Recommend compact camera to get for underwater

[WuffRuff]

Please make recommendations of compact cameras to get for underwater photography.
I would like the camera to have wide angle and manual settings (Av, Tv at least and Ev).
Have underwater scene may be a good thing. RAW is also a good thing but few cameras have that. I was thinking of Canon G10 or Panasonic LX3... anything else? How's Fuji F200FXR? Thanks.

[diver-hloc]

Originally Posted by WuffRuff Please make recommendations of compact cameras to get for underwater photography. I would like the camera to have wide angle and manual settings (Av, Tv at least and Ev). Have underwater scene may be a good thing. RAW is also a good thing but few cameras have that. I was thinking of Canon G10 or Panasonic LX3... anything else? How's Fuji F200FXR? Thanks.

I would suggest Canon G10.... mainly because I can confirm that Canon does have a OEM U/W casing for it. Not too sure about the rest. But at the end of the day..... which camera to get would likely depend on your buget.

[WuffRuff]

Originally Posted by diver-hloc I would suggest Canon G10.... mainly because I can confirm that Canon does have a OEM U/W casing for it. Not too sure about the rest. But at the end of the day..... which camera to get would likely depend on your buget.

LX3 and F200FXR have OEM U/W Casings too.
Hmm... budget... yeahhh, that's a consideration but I would like good IQ too.

[diver-hloc]

Originally Posted by WuffRuff LX3 and F200FXR have OEM U/W Casings too. Hmm... budget... yeahhh, that's a consideration but I would like good IQ too.

The IQ would difference too much between those camera..... some will have a certain features against another camera.... but will lose out at some other features. Don't forget..... unless you are talking about photo taking in less than 10metres of water on a sunny day. U'll need to have a Strobe to add light..... camera with 'low light capability' doesn't really helps much.

[eudon]

My 2 cents - G10 or LX3 - you cant go wrong. Both great compacts.

[Dylan]

Actually G9 will do just as well.

[diver-hloc]

Which goes back to the same question..... Buget Buget Buget....

[eudon]

hahah. agree with Dylan and d-hloc.

[hotsalad]

do consider g10 for the following reasons:
raw shooting
oem u/w casing
widest angle coverage so far, but could use some additional angle.

visit scubacam for some good strobe deals (yeah, you'll need one on any camera u decide to buy)

was intending to buy g9 but then g10 came out. right now am using ixus75.

[diver-hloc]

What would I do.....

With Limited buget - G10 or G9 (but must make sure G9 U/W casing is still being sold)

With 'Enough' buget - I would get G9 (cheaper) and use the saving + extra $$$ to get a Strobe....

With More buget - Get G10 + Strobe.

With 'Kena' TOTO buget - Go full DSLR

[Dylan]

Depends if you tend to shoot more macro or WA.
G10 is good for WA..
with the DC28 hsg, you can still make use of an adaptor to shoot with macro lens
While G9 will be harder to finder the Canon hsg, you can use the Ikelite hsg with it's ready threaded port for macro lenses or switch to the shorter port from Ikelite for their WA.

Chances are, if you want to shoot RAW which MUST include post processing converting your RAW files to JPG etc.. then go for G10 with Canon hsg with adaptor for Macro adaptor. Ikelite Hsg for WA.

G9 for no frills, Ikelite hsg, that can do both WA and macro based on changable port.

[eudon]

Originally Posted by Dylan Depends if you tend to shoot more macro or WA. G10 is good for WA.. with the DC28 hsg, you can still make use of an adaptor to shoot with macro lens While G9 will be harder to finder the Canon hsg, you can use the Ikelite hsg with it's ready threaded port for macro lenses or switch to the shorter port from Ikelite for their WA. Chances are, if you want to shoot RAW which MUST include post processing converting your RAW files to JPG etc.. then go for G10 with Canon hsg with adaptor for Macro adaptor. Ikelite Hsg for WA. G9 for no frills, Ikelite hsg, that can do both WA and macro based on changable port.

Isnt the LX3 wider than the G10? 24mm right?

[Dylan]

Well I am not really into the latest cameras now..
have my hands full with my E-3, E-500 and now E-620 already.

From what I have checked there are like 2 OEM casings and 1 does not appeal to me IMHO and the other is beyond budget for a compact camera investment.

[howeikwok]

Originally Posted by eudon Isnt the LX3 wider than the G10? 24mm right?

Yup 24 mm.

can also consider the Sea & Sea DX-2G system, camera and housing one whole set. Camera has RAW, 12 megapixels and lens is 24mm at it's wide end.

http://www.seaandsea.com/

[WuffRuff]

Looks like many are in favour of G10.
The strange thing is, I saw someone selling G10 on B&S here and his reason for selling it is that he bought it for U/W use but found that it wasn't suitable.
?!?!?!
I PMed to ask him why wasn't it suitable but got no reply.

What abt LX3? My friend has this camera and I don't know about U/W but the photos I've seen on land are very good in IQ... beautiful colours and sharpness and contrast. Very good dynamic range too.

Originally Posted by diver-hloc With 'Kena' TOTO buget - Go full DSLR

If I kenna toto, don't worry, I will know what to buy!

Originally Posted by Dylan .. then go for G10 with Canon hsg with adaptor for Macro adaptor. Ikelite Hsg for WA.

This line confuses me. Canon hsg with adaptor for Macro, Ikelite hsg for WA... Canon hsg cannot shoow WA???

Originally Posted by eudon Isnt the LX3 wider than the G10? 24mm right?

I think both G10 and LX3 are the same for wide angle rite?

[diver-hloc]

Originally Posted by WuffRuff Looks like many are in favour of G10. The strange thing is, I saw someone selling G10 on B&S here and his reason for selling it is that he bought it for U/W use but found that it wasn't suitable. ?!?!?! I PMed to ask him why wasn't it suitable but got no reply. What abt LX3? My friend has this camera and I don't know about U/W but the photos I've seen on land are very good in IQ... beautiful colours and sharpness and contrast. Very good dynamic range too.

TS..... good IQ on land doesn't = good IQ in the water..... NOT unless you have enough light to use. Since photography and camera use is a very personal thing.... not strange at all that someone don't think G10 is good enough and prefer an IXUS series camera. I know of diver who doesn't us Av, Tv or M mode at all.... some don't even shoot in RAW if their camera have it..... in this kind of cases, why get a fully manunal capable G10 ??

Originally Posted by WuffRuff This line confuses me. Canon hsg with adaptor for Macro, Ikelite hsg for WA... Canon hsg cannot shoow WA??? ?

He meant that Canon U/W case could be modfi to use Inon or Ikelite Close-up filter.... but only Ikelite U/W casing could use both Close-up filter & WA wet lens. If you put the WA wet lens on a Canon casing.... get ready for lots of Vignetting (aka.... dark shadow on the corner of the photo). But remember.... The Ikelite G10 casing cost about the same as the G10 itself For that price, I rather buy a Strobe.....

Originally Posted by WuffRuff I think both G10 and LX3 are the same for wide angle rite?

Err.... not really. G10 is 28mm at its widest.... LX3 is 24mm. Which is wider ??

[antacid]

LX3 housing will make you bleed through your backside.

DX-2G is a good buy. Or you want to buy my DX-1G? I can sell you the set for $980. hehe.
24mm wide-angle, 2-inch macro distance at 72mm equivalent (max zoom) for >1:1 macro. small and compact! shoots in RAW.

[diver-hloc]

Originally Posted by antacid LX3 housing will make you bleed through your backside. DX-2G is a good buy. Or you want to buy my DX-1G? I can sell you the set for $980. hehe. 24mm wide-angle, 2-inch macro distance at 72mm equivalent (max zoom) for >1:1 macro. small and compact! shoots in RAW.

I have no info on how much that casing cost.... So Bro... how expensive ??

[antacid]

Originally Posted by diver-hloc I have no info on how much that casing cost.... So Bro... how expensive ??

can buy maybe 2 or 3 LX3s? it's from UK germany..so that should give you a hint how much it would cost..hahaha

[Pauche]

http://www.10bar.com/new_hous-panalx3.htm
http://www.lx3-photography.com/2008/...ater-case.html