jerrylh Loc: Texas

Need some suggestions for a moderately priced camera that takes pictures under water to around 6 feet deep. Going on vacation and would like to try this, but don't want to spend a lot for one.
I've read a number of reviews of cameras and find mixed results on most.
Thanks.

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

DPReview looked at waterproof cameras in Dec 2014.
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/3436829389/dpreview-recommends-best-waterproof-cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

jerrylh Loc: Texas

Thanks for the link.
I would like to hear from anyone that has used a underwater camera about their experience with it and any tips they might have.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

The Olympus Tough may be the answer:
http://www.olympus.co.uk/site/en/c/cameras/digital_cameras/tough/tg_3/index.html

OviedoPhotos

I own an Olympus tough tg 610 for a few years. Liked it so much I then bought the olympus tg 850 2 years ago. Recently bought the olympus tg 4. The recent model shoots in Raw. There is also a ring flash adapter available for macro work.

hcmcdole

We have the Olympus TG 810. My only complaint is it did not come with a battery charger so it has to be charged via a USB cable plugged in the camera (do buy an extra battery since the batteries seem to expend themselves quickly). So even with an extra battery you cannot use it if you are charging the other battery - bummer.

Pictures underwater are okay but the water must be very clear to even look halfway good and taking photos bobbing up and down in the surf is harder than it looks or diving down to your subject with underwater currents is almost as bad. Went to Hawaii last year and got a few good photos underwater. Used it in Cancun and Florida (swim with the manatees) but the water had a lot of silt in it, so really can't say it did a good job (not the camera's fault but you need to be aware of the water clarity). The shutter lag is part of the problem though - by the time you get the camera to focus on a fish or sea urchin, the currents will move you or the camera enough to get a blurry image or the fish will dart away. If it would focus and shoot in a blink of an eye, I think it would do a lot better.

With a 5X optical zoom you really need to get close to your subject or have exceptionally clear water.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Check this one out. 3 lenses, flash - a bargain at 400 USD:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-324701-1.html

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

What about a GoPro?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

If you were asking many years ago and about shooting film, I'd say Nikonos Underwater camera (models I - V; '63 - '84).

Also a general comment about any Underwater photography: the lenses have different effective focal lengths in water than in air due to the differences in refractive index of water vs. air. You can't beat physics. I don't remember which way the magnification changes.

jerrylh Loc: Texas

DECISION: Purchased the Olympus TG-4 yesterday afternoon. Proceeded to charge the battery per the book instructions using the Olympus proprietary cord for in camera charging. Camera failed to charge.
Goggled this camera and charging and found that many have had this problem repeatedly, with cord stated as the problem.
Returned this camera today and got a Canon D-30 that does not use a proprietary cord and does allow charging outside the camera. Decided I did not need a problem camera in the TG-4.

hcmcdole

Just don't know why Olympus would skimp on NOT providing a charger - that was my pet peeve when we bought the TG-810.

Also during charging the camera continues to click (the lens cover continued to open and close) if the battery is very low which was kind of scary as though something got fried.

Hope the Canon works out for you.

MHDahle

This is a film camera not digital. If you already have a couple of cameras, check to see if there is a reasonable housing for one of them. I think Olympus makes several housings for their cameras.