PDA

View Full Version : Underwater cameras


mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 09:42 AM
I am looking for a decent underwater digital camera. I came across an Olympus (STYLUS TOUGH 8000) camera at Best buy that looks nice. But will it be a good camera to use out of the water also. I have a digital fuji right now (8 mega pixel) that I like but if I get the underwater one thean there is no need for two cameras. So what I am asking is does anyone have this camera and is it good for out of water pictures also?

jbr13
07-24-2009, 09:53 AM
If you do a google search for "Stylus Tough 8000 Reviews" you can find all kinds of answers to your question. Such as this link.... Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 Review and User Opinions - Olympus - Digital Cameras Reviews by Digital Trends (http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review/6258/olympus-stylus-tough-8000-review)

ALso, I am not sure what underwater stuff you are doing, but this camera is only good to 33ft.
J

mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 09:55 AM
If you do a google search for "Stylus Tough 8000 Reviews" you can find all kinds of answers to your question. Such as this link.... Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 Review and User Opinions - Olympus - Digital Cameras Reviews by Digital Trends (http://reviews.digitaltrends.com/review/6258/olympus-stylus-tough-8000-review)


J

Thanks! That is exactly what I was looking for!

jbr13
07-24-2009, 09:59 AM
what kind of underwater stuff are you looking at doing??

aps45819
07-24-2009, 09:59 AM
There are waterproof cases available for a lot of cameras.

FYI- a hard case with spring loaded controls will prevent water pressure from depressing the shutter release.

mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 10:04 AM
what kind of underwater stuff are you looking at doing??

snorkeling and scuba diving

mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 10:05 AM
After looking at that site I am not so sure about that camera. It says repeatedly that the pictures don't come out good especially inside pictures. I really dont want two cameras to lug around.

mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 10:06 AM
There are waterproof cases available for a lot of cameras.

FYI- a hard case with spring loaded controls will prevent water pressure from depressing the shutter release.

I might have to look into that!

Pete
07-24-2009, 10:20 AM
I am looking for a decent underwater digital camera. I came across an Olympus (STYLUS TOUGH 8000) camera at Best buy that looks nice. But will it be a good camera to use out of the water also. I have a digital fuji right now (8 mega pixel) that I like but if I get the underwater one thean there is no need for two cameras. So what I am asking is does anyone have this camera and is it good for out of water pictures also?

I have one of those in my hot tub. It works well.

Pushrod
07-24-2009, 10:44 AM
I do quite a bit of underwater photography. I'll include some links to cameras and housings. Also check out the scubaboard.com photography section for some good information. If planning on doing underwater photography while on scuba, I would recomend taking advanced diver training.

IKELITE Underwater Systems (http://www.ikelite.com/)

Underwater Housing - Olympus Imaging America Inc. (http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/oima_underwater.asp)

Underwater Camera Housings Reviews (http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/underwater-photography/underwater-camera-housings/PLS_5855crx.aspx)

You can check out some of my older pictures at this site;

ScubaBoard Gallery - Tobagoman Gallery (http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/28967)

Good luck and have fun.

Chasey_Lane
07-24-2009, 12:14 PM
Vivitar makes some nice underwater cameras. Wal-Mart carries one style that also takes video. It looks like a handheld video camera and it's $99. Here are a few: Vivitar Underwater Camera | B&H Photo Video (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sq=desc&gclid=COqUyNHQ7psCFYZM5QodgyXD_g&Q=&sb=ps&pn=1&ci=0&A=search&shs=Vivitar%20Underwater%20Camera)

jbr13
07-24-2009, 12:31 PM
Ok, a quick question. Do you do photography or are you looking for something to just take pictures with while you swim or snorkel on vacation.

By reading your post, it seems you are looking for something to take on a trip and just use once or twice underwater. If so, why spend $100 on a waterproof to 33 feet camera, or hundreds to maybe thousands on a camera and good housing. Just pic up the waterproof disposable ones at CVS for your underwater needs.

J

mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 02:22 PM
Ok, a quick question. Do you do photography or are you looking for something to just take pictures with while you swim or snorkel on vacation.

By reading your post, it seems you are looking for something to take on a trip and just use once or twice underwater. If so, why spend $100 on a waterproof to 33 feet camera, or hundreds to maybe thousands on a camera and good housing. Just pic up the waterproof disposable ones at CVS for your underwater needs.

J

For our last vacation I used the disposable ones and the pictures came out awful. I had two of them and I was able to salvage about 7 pictures and they weren't great.

I am just looking for something to take with us on vacation and stuff no expert photographer here. I do want a nice camera though that we will use minimum three times a year for a week at a time for snorkeling and scuba diving. I also want to be able to use it for regular occassions also instead of going back and forth between cameras. I don't mind paying a decent amount for a camera as long as it is a good one. The Olmpus one I talked about is like 350 at Best Buy which isn't bad for a good camera. I am just not sure if it is a good camera. I looked at some other review sites and it seems like it is split down the middle, some love it and some complain about the pictures. All the reviews seem to say the underwater pictures come out great but the inside ones don't. When I took pictures in Best Buy with it they looked fine.

jbr13
07-24-2009, 03:44 PM
I would recommend doing some google searches on cameras for snorkeling. I have looked at some of these before for Kayaking... Waterproof Digital Cameras for Paddling and Water Sports - A Shopping Guide - kayak photography (http://www.fit2paddle.com/photokayaker/C560391461/E20070826082732/index.html)

Best option I can see is to find a good point and shoot you like that you can get a waterproof housing for.

Remember though, it takes a lot more light to get underwater pictures than you would think. Do some research on taking underwater pictures so you don't find yourself spending $500 and still getting pictures like you did out of the disposable camera.

Good Luck.
J

jbr13
07-24-2009, 03:45 PM
Quick ??? What was wrong with the pictures from the disposable last time? Were they blurry and dark?

mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 03:50 PM
Quick ??? What was wrong with the pictures from the disposable last time? Were they blurry and dark?

Yes and grainy. Part of it I think is the fact that they dont have a flash.

unixpirate
07-24-2009, 03:53 PM
I am looking for a decent underwater digital camera. I came across an Olympus (STYLUS TOUGH 8000) camera at Best buy that looks nice. But will it be a good camera to use out of the water also. I have a digital fuji right now (8 mega pixel) that I like but if I get the underwater one thean there is no need for two cameras. So what I am asking is does anyone have this camera and is it good for out of water pictures also?

I quickly glanced at the topic and saw "Underwear Camera"::dye:







Proceed:howdy:

mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 03:56 PM
I quickly glanced at the topic and saw "Underwear Camera"::dye:







Proceed:howdy:

:lol:

unixpirate
07-24-2009, 03:58 PM
:lol:

Could happen now :whistle:


I know I just ruined this thread :lmao:

jbr13
07-24-2009, 04:26 PM
Yes and grainy. Part of it I think is the fact that they dont have a flash.

You are correct, you didn't have enough light and the camera took the pictures with a high ISO(producing the noise) and a slow shutter speed(giving you the blur). You will have to be in pretty bright clear water to get pictures to not be so blurry.

Look at some sites, you may find something that helps.

mkd20012001
07-24-2009, 04:39 PM
You are correct, you didn't have enough light and the camera took the pictures with a high ISO(producing the noise) and a slow shutter speed(giving you the blur). You will have to be in pretty bright clear water to get pictures to not be so blurry.

Look at some sites, you may find something that helps.

The water was clear as can be, but it was overcast the majority of our trip.

aps45819
07-24-2009, 05:26 PM
Last time I was underwater with a camera, I had a 35mm Nikonos.

czygvtwkr
07-24-2009, 07:12 PM
Here is a review of most of the currently available waterproof cameras. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/

aps45819
07-24-2009, 07:27 PM
Here is a review of most of the currently available waterproof cameras. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/

Only two of those would be useful in water deeper than a swimming pool


Why do they no longer have viewfinders on cameras? Trying to compose a pic on the LCD screen in the sun is just about impossible.


... and holding a camera at arms length to take a picture is stupid.

vanbells
07-24-2009, 09:53 PM
I have a Canon Powershot D10. Waterproof down to 33ft, shockproof to 4 feet, 12.1 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and freeze proof to 14 degrees F.

I love it! It's a really good point and shoot camera. Actually, I am letting a friend borrowing it for her son's swim meets. It's works perfect for every day situations, so I don't have to carry my 30D around with me anymore.


SEO by vBSEO 3.1.0 ©2007, Crawlability, Inc.