Underwater Cameras

[Timeshare Von]

I thought I would share my experience in Hawaii using a Canon SD600 digital camera with the Canon underwater housing specifically for the camera.

After several snorkel trips when we've spent a lot of money on the little 27 exp. disposable underwater cameras, PLUS the expense of developing what typically were mediocre photos, we invested in the above equipment.

We used the camera in the housing several times during our trip to Hawaii over the past two weeks and were very happy with the quality of the photos and the flexibility of shooting a lot of shots and not worrying about the added expense of developing crappy photos.

The camera is also the one we use when a pocket-sized digital camera is better to carry around than my big clunky Olympus DSLR.

The camera was $210 and the housing $157 back in January 2007 via Amazon.com through their partner Adorama (an outstanding camera and electronics vendor).

If you enjoy taking underwater photos and don't want to invest in expensive waterproof camera equipment, I think this is a decent set up for the money.

 

[UWSurfer]

Curious...at what depths were you taking pictures with this setup?

I tried using a disposable camera when I went on scuba off Maui and found that the mechanism wouldn't work below 30'. They never claimed it WOULD work at depth...I just wanted to see.

 

[Timeshare Von]

Because we were snorkeling, the camera was generally 10' or less in depth. The underwater housing is rated for up to 130' and is used by scuba divers. The biggest issue or challenge that we had during our trip was the less than desirable weather, as most afternoons were cloudy and generally without bright direct sunlight which does affect photos underwater.

 

[UWSurfer]

Is that a Canon housing for the Canon SD600, or a third party?

 

[Timeshare Von]

Is that a Canon housing for the Canon SD600, or a third party?

Yes it is made by Canon for this specific camera. The housing has buttons that control all of the features of the camera including on/off, zoom, flash, photo/video/display, etc.

When you do the search at Amazon.com or Adorama you will see Canon makes several models, each for the specific Canon camera.

 

[BSQ]

I have to agree. I have the canon housing made for my A95 and I love it. everything you could need is on this case. flash difuser, hood to syou can stills ee the LCD screen. double walled so the lens doesn't fog up. Love it love it love it. I use it for snorkeling trips and so I can have my camera out by the pool or at the beach 9or just when it's raining) without worrying about it.

 

[Icarus]

The camera was $210 and the housing $157 back in January 2007 through their partner Adorama (an outstanding camera and electronics vendor).

I wouldn't exactly call Adorama a partner. They are just a retailer like any other retailer. I also wouldn't exactly call them outstanding, but resellerratings.com agrees more with you about that than with me. Personally, I prefer B&H or Amazon.com or almost anybody else.

-David

 

[Timeshare Von]

I wouldn't exactly call Adorama a partner. They are just a retailer like any other retailer. I also wouldn't exactly call them outstanding, but resellerratings.com agrees more with you about that than with me. Personally, I prefer B&H or Amazon.com or almost anybody else.

-David

Well I consider them a "partner" in that they accepted Amazon.com gift certificates, which not all vendors that sell through Amazon will do.

I have bought a lot of camera equipment through Amazon, with several items being from Adorama. I have also bought directly from them. Their prices and service have been outstanding. I have also bought from B&H and as well as J&R Music and Computer. All have been outstanding . . . so I just buy whoever has what I'm looking for at the best price.

I guess everyone's personal experiences are different.

 

[Kal]

The last time I looked at the Canon housings for the SD-600 I believe it is designed to isolate the lens from the heat generating part of the camera. That way there is no fogging due to the heat generation in comparably colder water. Very nice design concept.

 

[Icarus]

Well I consider them a "partner" in that they accepted Amazon.com gift certificates, which not all vendors that sell through Amazon will do.

You meant an Amazon.com partner? I had no idea from your OP that's what you meant. I thought you meant a partner of Canon's.

I just remember what Adorama was like when I lived in NYC. They did not have a good reputation back then.

-David

 

[Timeshare Von]

You meant an Amazon.com partner? I had no idea from your OP that's what you meant. I thought you meant a partner of Canon's.

I just remember what Adorama was like when I lived in NYC. They did not have a good reputation back then.

-David

DOH! I guess I left out the part that I bought from/through Amazon.com. I had written and editted that original post a couple of times and obviously messed it up. Sorry David

 

[Icarus]

DOH! I guess I left out the part that I bought from/through Amazon.com. I had written and editted that original post a couple of times and obviously messed it up. Sorry David

Not a problem at all. I enjoyed reading your description of the camera and housing.

-David

 

[BSQ]

I'm glad y'all cleared that up cause I was confused on the partner reference too. I was thinking it was madeby a partner company and kept looking at mine thking no, it's Canon. Myself I went with NewEgg.

 

[caribbeansun]

Cameras with a proper underwater housing can go as deep as you can without a problem. It doesn't surprise me at all that a disposable wouldn't work.

I have an Olympus that's about 3 years old now and we use it dry and I use it underwater with the housing. I'm quite happy with the results.

Curious...at what depths were you taking pictures with this setup?

I tried using a disposable camera when I went on scuba off Maui and found that the mechanism wouldn't work below 30'. They never claimed it WOULD work at depth...I just wanted to see.

 

[JLB]

Sorry, I can't resist saying that if you live on a lake, everything---cameras, keys, hand tools, sunglasses, towels, fishing equipment, et al--can be, likely will be, underwater, eventually.

Sorta the opposite from you, I was surprised at how good the pictures of the little fishies I took with the disposal camera were/are.

 

[Momma Bear]

Moral of the story...

I just have to share my experience with my underwater camera last March at Poipu Beach on Kauai. We have a CanonPowershot S1 that I purchased a few years ago specifically because I could get an underwater housing for it to use when snorkeling.

I was extremely anxious to get in the water as that was probably going to be my last opportunity to go snorkeling for the year. I no sooner got out to a depth of about 3-4 feet and felt the camera strap tighten up on my wrist. You can imagine the horror on my face as I witnessed the camera sinking to the ocean floor as the case had come open! I retrieved the camera immediately but the damage was done and it was completely dead. I was able to download the photos off the memory card but was just sick over what had happened! There was nothing wrong with the housing; it was totally my fault for being in too much of a hurry as the latches are quite strong and can not be opened easily. Once home, I learned that the newer version of that camera had been changed just slightly (of course!:annoyed: ) so it wouldn’t have fit in that same housing anymore. Fortunately, National Camera Exchange did have a used one at a good price and it has worked just fine. Moral of the story: triple-check your seals and latches!

 

[caribbeansun]

...and replace the gasket every year, make sure a stray hair doesn't get in the seal...

 

[JLB]

Same location, m/l, no such problems with our $10 (or less) disposable.

I just have to share my experience with my underwater camera last March at Poipu Beach on Kauai. We have a CanonPowershot S1 that I purchased a few years ago specifically because I could get an underwater housing for it to use when snorkeling.

I was extremely anxious to get in the water as that was probably going to be my last opportunity to go snorkeling for the year. I no sooner got out to a depth of about 3-4 feet and felt the camera strap tighten up on my wrist. You can imagine the horror on my face as I witnessed the camera sinking to the ocean floor as the case had come open! I retrieved the camera immediately but the damage was done and it was completely dead. I was able to download the photos off the memory card but was just sick over what had happened! There was nothing wrong with the housing; it was totally my fault for being in too much of a hurry as the latches are quite strong and can not be opened easily. Once home, I learned that the newer version of that camera had been changed just slightly (of course!:annoyed: ) so it wouldn’t have fit in that same housing anymore. Fortunately, National Camera Exchange did have a used one at a good price and it has worked just fine. Moral of the story: triple-check your seals and latches!