underwater photography

Which is the better way to go:

1. buy an underwater housing for the camera I already have (Canon A2
35mm)

- or -

2. buy a water proof camera?

I'm not looking for the greatest capabilities - I primarily shoot on
the ground and will continue to do so - but I would like to have the
ability to get some water shots. I'm not looking to spend 100's of
dollars - just looking at it like a hobby of sorts - If I get into it
then maybe in a few years I'll spend a $1000 or more on a
housing/camera, but right now I do not want to spend more than $300 -
I'd prefer a solution cheaper than that. Is this even possible given
the $ constraint?

Thanks,
Jim

If you are going to shoot film, and stay shallow as with snorkle, I would
start with a disposible. Wal-Mart has several. Limit is lack of flash.
Better is a digital with an LCD in a housing where you can see to compose,
and then see the result.

Aquapac has several shallow depth cases that are cheap enough to buy P & S
camera and case for less than $300. Flash is still a problem. Without flash,
even the clear waters of Hawaii and Caymon Islands will give strong
blue-tints to pictures more than a few feet deep. The 800 speed film in the
Wal-Mart cameras will probably be better than most P & S digital cameras
with the low light level.


"Jimbo" wrote in message
oups.com...
Which is the better way to go:

1. buy an underwater housing for the camera I already have (Canon A2
35mm)

- or -

2. buy a water proof camera?

I'm not looking for the greatest capabilities - I primarily shoot on
the ground and will continue to do so - but I would like to have the
ability to get some water shots. I'm not looking to spend 100's of
dollars - just looking at it like a hobby of sorts - If I get into it
then maybe in a few years I'll spend a $1000 or more on a
housing/camera, but right now I do not want to spend more than $300 -
I'd prefer a solution cheaper than that. Is this even possible given
the $ constraint?

Thanks,
Jim

Lew wrote:
If you are going to shoot film, and stay shallow as with snorkle, I would
start with a disposible. Wal-Mart has several.

definitely looking for something better than a disposable.

Aquapac has several shallow depth cases that are cheap enough to buy P & S
camera and case for less than $300. Flash is still a problem. Without flash,
even the clear waters of Hawaii and Caymon Islands will give strong
blue-tints to pictures more than a few feet deep.

aren't you supposed to use a filter to offset the blue tint? And what
is P & S?

The 800 speed film in the
Wal-Mart cameras will probably be better than most P & S digital cameras
with the low light level.

wow - 800 speed - that's high - I regularly shoot 100 speed slide and
am looking for even slower films

"Jimbo" wrote in message
oups.com...

Lew wrote:
If you are going to shoot film, and stay shallow as with snorkle, I
would
start with a disposible. Wal-Mart has several.

definitely looking for something better than a disposable.

Thats why I suggested digital P & S. The LCD lets you compose and see if you
got a usable shot.

Aquapac has several shallow depth cases that are cheap enough to buy P &
S
camera and case for less than $300. Flash is still a problem. Without
flash,
even the clear waters of Hawaii and Caymon Islands will give strong
blue-tints to pictures more than a few feet deep.

aren't you supposed to use a filter to offset the blue tint? And what
is P & S?

Point & Shoot. I have just ended up with Black & White from Photoshop.
Remove the blue and no color left without flash. Flash helps only for a few
feet, and on camera flashes give foggy look from lighting up the plastic
case in front of the lens.

The 800 speed film in the
Wal-Mart cameras will probably be better than most P & S digital cameras
with the low light level.

wow - 800 speed - that's high - I regularly shoot 100 speed slide and
am looking for even slower films

Very low light levels and handheld call for high speed film. Pros use
underwater lights. They are expensive too.