I need HELP choosing underwater cameras c.$450

[b_n_f]

Summertime is here and that means the beach and snorkeling.

 

I have never used an underwater camera and I have decided that I will

try it out this summer snorkeling. I have a few questions:

 

I have looked primarily at three models, the S&S MX5ii w strobe, the

S&S MX10 w strobe and the Minolta Weathermatic. Pros and cons?

 

Do all produce acceptable images OUT of the water? (Boat, pool, beach)

 

My issue with the Sea and Sea models, having not seen them live, is

that they seem to be inexpensive 3rd party cameras with OEM

housings. Minolta is Minolta.

 

OR.....

 

I am doing things all wrong and should I pick up a few Fuji

disposable underwater cameras?

 

My total possible time in the water this summer is about 14 days. I

am more concerned about quality and durability than price. I will be

shooting print film for its great latitude.

 

I normally shoot with rangefinder and SLRs on land, and have become

used to very high quality results. How can I replicate this, from a

underwater AND Poolside point of view?

 

Thanks

 

RF

[tom_griffin]

"......have become used to very high quality results. How can I

replicate this, from a underwater AND Poolside point of view?"

 

The answer is easy...buy a $2,500 Sea & Sea (or Seacam -- your

choice) housing for your SLR at Backscatter.com! But you get no

port or strobe.... That'll set you back another $1500. OK, I'm

done.

 

Sorry for the poor attempt at humor... but that's the best way to

ensure high quality both underwater and out of it. The other

option is to pickup a Nikonos V with a 35mm f/2.8 lens and have

some fun (about $750). The 35mm lens is the only one that can

be used above and below the water.

 

None of the cameras you mention will produce high quality

underwater images. However, they'll take pictures in a wet

environment and you'll have something to show friends and

family back home. Light is a key part of u/w photography and

neither the MX-5 or 10 have strobes that provide much light.

 

The attached photo was taken without strobe (to avoid

backscatter) in 12' of water at Stingray City on Grand Cayman.

Colors are bleached out -- the diver has bright pink mask that

barely shows.

 

I have seen some underwater photos taken with the MX-5 that

were pretty good -- but the photographer was an experienced u/

w photographer who was using it to see what the camera could

actually do.

 

You mention liking print film for it's great latitude -- that's not a

good thing for u/w photography. The color mix for u/w is different

and many labs don't adjust for it when processing. That's what

Kodak "Sea Processing" is all about.; the processing machine is

set for u/w color compensation. I shoot exclusively slide film u/w

for just that reason -- if the colors are wrong it's my fault.

 

Good Luck...

[jeff_drew4]

I agree with the suggestion for a nice, used Nikonos! Definitely! I used a IV w/flash for a few years in a variety of water ranging from "gin clear" to the "Ol' Muddy" and it could take the punishment and still give good service. I did have an UW housing for a low light Super 8 Canon for a while, but the Nikonos system rules! BTW: I got sharp results on dry land with the 35mm lens also. With care it will last for decades!

[b_n_f]

MustI have a flash? The Nikonos V w/35 is price wise ok, but if I have to add the 105 flash kit, it pushes the limit.

 

Remember, this is for snorkeling...

[tom_griffin]

Fred,

 

You have to decide what you want. I linked that picture to show

you what happens without an additional light source at only 12'

of water (4m) -- you lose color. When snorkling, you're not likely

to be going more than 10' deep. You will lose some color, but

not a lot.

 

You are right -- by adding Nikon's SB-105 strobe, the cost goes

up by around $800. Here's what I'd do. Call two shops in the

U.S. (I'm not sure where you are). If you go "used", skip the

Nikonos IV, it was a bust; and go back to the NIkonos III -- it was

a better camera, though completely manual. Nikon tried to put

some auto metering features in the Nikonos IV and it did not

work very well, hence the Nikonos V, which is a classic.

 

1. Underwater Photo Tech (Derry, NH); <www.uwphoto.com>

They are a Sea & Sea and Nikon dealer. Ask for advice. They

usually have used equipment for sale and are helpful.

 

2. Stephen Frink Photo in Key Largo, Florida; <

www.stephenfrink.com> . Steve is one of the world most

accomplished u/w photographers and runs a shop on Key

Largo. He and his folks can give you advice and more

importantly, have a large selection of used u/w equipment for

sale (He can also sell you a $2,500 Seacam housing for the

Nikon F100 as well!). He's a great guy. Explain to him or his

staff what you're looking for and they may have something used

that will work.

 

The advantage of Nikonos III or V is that if you get tired of it, there

is an instant used market. They've depreciated as far as they'll

go since Nikon stopped production of the V last year.

 

Good Luck...and enjoy<div></div>

[nature-photography]

Fred - since you are going to be snorkeling, you can probably get by without the flash. Colors really start to disappear after about 10 feet. Just remember that you need to get close, and when you think you are close enough, get closer! Shooting subjects from far away underwater will result in a lot of blue pictures.

 

For your needs, you might actually want to look into a little digital P&S with a small housing for it. Canon makes them for some of their small P&S digitals. Nice little package, and you get all the advantages of a digital camera.

 

I think the Motormarine type cameras are on the downhill slide because of the increasing popularity of small digitals.

 

Mark

 

www.grafphoto.com

[herman_hiel]

Reto,

if you only snorkel, you might as well get a disposable Fuji. If you want to go deeper and scubadive:

The S&S MX with strobe does not give professional pics; my wife has one of those and the strobe is too close to the camera, so you can expect particles, uneven lit pics etc. The strobe output is very limited and in fact only optimal close to the surface (read with good light)or for macro shots. A S&S MMX is merely a point and shoot camera, so you can only expect what you pay for.

[yuri_huta]

Reto,

 

It sounds like you already have a 35mm SLR outfit already, so you may want to

consider an

 

EWA Marine U-AXP Underwater Housing for Professional Auto Focus SLR Camera with

72mm Diameter Lens Port & Shoe Mounted Flash (9.4 x 6 x 6.7" HxLxD)

 

Basically this is a "soft" housing that has an optical glass element through which your

lens points out. The above unit will accomodate a hot shoe mounted flash. You can

add weight to the unit to help attain neutral buoyancy.

 

It costs about $250. I can't remember the depth limits, but when I purchased mine, I

remember it being far greater than what I needed it for. It works very well and is

available at the major retailers in the USA.

 

It fits some of my lenses, 24-85 and 100 macro.

 

It takes a bit to get used to - like anything new.

 

Yuri Huta