I know pretty much nothing about diving..........my son got his diving license this summer............now, I'm thinking about getting him a waterproof camera for Christmas. Is it worth it? I'm looking at the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/EP61176241.htm....it's waterproof to 33 feet....do you generally dive that deep? or is that not too deep at all? Is there anything worth photographing off the New England coast?
Would this be more adequate for underwater photography...generally speaking in the keys or Mexico? or would you really want something better?
Is it just a waste of money? Is it just bothersome to lug a camera while diving?
No license required to scuba dive....but a C-card is a MUST. I think you meant certified to dive, not license to dive.
Anyway....that camera would be pretty much useless to you.If it's only good to 33ft, it's not really for scuba.....more for snorkling or wet environments. You'll be better off with a camera of your choice, and an underwater housing for it. I currently use a Canon SD 550 + housing.....and it does the job ok. Not professional quality pix with it, but pretty good ones. Whatever camera you decide to buy, make sure there is an underwater housing available for it. Decent camera and housing should run you about $450.00 I would think. Lots of more expensive ones out there, but for recreational diving pix, that price should get you something pretty good.
Last edited by Reefdiver on November 20, 2009 8:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Don't try to describe the ocean if you've never seen it"
Hey Mo....yes, there is plenty to see and photograph in New England waters. I do agree with Reefdiver....don't buy that camera. I also agree about going with a Canon. My camera is a little older...have had it since 2004, and it's a Canon A-85 with a waterproof housing. I've used it all over New England, and the Caribbean, and it takes great pictures. I paid around $500 for my setup....here are some of my pics I've taken with it.....
You have some cool pics there C-Dawg. I especially like the pic of the top half of The Christ Statue. That was the first ocean dive I ever made.....waaaay back in the day. LOL I also liked the Benwood pics....have done that dive about a dozen or so times over the years. Here's a couple from Bonaire using my canon SD 550...
I'd love to have some of the rigs that I've seen other divers using, but most are out of my budget.
"Don't try to describe the ocean if you've never seen it"
Nice pics.....Bonaire is on my short list of places to dive. The owner of the dive shop I work at is a Moderator of a Bonaire website/forum and goes down for at least 2 weeks every year.
As for my pics of Christ of the Abyss....I love diving the Keys, and was hoping to get back down this winter, but it looks like it'll be next year, before we head down to MOTM. Maybe we should get a thread going for BNers who want together and dive before heading down to KW for some Trop Rock.
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oh maybe not..........that'd mean I'd have to dive 
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