The Scoop - what to buy and what not to buy?

Hi,

I am an active scuba diver who has done underwater digi in the past with a little canon 3.2mp and housing and never got serious with it. I'm in the market for a new camera, and so am wondering which ones are good for underwater. I think this site needs someplace where users can go and see "the scoop." I don't want to have to search through forum posts to draw a consenus on what the popular cameras are what isn't... etc.

Anyway, can anyone give me any suggestions? I am not a professional, but i am considering an SLR camera. If i do go SLR, i would want something reasonable with cheap housing available. Value is what i'm mainly looking for. What do i want to buy?

Canon Rebel XT (or 350 depending on where you are) and Ikelite or Aquatica housing.

or Nikon D70 and Ikelite or Aquatica housing. Both of these cameras take a great picture and there is no reason to need anything better at this point in your UW photog hobby.

Remember you would be buying a system, not just a one off for life. Both Canon and Nikon have people who are die hard fans, but in the end, it is what you think feels right for you. Go to a local camera shop and play with either of these cameras and see which one seems more intuitive to you.

Same thing with housings, its a system. Ports, gears, etc can all be used down the road when/if you ever decide to upgrade your camera.

Aquatica is aluminum

Ikelite is plexi

Again both have their pundits. Choose the one that feels right for you, these are the housing systems that are the most affordable and easy available in North America. If you are in Europe or Asia you might consider a different housing manufacturer.

Hello

With Mike, I'm a D70 user, & give this system a total thumbs up

also been a canon user back in the days of Film.

Both are cracking little cameras if you ask me, I'm totally happy with my professional work that comes from the D70.

Yeh i'd like A gem like D2x, but its all extra weight, and to be totally honest about it, its not always the camera that produces fine images. Most of the time it's the User

regards

craig

go slr!!

i was standing in the very same shoes as you a couple of months ago, and went for the slr set up: canon + alu housing and LOVE it so much! it answers my needs so much more than a big compact with its little housing that i almost bought. my issue was money, so i bought a second hand set up: camera and housing (just a bit more expensive as a new compact + housing and strobe)

slr means extra lenses and bigger strobe though, but worth EVERY penny of it.

again, which slr is up to your inner feeling, mine was canon. they basically offer the same functions; pros out there correct me if i'm wrong...

in short : since you've been over the pleasures of a small compact, it's time to switch over to slr! one warning though: quote from a good friend "it's addictive!!"

matva: decision time has come and whichever you're going for: have fun!

melody

Well i started looking at those cameras, housing, and strobe and found that it is going to end up being too much for what i'm willing to spend. After some searching, i came across the Olympus C-8080. It seems to have a nice userbase and the PT-023 is cheap. I'm guessing i can pickup a strobe for it fairly cheap as well. Any comments?

I think you will be better off with the Oly 7070 over the 8080. Can't exactly remember why but there are issues over the both. I believe the 7070 has better macro and shorter lag time?!

Not exactly sure.... try posting something in the Compact section about these two cameras or try a search.... sorry i can't be of more help..

Stay away from the Olympus 8080! It has a horrible lens for underwater use and the housing is an abomination.

That's just my opinion though.

James

If you want to learn on a good point and shoot, go with the Olympus SP-350 or the Fuji E900. Inexpensive cameras and housings and you can get external lenses for WA and macro and use strobes. A search of the forums here and at digital diver will reveal much info on either. It really is worth your time to try out the forum search function. Or just call one of the forum sponsors who sells camera equipment (you can find a list of them on the right side of the page). They can help you decide on what is right for you and they actually get to try out many different models.

Mike

i agree with MikeO, Olymus compact is what i had to start with, was extremely happy. and they have good little housings, all of it at affordable prices. and if i got things right: the SP350 is actually the newer, actuallised model based on the 7070. again , pros and salespeolple: correct me on this one if i'm wrong.

melody

If you go to an SLR and need a flash arm, buy one which uses 25mm/1inch diameter ball joints as many manufacturers now use this size and parts are interchangable.