Underwater Camera

[cd365]

Does anyone use or can recommend a good camera for snorkelling, one that isn’t too expensive or have any stupid restrictions like only use in the water for 30 mins.

 

[classic33]

Canon SureShot AF1. Compact film camera.

 

[Panter]

What sort of budget do you have?
If you already have a camera, you can buy "bags" to put them in, but they do work out at a couple of hundred quid for an SLR. Got some fantastic video footage and stills through one though, here's a couple from the Red Sea 3 Years ago:

 

[jefmcg]

just because this is at lidl on thursday

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=18297

 

[Doseone]

You can get a Gopro for about £90 now.

 

[cd365]

What sort of budget do you have?
If you already have a camera, you can buy "bags" to put them in, but they do work out at a couple of hundred quid for an SLR. Got some fantastic video footage and stills through one though, here's a couple from the Red Sea 3 Years ago:

Budget is what I'm willing to pay, but don't want to pay a lot because I got burnt with my last underwater camera which after a couple of uses wouldn't work. I have a cheap one which has a dedicated underwater housing which is OK but the pictures are not great. Yours are far superior to what I have taken.

I was thinking about a GoPro but have read a few bad things about them and not sure if an actioncam is right for me. Was also think about the Lidl actioncam as a cheaper option to the GoPro.

The "bags" are an option but would be very nervous and wasn't sure about image quality through them.

 

[classic33]

I think its Sea and Sea that make both the bags and the housings.

 

[Panter]

Budget is what I'm willing to pay, but don't want to pay a lot because I got burnt with my last underwater camera which after a couple of uses wouldn't work. I have a cheap one which has a dedicated underwater housing which is OK but the pictures are not great. Yours are far superior to what I have taken.

I was thinking about a GoPro but have read a few bad things about them and not sure if an actioncam is right for me. Was also think about the Lidl actioncam as a cheaper option to the GoPro.

The "bags" are an option but would be very nervous and wasn't sure about image quality through them.

Mine is made by ewa-marine. Pricey, but the reviews were very good. At the time, my SLR was quite new and I can't describe just how nerve wracking it is leaping in the sea with my new pride & joy protected by a plastic bag!
It did work really well though and was a lot cheaper than the Nikon hard case which was around £1600.00. That's right, just the case, no camera included...

 

[LimeBurn]

I have a gopro which is great for taking video and then taking a still off it, or setting it to take interval shots but its rubbish for just taking a photo as thats not what its designed for, I do however also use a fuji waterproof compact which I have nothing but good things to say about - cheap and cheerful and great quality images. Mine is an older version but here is a link to the new one

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-...=54652585569&gclid=cje0u-cfgsicfczmtaodxeeajw

As I white water kayak quite a few friends have different brands of waterproof camera too and the panasonic fairs well and also the canon version too although these are more expensive. Hope this helps.

 

[classic33]

How fair down will the camera be required to work?

Minolta also did a waterproof camera. Complete with underwater viewfinder.

 

[cd365]

I've used my current camera down to 12m

 

[classic33]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Minolta-V...672848?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item2a46561450
or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Minolta-W...623031?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item5d51c1f077
or
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Minolta-W...623031?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item5d51c1f077

 

[Gravity Aided]

Gad, that's a blast from the past. Good down to 5 meters, IIRC. I used to be able to rent a Nikonos from some local shops, I don't know if that is still the case. They probably have something more up - to -date now. I still have an Ewa Marine bag for the digital. I used to own a Sea and Sea camera as well, but I only dove to snorkel depth. It worked okay for that, but any deep diving requires a housing or underwater(not weatherproof) camera and a flash.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikonos-IV-...597?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item566c7c6ebd
Grease your seals!

 

[classic33]

The Minolta if I remember correctly was good for 10m, static depth. Even came with a seperate viewfinder(plastic "box" with horizontal & vertical crosshairs) mounted on top for underwater use

 

[Gravity Aided]

Seals were okay for 10 meters probably, but pushbuttons may be a problem, as the pressure at that depth may press the shutter button for you. I was told not to take it below 5 meters(now we are off on that units of measure thing from the other thread) but yes, I remember that viewfinder box and the little bag the camera came in. We sold a lot of those to people who wanted to snorkel, but not dive too deep. There was also a 110 camera in the Weathermatic line, a concurrent offering. I liked, and owned, the Sea and Sea Motormarine, a nice basic underwater camera.