Whats the best Canon for beginners underwater

[joel smith]

I like Canon products and Im a beginner at diving , looking for oppinions on a good camera to start with.

 

[flareside]

The best camera would be a used one (i.e. ebay special). You will outgrow it fairly quickly so there is no sense getting something high dollar. But at the same time, as a beginning diver getting anything other than a simple point & shoot may become a dangerous distraction. Look for something with a 28mm (equivalent) wide angle lens. I have had reasonable success with an SD800 but there are any of a number of models that will do equally well.

 

[joel smith]

I have a SX20IS and a S3IS if Icould find a waterproof case for the S3IS I would use it. Does anyone know if someone makes a waterproof case for this camera. Thanks flareside I like the point and shoot cameras .

 

[jdfmail]

i've got a Canon A570is with canon housing and INON bayonet mount with a INON macro lens for sale. It's in excellent condition and takes wonderful pics. Did I mention it's cheap? Take a look below.

 

[BKP]

I have a SX20IS and a S3IS if Icould find a waterproof case for the S3IS I would use it. Does anyone know if someone makes a waterproof case for this camera. Thanks flareside I like the point and shoot cameras .

UNDERWATER WATERPROOF CASE FOR CANON POWERSHOT S3IS on eBay!

 

[Doubler]

Joel,
I wouldn't half step and just go with the 5D and Nauticam Housing with Strobes and Zen dome.
Just kidding. The problem with Underwater photography, as I see it, is need. You ALWAYS need something. I started with a little P&S, added a strobe, added a Wide Angle Lens, added a focus light, added editing software and on and on and on until I arrived at my, "I swear Honey" rig. Then them bastards came out with the Snoot and the Ikelite Zen Dome and the Solas 600.......
Use the advice given by the others, buy a good used rig, save for what you want realizing that it is not REALLY what you want. Oh and if you are married, have a supporting and loving wife who supports your addiction. Really she does, I'm retired and she works, leaving me all day to search for new stuff.

 

[danvolker]

I "started" with the 5D markII in an Aquatica housing...goal to shoot video with just ambient light. Stills actually come out great also, but the spectacular color potentials of the camera would require strobes for anything much deeper than our Blue Heron Bridege dive ( 12 to 18 feet at BHB).
Not quite sure why you would want to waste money on camera systems you "know" you will not be happy with in a year or 2. I do not think I have ever heard of a diver getting a camera, then deciding they don't want to take pictures after a few months---it is usually full steam ahead
With the 5 D, whatever you do "wrong", will be very evident, and whatever you do "right" will be equally evident. It also makes learning Lightroom more significant, because you have so much to work with, that you really desire to develop both the camera skills and the computer/LR skills ( you only shoot in raw--I don't get shooting jpegs).

Here is the 2nd video I ever shot underwater ( I had done some home video type stuff topside in prior years)...this is of a GUE instructor dive buddy of mine, showing how a photographer should be dealing with bouyancy and trim, anjd the proper kicks to use so the photographer does not silt up their own shots, creating so much back scatter that their shots are terrible...( many new or long time photographers flutter kick near the bottom, and destroy the vis---this video, shot with my canon 5d markII, shows the issue and the correct way to move around )

YouTube - gue-reversekick1

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

A friend of mine's using an older model A(620?) for video, with nothing except the standard housing and a Big Blue 1x5 focus light for video lighting. Some of the video he's taking just blows me away.

That said, I'd keep it simple ... the simpler the better for a newer diver. I'd also recommend either not taking the camera on some of your dives, or clipping it off at some point and just working on your buoyancy control. The key to good underwater photography isn't the camera so much as it is your ability to maintain your position long enough and well enough to get the picture you see in your mind's eye ... and that takes really good buoyancy control. No matter what you use for a camera, the quality of your photographs will be proportional to the quality of your diving skills ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[danvolker]

Here is another idea.... visit AB Sea Photo, Welcome to A B Sea Photo. Home of the worlds largest selection of underwater camera rentals and the smallest underwater camera housings by Oceanhaus. We have been serving underwater photographers in both the professional and recreationa . This is an awesome u/w photo shop, that will "rent" you the top end gear, at very reasonable prices, and they are extremely easy to deal with. I actually rented an Aquatica Housing and 16 to 35 mm lens from them prior to getting my own housing ( their was a large back order at the time). the owner, Alan, rented me the housing and lens for very little, and then, as I loved the Aquatica Housing, I bought it through AbSea , and they matched the best prices out there for this too boot.
Allan had great advice regarding camera systems, and he has been doing this for many decades.

 

[Hatul]

How about the Canon S95 with underwater housing. It will last you many years.

Adam