Recommendations for an underwater camera?
Replies: 12 - Last Post: Dec 8, 2012 7:44 PM Last Post By: tools4fools
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Recommendations for an underwater camera?
Any recommendations for an underwater camera (to be used while snorkelling in Zanzibar)? I don't have a t budget in mind at the moment but I guess not too expensive in case we loose it! Also something that will take decent photos out of the water so we can take pictures on the beach and leave our main camera locked in the room. It doesn't need to be depth resistent as we are only snorkelling and I'd like a camera to take underwater rather than a camera that needs a separate expensive case to use it underwater.Also stupid question - what is the best way to attach the camera to yourself so you don't drop it while snorkelling?
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I use a Pentax Optio WG-2 GPS and I find it to be really great. it's super tough (I scramble with it in one hand all the time and it's been smashed against a fair few rocks and has lasted brilliantly) and the carabiner strap is handy for clipping it to belt loops or bags. The only downside I can find to it is the look, I find it to be a bit too batman-esque for me, but I wouldn't choose a camera because I like how it looks so why would I not choose a camera because I don't particularly like how it looks? The GPS is also really handy: if you find a cafe, restaurant or even just a nice tree somewhere then you just take a photo of it and you know where it is if you were to recommend it to a friend or wanted to revisit. Looking at a map of the places you've been and taken photos is also pretty satisfying haha.5
If you have the money to spend, I'd look into the GoPro Hero3 and a back screen attachment for it. The GoPro have all sorts of attachments for underwater like a wrist strap or a head/helmet mount. It takes great high def videos and pretty good still images but only in super wide angle so everything is a little distorted close-up (only still images). So if you can afford it and don't might the wide angle photos then you can't really go wrong with this.9
I didn't think it was a prerequisite based on what the OP is actually asking. I personally haven't been to Zanzibar but I am almost certain they have power there. On paper the GoPro should record upto 5hours continuously at 1080p and from personal experience I have taken mine on day long climbing trips both recording videos and taking photos and the battery usually lasts atleast till the end of the day. If you're going off the beaten track for days on end and you're going to be shooting the whole time then obviously its a different story but I don't think that's what the OP is asking.10
But even if the poster wasn't asking about it , it doesn't hurt to explore the issue in case they hadn't considered it and also that there are many others reading also .You don't necessarily have to trekking for days and shooting continously for this to be an issue . This is borne out also in this LINK - this person has written a tutorial about modifying the camera to allow it to accept an AA battery pack and has had to drill a hole to do it . Even though this is a digression I do find it odd that Go Pro has not designed it so people don't have to do these modifications themselves. So I do think this is interesting in its own right.
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I believe gopros charge from USB, so there are lots of options for solar charging. I'd personally go for a 'proper' camera unless you're predominantly doing video (even then it's a close call). In my experience gopros are too compromised for everyday use, but they're a great thing to have for the right use, however I don't think snorkelling is that right use; you have the time and space to nicely compose the photos and I'd prefer to make the most of that.12
If you are shooting stills rather than video then go for a waterproof compact.http://m.dpreview.com/reviews/Q311waterproofcompactgrouptest/12
Get extra batteries if off the grid for a while, or external power packs.
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