good digital cam for UW shots

[kelstorm]

fellas, any advice??? i saw C750 olympus... is it good?

[Achilles Tang]

Go to dpreview.com. Excellent site for digital camera reviews.

From there, you have to search around for U/W casings and the strobe/accessories/lens needed.

With the speed digi cams are improving, I find it so painful to have to keep using the one you bought and the casing which cost the same price as the camera... and newer and better models are coming out!

I recommend the Canon G5!

[nleong]

kel,

i intend to go for the 5060 or the 5050... it takes CF too. Much more easier on the pocket when comes to memory ....

[kelstorm]

kel,

i intend to go for the 5060 or the 5050... it takes CF too. Much more easier on the pocket when comes to memory ....

i was quoted $180 for 256 MB for the XD Memory card...

[nleong]

topup abit can buy a 512MB CF and the 5050/60 takes XD card too.

[kelstorm]

topup abit can buy a 512MB CF and the 5050/60 takes XD card too.

but 5050 only have 3 optical zoom leh...

[nleong]

ya so... underwater u dun need so much zoom. its 25% larger remenber ?

and guess u will be taking more macro and wide angle shots when underwater rather than tele...

moreover, more zoom means more prone to camera shake = blur pictures. unless u want to bring a tripod down.

[kelstorm]

ya so... underwater u dun need so much zoom. its 25% larger remenber ?

and guess u will be taking more macro and wide angle shots when underwater rather than tele...

moreover, more zoom means more prone to camera shake = blur pictures. unless u want to bring a tripod down.

for tripod, can use my jetfins... very sturdy... the reason why i prefer the 10 optical zoom is coz of the fact that i'm sharing it with my fiancee..(i supply the UW casing!!! )... and she like the C750... it is true that i dun need too much zoom underwater as i'll be taking more macro shots... but C5050 is really a bit too little for me... it is a pity that my Digital SLR dun have a housing.. even if it does, i cannot afford it..

[nleong]

then y not save for the housing for your DSLR. I would do that if I were you.

The ikelite housing is quite affordable tho you need to purchase the pods seperately for your lens.

i guess maybe set u back ard $2K.

for the olympus maybe with the housing ard $1.5K.... but since got another party involve.... guess u got not much choice

[kelstorm]

then y not save for the housing for your DSLR. I would do that if I were you.

The ikelite housing is quite affordable tho you need to purchase the pods seperately for your lens.

i guess maybe set u back ard $2K.

for the olympus maybe with the housing ard $1.5K.... but since got another party involve.... guess u got not much choice

then y not save for the housing for your DSLR. I would do that if I were you.

The ikelite housing is quite affordable tho you need to purchase the pods seperately for your lens.

i guess maybe set u back ard $2K.

i would like to... but bo lui and it is gonna be more expensive...

for the olympus maybe with the housing ard $1.5K.... but since got another party involve.... guess u got not much choice

hehehe.. beggers cant be choosers

[terryansimon]

I know Sony has one made for underwater camera. U60 I think.

the only thing I don't like about Sony is their memory media. I'm an avid fan of the Microdrive. hurhur! (=

[nleong]

terry,

agreed. I don't like their storage media either. And beside their high ned range. Most of the model uses rechargeable AA size batteries. Geezz!!! Thats the erk thing, if not its a good buy.

[kelstorm]

I know Sony has one made for underwater camera. U60 I think.

if i'm not wrong, that one can only go to the depth of 1.5M... snorkelling is fine.. diving..

[nleong]

eh... my last trip got people brought down a sony digicam leh.

[kelstorm]

digicam i have.. again, no money for housing.. and hardly use it... i prefer to take pics

[terryansimon]

oh you can always get a custom housing. those cost a bomb though.

[terryansimon]

terry,

agreed. I don't like their storage media either. And beside their high ned range. Most of the model uses rechargeable AA size batteries. Geezz!!! Thats the erk thing, if not its a good buy.

actually there is one school of thought that states that the usage of such batteries is better than your standard battery pack provided by the manufacturer itself.

this is because when you deplete the energy within the battery pack, you need a source to recharge them. whereas if your camera uses AA batteries, can just walk into any store and buy them. and if you're going to a remote land like the inner recesses of Mongolia, all you have to do is bring loads of spare AAs.

you can't do that with battery packs. unless you're filthy rich. for example my canon battery pack costs $135!!!

then again, the lifespan of an AA battery is short of pathetic. a give and take situation here I suppose.

[Orpheus]

One of the better cameras that I have seen so far is the Olympus C5050. DO NOT Get the C5060 though.

[nleong]

Orpheus,

can u explain y ? The new 5060 beside the obvious extra resolution. It claim to have a new wide zoom feature which is very good for underwater shots.

[Orpheus]

C5050 is using a stable old technology. Whereas the new C5060 is using a new technology that is not proven.

The recent images taken at Manado with the C5050, without a strobe was excellent.

[nleong]

orpheus,

I beg to differ on your views. Tho' it might be new and employ certain new technology like the new Wide zoom and the multi light metering, the rest are pretty much the same. I think we should not too quick to shoot it down without giving it a try.

For a $100 difference between this 2 model. I'm game to give it a try. I would go down to take a look either Sitex or Cathay when I have the time. afterall, every new technology got its problem... so...