Digital Camera HELP needed

[Briguy]

I am going to switch over to verizon as my internet provider and see if that works. Thanks for all the help.

[Scott]

Hey Mark .....Dont you think that John would be well suited with one of those EWA -Marine "housings" ....

I have thought of getting one ....not so much for use Underwater but rather as protection for the camera on the boat (spray and such) I have seen video that was filmed using one of those "bags" was impressed .... I think they are rated for something like 40 feet ....

John ...Just something to consider since your not going to any depth with the camera plus they dont cost what the "real" housings cost.....If not I'm sure we could plan an U/W photo trip/expedition [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Mark]

Scott,

Yes, they would certainly get the job done.

That being said, I'm not sure what the current cost is on an EWA bag but a friend just bought a plexi housing for a Canon digital camera for about $100 and it's good down to 100'. While I realize that is about 95' deeper than we are looking to achieve here, the flexible EWA's are somewhat hard to use compared to a rigid housing. You have to continuously keep scooting the cameras controls over to where the glove thing is.

I think the extra $ may be well spent on one of the production housings made by the camera manufacturers, which are pretty cheap for what they do while providing a protective barrier around the camera, which the EWA doesn't do (as far as knocks and bumps). They would also make for a great boat/fishing bag setup when cumbersome diving setups weren't called for.

I use primarily Subal aluminum housings and custom housings by Aquatech. Considering the domes on the Subal are around $1K for the glass alone, I was pretty impressed with my friends little hundred dollar housing - very cool indeed (and about the size of a disposable camera).

My only complaint now is that my wifes new little digital camera is too new for there to be a housing for it! [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[Scott]

Mark.....I totally agree ....and in fact that is probably cheaper than one of those bags....I guess it depends on what John is trying to house....hope he has a canon!!!

BTW...Thats a nice U/W rig you have !!!! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] we may need to talk !!!!

[Mark]

Scott,

From the shots you posted, it looks like your outfit is working out pretty good.

I do a certain amount of 50/50 shots (where half is below water and half is above) and so I need a pretty big dome - I use both 12" and 15" domes, which are cumbersome but it's done to pay the rent so somewhat necessary. With the split diopters and all, it is more than most want to deal with.

I really like the thought of using these consumer digitals in the production housings for my fishing shots of friends holding a fish.

I just got my Epson 2200 all color managed/profiled and can now print archival images off my wifes digital camera - now they just need to build a housing for it! (4 MP Konica Revio KD 400).

When they put out a reasonably priced housing for the NIkon Coolpix 5000, you'll see me running for the phone to call B&H.

[Scott]

Mark ....Thanks....It seems to hold its own... Its not Film but I’m rather impressed with what it can do... I'm envious of your printer ....must be real nice ... I was even thinking of the "old" 1280 .... Between diving/U/W photo and the boat.... [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

I'm sure your aware but Ikelite has something in the works.... (maybe even available) for the Nikon 5000....(nice camera!!)

Any thoughts on the Olympus 5050....I'm sort of hot on the tail of one of those.....but it will need a new housing....I guess I'm Olympus biased (well for now at least since I'm comfortable with what I have) I think the housing is a little less also (retail for the Olympus at around $600 and the Nikon at closer to $1000 )

[Mark]

Scott,

I briefly played with that Olympus at PhotoExpo in NY in November but that's about it. I was more keen on the Kodak 14n which is a 14 MB camera but apparently there are still a few bugs to work out (it puts out a 41MB file, which is getting close to what I'm after - ideally 55MB or more).

Olympus makes a good product, as do many of the other manufacturers right now.

If what you have accomplishes what you are after, I wouldn't see any reason to switch.