odonnellake

I am headed to Grand Cayman in a month and one of the excursions we are signed up for is a bioluminescent bay. I would love to try and get this captured and assume it's a lot easier said than done. I'm wondering if there is an adequate underwater camera I can purchase (or rent) specifically for this and any additional snorkeling I may do. The nearest place I've found to rent camera equipment is a 90 minute drive from where I live. I currently shoot with a Cannon 60d and really don't think I'm willing to risk taking my good equipment on the water. Any advise you seasoned photographers can give me is appreciated. I'm hoping there is a lightweight affordable waterproof camera that will help me here. Is that asking too much????

Ghery Loc: Olympia, WA

I use a GoPro for underwater photography. Works just fine for me.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Take a look at Tough cameras, and check their depth rating against how deep you plan to dive.

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-10-best-waterproof-tough-cameras-2017-17302
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-waterproof-cameras,review-2194.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/guide-rugged-and-waterproof-point-and-shoot-cameras
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-10-best-waterproof-tough-cameras-2016-17302
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-waterproof-camera/

KenwardV

My answer is to pick up a Nikon 1 J2 and its associated housing (the WP-N1) on Ebay or similar. Grab an extra O-ring and battery. Learn how to use the preset WB (use a writing slate for your white), and you're off!

(The last one below had not had the WB corrected. Post processing took care of that. This was the original.)

Have fun (with whatever your answer is!) !!

Bonaire with a filter


Lonesome in Guanaja


Nurse shark, Guanaja

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Dust Resistant/waterproof cameras - Fuji, Olympus, Panasonic - check them out at B&H, Adorama or on Amazon. Great image quality. Please don’t risk dunking, damaging or losing your bigger gear. Please.

odonnellake

Thanks, all. This is a great help. I will do some more reading myself and go from there. And I promise not to risk dunking, damaging, or losing my bigger gear.

andrew12

GoPro

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

Hi - I'm a Mom that lives on the beach and loves water parks, I have had many underwater cameras, and I'm super hard on them. I have had: Canon D10, Canon D30, Nikon AW130, Sony TX30, Olympus TG870, and I just bought the Fuji XP.
And you know what - they were all pretty darn nice cameras. Here is my experience with them

Canon D series: Fantastic image quality, super tough, I love these, still have 2 of these.
Nikon AW130: Fantastic image quality, super tough - no problems here, great but kinda pricey.
Sony TX30: This is the only one I had that broke and took on water. This camera does not seem very tough. I think its more for splash, not hard core underwater.
Olympus TG870: I bought this for the selfie screen and LOVED that feature. Great image quality, fun features, very tough.
Fuji XP- I've only used it once this season, and it was fun to use, but the image quality was very average. BUT it was only $100 - you get what you pay for.

Many people on this site really like the Olympus G5 - which I have never used - but it is supposed to be the best - I'm sure it is awesome.

I feel like you can't go wrong with the Canon D series, Nikon's AW series, or any of the Olympus Toughs - they are all super tough and take great underwater pictures.
Check the depth on these cameras also - before you buy one.... You may have to go with a the G5 - I think it goes the deepest.
ps - I already sold the Fuji XP, and I went back to the Olympus for the selfie screen.

Skiextreme2 Loc: Northwest MA

Check for rentals near where you're going. Most places that have dive shops also have rentals of good DSLRs with flash and under water housings.

If you're connected with a tour of any sort, ask them, they would have good info for you as well.

Rich43224

The resident underwater photography pro on Grand Cayman is Cathy Church. Check out her website and you should be able to find all you are looking for. http://www.cathychurch.com/

odonnellake

I settled on the Olympus TG-5 and went ahead and ordered it so I can learn its functions before I go. I'm basically a Canon user so I'm fairly sure there will be a learning curve. Thanks, everyone for your input and help. I'll let you know how it goes. Watch for pictures in about a month!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Look for a Nikonos. Here's one for $165.
https://www.ebay.com/i/263553776593?chn=ps

--Bob