Underwater camera question

[ga_daisy]

Not really sure which forum this should go under.....

I'm asking for an underwater camera for Christmas and have to make a decision in the next few hours. I'm not a professional. I want something for snorkeling that will take good pics both underwater and above. I've read a BOATLOAD of reviews online and UGH! Trying to keep the price under $300. I want a camera that will deliver sharp images and won't spring a leak.

Thoughts, suggestions?!?!

 

[90galguy]

GoPro.

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[ga_daisy]

What do you like about it? What do you hate about it? Which model?

 

[curtismaximus]

Following along.

 

[90galguy]

GoPro Black 3+. Buy the underwater filter and you have a great camera that can shot stills and video up to 1080 with a new setting called Superview gives you a very wide angle. Completely waterproof up to about 60ft. You can immediately upload the images to any computer, iPad, etc. it comes with its own wifi which you can use to remotely control your camera.

Buy the wrist mount to head mount along with a thing called The Floaty which makes the camera buoyant in case it gets away from you.

I also use mine to film my son while he catches during baseball games. I attach the camera to a cross bar on the backstop fence and control the camera from the stands.

The only thing it doesn't do is zoom, but it isn't made for that. For Point of View filming you can't beat it for the cost. There are free apps for controlling as well as editing.


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[ga_daisy]

I'm reading a LOT of reviews complaining about distance clarity. I found one review that said that they had called GoPro and the rep told them that it wasn't the model but that particular camera and thus....sent them a replacement.

Have you had issues with distance clarity? I was really hoping for zoom as well.....given that you can't always get super close to what you want to capture on film. You had me TOTALLY sold, until the lack of zoom.

 

[90galguy]

I haven't had an issue that's noticeable. To get all you're asking for and a $300 budget is pretty tough. There are plenty of underwater set ups that will beat the GoPro but not in this price range.


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[ga_daisy]

It is tough having caviar dreams on a sardine budget!

 

[cshack5405]

Go pro +1 those are amazingly clear and can go and be placed anywhere

 

[spankdog]

I love my gopro although I dont use it as much as I'd like. Only complaint is the battery life

 

[enderg60]

Guess Im the only one who doesnt like go pro's

Ive seen 3 of them leak from dives less then 70 feet.

I have an old cannon power shot with the cannon casing. I love it. You can easily find one on ebay with a casing thats around 10-14 megapixles and can go down to 140 ft. Id recommend finding one with an underwater setting.

 

[mastrreefdvr]

Sealife makes some decent cameras in your price range, you can get the base camera and add to it as you go.

 

[ga_daisy]

Do you have any knowledge regarding the Reefmaster or Olympus Tough TG-2? I'm really wanting a zoom feature.

 

[mastrreefdvr]

The Olympus is nice, not as upgradable. Sealifes have a 10-16x optical zoom

 

[ga_daisy]

Thanks you guys!

 

[redstang]

Probably late to the party but I recommend the GoPro 3 as well. I have the black and have gotten some great scuba video/pictures. Ok, I suck but the camera is awesome lol! Not a leak in the 10 or dives I've done with it.

Main downside to mine is they were pretty flaky at release. Mine did lock up on one dive.

 

[curtismaximus]

RedStang;920850 wrote: Probably late to the party but I recommend the GoPro 3 as well. I have the black and have gotten some great scuba video/pictures. Ok, I suck but the camera is awesome lol! Not a leak in the 10 or dives I've done with it.

Main downside to mine is they were pretty flaky at release. Mine did lock up on one dive.

Do you have any examples of said pics/video? Just curious.

 

[redstang]

Curtismaximus;920868 wrote: Do you have any examples of said pics/video? Just curious.

I have plenty but none are online. Uploading one now. No idea if it's edited or not! I'll try to post the link when I get to work. It was in Cozumel with very strong current and my first dive with the camera. I'll try to get some better footage from the Turks this week and post it up.

 

[redstang]

Here's the video from Cozumel.

<div class="gc_ifarem_title">Cozumel Diving - YouTube</div>

 

[curtismaximus]

Hey thanks for the upload. I'm looking on eBay now.