underwater camera

I've just started to get into scuba diving and want to take some photos so i can remember my dives/fish etc. (not really wanting to get into the whole photography scene just yet)

Currently i have a olympus 1030sw camera which is waterproof to 10m but Ive been diving up to 18m at the moment so i havent taken the camera with me. what are my options?? Is it possible to buy a housing for the camera which is say waterproof to 20m+ that isnt going to cost me more than my camera is worth?? Are there any other possibilities i could use??

 

cheers


hlokk's picture

Posts: 4293

Date Joined: 04/04/08

I doubt any cameras will go

Fri, 2010-01-29 17:22

I doubt any cameras will go to 18m without a dedicated housing, so I think that may be your only option (should be 40m rated at least though, so can take deeper than 20m)

sunshine's picture

Posts: 2641

Date Joined: 03/03/09

Housing for sure

Fri, 2010-01-29 20:49

I have a sony with a housing which is good for at least 40 ços its been used at that depth - bonus is I chuck it in the canoe for great shots when on lakes out of water as well 

Posts: 402

Date Joined: 04/11/09

i saw a cheap one

Fri, 2010-01-29 20:49

at ranger outdoors but not shore how deep it can go

Faulkner Family's picture

Posts: 18182

Date Joined: 11/03/08

might be worth looking into

Fri, 2010-01-29 22:12

might be worth looking into a housing for the olympus , otherwise your up for a new camera and housing. even if it costs $500 its better than spending $1000

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

Redfin 4 Life's picture

Posts: 942

Date Joined: 07/11/09

My sister got one that goes

Sat, 2010-01-30 09:25

My sister got one that goes down like 4 metres or something which isnt that far but it cost about $375 or something like that.

But thats defienately not far enough if your planning on scuba diving with it.

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Buz's picture

Posts: 1555

Date Joined: 28/08/07

Did some research on

Sat, 2010-01-30 23:46

Did some research on underwater housing for my Olympus 1030sw about 6 months ago.

Olympus did one rated to 40m and about $450. Was clear with red seals and rubbers. They werent selling them anymore when i looked about 6 months ago, but you could maybe get one second hand.

Ikelite was the only other brand that made a housing for it. Made a clear with black seals and rubbers. Importer is in Queensland so has to be a phone order(camera house didnt get them in). But price was $570. I thought bugger that.

My boss just got 10 cannon IXUS 12mp with underwater housings rated to 40m for $500 each(thats camera and housing!). Think its some camera place in Subiaco. Can find out for you if you want. I'll just borrow one of his work cameras when i want to take snaps underwater now.

Posts: 3

Date Joined: 01/02/10

U.W. photography

Tue, 2010-02-02 11:18

Its a few years since I did any uw photography but I found housings too much bother, in the end I invested in a camera called a "Nikonos" it is a fully dedicated underwater camera and needs no housing they are not cheap but if you are serious about underwater photos it might be worth looking at either new or second hand. I have used one down to 60 meters and never had a problem.  That is till the ex wifes latest boyfriend stole it when they cleared out.

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Old fishermen don't die we just smell that way.

Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

Don't know they ever made a

Tue, 2010-02-02 11:48

Don't know they ever made a digital nikonos, have they even released one since the 90s?

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Seaquest's picture

Posts: 1136

Date Joined: 22/10/09

Panasonic Lumix

Tue, 2010-02-02 11:49

I have a Panasonic Lumix with a Panasonic underwater housing. The complete package was about $1000. Great little camera. It has an underwater mode in the camera which works well. The housing is rated to 40m and Panasonic gives a warranty on using the camera with the underwater housing. Brought the camera from Camera House in Leederville.