerShot S80 8MPixel, 3.6X Optical Digital Camera $549 - auto 15% off - $20 coupon = $446.65 shipped free.