New Waterproof Digital Camera Soon to Come Out - Interesting

[zonker]

In the world of digital cameras suitable for our kind of fishing, there have been only a relative few in the low and medium quality range that claimed to be water resistant. In March or April of this year (2005) Pentax is coming out with a new 5 megapixel waterproof camera that really has my interest. My first digital camera has worked great. I love it for nice days and for indoor and outdoor still photos. Occasionally it even makes me, a rank amateur, look good. It has a ton of controls and will do lots of things that I haven't learned how to do yet. But I've been afraid to use it in the rain - a fear that camera buffs tell me is quite reasonable. They tell me this complete with descriptions of rusted and shorted out equipment. I've been looking at compact digital cameras that can be used around water for several weeks. I had about decided on an Olympus Stylus 410, a 4 MP compact camera that is splash and wave proof (supposedly). Then I saw this one...



http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/product_details?reqID=6442215&subsection=optio

The preliminary reviews sound good. You're supposed to be able to actually take underwater photos in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. That sounds about like the standard Oregon/Washington gully washer that we sometimes find ourselves in. Not exactly a diver's camera, but maybe a snorkler's tool. It looks easy to use - and sounds pretty good for a camera with basic controls. It's tiny and has an internal optical zoom lense, which means that it doesn't have to extend its lense out in front of the camera when you boot it up. This saves time and means one less thing to expose to dirt, water, wear, and breakage.

Anyway, I know we have people asking about digital cameras from time to time and I thought I would toss out this latest info. in case you're looking, or if, like me, you're increasingly paranoid about ruining a very good expensive camera on a rainy day.

No, I don't get paid to promote these. And don't dump the one you have if it works for you. They just sound good after looking at a lot of cameras and camera specs.

zonker

[Sage1]

Can the Pen  take them real colse head shots

[dardevle]

Bugs is the master of the Pentax 33wr.  All of his pictures are from this 3.2 megapixel camera.  He has been so happy that I got one about a month ago on Ebay.  I'm very happy too.  From everything I've read the waterproofness is for real.  I had an Olypus water resistant 35mm camera that didn't survive a dunking in the river.

[dardevle]

Bug's Pentax is also the master of the close up head shot. 

[Fllyfishy]

That camera looks sweet if you don't have any budgetary constraints.  I bet it will be pretty spendy.

For the close up head shots, you need to use the Macro function on the camera.  Most cameras have this function. 

[Sage1]

What are the Penn going for

[zonker]

The promo says "Less than $400." Their "last year's camera" which is a step or two below this one in features ran from about $299-$349 on the street with some online sources being less if you shopped around. I suspect that this model is probably built for the same price niche. Each year they up the features in each price category due to competition. I talked to a salesman at Best Buy who told me that the new cameras for each company usually come out in the first quarter of the year. 'Course that means that "last year's model" or even older cameras will drop in price. I think a 3.2 MP camera is fully adequate for what most of us like to do (Photos of fish and scenery, with a few shots of closeup tackle and steelhead heads.) But if you can get a 5 MP for the same price as the 3.2 two years ago, that's a good deal, too.

It's the waterproof thing that has me interested. If I keep going like I am now I either don't get many fish pics or I ruin the camera I already have.

z~

[Jeff]

A waterproof camera would be very helpful!  I dropped my coolpix 2000 (taking a photo of a chum of all things) in early December and it quit working.  It was cheaper to buy a replacement off of e-bay than have it fixed.  IMHO 2 Megapixels is plenty for anything except professional blow-up work, it expands to 8x10 without a problem.

Anyhow, after getting the replacement, I purchased a camera bag that the famous Zonker found about a year ago... it looks like this:


... and can be purchased here:
http://www.waterproofcases.net/410.html

After using for about a month here are my impressions:

- it takes clear photos through the plastic, if the plastic is kept flat.
- it works much better in warmer air than colder.
- it is easy to work buttons, but nearly impossible to work switches or knobs.
- my coolpix's lens expands out when you turn it on, and it does not have enough power to do this if the bag is pressing against the front of the camera.
- my camera seems to focus on the background now for those close-up head shots, where without the back it does fine.

I'm going back to packing my camera in a ziplock and removing it for photos unless it is really raining hard.  I'll take the case to Hawaii this fall and try it out underwater!  I'm sure different cameras would work better or worse in the bag.  I'll definitely be in the market for a water proof or resistant variety for my next one!

[zonker]

Jeff,

Good evaluation of the AquaPac. You covered it very well. I had basically the same issues with my camera while using it. I now use it on very rainy days, but just as a waterproof carrying case. I don't try to shoot through the plastic for the reasons you mentioned. The biggest problem is that my camera is larger and fully extending the lense inside the bag is an act that takes two hands to keep the plastic straight. My biggest problem with a camera is that I usually fish alone, so much of what I want to do has the camera in one hand and a bent rod in the other. I need to be able to handle the camera without letting go of the rod

z~