Best UW Digital camera?

[ilovejeff]

Hi everyone!

My fiance (flugelnuss) and I are going to start diving soon (lessons start after Underwater Sports' big sale) and as a photo hobbist on land, I'd like to take my hobby underwater. I've searched around online for reviews, but I'm not finding anything super helpful.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good underwater (perferably digital) camera?

Thanks!

 

[ilovejeff]

BTW, I'm most interested in macro shots.

 

[Schottman]

Best University of Washington Camera........that would have to be a kodak point and click!!!!!

 

[sirrahcd]

Best University of Washington camera, hmmmm. Would it pass a drug test? Has it placed a bet on anything lately?

 

[NaH2O]

Jen - welcome to Reef Frontiers! I am not sure about underwater photography....hopefully we can get someone with experience to help. Have you checked in any camera stores, yet?

 

[uwscotch]

Well, my friend and I cheat. I have a canon A70 and he has an S400. We both have underwater cases for our individual camera and both of us have had great luck with them. We took an advanced underwater class and a part of it was photagraphy. we got pix as good, if not better than the folks that spent $1500. Just a thought.

 

[Llarian]

I'm gonna echo what uwscotch said. If you have a decent normal camera, just get an underwater case for it.

Underwater cameras are expensive, and there's not all that much special about them except pressure seals. Almost every decent camera has several underwater cases available for it, and there's a lot of information out there about how to take pictures underwater.

-Dylan

 

[Vandur]

I'll second, or third, the "buy a good enclosure" suggestion. Any descent normal camera can be used under water. Just make sure you have a good uw flash. The sound (especially in the summer) can get some horrid algea blooms that can stretch down to about 40-60 ft. The cheap 100-200 UW only cameras won't even compair with a good above ground camera.

Once you're done with your lessons, I highly suggest diving out at the Mukiltieo T Dock and Oil dock (there is a dive store on the drive from one to the other - so it makes a great 2 dive day.

Just my $.02 though.

~V