Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one?

Yuxuan · 26th August 2006

Hi! Am new here and I am interested in trying underwater photgraphy. Presently I owe a Ricoh Caplio R3 which I bought abt a year ago and there are no underwater housing available for this camera.

So I am in a dilemma on whether I should get a used camera + u/w housing or fork out a few hundreds dollars more and invest in a new camera + u/w housing? If getting an used camera, what are the minimum spec to look for to suit my needs eg not less than how many megapixels?

waisj · 26th August 2006

Originally Posted by Yuxuan

Hi! Am new here and I am interested in trying underwater photgraphy. Presently I owe a Ricoh Caplio R3 which I bought abt a year ago and there are no underwater housing available for this camera. So I am in a dilemma on whether I should get a used camera + u/w housing or fork out a few hundreds dollars more and invest in a new camera + u/w housing? If getting an used camera, what are the minimum spec to look for to suit my needs eg not less than how many megapixels?

Hi there,

It really depends how much money you have to burn.

It all boils down to what you would prefer to shhot underwater.

First off, have you photographed underwater?
Do you like macro u/w?
Wide angle?
Have you used a system with strobes?

Why not tag along with someone who has a system and have a feel on how to take them underwater...

It might shed some light

Cheers

Yuxuan · 27th August 2006

Waisj

Thanks for your response.

No, I have not photograph underwater before and would like to start with the basic just camera with internal flash to get the feel. So no strobe as yet.

Budget wise...Hahaha..the less money I had to spend the better! For new camera, I know most recommend Canon A620 or Olympus SP350 but think with my half-ass beginner skills that I don't need something that good. As for 2nd hand camera, I am not sure what is the min spec I should be looking for?

kthan · 27th August 2006

Hi Yuxuan

there were numerous posts in this forum on what to look for in an u/w camera setup. U can easily do a search to find them.

Waisj: Lembeh again end of this year?

Eric

diediealsomustdive · 28th August 2006

At the present moment probably look for something not too old, say not older than 2 years, at least 4 Meg, although 3.2 also can do for beginner.

Think I saw an S45 with housing at the B&S section. That's 4 Meg. And clamshell design, takes a bit of trick to turn off. If you buy that, search the forum for how to switch off Canon S series clamshell cameras underwater

lovells19 · 28th August 2006

I would start with a cheap 2nd hand camera with housing and manual function,

but then getting a 2nd hand camera means you have to risk the item breaking down without warranty, (eat urself if it spoils)

but it'll be less then half the price you need to pay for a brand new camera.

so many factors to consider, haha quite delima ah.

consider the following
1. Does it have Manual - important
2. How long does the batteries last - on average 200shots with flash, i know some cannot last more then 100 shots.. and they don't use AA batteries so you gotto buy extra battries
3. How old is the camera, too old then higher chance of the camera failing, and depends on how well the previous owner takes care if it. The rest is luck i guess

hope this helps

antacid · 28th August 2006

Originally Posted by Yuxuan

Hi! Am new here and I am interested in trying underwater photgraphy. Presently I owe a Ricoh Caplio R3 which I bought abt a year ago and there are no underwater housing available for this camera. So I am in a dilemma on whether I should get a used camera + u/w housing or fork out a few hundreds dollars more and invest in a new camera + u/w housing? If getting an used camera, what are the minimum spec to look for to suit my needs eg not less than how many megapixels?

well, i think you should get whatever suits your budget. on a tight budget, then get a 2nd hand set. if you can afford it, then get the newer models and a housing. got money, anything also can. haha

when getting a camera for u/w, these are some of the things i look out for:
1. manual, aperture priority, shutter priority modes
2. ability to set manual white balance
3. good battery mileage
4. good AF in low-light
5. u/w housing from manufacturer (3rd party ones cost a bomb!)
6. decent sized screen ~ 2 inches at least (good to have)

anyone else have anything to add?

P.S. Canon is due to release the A710IS and A640 in October..sweet! I guess i'll probly sell my A95 + housing soon...*grin*

Yuxuan · 30th August 2006

Wow! Thanks all for your advice and glad that everyone is so helpful!

Antacid - Hahah..but might be going to Aur nxt month and hope to get a camera by then.

hellhole · 31st August 2006

hijack this thread a little bit...

anyone got a tried and tested setup that is decently price and still able to get first hand?? i want to take some simlpe phots ... need not be manual...

lovells19 · 31st August 2006

Fuji have very good instant film cameras, takes decent photos
$30 only i think

splatt · 10th September 2006

It's best to have something with manual controls underwater as the auto settings aren't always useful. That's why so many people go for A620 or SP350.

If you're interested, I have an A610/A620 housing for sale. Thread here:
http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?p=2454475

Good luck.

26th August 2006	#1
Yuxuan New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 10	Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one? Hi! Am new here and I am interested in trying underwater photgraphy. Presently I owe a Ricoh Caplio R3 which I bought abt a year ago and there are no underwater housing available for this camera. So I am in a dilemma on whether I should get a used camera + u/w housing or fork out a few hundreds dollars more and invest in a new camera + u/w housing? If getting an used camera, what are the minimum spec to look for to suit my needs eg not less than how many megapixels?

27th August 2006	#3
Yuxuan New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 10	Re: Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one? Waisj Thanks for your response. No, I have not photograph underwater before and would like to start with the basic just camera with internal flash to get the feel. So no strobe as yet. Budget wise...Hahaha..the less money I had to spend the better! For new camera, I know most recommend Canon A620 or Olympus SP350 but think with my half-ass beginner skills that I don't need something that good. As for 2nd hand camera, I am not sure what is the min spec I should be looking for?

27th August 2006	#4
kthan Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,318	Re: Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one? Hi Yuxuan there were numerous posts in this forum on what to look for in an u/w camera setup. U can easily do a search to find them. Waisj: Lembeh again end of this year? Eric

28th August 2006	#5
diediealsomustdive Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: CCK Posts: 1,065	Re: Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one? At the present moment probably look for something not too old, say not older than 2 years, at least 4 Meg, although 3.2 also can do for beginner. Think I saw an S45 with housing at the B&S section. That's 4 Meg. And clamshell design, takes a bit of trick to turn off. If you buy that, search the forum for how to switch off Canon S series clamshell cameras underwater

28th August 2006	#6
lovells19 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Deep Deep in the sea Posts: 3,235	Re: Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one? I would start with a cheap 2nd hand camera with housing and manual function, but then getting a 2nd hand camera means you have to risk the item breaking down without warranty, (eat urself if it spoils) but it'll be less then half the price you need to pay for a brand new camera. so many factors to consider, haha quite delima ah. consider the following 1. Does it have Manual - important 2. How long does the batteries last - on average 200shots with flash, i know some cannot last more then 100 shots.. and they don't use AA batteries so you gotto buy extra battries 3. How old is the camera, too old then higher chance of the camera failing, and depends on how well the previous owner takes care if it. The rest is luck i guess hope this helps

30th August 2006	#8
Yuxuan New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 10	Re: Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one? Wow! Thanks all for your advice and glad that everyone is so helpful! Antacid - Hahah..but might be going to Aur nxt month and hope to get a camera by then.

31st August 2006	#9
hellhole New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3	Re: Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one? hijack this thread a little bit... anyone got a tried and tested setup that is decently price and still able to get first hand?? i want to take some simlpe phots ... need not be manual...

10th September 2006	#11
splatt Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 126	Re: Get a 2nd hand camera or invest in a new one? It's best to have something with manual controls underwater as the auto settings aren't always useful. That's why so many people go for A620 or SP350. If you're interested, I have an A610/A620 housing for sale. Thread here: http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?p=2454475 Good luck.