Camera updates -

[Maggy]

I fried my Canon SD 630 during our VG trip last fall (it doesn't take much water to do it). My plan to replace it was to get a newer SD version and a housing for it. The plan changed as I researched it. The cost of the housing surprised me (higher than I'd guessed). And the cost of underwater cameras surprised me (less than I'd thought). The Pentax Optio was really almost in the same range as the housing. I also was attracted to the idea of something less bulky rather than more bulky (the camera in the housing).

What I ended up doing was getting a SD800 for now. I hesitated buying the underwater camera because I have no immediate need for it. I'll wait to see what's on the market when the time comes. (It's pretty remarkable how frequently camera manufacturers put out new models).

I will be in the market for an underwater camera within the next several months, so I'm enjoying this discussion.

We have the Pentax Optio W10 which you can take pictures underwater with. But only down to max 10ft and only for 30 minutes. This means it's good for snorkeling, but not for diving. We really like this camera and are very happy with the quality of the pictures.

That being said, I am on my way to buy a new camera with uw housing, so that I can take pictures while scuba diving. I have been recommended the Canon PowerShot A720 IS with the UW housing. Now I just have to find the best price for those items and then I am ready to go

[sea-nile]

Maggy, I used my Canon SD600 with housing when I went diving and I think we went 40+ feet. It did great and I even took a video too. The camera did great but my dive watch failed.

I do recommend any of the Canon Powershots with the housing.

[CariBert]

In answer to your question, Anthony, if I were starting anew, and had a limited budget (like we all do) I would probably consider one of the Olympus allweather, shock resistant, waterproof (up to 10 ft or so)as my choice for a camera. It works well above and below water. The only trouble I have with my 770, in bright sunlight I have trouble seeing the viewfinder. Someone had a tip for correcting that that I intend to use next time.

That being said, I have a Canon with a housing, and the pictures are very nice. Actually better than the Olympus, but it is a much more expensive camera. Of course things to consider when taking a housing and camera is the space it all takes to pack them. I would say it is a highly individual driven decision.

Just my 2 cents worth.

-Bert

[Maggy]

Maggy, I used my Canon SD600 with housing when I went diving and I think we went 40+ feet. It did great and I even took a video too. The camera did great but my dive watch failed.

I do recommend any of the Canon Powershots with the housing.

Great Sea-nile, a Canon Powershot it's going to be. Just imagine the pictures we are going to take of each other down under, in November

Sorry to hear about your dive watch. If you are a good girl, you can have a look at my dive computer

[Poohwear]

For Carlbert....what would that tip be for correcting the viewfinder glare...I am having a lot of trouble with that myself.

[Pianogrl]

I wrote in a previous post that my husband gave me the Olympus 1030SW the other day for my birthday. I had some time tonight to play with it & so far, it's awesome!! Taking it to STJ in May so we'll see how those underwater shots turn out.

[liamsaunt]

Poohwear, I bought anti-glare films to put on our camera viewfinders. I have not applied them yet but I am hoping they will help with the glare. I have a particularly hard time seeing underwater. They were not expensive--maybe $5? The brand is boxwave.

[CariBert]

For Carlbert....what would that tip be for correcting the viewfinder glare...I am having a lot of trouble with that myself.

I was referring to the tip about the +/- on the wheel next to the view finder. I have trouble seeing the viewfinder when snorkeling in the bright over head sunlight. I'm hoping that I can brighten the viewfinder enough to see it better for those perfect underwater shots.

-Bert

[Poohwear]

I also bought those anti glare sheets that go over the window of the camera but they only helped minimally. A hood is what I am looking for, one that flips up and down to shade the window...don't know if this is feasible underwater but a friend has one on her Nikon digi and it is great.

[sherban]

Anthony- On the low end of the price scale the Vivitar 6200W may be a good option. I think Steve S had originally brought that one to my attention... I haven't heard any first hand experiences with it yet.

http://www.vivitar.com/en-us/Products/6Megapixels.aspx

[Anthony]

the Vivitar 6200W may be a good option

Wow - that is a cool looking camera. Does anyone have one of these?

[jimg20]

the Vivitar 6200W may be a good option

Wow - that is a cool looking camera. Does anyone have one of these?

The Sealife Ecoshot is apparently the "parent" of the Vivitar. The Ecoshot is rated to 75 feet and I think the Vivitar is rated to 10 feet. The controls look the same on the two cameras. The exception seems to be that where the Vivitar is yellow the Ecoshot is black. The other is the cost.

JIM

[cptnkirk]

I had forgoten about the Vivitar camera THANKS SHERBAN Check out the reviews on Amazon seem pretty good SD card and aa batteries are a big plus. Biggest downside is no optical zoom. Should be ok to crop some at 6 mp though. Anthony I would definetly put this on the site for the people on a budget.
http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-6%252e0MP ... 133&sr=8-1

[cptnkirk]

Update just purchased this camera, for the price thought I would give it a try. I'll take some test pics and post them when it arrives. Will be taking it for a real ride in St John in May will know more after the trip.

[sherban]

Cool Captain, look forward to hearing your review...

I am totally being a cheap-skate and am still on the fence myself on the underwater camera purchase. If I bought one today it would be the Vivitar because I already have a land camera that works well...