1 question bout lenses & 1 question about diving cameras.

JDP · 24 Dec 2010

Hi Guys,

I'm still pootering along with my attempt at animals, birds in particular. Im getting fed up with my Tamron 70-300mm... I need another budget 70-300mm, would it be worth looking and getting either the Canon 70-300mm or the Sigma 70-300mm??

And:

I am doing my Padi Open Water course at the moment, I'm looking for some equipment and prices, BCD's are SO expensive!

.. I will be going on a diving trip to Mauritius in 2012 with my University and we're going to be doing some marine ecology, but I'd love to get some fishy pictures.

Just curious what to look for on the market for the underwater digital cameras?

Once i've passed the open water course i can only dive to 18 meters, once ive done the advanced i can go 30 meters. So im looking for something which could get to about 30 meters! Though, there is lack of colouring down there, unfortunately.

I was told by my diving instructor that getting a waterproof plastic case is actually more expensive than a DSLR.

After my degree, I'm going to do my advance and rescue diving and then specialise in Wreck and Ice diving!

Cheers.

JDP.

squishy · 24 Dec 2010

It might sounds strange, but for another 70-300, I'd vote for a tamron.

The newer tamron 70-300 VC has their equivalent of an ultrasonic motor, and image quality quite close to the new canon 70-300L. Should be noticeably better than your old tam 70-300

salacalvet · 24 Dec 2010

Hi James
Hes correct the housing is more expensive than the camera.
I would not start with DSLR with your venture to underwater photography. A compact with decent housing will do fine. This way you can get used to holding a camera while diving. Its not easy to do an when your doing your advance one of the parts/dives must be photography if you want to take this part of the hobby up.

Ikelite do housings that are rated deep enough for any of your needs as a advance diver.

as a underwater photographer you must have a great understanding with your buddy and remember to keep a eye on them too

SpikeK6 · 24 Dec 2010

Hi there

cannot really advise on the lens situation but the underwater camera i can.
You can get some really good expenxive P&S camera's with casings that will go down as deep as you will be allowed too, it is the casing that allows it to go that deep not the camera, and these will have all the features that allow you to take photos at depth.

BUT if budget is your thing, like trying to buy BCD's regs etc etc it does not have to get too expensive.
My wife bought me a intova ic10 with strobe etc etc for just under £350. now this met an unfortunate accident in Egypt when the casing came undone whilst in the fresh water bucket on the back of the boat(someones mask strap caught it and undid the catch somehow)now whilst I was annoyed and p****d off I replaced the camera with a ic12 for £145, not alot but imagine paying hundreds and hundreds and the same thing happens??

The pics are good that come from it, (so much so i came runner up in last month comp on here with one taken from the old camera) if you want to see some pm me and I will send some through to you.

DSLR casings are bloody expensive, I think the one for my 50D is around 2K so not the thing to buy on a budget, but the pics would be one hell of alot better but for a recreational diver wayyyyyy too expensive.

spike

JDP · 24 Dec 2010

squishy said:
It might sounds strange, but for another 70-300, I'd vote for a tamron.

The newer tamron 70-300 VC has their equivalent of an ultrasonic motor, and image quality quite close to the new canon 70-300L. Should be noticeably better than your old tam 70-300

Hi squishy, Really? Fair enough... I have had a quick look of the output of the images and they do look very good and very sharp at 300MM. Would you know if they are quick enough for birds & other wildlife creatures.

It this the mentioned lens? Tamron SP70-300mm f/4-5.6 Di VC USD

salacalvet said:
Hi James
Hes correct the housing is more expensive than the camera.
I would not start with DSLR with your venture to underwater photography. A compact with decent housing will do fine. This way you can get used to holding a camera while diving. Its not easy to do an when your doing your advance one of the parts/dives must be photography if you want to take this part of the hobby up.

Ikelite do housings that are rated deep enough for any of your needs as a advance diver.

as a underwater photographer you must have a great understanding with your buddy and remember to keep a eye on them too

Hi salcalvet, cool. Okay fair enough, yeah thats very true, also the weight, air and also the Neutral buoyancy would be effected. Ah i didn't realise thanks, so i need to have my advanced before i can do photography properly? Also i guess its hard holding it still, especially as the first rule is Always breath! lol

Thanks will have a look at their housings!

True true, thank you for the advice! much appreciated, pm replied to.

JDP · 24 Dec 2010

SpikeK6 said:
Hi there

cannot really advise on the lens situation but the underwater camera i can.
You can get some really good expenxive P&S camera's with casings that will go down as deep as you will be allowed too, it is the casing that allows it to go that deep not the camera, and these will have all the features that allow you to take photos at depth.

BUT if budget is your thing, like trying to buy BCD's regs etc etc it does not have to get too expensive.
My wife bought me a intova ic10 with strobe etc etc for just under £350. now this met an unfortunate accident in Egypt when the casing came undone whilst in the fresh water bucket on the back of the boat(someones mask strap caught it and undid the catch somehow)now whilst I was annoyed and p****d off I replaced the camera with a ic12 for £145, not alot but imagine paying hundreds and hundreds and the same thing happens??

The pics are good that come from it, (so much so i came runner up in last month comp on here with one taken from the old camera) if you want to see some pm me and I will send some through to you.

DSLR casings are bloody expensive, I think the one for my 50D is around 2K so not the thing to buy on a budget, but the pics would be one hell of alot better but for a recreational diver wayyyyyy too expensive.

spike

Hi Spike. Ahh right i see, Do you equalise the cameras + cases?

Most deffently, i'm trying to live on a student loan! haha. Yeah that's true, I would be able to borrow the equipment when going on dives. Regulators are probly the main thing to buy + goggles and snorkel (as it needs to be the most hygienic)

Ah okay they look like nice cameras, will defently keep an eye out for one of them! Thats very true, must have been annoying! Im glad you were still able to view the images, Would it be possible to see them (sending PM!)

2K that is some serious cash! very true!.. Unless your able to sell them, but that is still madness!

Cheers

JDP.