Underwater Photography

[BigV]

We're traveling to Hawaii this spring and I am planning to take some pictures underwater. I am trying to decide what to use to take the pictures. I have a Canon Poweshot A710IS, which I love. I am fairly competent with the camera and the camera's specifications and capabilities are quite a good match for most of my photographic needs. But that doesn't extend to underwater photography.

I see Canon makes an underwater housing, WP-DC6, available for about $125, +- $25. That would make it an expensive accessory, with limited use, since I don't dive very much anymore, though I do have my NAUI open water certification. Perhaps with the addition of underwater photography as a draw, I would dive more. We certainly have excellent diving options in my area. But that's well into the future.

There is probably a third party housing for this camera, from Ikelite, or Pelican, or some other company, but I haven't explored this avenue very far yet. The same additional use during other dive trips would accrue to this choice as well.

Another option would be an additional camera that has underwater capabilities built in. In this area I have noticed the SW line from Olympus, especially the 770SW and the 1030SW, both good to 10 meters, which is plenty for my intended use as a skin diving photography tool. The difference in the specs between the 770SW and the 1030SW are not entirely clear to me. I understand differences in the digital side, but the strictly optical differences, like lens specifications are beyond my current understanding.

As I compare these two models, I am thinking about making this camera available to SonofV, who would be able to use it (and abuse it). In addition to the underwater protections, the specifications indicate that it is shockproof to 2 meters, and protected against dust and freezing. These are all good features for a photographer who might be rough on the gear, or would want a tougher camera for rougher environments, like camping and hiking and backpacking. And skateboarding.

These two units cost approximately $250 and $400 each. Naturally I want to choose well. I don't consider this level of disposable income to be used on a disposable device.

Which brings me to the next option I thought of, disposable underwater cameras, film or digital. With processing, I reckon these would do the job, but for about a dollar a shot. Very expensive per photo, and I would have to really retrain myself from my current "electrons are free" state of mind behind the viewfinder. I have used these cameras before, long ago, and they're minimally acceptable, but not my first choice.

Are there any underwater photographers down here in the cellar? What have your experiences been like? Do you have any images to share? Wisdom to share? What am I missing, what should I be looking for? I don't get opportunities for trips like this very often, and I want to prepare well, so I can bring back some nice pictures.

I welcome your comments.