Which digital camera and housing?

[Spacehopper]

Inspired by the recent photo extravaganza I have managed to persuade SWMBO that I really need a new digital camera and housing. The big question is which camera and housing to get. I already have a Sony DSC 717 but a housing for that is in the region of £650, if you can find one. I’ve had a look at Ebay and seen the following items which are ending soon.

Sony DSC P12 Sony MPK-PHA housing

Olympus C5060W + PT-020 housing + filter+ extra's

What’s the opinion of the YD underwater photography experts, would something like one of these fit the bill or should I be going for something else. At the moment I’m inclined to go for Sony as I already have chargers, memory sticks etc but could quite easily be persuaded that something else is just as good if not better.

Gareth

[dry suit diver]

The P12 is the big brother to the P10 I bought from Wilbo, it is a superb bit of kit, the housing is excellent.

keep a watch on them and dive in at last minute.

[Sinbad Returns]

From what I have read about it, I think the Oli might give you better results when diving. Looks like a good kit with the filters etc.

I have the P12 myself and think it is a fantastic little camera out of the water. I've also had some good results snorkelling and some okay results diving. Also never had a problem with leaking. My main issue would be the sometimes quite long shutter lag, which obviously is annoying if you are taking photos of wiggly rather than fixed stuff.

The P12 seems a bargain though. Guess kinda depends on how seriously you take it and how often you will use it. Suspect the Oli is more flexible if you know what you are doing (which I emphatically do not).

Paul

[dry suit diver]

the sony housing also has two orings , one user servicable, one not so chances of a flood are less likely.

you said you are kitted up with memory sticks etc so no need for outlay on the memory cards either.

the charger should be included with the camera as its a sony special for the infolithium battery.

[Scubanut]

I have one of these cameras in the PHA housing, along with a Y25A strobe and a wide angle lense.

I think that it takes very good pictures, in fact my darling Scubachick has posted some one here.

One is 'Something unusual', a nice pic of malin/sailfish taken by yours truly. There are also some pics of morays on here too.

I'll have a natter with her later and PM you with more details.

Scubanut

[Scuba1]

I would go for the Olly

[Norseman]

Be careful about the 5060 though. Many, including me, have had problems with faulty housings, though after a replacement I'm pretty sure mine's working okay now.
The 5060 is a big camera, but you do get some of the best optics on the market and a camera that will give you very good pics also on land.

Kyrre

[David A]

I'd go for the Oly, but save up a few quid and get the Ikelite housing. Eventually you can connect it to an Ikelite DS50 or DS125 strobe, and get full TTL metering with the strobe. It's not cheap, but it's all you'll ever need without going DSLR.

Buy cheap, buy twice.

David

[Spacehopper]

Thanks for the advice guys and gals. I took the plunge and am now the proud owner of an Oly 5060, PT-020 housing and sundry bits and pieces. Now all I have to do is put it together and get it wet. If I can post anything half as decent as the pictures I have seen recently I'll be a very happy man.

Gareth

[Norseman]

Originally Posted by Spacehopper

Thanks for the advice guys and gals. I took the plunge and am now the proud owner of an Oly 5060, PT-020 housing and sundry bits and pieces. Now all I have to do is put it together and get it wet. If I can post anything half as decent as the pictures I have seen recently I'll be a very happy man.

Gareth

Please please please remember to get seaborne and test the housing BEFORE you put the camera in...

Kyrre