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Bonaire Photography & Videography: A Camera for Christmas
Bonaire Talk: Bonaire Photography & Videography: Archives: Archives 2008: A Camera for Christmas
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Gilhousen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 3:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Based on the glowing comments made here, I've been shopping for a Canon G9 in preparation for a trip to Bonaire next summer. My total budget is about $500, including the underwater case (I snorkel and don't need the expensive Ikelite case). Unfortunately, the New York discount camera suppliers found on the web won't sell you the camera for the advertised price of $350. They only sell it in a bundle with their grossly overpriced accessories (not including the UW case) for $500. Ugh!

Does anyone know of where I can get one at a better price? (I'm a bit reluctant to get a used camera, refurbished might be better.) Or, does anyone know of a somewhat cheaper camera that will take good photos underwater? Perhaps I should wait until after Christmas for prices to come down.

Thanks...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #666) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 3:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Dave
Amazon. Right on the mark $497 plus tax of course. We have free shipping but I don't know how we get that. Thats the Head Shopper's department.
Mick

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom C. (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #8843) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 3:56 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Found two offers with product in stock for under $400.00

http://www.broadwayphoto.com/cat/DigitalCameras/3591146/PowerShot_G9/

http://www.fotoconnection.com/p71681-canon-powershot-g9-121mp-digital-camera-6x-optical-zoom.html

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #667) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 5:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tom
I'm talking about with the housing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mickey McCarthy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #668) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 6:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wellll
I don't know what I did before but I don't see anything near that now. I'm baffled to explain it.
Mick

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Gilhousen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 6:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

When you call both Broadway, Fotoconnection, and all the other ones in N.Y. they will tell you that they only have them for sale bundled with accessories for a much higher price. That's false advertising. If I was still a New Yorker I'd call the Attorney General. I'm used to dealing with honest business people here in the South.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Judy T (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5191) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 6:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi David

Last year my hub got me the Olympus Stylus 770SW. Does not need a housing & is good to 33' & is shockproof. I snorkel & was very happy with the camera, many times in the water for well over an hour. It also is quite small so is pretty handy if you don't want to lug around lots of equipment. The only thing I did not like about it is that it doesn't have a viewer & was sometimes difficult to see in direct sunlight. But with digital you just shoot away....nothing to lose. I also got a 2GB XD Card with it & the extended 2 yr. warranty & extra battery. The whole deal cost $457. I got it from TriState Camera & Video, 150 Sullivan St., Brooklyn, NY. Phone 212-633-2290. The guy I spoke with was very helpful.
Hope this helps

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gord Alder (Owner Seaside unit 101) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #132) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 9:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Olympus Auctions
http://stores.ebay.com/Olympus-Auctions/Stylus-SW-Series.html

Any of the SW series will offer a small camera that is waterproof and ideal for your use. I have never had a problem purchasing a Factory Reconditioned unit from them.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Gilhousen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 11:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gord and Judy (or other Olympus users):
Thanks for mentioning the Olympus SW series. Do you use the camera much outside the water? Some of the reviews have mentioned a lack of focus near the edges because of the lens design needed for UW protection. Have you seen this, or do you think it is comparable to other similarly priced digital cameras?

Dave

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gord Alder (Owner Seaside unit 101) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #133) on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 11:17 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have a DSLR that I use, the SW I have is a backup camera, and used for times I don't want to lug a big camera around. I haven't noticed any focus issues, above or below the water. After this post I have started to research the 1030 SW, which offers a movie mode that has 30 fps.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cecil* (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7099) on Monday, December 15, 2008 - 10:06 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Back to the original question, I misread it the first time through and thought he was looking for a Canon G9 which is an excellent choice. A very good camera with manual controls and RAW files. It's as good a point and shoot camera as you can get. The only downsides are price (expensive), size (large) and availability (limited).

If you are looking for other options the Olympus 1030 is a good alternative although the news about lens fringing is interesting, this should not be a deal killer. It would seem a little cropping would fix this, if it's noticeable.

I am partial to the Olympus 1010, a very small camera with a 7x zoom which would be very nice to have out of the water. It's disadvantge is the lack of availability of the UW housing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Krispi ~naughty...oh Christopher!! (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4406) on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 2:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi David. We got a G9 prior to our October trip. I think I got it for less than this...cant remember.
They did try to upsell me but I only purchased the camera. We love it. It takes wonderful photos and it is userfriendly. We got an Ikelite case for it for the depth rating. It is more expensive though and you can get a case that isn't as expensive (non Ike lite)

topchoice digital

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Gilhousen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 9:26 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for all your suggestions. I decided to go with a refurbished Canon G9 for just under $400. With the accessories and UW case it will come in slightly over my budget, but I'd rather go with this camera because of all of the favorable comments.

 


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