Which housing, camera or combo?

[Just Phish]

Hello folks, been a long time since I have been on here.

At any rate, I am in the market for a new toy and I am just lost. I currently have a sony f828 camera and my wife was going to buy me a housing for it. However, I am afraid of flooding, and losing my best camera. How often does flooding occur btw? Is it just a matter of when for every housing?

So I decided what would be a better choice is to get a cheaper digital camera and a housing for that. That way if it floods I won't be devestated.

But then I got to thinking about about a combo, strobe and all meant for nothing but diving? I have been looking at the choices on some sites, but I really don't know which are quality pieces of equipment.

I keep thinking I might go with the 828 housing because I would love to be able to take movies and stills, but the idea of losing that camera just makes me shudder.

Can anyone recommend a aquality setup and my best options as far as getting a digi cam and housing or buying a mission related camera setup strictly for diving? I dive in new england exclusively so far, both fresh and salt water.

I appreciate the help folks!
Thanks.
JP

 

[Cacia]

look at the insurance options. Dan has equipment insurance and probably your homeowners.

I am basically a mess and I have a Nikon D 100 and have not flooded it, going on three years. I am careful about "feeling" my o-rings and I realize it will happen eventually but with the insurance...I still think that would be less if you are looking at spending 1000 or more.

 

[Jim Ernst]

get insurence!!!! dan or in my opinion DEPP is even better,and then take the camera of your choice, but any camera you chosse i would highly recomend being insured!!!!

 

[Just Phish]

Insurance huh? First I have heard of this. Where do I find info about this insurance? And of course, would still like some help with my original questions.

 

[Liangness]

I have 2 housed cameras, 2 Nikonos V and 1 RS. Only flooded 1 Nikonos V once while soaking it in the bathtub after my dive trip. Reason for flooding it... I forgot one O ring!!!

Take good care of the O rings and never setup your camera in a rush and your camera will be fine.

 

[scubaguy655]

Phish....I have my rig insured through the same company that insures my home and my cars....State Farm.

I am covered for $1800.00 and it costs me $30 per year.

 

[Just Phish]

Well that isn't too bad. I will definitely look into that. But even still, I think I'd like to go with the dedicated setup or a cheaper camera and housing just for the diving.

If anyone would like to make recommendations....

 

[scubaguy655]

I don't really know what your current set-up costs or what you would consider a cheaper set-up.

For me personally, I am still using the Olympus 5050 with the PT015 housing. I expect that you can pick up the camera and housing for $500-$600 dollars on Ebay. I believe that someone here had the same rig for sale with some extras for ~$650.

I like the 5050 as it is capable of doing more than I will ever need underwater and it is relatively inexpensive.

I don't have any experience with other cameras so I can't offer any other suggestions.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[Just Phish]

Thanks for the tips. What is a 5050? My current camera is the sony f828. The housing for it would be around $900. The camera to me is priceless cause they aren't made anymore and I love it.

I'm looking to spend less than $900 on either a new camera and housing, or one of those setups with the strobes and all that can be found online where other scuba gear is sold.

 

[colsonn]

I have an olympus stylus 600 with a pt-29 housing. Nothing fancy, just point and shoot. I have yet to test it out underwater, I just bought the housing. Total spent was $300 on ebay for a new camera plus housing.

Nick