new underwater camera

luvinsun · Post by **luvinsun** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 5:49 am

I'm going to try this trip with a new approach for underwater pictures. A few years ago I purchased the Olympus nice underwater camera, and had a wonderful trip making videos, taking pictures, etc... Took great care of it, made sure that I rinsed it with fresh water everyday, blah, blah, blah... Well, the next STJ trip, was ready for the same... About 20 minutes into my first snorkel on Maho, the camera turned off and I could not get it to turn on again... Damn thing filled with water! I was so mad! By our second STJ trip it was out of warranty, and I was out $280.

So this year, I'm trying something different. I've recently purchased my first DSLR camera, and at the camera store, I eye'ed an underwater snorkel mask with a Digital camera. I kept it in the back of my mind and hinted to my husband that it was what I wanted for Christmas... Well - he got the hint!!! Has anyone used these before? I figure if it doesn't work well I can always spring for a disposal on island for a backup. I'm bringing my laptop with me so that I can preview the pictures each day to see what I'm doing wrong and adjust.

I'm hoping for the best!

Muhaha · Post by **Muhaha** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 6:17 am

You may want to reconsider Olympus. I have the Olympus Sylus Tough 8100 and it has been fantastic. In fact, I am on STJ right now and the camera is in it's second trip, plus numerous swimming pool and lake Michigan trips.

The picture quality is quite good (will post a bunch in an upcoming trip report) and it is good down to 33 ft. The vid quality is HD as well.

Not sure about the older Olympus camera's, but no quality issues on mine so far. Also, I believe that Sony purchased Olympus 2 years back or so. That might have made a difference as well.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:33 am

The guys at on-stjohn have written about the video snorkel mask and posted a video shot with it.

http://www.on-stjohn.com/2009/02/16/the ... rkel-mask/

http://www.on-stjohn.com/2008/01/22/fie ... soon-come/

luvinsun · Post by **luvinsun** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:44 am

Thanks jmq! I am definitely going to give it a whirl. If it doesn't do as expected, I'll save up for the new Olympus.

hoosierdaddy · Post by **hoosierdaddy** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:18 am

My wife bought me the same camera for Christmas. Nice to hear that it has worked well for you. I'm looking forward to your trip report.

[quote="Muhaha"]You may want to reconsider Olympus. I have the Olympus Sylus Tough 8100 and it has been fantastic. In fact, I am on STJ right now and the camera is in it's second trip, plus numerous swimming pool and lake Michigan trips.

The picture quality is quite good (will post a bunch in an upcoming trip report) and it is good down to 33 ft. The vid quality is HD as well.

[quote]

Steve S · Post by **Steve S** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:07 am

My Olympus leaked a tiny bit (my fault) last year and froze. It is the 770sw, a fantastic camera. I contacted the repair facility and the deal is a fixed price $104 fits all. A quick turn around and I'm 70% certain that although they listed a bunch of things done, they sent a new (probably re-manufactured) camera. Why, because I sent a blue one down and I got a bronze one back with a brand new strap and battery. Pretty good deal, I think.

Lesson learned- DO NOT OPEN YOUR CAMERA ON THE BEACH FOR ANY REASON. A grain of sand ruined my whole day.

Steve

BRY1105 · Post by **BRY1105** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:24 am

Anyone have experience with the Olympus Sylus Tough 8100 and the Canon D10 who can compare the two? I am trying to decide which one I should go for.

Joppa · Post by **Joppa** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:26 am

I won a snorkel mask with digital camera in an underwater photo contest held by Caneel's FB page. I am heading to St.John on Monday and can't wait to try it. My other camera is a Cannon D10. I love it and Cannon has great service.

luvinsun · Post by **luvinsun** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:03 pm

Joppa - I'll see you on the beach with mine too. Now I know how to recognize you!

Steve - I wonder if I contact Olympus, if they could fix it? I'll have to try that. I just assumed it was a wash.

michigancouple · Post by **michigancouple** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:17 pm

A year ago at Thanksgiving I purchased an Olympus 6000 on Amazon's cyber monday sale. I took it in March to STT. Used it in the water, had great pics, and then it flooded when I was at Honeymoon Beach. Somehow the battery compartment opened when I was snorkeling. I contacted Olympus and they had me send it in. Even though it was out of the 90 day warranty, they said they'd send me a new camera. As it turns out they were out of the 6000's at the time so they sent me a brand new 8000 instead in addition they sent me a free 2-year extended warranty also. That is great customer service. I used it all Summer but am still kind of hesitant to put it in the water. I am taking it on vacation next month and really want to take in snorkeling. I think I might as well, since I have the extended warranty.

michigancouple · Post by **michigancouple** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:20 pm

I forgot to mention that even though the card that was in the 6000 when it flooded looked really bad and corroded by time I got home, I put it in my PC and all the pics were still there.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:26 pm

I have the Canon D10. This November I took it to St. John for the first time. It worked great! I bought it on Amazon and got a great deal.
Below is a link to my blog with some of the photos and videos I took with the Canon.

enjoy.

dan

http://sunshinelobster.blogspot.com

datwaymon · Post by **datwaymon** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:40 pm

Another vote for Olympus. I have the 8010 and have abused the heck out of it and never had a problem. Just make sure it's bone dry before opening it up for any reason.

lizzybirdy · Post by **lizzybirdy** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:48 pm

I also replaced a flooded OLympus with a Canon Powershot D10 and I love it.Easy to use, great shots and videos. I took it all over Kauai. I actually had a great conversation with Carolyn Rogers who takes fabulous reef pictures on St John. (she has a beautiful book out called Coral Reef Stars) She has flooded many cameras. Apparently it happens frequently.
Open it as little as possible.
The Canon is larger, but I didn't matter in the water.

GraysonDave · Post by **GraysonDave** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 11:32 am

Joppa wrote:I won a snorkel mask with digital camera in an underwater photo contest held by Caneel's FB page. I am heading to St.John on Monday and can't wait to try it. My other camera is a Cannon D10. I love it and Cannon has great service.

Oh, that was you! Congrats! I remember liking the winning pic, but I don't remember which one it was. Repost?

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new underwater camera

new underwater camera