Cheap waterproof camera...

Amp34

Amp34

Amp34

Caporegime
Joined
25 Jul 2005
Posts
28,851
Location
Canada
I'm going to learn to dive next week and have decided actually I do want to take a waterproof camera with me to get some snaps. I wanted something with some decent manual settings but it appears they are only available when you encase a normal camera in an expensive waterproof case.

I know there are some decentish compacts that will go down reasonably deep, any suggestions which I should buy (cheap would be useful bit as usual IQ is the most important!).

Thanks
 
If it's your first lessons I wouldn't bother as your better off concentrating on getting things like your boyancy right etc.

If you do want a cheap option though the fuji refurb store has some great deals on their tough cameras which are pretty decent and well priced.
 
I have three days of diving after I complete the open water bit so was thinking of taking one down then just for some fun, which is why I'm not looking for an expensive one, although a basic tough one to use when playing in rivers and such would be good too.

I'm going on Friday though so something online isn't going to be any use as well.
 
well the first thing to decide is how deep you want to go. Most 'waterproof' cameras only go to 2m. Some even go to 10m but beyond that you're into 'normal camera in a case' terrirory.
If you're doing scuba you will probably be going up to 18m down but without lights and filters photos can look crap at that depth.
 
Lumix DMC-FT3 is waterproof to 12m and seems to be around £150 now

Still have mine but haven't used it much since I got my 650d hehe
 
Hamish said:
well the first thing to decide is how deep you want to go. Most 'waterproof' cameras only go to 2m. Some even go to 10m but beyond that you're into 'normal camera in a case' terrirory.
If you're doing scuba you will probably be going up to 18m down but without lights and filters photos can look crap at that depth.
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It would mostly be a case of taking it to take pictures of each other and some shallow fish, so 10m would be fine. As there seems to be a lack of manual controls and ISO is poor on compacts I wouldn't be thinking of taking any pictures below about 5m anyway. I've decided that it's going to be not worth the cost so will see if I can maybe hire one for a day in resort instead.
 
Phal said:
Lumix DMC-FT3 is waterproof to 12m and seems to be around £150 now

Still have mine but haven't used it much since I got my 650d hehe
Click to expand...

After lots of research I bought one of these only for it to die on me testing it out on the first day of our holiday in less than 1m of water! Obviously I was totally gutted. Luckily it wasn't my only camera, but I know some people have one of these for an all-rounder.
Common sense I know but never just take one camera on a major holiday. If you're in NYC, then no worries , out in the Sinai then a back up might be a good idea!
 
psyk_one said:
After lots of research I bought one of these only for it to die on me testing it out on the first day of our holiday in less than 1m of water! Obviously I was totally gutted. Luckily it wasn't my only camera, but I know some people have one of these for an all-rounder.
Common sense I know but never just take one camera on a major holiday. If you're in NYC, then no worries , out in the Sinai then a back up might be a good idea!
Click to expand...

Was it new or second hand? Hard to imagine it dying unless the seal is ****ed or the cover isn't closed properly :/
 
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