best underwater camera low cost image
Lindsey
I'm thinking about buying an underwater housing for my Nikon digital camera. It's a pretty expensive camera and I want to know if taking it underwater with a housing for it has any chance of damaging the camera. Where is the best place to buy a good housing? Has anyone had a bad experience with an underwater housing? I really want to take my camera scuba diving but i don't want to risk ruining the camera.
Answer
I have both compact and DSLR underwater housings. I have my Nikon D100 in a Sea & Sea housing, with a compact flat port & extension ring. I also have a Sea Sea YS110a strobe. You will need additional strobe(s) underwater.
I've never had a flood, but I know people who have flooded their housings, but its almost always down to user error. It's rare for a housing to flood otherwise. Housings are manufactured for a particular model of camera & are not cheap. Mine cost nearly £2000 when new! that doesn't include ports. You need different ports depending on what lenses you mount - a flat port for macro and a dome port for wide angle lenses. As I mentioned you'll also need a strobe & strobe arm. Total cost around £4,000-5,000. That DOESN'T include the camera & lenses btw.
Most common cause of flooding is not taking care of the O rings. The slightest bit of sand, grit, hair or any nicks, cuts in the O ring can cause a leak. Before every dive session you need to remove & inspect the O rings, clean the O ring channels, grease & correctly seat the O rings back. There are O rings on the main camera body, the ports, the strobe & the sync cord connectors.
Post dive always rinse the housing well in fresh water for a good long time before you open it - a short dunk isn't sufficient. Make sure when you open it that you don't drip water into it or onto the electrical contacts.
If the camera floods during a dive DON'T make a dash to the surface - you risk a bend and its probably too late in any case. If you spot a small leak, point the camera lens down (this will keep the water in the bottom of the port where it'll do least damage) and do a safe ascent.
If you're worried about your DSLR getting wet then I suggest getting a compact & housing package - they'll do reasonable shots provided there's enough light (they don't perform well in low light) although the shutter lag will be more than a DSLR.
Edit: If you're in the UK, Cameras Underwater are good dealers;
http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/
I have both compact and DSLR underwater housings. I have my Nikon D100 in a Sea & Sea housing, with a compact flat port & extension ring. I also have a Sea Sea YS110a strobe. You will need additional strobe(s) underwater.
I've never had a flood, but I know people who have flooded their housings, but its almost always down to user error. It's rare for a housing to flood otherwise. Housings are manufactured for a particular model of camera & are not cheap. Mine cost nearly £2000 when new! that doesn't include ports. You need different ports depending on what lenses you mount - a flat port for macro and a dome port for wide angle lenses. As I mentioned you'll also need a strobe & strobe arm. Total cost around £4,000-5,000. That DOESN'T include the camera & lenses btw.
Most common cause of flooding is not taking care of the O rings. The slightest bit of sand, grit, hair or any nicks, cuts in the O ring can cause a leak. Before every dive session you need to remove & inspect the O rings, clean the O ring channels, grease & correctly seat the O rings back. There are O rings on the main camera body, the ports, the strobe & the sync cord connectors.
Post dive always rinse the housing well in fresh water for a good long time before you open it - a short dunk isn't sufficient. Make sure when you open it that you don't drip water into it or onto the electrical contacts.
If the camera floods during a dive DON'T make a dash to the surface - you risk a bend and its probably too late in any case. If you spot a small leak, point the camera lens down (this will keep the water in the bottom of the port where it'll do least damage) and do a safe ascent.
If you're worried about your DSLR getting wet then I suggest getting a compact & housing package - they'll do reasonable shots provided there's enough light (they don't perform well in low light) although the shutter lag will be more than a DSLR.
Edit: If you're in the UK, Cameras Underwater are good dealers;
http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/
What do you think of this digital camera, is it good?
Nancy
Hi,
Looking for a small digital camera that can take both high quality photos and videos. Searched ebay and found this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SVP-18MP-Max-UnderWater-Digital-Camera-Video-w-Dual-LCDs-Screen-BRAND-NEW-/400537469435?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item5d41e4c1fb
What is your opinion on it?
Answer
Run, don't walk away from that camera.
18megapixels - interpolated? not a normal camera spec.
4x digital zoom - no good.
VGA video - also no good - it's low grade, and you won't be happy with that.
AAA battery powered - worth about 40 photos before having to change batteries.
You will be spending more money on batteries than the camera costs.
Interpolated to me means predictive. In other words, the sensor is likely much less than 18Mp but it guesses pixels from the real pixels to increase resolution. Not much use other than inflating the specification.
You will notice it does not say 18 Mp "sensor"... it says 18 MP "resolution", which also enforces my thoughts as what interpolated means.
If you want a good underwater camera, buy this refurbished Nikon AW100 for $170.
http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-Coolpix-AW100-Shock-Waterproof-GPS-Digital-Camera-Orange-Factory-Refurbished-65588.cfm
I hope you are not offended by my response... I would hate to see you waste your money.
Run, don't walk away from that camera.
18megapixels - interpolated? not a normal camera spec.
4x digital zoom - no good.
VGA video - also no good - it's low grade, and you won't be happy with that.
AAA battery powered - worth about 40 photos before having to change batteries.
You will be spending more money on batteries than the camera costs.
Interpolated to me means predictive. In other words, the sensor is likely much less than 18Mp but it guesses pixels from the real pixels to increase resolution. Not much use other than inflating the specification.
You will notice it does not say 18 Mp "sensor"... it says 18 MP "resolution", which also enforces my thoughts as what interpolated means.
If you want a good underwater camera, buy this refurbished Nikon AW100 for $170.
http://www.cameta.com/Nikon-Coolpix-AW100-Shock-Waterproof-GPS-Digital-Camera-Orange-Factory-Refurbished-65588.cfm
I hope you are not offended by my response... I would hate to see you waste your money.
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Title Post: Do underwater housings for digital cameras work? Is it worth it?
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