kathlyn_gadd

<p>As an aside Douglas - I took a look at the Richo WG-4 and its only waterproof to 14m so probably not good as a dive camera. Ikelites are safe down to 60m - well beyond the limits of recreational diving (30m)</p>

<p>Bob, Peter & Gordon: Thanks for the advice. I got a bargain A640 on Ebay for the grand sum of £35 in p&p. My existing A640 seems to be working now - I think it was an issue with the (rechargeable) batteries which are perhaps getting a little old. I'm going to try it with new batteries now we are back from our travels.<br> Douglas: The A640 isn't an underwater camera per se but one I use with an Ikelite housing which is specific to this model of camera. The housing was pretty expensive - it cost a lot more than the camera when the camera was brand new. The camera itself is perfectly good (when the batteries work!) and gives me 10 megapixel images - perfectly adequate for what I need. The housings are very robust and with regular servicing should last indefinitely - I have spare 'O' rings etc and have had it serviced.<br> Out of interest - for those that use housings - how frequently do you have them professionally serviced?</p>

<p>Many thanks for the input. Sorry about the multiple post - didn't know that was against the rules and there didn't seem an obvious place to post so put in it Canon equipment and Nature. Please feel free to delete.<br> As an aside - should there be an underwater photography section on the forums?</p>

<p>Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I couldn't find a forum for underwater photography? <br> I have a Canon A640 Powershot with Ikelite housing that I have used for dive photography (I'm a warm water wuss and live in the UK so it hasn't seen heavy usage). The camera has now developed a fault - the power won't stay on even for a few seconds but the batteries, contacts, microswitch on the battery closure etc are all fine. I am seeing if I can get it repaired but the initial quotes just for taking a look are more than the camera is worth (but for having the rather expensive housing it would make sense just to ditch the camera). I guess the first question (which is probably a Canon equipment que) is - has anyone come across this fault and if so is it easy to fix?<br> If I can't get the camera working my next question is - do I replace with another A640 from ebay as there still seem to be a few used models about. Alternatively do I replace with something else? The 'waterproof' compact cameras seem to be only good to a few metres so definitely no good for diving. I also have a Canon 550D / Rebel T2i (with 18-55 and 50mm lenses)...and a 6D (but wouldn't want to take the latter under water!) The ikelites for the 550D are very expensive ($1600) so out of my price range but I came across a Meikon housing for $440 which - if it works - would seems better option. I have never heard of this make - are they ok?<br> Any other suggestions for a post A640 strategy?</p>

<p>Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I couldn't find a forum for underwater photography?<br> <br /> I have a Canon A640 Powershot with Ikelite housing that I have used for dive photography (I'm a warm water wuss and live in the UK so it hasn't seen heavy usage). The camera has now developed a fault - the power won't stay on even for a few seconds but the batteries, contacts, microswitch on the battery closure etc are all fine. I am seeing if I can get it repaired but the initial quotes, just for taking a look, are more than the camera is worth (but for having the rather expensive housing it would make sense just to ditch the camera). I guess the first question (which is probably a Canon equipment que) is - has anyone come across this fault and if so is it easy to fix?<br> <br /> If I can't get the camera working my next question is - do I replace with another A640 from ebay as there still seem to be a few used models about. Alternatively do I replace with something else? The 'waterproof' compact cameras seem to be only good to a few metres so definitely no good for diving. I also have a Canon 550D / Rebel T2i (with 18-55 and 50mm lenses)...and a 6D (but wouldn't want to take the latter one under water!) The ikelites for the 550D are very expensive ($1600) so out of my price range but I came across a Meikon housing for $440 which - if it works - would seems better option. I have never heard of this make - are they ok?<br> <br /> Any other suggestions for a post A640 strategy?</p>

<p>Neill - still early days but my initial reactions are:</p> <ul> <li>Pictures are much better from the camera - no so much the resolution but the colours are great and need very little PP.</li> <li>Having a 'real' wide angle is fab! We are in Hawai'i at the moment on a holiday of a lifetime from the UK and the wide angle is so much better than with the 550D - I'm actually getting the benefit of the decent lenses I had.</li> <li>I love the GPS. If you download the GPS data from the camera to the card then the Canon software will map your photos showing precisely where each one was taken. We drove around the north west of Maui and took so many scenic shots that it would have been a nightmare trying to record exactly where each shot was taken. But no need as the camera does it all. Haven't figured how to wifi camera images to my laptop yet (have a card slot so do it the old fashioned way!)</li> </ul>

<p>Well I did the deed. I bought a Canon 6D with 17,000 actuations for £810 - so not too bad :) Looking forward to playing with it :)</p>

<p>A good friend of mine has been on a photo workshop with this guy:<br> http://www.maciejdakowicz.com/photography-workshops/ No connection other than having him recommended by a friend.<br> She did the Myanmar and Istanbul workshops and recommended him highly. He does workshops in India and his prices are very competitive. His next India trip is April and is £560 (doesn't include flights obviously) - he usually tries to rent accommodation for the group so that you are together to go through your photos in the evening. As an aside, he prefers that you shoot at 35mm (focal length) getting in close to your subjects and not crop (just in case this is problematic!) My friend found it a bit of an adjustment!</p>

<p>Watching this with interest as we will also be in West Maui (north of Lahaina!) in the next few days...with the hope of catching a good shot of the whales.</p>

<p>Many thanks for all the valuable input. I think I'm going to go for the Canon 6D as it seems to offer much of what the 5DIII offers - without the hefty price tag. I also like the fact it's a little lighter and has the advantage of working better in lower light levels (cf 5DII). <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/6d/vs-5d-mark-iii.htm">This</a> was a very interesting review of the 6D v 5DIII.<br> I just need to snag me a bargain now :)</p>

<p>I was interested in your comment, Dave, that FF would not make a difference to my photos? Is there really little difference between the 550D photos and those from a FF camera?</p>