Taking photo's underwater
Discussion
Hi,
Currently have a Cannon 400D and have seen water proof cases for them which state they can take pictures underwater which is something I would like to do when diving, as the disposable cameras are not ideal.
Has anybody used one of the waterproof cases and we you recommend it or would you recommend a specific underwater camera?
Thanks in advance.
Ross
Currently have a Cannon 400D and have seen water proof cases for them which state they can take pictures underwater which is something I would like to do when diving, as the disposable cameras are not ideal.
Has anybody used one of the waterproof cases and we you recommend it or would you recommend a specific underwater camera?
Thanks in advance.
Ross
As Rob says, proper DSLR ones are the bees proverbials, but they're definitely not cheap!
Depends what you want to do though - I've got a little 'Dicapak' (sp?) case which is designed for our Canon Powershot digi-compact, which came in at <£50 and is waterproof to either 5m or 10m, so fine for snorkelling. Used it twice (Sharm and Cook Is.) and it worked perfectly at both...which reminds me I need to check it in advance of the next trip...
Depends what you want to do though - I've got a little 'Dicapak' (sp?) case which is designed for our Canon Powershot digi-compact, which came in at <£50 and is waterproof to either 5m or 10m, so fine for snorkelling. Used it twice (Sharm and Cook Is.) and it worked perfectly at both...which reminds me I need to check it in advance of the next trip...
I have a Canon one for an Ixus 120IS.
Personally I wouldn't risk a DSLR (and its lens) unless I was wanting to do underwater photography a *lot* and/or professionally. The cases are also a good bit more expensive for the DSLRs I think.
The case works very well, and allows access to all functions. Will go to 30m I think.
I found it very tricky focussing and holding the unit still. And a lot of underwater life doesn't half shift when it wants to, so catching the action is interesting
Video seems to work better (in my hands at least), but the mic is pretty useless (easy to edit sound out afterwards).
Personally I wouldn't risk a DSLR (and its lens) unless I was wanting to do underwater photography a *lot* and/or professionally. The cases are also a good bit more expensive for the DSLRs I think.
The case works very well, and allows access to all functions. Will go to 30m I think.
I found it very tricky focussing and holding the unit still. And a lot of underwater life doesn't half shift when it wants to, so catching the action is interesting
Video seems to work better (in my hands at least), but the mic is pretty useless (easy to edit sound out afterwards).And crap it is Simpo! 
One thing you have to bear in mind if you want to house and SLR is that the flash becomes unuseable, and so you'd need to buy strobes, sync leads, arms to attach strobes to housing; you'll also need zoom gears, and depending on how the Canon worksand what housing you buy, possibly aperture gears as well.
You're looking at a huge investment first time round. I'd buy a small compact digi camera and a cheap housing and practice with that first.
One thing you have to bear in mind if you want to house and SLR is that the flash becomes unuseable, and so you'd need to buy strobes, sync leads, arms to attach strobes to housing; you'll also need zoom gears, and depending on how the Canon worksand what housing you buy, possibly aperture gears as well.
You're looking at a huge investment first time round. I'd buy a small compact digi camera and a cheap housing and practice with that first.
Edited by Fezant Pluckah on Monday 14th February 10:01
The aquapac-type bags are great for using an SLR in and around water (kayaking, etc) but they're not rated for very deep - I'd use them for strict surface snorkelling only.
For diving you want a proper housing. However, DSLR housings are painfully expensive and very bulky - you have to be a decent diver with excellent buoyancy control to use one as they tend to need both hands.
Camerasunderwater as linked do bundle deals - a good compact (that you can get some use out of elsewhere) in a smaller housing, something you can clip on your BCD when you need your hands. Ixus on a budget (CU do Ixus 105 plus case for £320), for a nicer compact they do an S95 plus case for £612. That's still half the price of an Ikelite housing for the 400D.
Consider renting too - most dive shops in popular diving spots rent out cameras and housings by the day at reasonable rates (£30/day, cheaper for multiple days, or less at most places I've been) which is possibly better if you're not using it dozens of times a year.
For diving you want a proper housing. However, DSLR housings are painfully expensive and very bulky - you have to be a decent diver with excellent buoyancy control to use one as they tend to need both hands.
Camerasunderwater as linked do bundle deals - a good compact (that you can get some use out of elsewhere) in a smaller housing, something you can clip on your BCD when you need your hands. Ixus on a budget (CU do Ixus 105 plus case for £320), for a nicer compact they do an S95 plus case for £612. That's still half the price of an Ikelite housing for the 400D.
Consider renting too - most dive shops in popular diving spots rent out cameras and housings by the day at reasonable rates (£30/day, cheaper for multiple days, or less at most places I've been) which is possibly better if you're not using it dozens of times a year.
There are a couple of previous threads somewhere.
Depending on how deep you'll be going, we bought a Fuji Z33WP last year for a holiday to Turkey. Took fantastic pictures both in and out of the water. And it's tiny too - will go in any pocket/bag. We got a recon one from Fuji for less than £90. Battery life was great, it takes SD cards and has a good selection of settings.
Depending on how deep you'll be going, we bought a Fuji Z33WP last year for a holiday to Turkey. Took fantastic pictures both in and out of the water. And it's tiny too - will go in any pocket/bag. We got a recon one from Fuji for less than £90. Battery life was great, it takes SD cards and has a good selection of settings.
The Fugi cameras are good.
F50 is no longer produced but personally I prefer it over the newer F80 model.
I would recommend Inon for cases and accessories.
You can spend a small fortune on accessories, depends what you want to spend and how seriously you want to take it.
IMO This is how my priorities would lie.
Wide angle lense> Strobe (make sure you get a decent arm, not a s
t magnetic one)> Close up lense.
The three main things you need to be able to get some outstanding pictures.
Underwater photography is very different to land photography, if you have no previous experience in this I would recommend taking a photography course and even asking for a private guide on some dives if you are into Macro photography as most other divers do not appreciate spending 30 minutes in one place!!
If you need contacts for any underwater photography equipment just drop me a line and I can help.
F50 is no longer produced but personally I prefer it over the newer F80 model.
I would recommend Inon for cases and accessories.
You can spend a small fortune on accessories, depends what you want to spend and how seriously you want to take it.
IMO This is how my priorities would lie.
Wide angle lense> Strobe (make sure you get a decent arm, not a s
t magnetic one)> Close up lense.The three main things you need to be able to get some outstanding pictures.
Underwater photography is very different to land photography, if you have no previous experience in this I would recommend taking a photography course and even asking for a private guide on some dives if you are into Macro photography as most other divers do not appreciate spending 30 minutes in one place!!
If you need contacts for any underwater photography equipment just drop me a line and I can help.
Ayez beera said:
Wide angle lense> Strobe (make sure you get a decent arm, not a st magnetic one)> Close up lense.
Errrrr.... no, Craig.t magnetic one)> Close up lense.Priority should be a strobe first, as no lens is any good without a strobe, unless all you want to do is take blue pictures.
If you're using a compact SLR then you can to start with make do with the macro(ish) abilities of it before you consider getting some sort of attachment to shove on the outside of the housing. A removable wide angle lens would become useful once you have mastered the basics. If you are going to take wide angle then you will ultimately want 2 strobes as you'll not get the coverage from one, and so either one side or t'other of the image will have a bit of colour in it and t'other won't.
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