Underwater Camera Vs Underwater Housing?

thewools

Howdy all just looking for a few opinions regarding the purchase of an underwater camera or underwater plastic housing for my current camera!

I'm heading off on holidays next month to the Maldives so i want to capture all the colour and beauty of Indian Ocean.

I own a Canon IXUS 70 – a compact and delightful little camera but im not sure should I purchase an underwater case for this camera or just get a separate underwater camera!!

Seen I can get a case for it but they are a bit pricey for a bit of plastic in my opinion!!
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=345970

Any opinions or help?

Dragan

The majority of people i know who dive simply use those big industrial zip lock bags!!

Calina

Check out the depth rating on any under water casing you buy. I know a couple of guys with G9s and underwater casings - one of them uses it specifically for diving. They get on very well with them.

I don't want to depress you but 189E for an underwater casing isn't bad. For a DSLR you can look forward to well over 1000E for a casing and then some again.

I'd consider the underwater camera if you were going to do loads and loads of underwater photography...I can't remember what's on the market though.

Dragan, I'd be nervy about a ziplock bag if the camera is going to be submerged to any depth. But that's just me.

Dragan

Calina wrote: »

Dragan, I'd be nervy about a ziplock bag if the camera is going to be submerged to any depth. But that's just me.

I'd be the same, especially as you may have had a big outlay on the camera to being with! Still, this is done by a lot of people....i think they are crazy myself.

Edit : Just checked with a mate of mine who says for shallow dives and such the bag is fine, but they also argued that going deeper means it darker anyways and then she lost me in all sorts of blurb about underwater photography!

thewools

Calina wrote: »

Check out the depth rating on any under water casing you buy. I know a couple of guys with G9s and underwater casings - one of them uses it specifically for diving. They get on very well with them.

I don't want to depress you but 189E for an underwater casing isn't bad. For a DSLR you can look forward to well over 1000E for a casing and then some again.

I'd consider the underwater camera if you were going to do loads and loads of underwater photography...I can't remember what's on the market though.

Dragan, I'd be nervy about a ziplock bag if the camera is going to be submerged to any depth. But that's just me.

Thanks...

I plan to do alot of snorkling and a bit of scuba hopefully.. The under water casing is rated for 40m - i dont plan to reach those depths for a long time so 40m is fine.

Suppose i better shop around... I know Aldi done a ~5MP underwater camera a few months ago so might check their upcoming offers too...

rahtkennades

For me, if diving I wouldn't go near one of the 'ziplok' type soft covers. I'd be a bit scared of leaks tbh!

RE the cases, just be aware that they usually need to be matched to the camera, so if you change the camera the case is useless (because the manufacturers change the posn of buttons all the time).

If you're interested in looking at film cameras, you should be able to pick up a second-hand Sea&Sea cheap enough these days.


Just a note, with any camera case you get, it might be worth putting some tissue and silica gel packs (and a little bit of lead) in it and testing it underwater on a dive before committing to bringing your camera. Just in case!!

SOL

Well I think doing deep water photography is pretty much out of reach of most people.

Using a convetional flash underwater gives much the same as taking a flash photo in a blizzard... so that is out.... so it will be shallow stuff, so the ziplock style will probably be grand. This doesnot actually mean taking a sandwich bag btw...

OSiriS

Just keep in mind that you should never bring anything down that you are not prepared to lose. It is not a case of if the waterproof seals fail, but when.

Thoie

Little bit late perhaps, but I've been both scuba diving and snorkelling, and it's important to make sure that you have a rubbery strap that goes around your wrist, or at least a strap that can be tightened in place. It's incredibly easy to drop things. Also, if you're a beginner at scuba diving, put the strap around your "off" hand - you're more like to perform the manoeuvre for finding your spare regulator with you dominant arm, and getting a camera snagged while trying to do that wouldn't be any fun

thewools

Im leaning towards just buying an underwater camera now... Dont think i could trust a ziplog bag :rolleyes:

Chances are I will change my camera within the next few years so I dont think i will get much use out of the plastic casing...

So could anyone recommend a good digital underwater camera? Under €150 preferably

I got those cheap kodak ones before and OMG they were crap...

Cheers..

MartMax

Calina,

Would you say under water casing the safe bet for a dSLR, says 40D?

I'll be covering a regatta this coming December, gonna be my first time too doing it! How about the lenses? L lenses are pretty sure at least weatherproof but don't think they'd survive in the sea.

CabanSail

If you are in Dublin we have a talk on Underwater Photography with Nigel Motyer on September 2nd at DCC.

Thoie

Sorry for dragging up an old post, but I was in Aldi on the Long Mile Road yesterday and noticed that they had a few of the 6MP underwater cameras left. They're not out with the main stock, but in a locked display near the tills. Just thought I'd let people know in case anyone was still looking.

paddylonglegs

OP you might be in luck if you haven't made the purchase yet.This is on special:

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=102523

waldo

I have both a housing and an underwater bag for an s80, and the casing is a far better option.

You have easy access to all the buttons - a big plus when deep underwater. They are also far more reliable and can go to much deeper depths.

The casing will have optical quality glass in front of the lens - not a pvc bag.

For that money an "underwater" camera will only go to depths of up to 10m at best - if scuba diving in tropical water you are likely to go deeper than this.

Calina

mart_max wrote: »

Calina,

Would you say under water casing the safe bet for a dSLR, says 40D?

I'll be covering a regatta this coming December, gonna be my first time too doing it! How about the lenses? L lenses are pretty sure at least weatherproof but don't think they'd survive in the sea.

I've only just seen this.

Personally my experience is that a 40D can take a certain amount of splashing. Constant wetness on the other hand is not such a good idea.

A waterproof housing for a 40D costs about 1000E minimum. If you're not going underwater, you may find splash protection adequate. I have in my camera bag a box of freezer bags and some clingfilm for emergencies. Are you shooting the regatta from a boat or what?