I have a Sealife DC-500 and just bought an external strobe....my pics from last year (without the strobe) are OK, but not like I see here...I can't remember if there are u/w photography courses offered anywhere...we were at Buddy Dive last year and they didn't offer any.

Advice? (pullleeeez)

Tim at Fish Eye (Sand Dollar/Den Leman building) does private lessons. He'll want you to show your current pics so that he knows where to begin.

Note...he was not happy that we had the DC500 last year when we were signing up for classes. Actually, because of his comments and my husband's lack of REAL camera interest, we just sold the camera on ebay. (We got a good price.)

Another option would be Wilco at Capt. Don's.

I HAD fun with the Sealife but I'll just have to rent this year for my snorkel pics.

Possibly Tim at Fisheye Photo? (near Sand Dollar)

Good luck!

My advice Cam, sell the camera, quickly before everyone on E-Bay realizes what a POS that camera is. I have been in many long discussions on Scubaboard about that camera. All the owners keep saying that the camera is OK for beginners and they post pictures taken with it. Junk... I have yet to see even one acceptable picture taken with that camera much less a good picture.

By the way keep the strobe, you should be able to use it on another camera, if it has a slave sensor.

Cam

Do the PADI Underwater Photography course, we did and Wilco was a great instructor. Have a great trip.

Holy c**p! And here I thought it was an OK beginner camera...Hi Brian...are you back??? I think Wilco would be a good choice...fun loving guy that he is.

Cecil/Brian/Bob/Linda...any suggestions on cameras?...I do want (translation: need) a user-friendly camera...I want to still be able to enjoy the dive

Well my suggestion would be a Canon A series. Just make sure there is an Canon UW housing before purchasing (by the way it will be cheaper). Go to www.digideep.com for UW housings.

I would not get hung up on easy, even the most complicated camera has an auto mode to use until you learn the more complicated stuff. At least then you can grow into the camera.

Olympus is another option. Camera and housing can be had for under $200 each.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/education/product.asp?product=1188

Agree the Olympus SP-350 is a great choice.

Cam, regardless of which camera you choose, I suggest it be one that has the option of full manual controls. You may want a point and shoot to start, but as you become more comfortable with UW photography the ability to do more with your existing rig will save a ton of $$ down the road.

Cam, I have the Oly sp-350 and LOVE IT!

Cam, I have that camera also and I LOVE mine! It's easy so it's right up my alley.

I think you'd like it. And if you stop off in West-By-God-Virgina at that little dive shop you know, they will probably throw in a **gasp** free lens cover !!! Just kidding buddy, you know I love you or I wouldn't kid you so.... it's really a highlight for me. I haven't gotten to pick on you for a while.

Sure can tell when we are getting close to our trips, yes? We get all school-girl giggly. Well, you are a school BOY but you know what I mean.

Three weeks for me buddy !!!

On a serious note, I got mine at Best Buy, great prices and I got my housing from Helix Camera on the internet for a great price and from what I understand great service, also. I have been very happy with it so far.

Hi Cam. To further Cecil's point, I have the Canon A610 that I bought on Ebay for under $200 including shipping. I bought the housing on Amazon for under $140 including shipping (had to sign up for a credit card for that one though). I have never taken underwater photos before and I love this camera. I also love it out of the water.

Thanks all....I should have asked earlier...I think that this round I'll try the DC-500 with strobe and next round upgrade..

Kelly...VIRGINA??? I don't even want to ask....by the way...Kelly's profile pic was taken with my sealife....that was a fun day, eh Kelly...hi to Steve (TIHRN)

Cam,
Don't be too disappointed. We just wanted a Point and Shoot and the DC500 worked great for us. Have fun with it! We had the strobe but as a snorkeler I didn't use it. My husband played with it a bit but he just really enjoys diving..not taking photos.
Here's a sample of my snorkel pics....

Cam, we got back Sunday afternoon 11 hours flying (3 flights) and 15 hours in airports. Still got the tan, a huge smile and 20GB of pictures.

Linda

I actually had some pretty good shots with mine as well...must try out the strobe and the wide angle lens

Brian...my excitement is building man! Did you quaff a number of ales with Wilco? Was Wilco clothed? I still remember some of your birthday photos from '05

Wilco? Tiffany?

Ales were quaffed, Wilco is a great guy. I hope the beer stocks have recovered for your trip

Cam,

I have a Canon A620 with Canon housing. It took all of the photos in the link below with it and a rented YS-25 strobe. The camera was $219 and is 7.1 megapixels. The new A640 is pretty much the same only 10 megapixels. One of the main selling points for me with this camera was the full manual control option. It was a disappointment that Canon dropped RAW support in all their point and shoot line but it's not the end of the world.

Btw, I'm a rank amateur at UW photography so these will give you an idea of what can be done by a beginner. And yes, they have been run through Photoshop for cropping and resizing. Quite frankly I'd advise you to spend some time and effort on learning Photoshop. That's where the real magic happens.

http://s91.photobucket.com/albums/k310/Dragon2115/Diving/Bonaire%2010_2006/