Advice on cameras

[Ariel Northway]

I desparately need some help!

I currently dive with a NikonosV but want to upgrade to a digital camera. The choice (I thought) would be easy - wrong!

Can anybody explain the practical differences between a digital compact (e.g. Sea&Sea DX8000) and a digital SLR like the Nikon D70s ? (Apart from the cost that is...)

I've read the specs, but what does it all mean in the water?

Many thanks in advance

Ariel

[Khaled Alwassia]

Ariel

Ariel,
it took me about 6 month to understand that mombo jumbo to a point that i could decide which camera i would want to buy.
The problem was that from that point to when i had the cash in my pocket so much had changed that i had to start over again.
1.5 years in i still did not make my mind up, guess that i will let it be and buy a picture book.

[steve swift]

You are probably better off going to a more specialist underwater photography site for info like this. I use(d) wetpixel for all my questions. The link below is to the forums page there:

<a href="http://www.wetpixel.com/forums/" >http://www.wetpixel.com/forums/</a>

HTH
Steve


:=Ariel

Ariel,
it took me about 6 month to understand that mombo jumbo to a point that i could decide which camera i would want to buy.
The problem was that from that point to when i had the cash in my pocket so much had changed that i had to start over again.
1.5 years in i still did not make my mind up, guess that i will let it be and buy a picture book.

[John Bantin]

I hope you do not mind but I used your question at our digital clinic at Dive 2005 Show.

The short answer:
Digital Compact:
Cheap.
Significant Time Delay between pressing the release and grabbing the image as it switches from writing the image to the LCD (used as a viewfinder) to writing it to the memory. Slow macro focussing too.
Range of lens angles (zoom to macro) available during the dive.
Limited choice of file type. Some expensive compacts can record RAW files but use a lot of file-writing time.
Jpegs quality good enough for personal pics, web-sites and emailing to friends.

Digital SLR:
Significantly much more expensive by the time you have bought a lens and housing for it. You will probably also want a flash to get good colour at depth. Think of spending at least ?3000. I spent a lot more.
Virtually no time delay. Press the release and get the picture.
Limited to choosing the lens you are going to use before sealing in its housing.
You can usually shoot RAW files. ("If you don't shoot RAW you are missing the point of digital photography" - Kurt Amsler.)
Big buffer for multiple shots so file-writing time less significant.

So-called Bridge cameras are advanced compacts that bridge the gap between cheap compacts and cheapest DSLR.

If I could get good pics with a compact I certainly would not be seen going in with a massive housing and two flashguns!!!

Hope that helps.

[Ariel Northway]

I hope you do not mind but I used your question at our digital clinic at Dive 2005 Show.

Hope that helps.


Hi John,
I was at the seminar and found it very useful - thanks!
Sadly I've decided to live a life of abject poverty and go digital SLR, since playing with a compact I've completed my collection of fish tails and empty spaces...
The good news is that it makes the rest of the dive kit look reasonably priced.
Ariel

[tristan green]

Hi John,
I was at the seminar and found it very useful - thanks!
Sadly I've decided to live a life of abject poverty and go digital SLR, since playing with a compact I've completed my collection of fish tails and empty spaces...
The good news is that it makes the rest of the dive kit look reasonably priced.
Ariel

Ariel,

In the not too distant future we'll have our photo gallery up and running on the new BSAC forums. It would be interesting to see a before and after comparison of your photos (i.e. pre and post pauper status or compact vs SLR if you prefer.).

I've had a digital compact for about 3-4 years now and have just rolled the counter over the 10,000 shot mark. I too have my fair share of fish tails and back scatter. I guess my next step would be the SLR route - but I'm not sure I want to go back to living like a uni student - I've just got used to having some money! I'll be posting some of my better shots on the new site - so keep your eyes peeled.

Cheers,
Tristan