By John Wilson on Monday, June 5, 2000 - 10:42 pm: |
Has anyone rented under water photo and or video equipment from Toucan divers? If so, how would you rate the availability, quality, and price? I am trying to decide if it's worth it for me to buy a SeaLife Reefmaster or Ikelite before I leave for Bonaire.
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By Glen Reem on Tuesday, June 6, 2000 - 1:33 pm: |
I can't speak to Toucan divers rentals but
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By Antonio Ferrer on Tuesday, June 6, 2000 - 6:07 pm: |
The main problem with buying photo/video U/W equipment is the diversity in price and quality. Between the Aquashot and the Nikon equipment there is one order of magnitude in difference, with others in between. Is the price of the more expensive stuff worthwhile? There is no single answer: for some, only the very best is good enough; others will be extremely pleased with the less expensive set-ups; in fact, many people can't tell the difference (they don't enlarge their photos, for example).
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Tuesday, June 6, 2000 - 10:07 pm: |
Gosh, Antonio - I didn't realize anyone looked at those pictures (I wonder if they all got washed out to sea during the wave damage in November).
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By michael gaynor on Wednesday, June 7, 2000 - 9:42 am: |
I will now add my two cents as well. Save your money until you try them all out. You can rent a different camera on different days and check the results as all our photo shops can develop the flim quickly. I graduated from a cheapo up to a Nikonos over a two year period since no one gave me the adive to try before you buy. If I had a bit of experience under my belt, I would have gone for the best before wasting money on the mediocre.
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By John Wilson on Thursday, June 8, 2000 - 7:54 pm: |
Thanks, all. I think I've gathered some good advice- rent before you buy and get some instruction. Don't think I'll be buying a Nikonos or SLR any time soon. I just want to come home from my first trip to the Caribbean with some fairly good shots. Thanks again.
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By Bill Kuhlman on Friday, June 9, 2000 - 10:49 am: |
Post the pictures where we can see them!
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By Ken Baranoski on Friday, June 9, 2000 - 12:00 pm: |
I know there are ALWAYS those moments when you wish you had one, but in general, for us snorkellers, is a flash necessary?
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By Antonio Ferrer on Friday, June 9, 2000 - 7:04 pm: |
IMHO, a flash is not really necessary for snorkelers. In fact, whatever your skill and equipment, snorkeling pictures are never really top class: you can't choose distance, macro is practically out of question, fish are viewed mainly from top, etc. But the occasional picture comes out OK, and it is a souvenir of a good moment. So, after my own experience, and having sought professional advice, I recommend: don't spend a lot for snorkeling photography; a recyclable camera is fun, or a rented MX 10 at most.
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By Kevin Flanagan on Saturday, June 10, 2000 - 7:39 am: |
Ken- Your kids will probably have fun taking pictures with disposable (recyclable?) underwater cameras. As Antonio says, a good picture is the exception, but here are a few things we have learned. 1) A sunny day in shallow water will generally give better pictures. 2) You can't chase a fish to get his picture!!! 3) With a view finder camera, what you see in the view finder may not be what the camera sees. There's a pretty good description of this, and some diagrams, at
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By Ken Baranoski on Monday, June 12, 2000 - 12:44 pm: |
Thank you, gentlemen! Your advice will be put to good use (cool site, too!). I have considerable above water experience, my subjects mostly close-ups of insects and flowers, so I understand “don’t chase” and patience! I did take some UW photos while snorkeling on St. Thomas almost 15 years ago on my honeymoon. I had borrowed an UW camera from a friend and, if I may say so, they came out pretty good for a first attempt! Thanks again!
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