| Photography Forum: Underwater Photography Forum: |
 |
Q. SeaLife Reefmaster Shark Diver 35mm Motorized
Asked by Sheila Laabs
(K=0) on 2/29/2004
|
I saw this camera advertised as SeaLife Reefmaster NEW Shark Diver 35mm Motorized Underwater camera. From the description, it appears to be just what I'm looking for. I want an inexpensive underwater camera to use while snorkeling on vacation. I usually just buy those disposable ones, which to me take decent pictures. I was wondering if anyone has used this Shark Diver camera and can offer any opinions on it? How easy is it to reload and are the photos at least as good as the one time use cameras? Thanks for any info you may have.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roman P
(K=395) - Comment Date 2/29/2004
|
Hello Sheila,
Could you mean the SportDiver? I do not believe that SeaLife makes a camera called Shark Diver. With that camera (sportdiver) you will probably get similar results to the disposables, but not much better. If I may make a suggestion, you will likely be much happier with underwater photos if you go with digital. With digital you can instantly see the results and adjust your technique accordingly. Did wonders for me! Your best way is to get a regular land digital camera, and an underwater housing for it. Not all cameras have housings available, and housings for some models are made only by 3rd party companies. Canon makes housing for almost all of its digital models, excluding the G-series and the SLRs. Canon's housings can be had for about $170-200. 3rd party housings can be considerably more expensive, though. Olympus makes housings for most of its cameras as well, but I'm not as familiar with those. You can see the kinds of photos that digital can produce here:
http://www.antipodeum.com
FYI, the Bonaire photos were my very 1st time underwater with a camera, so hopefully it'll give you an idea of what's possible.
Now, SeaLife, for one, also makes a couple digital underwater camera models, but I would stay far away from those. They are not particularly good as digital cameras go. Hope this helps! Feel free to contact me if you want more info.
-Roman.
|
|
|
|
Sheila Laabs
(K=0) - Comment Date 2/29/2004
|
Thanks for the info Roman. I already have a Sony digital camera, unfortunately the underwater housing for it is more than I want to pay right now. I did look at your photos, and they are really nice. It's definitely giving me something to think about for future trips.
|
|
|
|
Bob Jarman
(K=3145) - Comment Date 3/1/2004
|
Sheila,
I am not familiar with the specific camera you mentioned, so I cannot comment. You might check with a dive shop in your area as this type of camera is often available for rental. Would give you a good chance to test it out for yourself.
I am not sure what your budget is, but I would offer two othersuggestions for you to consider.
1: See if you can find a good condition used Sea&Sea motomarine II or MX10. I started in underwater photography with a Motormarine II camera and was very pleased with the results. The MX 10 is also a very nice small camera. I wouldn't worry about a flash for the camera since your only going to be snorkling.
2: Have you checked EWA products for one of their underwater bag housings? Basically they are industrial strength "baggies" with special seals and a port. I am not sure what digital camera you own, but if they make one for it, it would be be an excellent option for snorkling. I don't think it is a very good option for scuba, but for snorkling and surf shots, a lot of people use them and they seem to have a great quality reputation.
http://www.ewamarine.com/
There is the website for you to at least look!
I wish you luck!
|
|
|
|
Chris Brady
(K=15) - Comment Date 3/1/2004
|
Interested to read that you get 'decent' results using disposables. That is not our experience in the U.K. Frankly we would opine that they're rubbish. The results are even worse when no-one can be bothered (in the U.K.) to offer half a decent processing and printng service for underwater films.
|
|
|
|
Roman P
(K=395) - Comment Date 3/5/2004
|
If you have problems with condensation, here're a couple of tricks that might help. Try to seal the camera in its housing (or EWA bag) in dry air. A well air-conditioned room is a good start. The less moisture is trapped in the housing, the less chance of condensation. Another thing that helps is silica-gel. You often see small packs of it packaged with shoes and electronics. If you don't already have some, any shoe store should have tons of these little packs, all you need to do is ask, they'll typically be happy to let you go through the boxes and grab a couple.
-Roman.
|
|
|
|
|
