Hi All,

Just a little over two weeks and we're there -- yay!

I'm hoping that you guys might offer some advice. I'm a newbie to the world of underwater photography. I was using an old Olympus d-490 with a housing that's no longer made. I water logged one camera, bought another from e-bay, but it bit the dust not long after.

So.... I think it's time that I plunge into buying something. But since I'm rather new, I don't want to spend a total fortune on equipment at this time. So I've started to poke around for something that would be good. I've seen SeaLife and Sea and See (I think that's it). The price (around $500) is okay, but I don't know if they're any good. Also, I like to have a view finder (in addition to just only the LCD). I would be using the camera to take top-side photos, too.

Any advice or suggestions? I sure would appreciate that!

Thanks in advance.

Mary

Sea Life and Sea & Sea make a very reasonably priced point and shoot camera. Sea & Sea probably has more upgradeability but is a little pricier. The secret is a an external flash and wide angle lens if you're going to do U/W photography on scuba. The self contained flash just isn't enough.

I would suggest Sea Life and not worry about an external flash for now unless you want night dive pics. Sea Life has a "sea mode" that corrects white balance for above or below 25 feet. I find it works very well, particularly in the good vis of daytime Bonaire diving. There are several models at various prices and these can be upgraded to external strobe systems as you would desire.

As an instructor who teaches underwater photo this is my best suggestion for an entry point. There are other good options certainly for point and shoot cameras with decent underwater housings.

I have a DC500 with external flash and it is very easy to use and very simple along with all the other paraphenalia of diving. I still would recommend an external flash if you're diving below 40'. However as Dan mentioned with available light in the shallows the color is very good. Sea Life does a good job. Also I have dealt with their service folks and they have been very prompt and knowledgeable.