Your favorite DIGITAL snorkeling camera?

[kxl]

We're think of going on a short vacation to Belize later this year and the itinerary will include a few days on the water, although the greater part of our trip will be on land, so I'll have my 'usual' digital gear.

It's been a while since I've gone snorkeling (uses a Nikonos V), but time, I plan to go all-digital. Note that I am an infrequent snorkeling so whatever underwater-specific gear I bring will likely sit in my closet for a long time after this trip.

I'd prefer not to spend more than $400. My current options:

Option 1 - Use my D800e plus 2-3 lenses and RENT the underwater housing.

Option 2 - Use my Sony A7R and RENT (or buy) the underwater housing--but from what I've seen thus far, the only underwater housing for rent for the A7 series are specifically for the FE 28-70mm so I'd have to rent that lens too.

Option 3 - Rent a digital PS and underwater housing.

Option 4 - Buy a waterproof digital camera, but for a one-time or infrequent use, this seems like a waste.

Option 5 - Buy a disposable underwater digital camera - form what I've heard, IQ is not in the same leagues as the above 4 options.

So, for those of you who dive or snorkle, what do you think?

Thanks,

Keith

 

[f16sunshine]

I would not spend a ton of dough and energy just for snorkeling.
If you are doing some dives and have a great curiousity with underwater photography that is a different story.
To catch a few memories of you and the wife snorkelling get a yourself a little digital P&S.
I've used the Lumix TS1 and another later Lumix model.
I've also used film disposable waterproof cameras as well.
I bought a case of fuji 400 plastic shell cameras to sell on the boat when I did charters. Used to grab one for kayak trips and such. Super handy for snaps.
They work just fine to keep memories 🙂

Frankly underwater housings are a bitch for full size cameras (plus lens housings).
Lots of nightly cleaning and care everytime you get it salty. It will eat up your valuable time.
Again, for a few memories of the trip ..... not worth it. If you're an enthusiast,... different story.

Here is a couple shots from the TS1 from Sardegna a few years ago.

Above water. Perfectly usable for landscape shots. We swam in from our anchored boat and walked up to this point (the sailboat in the upper right furthest out).
The TS1 swam in in my board shorts poscket and after a quick dowse with freshwater and blowing the droplets off the lens, the camera was ready to use onland.
P1000969 by Adnan, on Flickr

Captain Cam. Hamming it up.
P1010353 by Adnan, on Flickr

Another from the shore.
P1010056 - Version 2 by Adnan, on Flickr

 

[kxl]

Thanks Andy - I hadn't though about the time needed to clean it. I'm not really an enthusiast nor plan to get into underwater photography. Like you said, this is just to capture memories while we go snorkeling, cave tubing and other water activities. For dry land activities, I'll have my usual gear (likely my D800e and a couple of lenses).

I'll start looking at waterproof digi P&S options.

-Keith

 

[Aristophanes]

"Option 4 - Buy a waterproof digital camera, but for a one-time or infrequent use, this seems like a waste."

This. Not a waste. A go anywhere, rugged P&S is very useful.

Check out Flickr for samples of people's excellent all-weather and underwater shots using these P&Ss.

 

[f16sunshine]

Huh... was looking through a Panama trip in '09 for samples.
I have some TS1 images....sea turtles and dolphins swimming with us in open water but too much booty n boobies to post those.
They look clear and sharp when close up... less so getting further away... that is normal.

The other thought is a go pro. I seriously want one anyway for everything they do nicely.
It's still less to spend than a clunky housing and much better at the task of underwater.

Underwater, only consider the wide end for Belize and the Caribbean.
The water looks crystal clear compared to the Atlantic and Pacific coast.... it is but not enough so.
The reality is that images underwater of anything further than a few meters is not really going to look very good at all regardless of camera.

"Option 4 - Buy a waterproof digital camera, but for a one-time or infrequent use, this seems like a waste."

This. Not a waste. A go anywhere, rugged P&S is very useful.

Check out Flickr for samples of people's excellent all-weather and underwater shots using these P&Ss.

Fully agree with this. It's so nice to have a real camera at the beach that you can rinse off at the end of the day.
No worries about ruining nice gear or worse... breaking nice gear when you still have time left on your vacation clock 😱

Cheers

 

[kxl]

They look clear and sharp when close up... less so getting further away... that is normal.

The other thought is a go pro.

Underwater, only consider the wide end for Belize and the Caribbean.
The water looks crystal clear compared to the Atlantic and Pacific coast.... it is but not enough so.

The reality is that images underwater of anything further than a few meters is not really going to look very good at all regardless of camera.


Cheers

Been thinking about a Go Pro... not quite sure yet.

I get the wide angle constraints under water, so I'll probably be looking at bodies with zoom lenses.

 

[Aristophanes]

Been thinking about a Go Pro... not quite sure yet.

I get the wide angle constraints under water, so I'll probably be looking at bodies with zoom lenses.

This has been getting very good reviews especially for the price:

http://www.amazon.com/Ricoh-WG-M1-O...8&qid=1440375767&sr=8-1&keywords=WG-M1+Orange

GoPro screens are awkward and the whole kit is costly.

Just my opinion. Tried both. Looking to get the Ricoh for the wide, video, compactness, etc.

 

[kxl]

This has been getting very good reviews especially for the price:

http://www.amazon.com/Ricoh-WG-M1-O...8&qid=1440375767&sr=8-1&keywords=WG-M1+Orange

GoPro screens are awkward and the whole kit is costly.

Just my opinion. Tried both. Looking to get the Ricoh for the wide, video, compactness, etc.

Thanks - it's worth a look. I'll check it out.

 

[Aristophanes]

Enjoy Belize. I've been there. The snorkelling is great, especially from a sailboat.

 

[kxl]

Enjoy Belize. I've been there. The snorkelling is great, especially from a sailboat.

Thanks - looking forward to it. In the meantime, the Olympus TG-4 looks interesting, and within my budget.