which slr is best underwater, under 1500?

hi all~

i'mstudying coral biology getting ready to head out in the field, and i need to find a digital slr i can use with both macro and wide angle lenses - i'd like to be able to take close shots of individual coral polyps, but deal with the wide angle lens the majority of the time while under and above water... i've looked reviews of issues with both the canon and olympuses under $900, and wouldn't be able to afford the 10D *plus* the housing... are there any recommendations out there for *relatively* inexpensive SLRs (< $1000 before additional lenses, etc.) that would still have decent image quality? more importantly, what are the most significant limitations on the features of the cameras - time inbetween shots, etc... anything that would affect my ability to take shots as i see necessary.

thanks,

soya

Housing availability will be a key factor.

If I were you I’d research the archives, and most resent reviews on Steve’s digital camera reviews.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html

Marc

Hi Soychicka and Welcome to Wetpixel,

My sig other is a marine biologist and up until recently, they did all of their work at her office with the Nikonos V and the 15mm lens, or with the macro framers.

Recently, they decided to get some digital SLR's and I am helping them get set up.

It would really be helpful if you could tell us EXACTLY what your needs are. Will you be shooting fast moving marine mammals, coral spawning, coral disease, tiny symbionts, etc. Will you be affected by "shutter lag" if you go with a consumer camera?

What is your total budget for camera + housing + lenses + strobes? Do you already have some strobes in your lab that you used w/ film?

Once you have answered these questions, it will be relatively easy to make some recommendations.

Cheers

James Wiseman

To answer the question you posed in your original question ie. SLR under $1000, well assuming we're talking digital it has to be the 300D. It's the only DSLR anythhing like under $1000. 300D (with lens) and Ikelite housing is going to be way cheaper than any other possible option. (oh, except for 10D + EWAmarine, which is what I've done, but don't do it!!!).