Underwater Housing for Digital Cameras
Submitted by WODF on Wed, 2009-03-18 13:08
Gday all, contemplating getting a Panasonic marine case for my TZ5 but @ around $350 I would like to get some opinions first and ask a few questions. Don't get me wrong, the camera is great out of water but is it worth paying that to make it as good underwater? Also could anybody tell me if you can still take good shots with the housing on out of water? What are your thoughts?
Thanks
Damo
WODF
Posts: 553
Date Joined: 16/10/08
This is some footage and
This is some footage and photo's I've found of the marine case in use if anyone is interested. Watch in HD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WwqawgRFMA
"holy sh!t, did you see that?"
hlokk
Posts: 4293
Date Joined: 04/04/08
If you wanted it just for
If you wanted it just for keeping it dry on the boat, underwater boat shots of the fish, or snorkelling, perhaps have a look at these. The proper casing might suit you better, but it is another (cheaper) option
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Addicted to jiggingStev0
Posts: 113
Date Joined: 19/12/07
or
you could spend ~$500 and get an Olympus MJU Stylus 8000 which is shockproof and is waterproof to 10 meters:
http://www.olympus.com.au/component/option,com_product/id,336/task,detail/Itemid,69/
Spose you wont get the optical zoom the Lumix has but do you use that underwater?
WODF
Posts: 553
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Had a look at a few of these type cameras
and allthough they would be great for still shots(having 12+mp), all but one from Panasonic do not have video recording. The Panasonic DMC-FT1 would be a dream underwater allrounder(HD video recording, 12.1mp and 4.6X optical zoom) but retails for around $650!
"holy sh!t, did you see that?"
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18167
Date Joined: 11/03/08
We have the olympus 1030sw ,
We have the olympus 1030sw , does great video and stills, we used it in exxy last year and a few shots locally, i am moore than happy wit that one and its rated to 10mtrs
RUSS & SANDY
"A family that fishes together stays together"
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
If you intend to take pics
If you intend to take pics underwater then get a camera that can be used in full manual mode. The auto stuff will not give you the same quality as in the dry.
Must warn you that once you start it is a slippery slope that could be be as expensive as fishing gear.
18 Outrage, Johnson 140hp 4stroke and 190 Outrage, 150 Mercury Verado
WODF
Posts: 553
Date Joined: 16/10/08
I intent to take both
I intent to take both pictures and HD videos when diving, spearfishing and fishing. Pretty sure the marine case for my TZ5 allows you to use all the manual settings.
Here it is. Worth the $350? Would love to hear from those who use underwater cameras or marine housing.
"holy sh!t, did you see that?"
sunshine
Posts: 2640
Date Joined: 03/03/09
Sony DSCP100 5.1 in housing
Taken in relatively poor vis in 25 metres of water where it was hassling us, finally pushed it away using the housing - should have shot in video mode as it was zooming past and turning quickly but was in auto single with auto focus
I love the housing and with a program for quick RGB adjustment colour clarity is assured.
WODF
Posts: 553
Date Joined: 16/10/08
How many megapixels is the camera sunshine?
Nice pic. Can't wait to get some photo's and footage of the underwater life.
"holy sh!t, did you see that?"
big john
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Annoying
Annoying pieces of shite those things Sunshine (the shark that is).
John
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Leave the cities behind, out of sight of mind,
.......
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Rosco
Posts: 454
Date Joined: 20/11/07
Fuji Finepix
Got a Fuji Finepix for the Mrs for her Birthday (fits in her handbag) and just happened to come with waterproof housing. Took it to Exmouth in January and got some great shots at Turquoise bay and out in the boat under water. No Leaks and cheap little unit.
Rosco
kane
Posts: 1752
Date Joined: 07/12/08
I got a nikon digital slr (d70s), housing for it- quoted $2500,
Mate $350 for a housing seems like a bargain.....I guess the only consideration is, how deep can it go? and how deep do you go?
Goooooone Fishin!
Gooooone Fishin!
alfred
Posts: 3097
Date Joined: 12/01/07
The Panasonic housing is
The Panasonic housing is good to 40m.
The housing for a D70s is a different kettle of fish altogether!
18 Outrage, Johnson 140hp 4stroke and 190 Outrage, 150 Mercury Verado
sunshine
Posts: 2640
Date Joined: 03/03/09
White tip photo
The Sony is only a 5.1 megapixel.
Housing was given to me by a mate in Dampier who upgraded to a newer version and I picked the camera up of ebay after taking my first to the bottom of a dam in Manji whilst redfin fishing.
I can say that it can be used both in any out of water with no degradation of the picture, the key is to ensure that you dont scrath or mark the area in front of the lens - I have a cut off neoprene stubby holder which precisely fits over the lens area on the housing. The Sony housings are good to 40 metres.
As I said I really enjoy using mine and would recommend going that way to anyone contemplating it. I would also load LViewPro with it's simple RGB adjustment programme as it allows you to quickly put back the washed out reds which are absent without a very large light source or flash.
mk itt