Waterproof camera for Grand Canyon
Feb 27, 2019 01:12:49 #
IDguy wrote:
Possible. I also suspect that most dissatisfied c... (show quote)
Yeah, I’ve found that with any online reviews you can throw many of the 5 star and 1 star reviews. It’s important to actually read the reviews and try to suss out the pertinent info. A lot of people give 5 stars because they want to reinforce to themselves that they made a great purchase. And many bad reviews have nothing to do with the product, but are from slow delivery.
It sounds like you’re taking the approach I would. The little waterproof for ready access and the better stuff in a dry bag to be pulled out for the tamer parts of the trip. Just make sure you also add some floatation to the dry bag and/or clip it to something.
Feb 27, 2019 01:39:03 #
I like the fujifilm xp130 idea and 1/3 the cost. Food for thought: flotation is great but on the Colorado River, in the rapids, if it fell overboard, it would be gone. Floated away by the current. Tethere it to you. That way it is always with you.
Feb 27, 2019 09:20:19 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
SuperflyTNT wrote:
Interesting. Just because it doesn’t push some buttons that seemed to musts, like shooting raw. That being said, it’s the camera I bought for paddle boarding and it’s great. I also take it kayaking and it’s great for quick access if I’m not in a position to have my weather sealed Fuji S1 or Lumix F-85 out of a dry bag. It’s a nice little camera and I’ve gotten some great shots with it. I’m really curious to try it underwater when I’m snorkeling in the Bahamas this April.
Yes, I gave up on some wants early on, such as a large sensor and RAW capability. The reports caused me to rethink. I will try it snorkeling at my brother’s beach house in SC in May. Wish I were going to the Bahamas again! Wife and I used to go to Hope Town for a few weeks every year. Enjoy!
Feb 27, 2019 09:22:38 #
IDguy wrote:
Not a hard limit. I am naturally frugal so need to see that a higher price delivers added value. This trip will cost over $3,000 so I won’t worry $300 for camera. Above that will need a reason.
I see the TG5 getting top ratings but other than RAW don’t see why and dislike 12 MP.
I see the TG5 getting top ratings but other than RAW don’t see why and dislike 12 MP.
The 12MP would not be a deal breaker for me. It would likely mean better low light (and underwater) performance. For you, the $300 issue seems the bigger hurdle.
Feb 27, 2019 09:31:22 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
ORpilot wrote:
I like the fujifilm xp130 idea and 1/3 the cost. Food for thought: flotation is great but on the Colorado River, in the rapids, if it fell overboard, it would be gone. Floated away by the current. Tethere it to you. That way it is always with you.
Oh yes. It will be hooked to the PFD.
The rafts they use for these commercial trips are huge compared to the ones I owned and used mostly on the rivers in Idaho. Also, since I rowed, I was on a seat in the center which is somewhat drier and more stable, although I have had friends pitched out while rowing, and a few times friends flipped their raft or wrapped a rock, in which cases the whole crew gets a swim. The Colorado is huge compared to the Salmon and Snake rivers.
Most likely if it goes over on this one it will be going with me!
Feb 27, 2019 10:11:39 #
IDguy
Loc: Idaho
dsmeltz wrote:
The 12MP would not be a deal breaker for me. It would likely mean better low light (and underwater) performance. For you, the $300 issue seems the bigger hurdle.
Price wasn’t a hurdle but a consideration. The reviews with a large percent of leakage failures are what turned off the Oly. Yes, the 12 MP also was concerning but I agree it plus the faster lens means better low light performance. If I were getting it for underwater those might have dominated. In that case I would have gone for the Nikon, which is the same price, but it too showed too many leakage failures.
https://www.amazon.com/Olympus-TG-5-Waterproof-Camera-3-Inch/product-reviews/B071RSJGXZ/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_hist_1?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews#reviews-filter-bar
https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Waterproof-Underwater-Digital-26525/product-reviews/B071FN8C9B/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_paging_btm_next_2?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=one_star&reviewerType=all_reviews&pageNumber=2#reviews-filter-bar
That said the Fuji didn’t fare better in Amazon reviews. But if I’m going to end up trashing it I’d rather have it 1/3 the price.
We’ll see. It is ordered.
Feb 27, 2019 11:24:52 #
IDguy wrote:
Having worked to "promote" the TG-5, I have to agree with you! If you are buying a camera for the single purpose of that Grand Canyon trip, it would be a waste of money to buy something more expensive. I've begun using the TG-5 as one of my regular shooters. If you think the Grand Canyon camera will be a "shelf sitter" after the trip, it is probably not the best choice.
There is always the choice of buying the TG-5 for the trip and selling it on ebay or UHH. Even B&H would probably buy it. It is an "in demand" camera.
Feb 28, 2019 02:05:40 #
I have run the G/C 3 times and all 3 times I have had both a W/P camera and a good dlsr with me in a w/p case tied to the raft I have never had any problems.If I was going to buy another w/p camera I would go with the Pan.Lumix FT7 only because of the viewfinder;on any rafting trip or hike it is hard to take pictures in the daylight using only the lcd on the cameras.But I agree with you if this camera is being used only for this G/C trip that's the way I would go too.The 6 day motorized trip should be fun but you wont have a lot of time to do many side hikes witch to me was a great part of the trip that being said I hope you have a great trip;take a ton of pictures.The G/C is Beautiful place to see from the river and the rapids are like no other,Have Fun.
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