Anyone using digital underwater camera ?

[Tim Ingmire]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Steve W @ Mar. 11 2003,12:58)]Having chatted with Andy P about digicams, I'm going to wait till the summer to get mine as it seems the next technological step is almost upon us and there is likely to be some pricewise benefits for would be purchasers
Gives me time to read up about the various models etc
Chee-az
Steve

SteveW tell us more.  I have just found some money down the back of the sofa - and its either a digicam + housing or twins + wings  -  ah choices choices.  Trouble is I can't decide!

Tim

[Dr Stevil]

<font color='#0000FF'>Big sofa you've got there Tim!

Well, from what Andy P told me (and if I have understood him correctly) the next/new generation of chips for digital cameras are in the process of being released to those in the &quot;working&quot; side of the field, which should then cause currently high priced cameras such like we may buy, to drop in price, and we may expect an ensuing &nbsp;domino effect much like we see with other computer-type hardware.

Depends on what kind of camera/housing package versus wing/twins package you've got in mind but thats a nice you choice to have to make &nbsp;
but to be entrely practical, the price of wings/twins aint't going to fluctuate anything like as much as the price of electronic kit. &nbsp;Just dicvovered Jessops do an interst free credit deal depending on how much you spend ie £600 = 6 months IFC, &nbsp;9months for 900 etc
Chee-az
Steve

[Tim Ingmire]

Cheers Steve,

looks like its best to hang fire on the camera then. &nbsp;Given that this money is burning a hole it looks like a wing and twins then - provided I can make my mind up on what to buy!

Won't discuss any further here as its meant to be for photos and we all know what happens when we start discussing wings!

Tim

[Andy Phillips]

Hi,

OK, this is mainly for Steve W, had a bit of a deal going for some Olympus cameras, but it had become hard to get hold of them, the reason being Olympus were slowing down the release due to a pre christmas overstock. Well I phoned today to arrange the collection of the last four and had a conversation with one of the tech guys there.

The latest generation of chips from Sony are being phased out off the line, this basically means they are making room for the next generation of chips for the domestic market. From the noise I have been getting these will be 5 mega pixel 24 bit and 3.5 ~ 4 mega pixel 36 bit colour chips. All still utilising the Bayer colour mask.

They will be in the shops for the summer season, i.e. by the end of May, there will be deals on the existing cameras, but from what I have heard about stocks, not many.

I will get advance warning on actual specs of the chips and will post what I get.

Andrew

[Rogbear]

I have been working with video underwater for a few years but passing through Gatwick on my way to Malta last year I was tempted by the SONY DC9 and it's housing in Dixons Duty Free. &nbsp;After a half hour &nbsp;sitting in the departure lounge I made up my mind a went and bought it. &nbsp;£650 complete with 3 years insurance (covers it underwater too), additional 128Mb memory stick, camera case and other bits and bobs.

The results are fantastic for the 4 Megapixel camera and it is small enough to pop into my BC pocket too.



More pictures at my site:

http://www.rogbear.eurobell.co.uk

[cthomas]

Rogbear, i also own a DSC-P9 and the housing, but not had chance to really use it, as i only got the housing last month, ive tried it in the pool, and on land and find the camera brilliant, but im wondering, whats it like in Stoney Cove???

one other thing, for all forums users, why is this camera not mentioned as often as the olympus??

thanks,

Chris

[Dr Stevil]

<font color='#0000FF'>I believe Andy2Tanx has one

[Andy Phillips]

I just got a load of info today on new CCD's, the new Olympus, Canon and Nikon ranges. These will be in the shops over the next few weeks.

I will have a gander at it all over the weekend and post then all the relevant bits then.

Andrew

[Fiona]

<font color='#0000FF'>In the June edition of Dive there is an article on Digital UW cameras, only glanced at it so don't know which ones they are testing but it could give you a start.

[Bunny]

Hi... Haven't quite got the hang of this forum yet, so this reply is probably miles away from what I'm replying to, but it relates to Clive's comment about buying 3 128mb cards.

Don't!

Instead, buy an Archos Jukebox, which is a little gadeget smaller than a palm pilot, and holds 20 gb worth of images. This means you can download your images from your card after each dive, and there's a little screen to scroll through everything you've downloaded (it also functions as an mp3 player). All yours for about 300 quid.