Worth getting a marine case???

[scribley]

Hi
I have a Minolta dimage Xg digital camera. I've just found that they produce a marine case rated upto 30m for £135.
Is it worth buying? Any comments?

Cheers

[Narced at sea level]

Its a tricky question in a way Jo - in many ways you are better placed to answer it than any of us.

What housing exactly are you looking at?

Where is it for sale?

What features doe it have?

How badly do you want to take pictures underwater?

What sort of quality do you want from your UW pics?

Are you thinking of an alternative to housing your existing camera such as a purpose built UW camera or a camera/housing combo that is considered "better" for UW use?

Have you considered the other items you'll need such and wide angle and macro lenses and an external strobe?

Do you have the budget for them?

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by jo_c

I have a Minolta dimage Xg digital camera. I've just found that they produce a marine case rated upto 30m for £135.
Is it worth buying? Any comments?

NO! NO WAY!

If seeing the case made you think about taking underwater pictures you have no clue as to what a palava (sp?) the whole business is. Lighting is wrong, focus is wrong, any stuff in the water ruins things, £135 for a case is only a start. Stay away from underwater photography if you value your sanity.

HTH

[Rookie]

I got one for my Ixus 400, and its been used more around water than under it. If not too deep, or with the help of software, the light issue can be managed, to get some resonable snaps, or you can probably use a torch (not tried yet). These were taken on my first attempt, with no additional light, at about 8-12m, without the cost and faff of a 'proper' system (sorry to all serious photographers!).

http://www.yorkshire-divers.co.uk/gallery/Tioman

I also use the case when we go kayaking, or up wet mountains, on jetboat trips, in the pool on holidays etc. It keeps the camers safe in rough conditions, if nothing else. They get my vote!

[scribley]

Thanks for the replies.. I'm only looking to take "snaps" not serious photos - nor do I want to get into buying lots of kit..
It seems like it might be worth the investment if i've got some spare cash..

[Richie]

If you are totally happy that you can dive "automatically" i.e. bouyancy , depth control and know where your buddy is at any time (if you use one)

GO FOR IT.

Its great fun, hugely frustrating and totally absorbing hence the caveat above.

I work on 1 moderately good piccie per 250 or there abouts. This is by my standards, many will think zero per 1000