Recommendation please

[Helen]

Hi all,

Went diving in Portland a couple of days ago and my camera housing has died. Going to try and fix it but dont think It looks like a goer. My current camera is an oly c5050z, the housings are no longer made for this so I dont think buying a new housing is an option, though was thinking if I need to buy a new housing it might be worth looking at a new camera anyway given the expense of the housing.

Basically I'm looking for something that:
Has good macro modes
I could add a strobe and wide anle lens to as some point in the future
? Raw mode
Budget - preferably £500 ish for the camera and housing but could be persuaded to go a little bit more for a good one

So does anyone have any recommendations for good cameras or good shops to look at?

Thanks
Helen

[Mark Davies]

I would be surprised if there isn't someone on here with a housing for a 5050 to sell. If not here then try asking on Yorkshire Divers.

[Helen]

Thanks Mark, will do. Have also seen one on ebay but over a week left so will see how much it goes for.

Helen

[KenByrne]

This seems like a good value package. http://www.marine-cameras.com/digital/f11.htm The camera appears to have a better ISO range than many compacts.

I've never used one of these so it's not a recommendation based on experience just price and Fuji's reputation.

Ken

[Helen]

Thanks Ken, wil have a look into that one.

Helen

[Mark Davies]

I'm not sure exactly how the F11 is different from the F10, but the main features of low light sensitivity and long battery life are still the same - perfect for underwater use - and I've seen the F10 and housings are still readily available from as little as £299 all in. Worth considering too.

[Mark]

The F11 has a better screen and you can set aperture priority, those are the main differences. I use the F10 and haven't bothered upgrading.

Battery duration is excellent. The higher you set the ISO the more grainy the photo, ok for WA ambient shots but I force a low ISO with macro/strobe shots.

Ikelite do a housing for the F10/11 which will allow usage of either 67mm lenses or the AD bayonet range. Loads of options for strobes and arms. I didn't opt for Ikelites tray, I used my ULCS one I already had, if I ever upgrade I only need to change the camera and housing not the strobes and lenses. You can get an AD adaptor for the standard Fuji housing now.

Both allow for custom white balance, the new F30 has and underwater button on it for setting this but Ikelite do not have a houding for one yet.

[Helen]

Thanks for all the replies. Definitely food for thought. How good do you think macro is on your F10 Mark? Is it easy to switch between macro and AF underwater?

Thanks again
Helen

[Mark]

This good.

To be honest in macro it is excellent, this image has been shrunk not cropped, I haven't got any images on my works pc to show an unshrunk image.

Switching to and from macro is easy, just press one button.


Wide angle shot.

[Helen]

Nice pics Mark. Has anyone got any thoughts on Fuji Finepix F11 vs F30? Also does anyone know wether you can add additional lenses/ filters onto the fuji housings, just in case I might want to at later stage.

Thanks
Helen