What camera is good for U/W photography?

peppermintkid · 15th July 2006

I am an avid diver and I want to start learning under water photography. However, I don't know which camera is good for this purpose. Any recommendations on a good digital camera and water proof casing that would fit the needs of a beginner?

Zee · 15th July 2006

i have a 2yr old Canon A80 with underwater casing for sale if u interested.

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=207676

paulprodiver · 15th July 2006

Hi Peppermintkid, welcome to the underwater photography world. The fact is that underwater photography is not much different from photography on land (at least in the beginning). It is all depend on which specific kind of underwater photography you want to do. For example, do you like macro or maybe you are more into wide angle. If you already own a digital camera and happy with its performance (especially macro shoot), then just get yourself an underwater housing for your camera.

If you haven’t had a digital camera yet, then you might want to try to get a Canon consumer camera as it can produce excellent pictures and yet so simple to use. On top of that, Canon also produces many of its own underwater housing (rated to 40 meter

) which you can easily obtain from any camera shop. Did I mention it is quite cheap compare to the 3rd party underwater housing, usually around $200 – 300.

You might want to look into Canon IXUS 800 IS, as it also features the “Image Stabiliser” function. I guess it should help a lot when you shoot micro. I was thinking to get a Canon S3 IS which has a lot more functions, but sadly Canon doesn’t product a housing for it. The only housing for the S3 IS is from IKELITE (I think, but not sure), which mean it will cost a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$

. I was using a Canon IXUS V3 before, but due to the CCD problem

I’m once again looking for a new camera that can take nice and clear image and has a relatively cheap underwater housing.

Let me know if there are any more questions.

Cheers,

Paul

peppermintkid · 17th July 2006

Thanks for all the info so far. I currently have a Nikon digital camera that my dad bought. I can't remember what model it is, all I know is that it's a 8.1 megapixel camera. Are nikon camers okie for underwater photography, saying I do buy a marine casing for it?

kthan · 17th July 2006

hi peppermintkid, do a search in this sub-forum and you will find many entries pertaining to this topic.....

once u know the features to look out for, finding that special camera will be a step closer.

eric

paulprodiver · 19th July 2006

Hey peppermintkid, Nikon do produce many quality camera. You should just get the camera's model number and do a search on the net see whether Nikon made any underwater housing for it.

Happy shooting.

Cheers,

Paul

MartinS · 21st July 2006

Hi Peppermintkid.

If you're thinking of digital P&S cameras, I will share with you what I have discovered through countless hours of research on the net during work (just dun tell my boss).
Your question is very similar to mine when I first set about looking for a camera. I made the mistake of purchasing the Canon Powershot 3S IS without researching what underwater housings were available for it. The 3S IS is without a doubt a fantastic camera topside and I am very happy with it. Unfortunately as paulprodiver pointed out, only Ikelite makes a housing for this.
http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/can_s2is.html
Besides it's astronomical cost, this thing is BIG, BULKY and HEAVY (especially with external strobe) and it's going to be no fun carrying this thing around for a camera that is relatively small. The 3S IS is a great camera but because of it's flip up flash, any underwater housing will have to be bigger at the top to accomodate this. Why Canon doesn't just use the housing for the 1S IS as a mold with modifications for the 3S IS is beyond me.

Other cameras worth looking at are the Canon Powershot A620 or Olympus SP 350. I will now list the pros and cons of each as I have discovered during the hours of work. (Boss, if you're reading this, I swear all this was obtained during lunch time, before my official work time and after 5.30pm)

Canon Powershot A620
Pros. I have encountered very good reviews on this camera on virtually every review site I visited. It's been tried and tested underwater. http://forum.kapalselam.org/category...owershot-a620/
(Just check out that porcelian crab!) Canon has a casing for it. It is fast.

Cons. The canon underwater housing is not supported by brands like Inon so there is no way to use Wide angle/macro wet lenses (I think the other canon powershots/IXUS are but they have their own disadvantages for underwater photography) To use the wet lenses, you will probably have to use the Ikelite housing for it, which is expensive, bulky and heavy. However not as bulky and heavy as the one for the 3S IS as you can see here. http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/canon_a620.html

Olympus SP-350
Pros. Has RAW. Olympus has housing for it and much more affordable than say Ikelite and prob much more lighter! Very well supported by Inon! http://inonamerica.com/news.php?news_id=48&newscat=0
check out the PT-030, that's the housing for the SP-350.

Cons. Although I have found macro shots taken with this camera, I haven't found any underwater shots taken with it nor any comments about it's use for underwater photography. RAW causes a lag and is this something you want to be dealing with underwater? (diff story if you're using high end DSLR I guess). Reviews about this have been "iffy" so am I willing to take the risk with investing in this camera?

Ok so that's my take. If anyone out there has an opinion on the matter do share as I am still undecided on which of these to get! I would LOVE to get my hands on an Olympus C7070 with it's Olympus housing but alas, this model has been discontinued.

Basically it is difficult to say something like "This camera XYZ is the ULTIMATE p&S camera you should use for underwater photgraphy!" but the bottom line is, whichever camera you choose, do ensure that it is well supported for underwater photography. (some housings for older models are no longer made) Have a look at what model that Nikon camera is and let us know. Perhaps someone here will have something to say about it.

Ok...back to work. (Goodness! It's almost 5.30pm! Whoppee!)

Martin

kthan · 21st July 2006

see www.digitaldiiver.net for u/w shots taken with SP 350....

under the SHOW OFF thread

MartinS · 21st July 2006

ok great thanks....I'll check it out

kthan · 21st July 2006

Originally Posted by MartinS

ok great thanks....I'll check it out

no worries. i like people who actually do some research before asking questions.....esp questions that have been posed a zillion times in this forum and others.

WhyZzzzzz · 21st July 2006

Originally Posted by kthan

no worries. i like people who actually do some research before asking questions.....esp questions that have been posed a zillion times in this forum and others.

hahaah... the thing is you actually bother to answer...

Perhaps we should have a "FAQ". "Interesting Topics" isn't catchy enough. or "Newbies, please read the F!@#$#g FAQ first!"

Zee · 24th July 2006

a personal comment:

I was looking at the same 2 models a few weeks back. Canon A620 and the Olympus SP350.
Canon won me over with it's 1cm super macro mode, and it's improved speed.
The olympus is slower in focusing, so trying to catch something swimming past gonna be hard.

Online reviews for both cams are pretty good, except for the speed issue with the olympus. That tip the favor towards canon for me.

15th July 2006	#1
peppermintkid Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tampines Posts: 66	What camera is good for U/W photography? I am an avid diver and I want to start learning under water photography. However, I don't know which camera is good for this purpose. Any recommendations on a good digital camera and water proof casing that would fit the needs of a beginner?

15th July 2006	#2
Zee New Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hougang Posts: 41	Re: What camera is good for U/W photography? i have a 2yr old Canon A80 with underwater casing for sale if u interested. http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=207676 Last edited by Zee; 15th July 2006 at 01:03 PM.

15th July 2006	#3
paulprodiver New Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 16	Re: What camera is good for U/W photography? Hi Peppermintkid, welcome to the underwater photography world. The fact is that underwater photography is not much different from photography on land (at least in the beginning). It is all depend on which specific kind of underwater photography you want to do. For example, do you like macro or maybe you are more into wide angle. If you already own a digital camera and happy with its performance (especially macro shoot), then just get yourself an underwater housing for your camera. If you haven’t had a digital camera yet, then you might want to try to get a Canon consumer camera as it can produce excellent pictures and yet so simple to use. On top of that, Canon also produces many of its own underwater housing (rated to 40 meter ) which you can easily obtain from any camera shop. Did I mention it is quite cheap compare to the 3rd party underwater housing, usually around $200 – 300. You might want to look into Canon IXUS 800 IS, as it also features the “Image Stabiliser” function. I guess it should help a lot when you shoot micro. I was thinking to get a Canon S3 IS which has a lot more functions, but sadly Canon doesn’t product a housing for it. The only housing for the S3 IS is from IKELITE (I think, but not sure), which mean it will cost a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$ . I was using a Canon IXUS V3 before, but due to the CCD problem I’m once again looking for a new camera that can take nice and clear image and has a relatively cheap underwater housing. Let me know if there are any more questions. Cheers, Paul

17th July 2006	#4
peppermintkid Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tampines Posts: 66	Re: What camera is good for U/W photography? Thanks for all the info so far. I currently have a Nikon digital camera that my dad bought. I can't remember what model it is, all I know is that it's a 8.1 megapixel camera. Are nikon camers okie for underwater photography, saying I do buy a marine casing for it?

17th July 2006	#5
kthan Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,318	Re: What camera is good for U/W photography? hi peppermintkid, do a search in this sub-forum and you will find many entries pertaining to this topic..... once u know the features to look out for, finding that special camera will be a step closer. eric

19th July 2006	#6
paulprodiver New Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 16	Re: What camera is good for U/W photography? Hey peppermintkid, Nikon do produce many quality camera. You should just get the camera's model number and do a search on the net see whether Nikon made any underwater housing for it. Happy shooting. Cheers, Paul

21st July 2006	#7
MartinS Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Yishun and Dubai Posts: 130	Re: What camera is good for U/W photography? Hi Peppermintkid. If you're thinking of digital P&S cameras, I will share with you what I have discovered through countless hours of research on the net during work (just dun tell my boss). Your question is very similar to mine when I first set about looking for a camera. I made the mistake of purchasing the Canon Powershot 3S IS without researching what underwater housings were available for it. The 3S IS is without a doubt a fantastic camera topside and I am very happy with it. Unfortunately as paulprodiver pointed out, only Ikelite makes a housing for this. http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/can_s2is.html Besides it's astronomical cost, this thing is BIG, BULKY and HEAVY (especially with external strobe) and it's going to be no fun carrying this thing around for a camera that is relatively small. The 3S IS is a great camera but because of it's flip up flash, any underwater housing will have to be bigger at the top to accomodate this. Why Canon doesn't just use the housing for the 1S IS as a mold with modifications for the 3S IS is beyond me. Other cameras worth looking at are the Canon Powershot A620 or Olympus SP 350. I will now list the pros and cons of each as I have discovered during the hours of work. (Boss, if you're reading this, I swear all this was obtained during lunch time, before my official work time and after 5.30pm) Canon Powershot A620 Pros. I have encountered very good reviews on this camera on virtually every review site I visited. It's been tried and tested underwater. http://forum.kapalselam.org/category...owershot-a620/ (Just check out that porcelian crab!) Canon has a casing for it. It is fast. Cons. The canon underwater housing is not supported by brands like Inon so there is no way to use Wide angle/macro wet lenses (I think the other canon powershots/IXUS are but they have their own disadvantages for underwater photography) To use the wet lenses, you will probably have to use the Ikelite housing for it, which is expensive, bulky and heavy. However not as bulky and heavy as the one for the 3S IS as you can see here. http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/canon_a620.html Olympus SP-350 Pros. Has RAW. Olympus has housing for it and much more affordable than say Ikelite and prob much more lighter! Very well supported by Inon! http://inonamerica.com/news.php?news_id=48&newscat=0 check out the PT-030, that's the housing for the SP-350. Cons. Although I have found macro shots taken with this camera, I haven't found any underwater shots taken with it nor any comments about it's use for underwater photography. RAW causes a lag and is this something you want to be dealing with underwater? (diff story if you're using high end DSLR I guess). Reviews about this have been "iffy" so am I willing to take the risk with investing in this camera? Ok so that's my take. If anyone out there has an opinion on the matter do share as I am still undecided on which of these to get! I would LOVE to get my hands on an Olympus C7070 with it's Olympus housing but alas, this model has been discontinued. Basically it is difficult to say something like "This camera XYZ is the ULTIMATE p&S camera you should use for underwater photgraphy!" but the bottom line is, whichever camera you choose, do ensure that it is well supported for underwater photography. (some housings for older models are no longer made) Have a look at what model that Nikon camera is and let us know. Perhaps someone here will have something to say about it. Ok...back to work. (Goodness! It's almost 5.30pm! Whoppee!) Martin Last edited by MartinS; 21st July 2006 at 05:27 PM.

24th July 2006	#12
Zee New Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hougang Posts: 41	Re: What camera is good for U/W photography? a personal comment: I was looking at the same 2 models a few weeks back. Canon A620 and the Olympus SP350. Canon won me over with it's 1cm super macro mode, and it's improved speed. The olympus is slower in focusing, so trying to catch something swimming past gonna be hard. Online reviews for both cams are pretty good, except for the speed issue with the olympus. That tip the favor towards canon for me.