What's a good underwater camera?

[Stephen]

I had a call from my eldest son today, he wanted to know if I could find out what was a decent, good quality underwater camera. The outdoor centre at which he works are going to invest in one, but they don't know what to go for.

So if there are any underwater wallers out there, have you any suggestions?

[Goatsmilkuk]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

These sites may help, found them elsewhere

http://www.wetpixel.com/i.php/cat/C21/

http://www.digitaldiver.net/yabbse/index.php

I have only done a try dive up to now, so that's about as much as I could give you.

Stu

[Stephen]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

Thanks Stu. It would seem much of it is about the housing.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure Devilgas may have some input, as I know he has done quite a bit of diving and underwater photography. I'll try and contact him

[Goatsmilkuk]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

Thanks Stu. It would seem much of it is about the housing.

It does seem to be, also I have read that when using flash, strobes are the way to go as the flash on the camera is reflected from the inside of the housing, don't know if that happens with all makes and models, but worth considering when buying I would think.

Stu

[devilgas]

[Stephen]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

Hi Dave, and many thanks for that. What you tell me confirms the impression I got from various sites I looked at last night.

However my son now clarifies the situation by saying that basically what they need is not an underwater camera, simply a waterproof/weatherproof one. The sort of thing that can handle wet conditions when they are out with parties gorge walking, and hill walking.

So far as you know is there such a camera?

[devilgas]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

internal flash & housings - a number of housings are baffled around the lens barrel to minimise this. the main problem with using the on-board flash is bounceback from debris in the water. my external strobe had given up the ghost for the trip to egypt a few weeks ago. i was forced to use the internal strobe and was pleasantly surprised how well it coped. could have done with the big boy though on the thistlegorm ;-)

[devilgas]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

yep, the pentax optio w20 or the w10. waterproof to 1.5m for 30 mins.

there's also the older WP and WPi.
no doubt there are others on the market, but the W20 is, afaik, the latest one. no idea on the quality though!

ian, do you want me to dive test one?

[Stephen]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

yep, the pentax optio w20 or the w10. waterproof to 1.5m for 30 mins.

there's also the older WP and WPi.
no doubt there are others on the market, but the W20 is, afaik, the latest one. no idea on the quality though!

ian, do you want me to dive test one?

[devilgas]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

dim prob. the w20 is actually cheaper than the w10 on amazon though!

[Stephen]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

dim prob. the w20 is actually cheaper than the w10 on amazon though!

Yes I spotted that too, hey, who am I to argue

[Ian]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

Missed this thread! Here's another candidate: http://dpnow.com/2922.html

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: What's a good underwater camera?

Missed this thread! Here's another candidate: http://dpnow.com/2922.html

Ian

Thanks for that Ian, wondered where you had been I'll pass on the info anyway, looks a nice camera.