Camera for snorkelling: My wife loves to snorkel and take pictures of what she sees. I am strictly a dry land photographer. She has been disappointed in the pictures she has taken...

TLConner Loc: Haslett, Michigan

My wife loves to snorkel and take pictures of what she sees. I am strictly a dry land photographer. She has been disappointed in the pictures she has taken, especially the changes in color underwater. I know some of this can be dealt with in post processing but I also know that some cameras are better designed to compensate than others. So what would you recommend as a camera for taking pictures while snorkelling that requires the least post processing and is still easy to handle and free of problems from being used in salt water?

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

have you looked at the waterproof gopro?

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

I mounted a Gopro to my scuba mask. It lightweight, waterproof to 30 feet. You can shoot video and stills at the same time.

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

GoPro with one of the red filters will help as long as there is plenty of light. Several of the waterproof P&S from Oly, Canon, and Nikon offer 2 different UW modes for blue and green water. Oly TG-4 will shoot in RAW. However the best way to compensate for the loss of color with depth is a strobe.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

I forgot to mention earlier, that I also use a Fujifilm XP=70. It's a waterproof P&S for under 200.00. It takes great pictures. The one I bought comes with a floatation strap. I purchased it at Sams's club.

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/xp/finepix_xp70/

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

IHH61 wrote:

GoPro with one of the red filters will help as long as there is plenty of light. Several of the waterproof P&S from Oly, Canon, and Nikon offer 2 different UW modes for blue and green water. Oly TG-4 will shoot in RAW. However the best way to compensate for the loss of color with depth is a strobe.

I would think that if you are snorkelling you wouldn't have to worry about loss of color. You usually don't start losing color until you get down below 33ft.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

IHH61 wrote:

GoPro with one of the red filters will help as long as there is plenty of light. Several of the waterproof P&S from Oly, Canon, and Nikon offer 2 different UW modes for blue and green water. Oly TG-4 will shoot in RAW. However the best way to compensate for the loss of color with depth is a strobe.

I would think that if you are snorkelling you wouldn't have to worry about loss of color. You usually don't start losing color until you get down below 33ft.

photon56 Loc: North America

TLConner wrote:

My wife loves to snorkel and take pictures of what... (show quote)

Nikon has the AW1 - waterproof, shockproof, freeze proof camera
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Nikon1/27669/Nikon-1-AW1.html

Pkfish Loc: Wilson Wy

I have an Olympus TG2 and it takes nice underwater shots .Up to 50 ft I believe. Does ok on dry ground also. I think they make a TG3 now.

Newsbob Loc: SF Bay Area

I have a friend who snorkels with a GoPro on a selfie stick. He extends it so the fish ignore him and are attracted to the camera. He starts video recording, then later extracts stills from the video.

I'm planning a trip which includes snorkeling. I bought the GoPro, and found a stick on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M2A9H8C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A2NGIIQV79AMJ5

If that link doesn't work for Hog reasons, the item is labeled:
GoPro Selfie Stick - Waterproof Telescoping Extension Pole for Hero 4 / 3+ / 3 / 2 / 1 Cameras - Aluminum Tripod Mount & Thumb Screw - Monopod Extends 17" - 40" - Nylon Carry Bag - Lifetime Guarantee

My friend says it should be okay. He says 40-inches works well, as long as the stick isn't too heavy, because my arm will get tired quickly in the water.

The stick is priced at $39.95. He says to bring a baggy with some grease to wipe down the stick after you get out of the water.

TLConner Loc: Haslett, Michigan

Thanks everyone for the advice and suggestions. I appreciate it. We are going tomorrow to check out the GoPro and probably some of the other suggestions.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Newsbob wrote:

I have a friend who snorkels with a GoPro on a sel... (show quote)

The stick is useful but you have to keep up with it in the water. Mounting the Gopro to your snorkel mask frees up your hands. Basically once it mounted on your mask the camera records wherever your head looks. Here's a link on how to do it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbipfiIs-ao

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

Fstop12 wrote:

I would think that if you are snorkelling you wouldn't have to worry about loss of color. You usually don't start losing color until you get down below 33ft.

Saying it twice does not make it correct!

Newsbob Loc: SF Bay Area

Fstop12 wrote:

The stick is useful but you have to keep up with it in the water. Mounting the Gopro to your snorkel mask frees up your hands. Basically once it mounted on your mask the camera records wherever your head looks. Here's a link on how to do it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbipfiIs-ao

The advantage of the stick is that the fish might avoid coming close to a human with a snorkel apparatus, whereas the camera on a stick 4-5 feet away doesn't frighten them as much.