Has anyone bought an inexpensive underwater camera before?

[Northstander]

Any advice would be useful!

 

[happypig]

Depends what you call inexpensive. You could buy a cheapo but if it floods, it's suddenly expensive.
I paid 150 for a s/h fuji f31fd with 40m housing and it takes reasonable photos underwater.
Are you diving, snorkelling or just snapping on the surface ?

 

[defrocked priest]

I have and inexpensive does not spring to mind.

 

[1066familyman]

I was amazed to find out recently that you can now buy disposable underwater cameras for under a tenner.

We bought one for work the other day to take pics of our pond. Should be snapping away next week. If I can remember, I'll let you know how they turn out.

 

[happypig]

I'll let you know how they turn out.

I can guess....

 

[Everest]

I was amazed to find out recently that you can now buy disposable underwater cameras for under a tenner.

We bought one for work the other day to take pics of our pond. Should be snapping away next week. If I can remember, I'll let you know how they turn out.

They've been around for years.
Sometimes you find them for a fiver each.

 

[Tomnorthi]

I have the model down from this: Pentax Optio W80 Digital Camera - Azure Blue 2.5 inch: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics Photo
I kayak on the river adur a lot, so thats the main reason why I have it. But it is a compromise on picture quality, but it does the job and still works after many dunkings. If you arent gonna use it in water mainly, then a normal point and shoot will do a better job. Here an example of 2 snaps I took on mine.

 

[Northstander]

I'm basically going to be doing a shark, cage dive and I want to capture it as I snorkel in the cage?

Not sure what I should buy?

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

The disposable ones aren't too bad actually. Used them a few times on shark diving trips etc and they've done the job. Obviously not the best quality but good enough and you can't argue with the price.

If you're wanting to take quality pictures on a regular occasion then you'll need to spend £££hundreds

Edit: Just seen you're doing a shark dive too. Where you going?

 

[1066familyman]

I can guess....

It's still worth our while giving it a try though.

 

[1066familyman]

If it's good quality you want but can't justify the expense because it's a one off - wonder what your possibilities of just borrowing or even hiring one are ?

 

[Northstander]

Im going in October, Cape Town so will be going into Great White waters, I have a DSLR Nikon which my missus can use on the boat whilst Im in the cage

 

[Everest]

If you're not actually going to do any diving ever, don't bother getting a proper divers camera.

I have one of these just for snorkelling. Pretty good photos and video

It produced photos like these

 

[Northstander]

If you're not actually going to do any diving ever, don't bother getting a proper divers camera.

I have one of these just for snorkelling. Pretty good photos and video

It produced photos like this

Nice, how much/make/model?

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

Im going in October, Cape Town so will be going into Great White waters, I have a DSLR Nikon which my missus can use on the boat whilst Im in the cage

That's where I did my two trips. Recommend staying in Hermanus for a few days for some whale watching (think it'll be the right time of year?) and book your trip from there, unless it's all booked already?

Absolutely love that place. You'll have a fantastic time. Just remember the seas sickness tablets!

 

[Everest]

Can't remember, it was quite a few years ago now.

They do HD versions now too.
But check to make sure you get a waterproof version

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/9037903/Sanyo-Xacti-VPC-CA9-Waterproof-HD-Camcorder-Digital-Camera/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccc:%7Cprd:9037903%7Ccat:Video+Cameras (down to 1.5mtr)

 

[Northstander]

Can't remember, it was quite a few years ago now.

They do HD versions now too.
But check to make sure you get a waterproof version

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/9037903/Sanyo-Xacti-VPC-CA9-Waterproof-HD-Camcorder-Digital-Camera/Product.html?_%24ja=tsid:11518%7Ccc:%7Cprd:9037903%7Ccat:Video+Cameras

Am I right in understanding that this can be used underwater?

 

[Everest]

Yes, that's why it says waterproof.

Down the bottom there is a photo taken underwater and it does state you can use it down to 5ft.

 

[mcshane in the 79th]

It's pretty difficult to take pictures when you're in the cage, you'll have one of the big snorkel masks on and the sharks move by quite quickly. Don't get too caught up in trying to take great photos as you may end up just missing the shark through your own eyes altogether

 

[Northstander]

ok cool, was just reading up on it and I think I will get that one!