underwater camera

[Chris]

would you recommend purchasing a GOOD underwater camera for snorkling in Bonaire?

[10X]

Chirs,

 

It depends on how much you snorkel on what you should get. If this is a once in a lifetime event, just by disposables. If this is something you want to do on a regular basis, buy digital and an underwater housing. You may already own a digital that you can get an underwater housing for.

 

Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Fuji and Sony all make underwater housings for some of their cameras. I use an Olympus C5050 and my wife uses a Canon A95. We have a friend who also uses a Canon A95. Both are 5MP cameras and both use housings that are made for them by the camera maker.

 

You can find information on cameras and housings here:

 

http://www.digideep.com/

 

You can go here to read camera discussions:

 

http://www.digitaldiver.net/yabbse/index.php

http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=3

 

The Canon A610 or A620 are very nice, and so is the Fuji 810, if you can find one. Many others are discussed at the above 2 sites.

 

I would recommend at least a 5MP camera, which you should be able to get for $300-$400 now. A housing will cost around $200, maybe less.

 

Be sure you follow the manufacturer's recommendations for housing o-ring care. If you don't, you might find your housing and camera filled with water. If you do follow the directions, you should be good to go for as long as the camera holds out.

 

In February, I was scuba diving in Bonaire (I took my camera with me) and my wife was snorkeling. We absolutely loved the place. My wife says it's the best place she's ever snorkeled. She saw more critters there than she has anywhere, and she's snorkeled the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Tahiti. This was some of the best scuba diving I've ever had as well.

 

I'm hoping to have our pictures posted on the Internet by the end of the week. I'll post something here when they're ready.

 

Denny

[Chris]

I own a Fuji 3800 which is 4mpixcels- i have been very pleased with my photos to date. When we have snorkled in the past- ST JOHN, Cozumel, etc we have used the throw aways and the pictures are always disapointing. I guess i will have to do some research. Considering the snorkle trip with Renee for Bonaire. On this trip we also hit st thomas, st kitt, grenda, and aruba so the camera might get some use :)

Chris

[Chris]

no housing sold for my digital camera :( I will have to look for alternatives.

Chris