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Another camera question...Waterproof?
#216536 07/28/08 12:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
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Murph Offline OP
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Hey Guys.

My wife is extremely happy with the Canon PowerShot A720 IS that I bought her for Christmas. It takes great point and shoot pictures and the odd time I pick it up, it has enough settings to satisfy my urge to tweak.

I don't take a lot of pictures but used to enjoy taking shots out in the kayak with an older Canon Sureshot A1. After finding myself smack dab in the middle of a pod of porpoises on Sunday, I realized I reallllly need to start carrying a camera again.

Should I consider the waterproof case for her 720?
Pros:
-- Uses existing camera that takes nice pictures for our level of photography.
Cons:
-- at $270 dollars, I could probably get a good start on a second camera.
-- I'm borrowing my wife's camera for risky conditions. Need I say more.
-- Does it effect photo quality? I'm assuming for $270, it has a well designed optics section.

Should I grab a less expensive, universal, waterproofing case/bag.
Pros:
-- at <40 dollars, the price is negligible.
-- Uses existing camera that we know works well.
Cons:
-- Image quality reduction?
-- Borrowing wife's camera.....

Should I purchase a second camera, waterproof to begin with, and any advice on which models?
Price range would be $200 to $500 but the lower the better. These photos tend to be quick shots with little opportunity for set up. Generally for memories only, I'm not trying to get them published in a magazine or anything.


Thanks again. You folks were a great help last Christmas.


With great power comes Awesome irresponsibility.
Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
Murph #216551 07/28/08 03:08 PM
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A waterproof case is meant to function down to 30 meters or something like that, so in a way it is overkill.

I rented a digital camera in a case for some of the dives I did in Australia a few years ago. It did give me great images. A pro might opt for a special purpose underwater camera for optimal image quality, but thats a whole other world.

I also rented a cheap Sea & Sea underwater camera for one dive and image quality was quite dissapointing, so a good digital camera in a case is better than a cheap underwater camera with crappy lenses.

The purpose built waterproof bags (the ones you can take pictures from) seem to work fine for surface pictures (they are quite waterproof), but do not handle preasure at all. I don't know how they affect image quality or how durable the bags are.

Certainly with either, you can go for a swim without worrying about the camera (unless if floats off or is swallowed by a whale).

I wonder if you can find somewhere to rent a camera and case to test one out? Maybe ask at a local dive shop??


Fred

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Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
fredk #216554 07/28/08 03:40 PM
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Well, if they're waterproof like watches are waterproof, that rating is for something standing stock still under that amount of pressure. It doesn't take movement into account, which drastically reduces the depth that it works to.

Then again, given that you're talking about diving, I would bet that you know that already... ;\)


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
Ken.C #216559 07/28/08 04:11 PM
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The damn watch repair place told me I can't swim in my 100m water proof fossil watch... They claim that may be the reason it stopped working and I had to pay 35 bucks to get it fixed. Sounds like a load of crap to me.




-David
Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
terzaghi #216560 07/28/08 04:14 PM
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C
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Man, I hate Fossil.

Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
CV #216562 07/28/08 04:19 PM
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That is a bunch of crap. A 100M should be fine for swimming. AFAIK, marginal for diving, but fine for swimming. It's usually in the manual.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
Ken.C #216563 07/28/08 04:31 PM
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As a diver I can tell you that local dive shops are a good place to get advice on cases. Bear in mind though, they usually cater to people who are taking pictures 5-25 meters below the surface. The cases for that use are usually quite expensive so make sure that you explain your specific use.

Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
Lohengrin #216565 07/28/08 04:38 PM
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The "waterproof" ratings on watches are very misleading. When I worked in retail I managed to get a list from a watch rep detailing what the numbers meant. I can't remember specifics anymore, but the numbers are basically an arbitrary system. When you see 100M you're thinking, "Wow, I can dive really deep with this watch!" and the watch manufacturer is saying, "You should only be good while running through sprinklers."


***********
"Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
St_PatGuy #216572 07/28/08 05:45 PM
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Wasn't it Negative Orange who had that song, "100M Dash Through the Sprinklers"?

I can remember it like it was yesterday:

"Here comes the rain again
you look so good in track shorts
Get into starting position
While I fire my starter pistol ..."

Man, they write some catchy tunes ...


Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
Re: Another camera question...Waterproof?
St_PatGuy #216573 07/28/08 05:49 PM
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Good point Ken. By the price of the case, I was assuming that it was rated for diving. I should not assume.

There is one disadvantage to the dive cases for regular cameras, they can fog up under extended use because of heat build up in the case. I found that as long as I kept the camera off between shots, it was fine, but if I left it on all the time, the lense eventually started fogging.

I would not count on a water 'resistant' camera to stand up to any significant exposure to water, particularly salt water.


Fred

-------
Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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