i went to apollo bay not long ago, asked the locals if i was able to dive on the inside of the wall and they gave me the all clear as long as i take nuthing out. went in for abit and was amazed i saw big whiting a huge occy that was not shy lol and all sorts of other tastys.
i thort it was so kool i got my mate to go into town and buy me an underwater disposable cam.
i went back in and took some pics of whiting l'js and others.
they diddnt turn out as good as i hoped everything i took a pic of looks tiny.

so just wanna know what would be a good starter underwater cam that is not to pricey?

if only i had a good cam:(

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Forever falling through the water column

Go to aldi, I got a vivitar cam, shock proof, water proof to 10m takes great vid, pretty decent pics, check latest mini comp pics. $130

if you've allready got a camera heres a good site to get a housing from, http://seaoptics.com.au/

if not you can allways find a good package on ebay for cheap

Hi

I've got the same Vivitar (this one from Singapore on Ebay for $100 - the dollar was better back then), it's the same camera which sold with Sea&Sea batch for $600.
The Aldi one is actually rated to 5m, took mine to 30m while scuba diving and .........whalla.......instantly 30m rated!
So I wouldn't pay much attention to the 5m rating.
The only problem I've found is that it runs on 2xAA and they don't last very long.
It's small and ideal for gun mounting, easy for pipe gun, little trickier with rail gun.
Also, NEVER EVER let the camera dry out of salt water, but that's a general rule for casings as well. The salt crystals wreck the seals!!
Otherwise good camera, no optical zoom thou, but excellent value for money!

Marek

Marek, get some energizer lithium batteries for it, they should last a while, and don't get affected by the cold. My camera says 10m on it, but I figure they are just covering them selves, anyone who takes it deeper is probably a more experienced diver who would most likely be using more expensive camera's and housings, so if it does have a problem they know you took it past their recommendation. Like marek said, great cam, small, hassle free, but rinse off immediately after use!

Hi Jono!
I'm using the Energizers Li; in that case I may have a small leak somewhere, shorting the batteries, cos my control buttons are bit dodgy. I've learned the hard way to wash my camera!
Does your camera batts last when you let it turned on or run video while diving?! Or you keep switching the camera on - off all the time?
Also what's your experience with the flash, it doesn't have a dispersion shield, and I'm getting the 'shot gun effect' with the flash on, I'm thinking to use 3M Magic Tape over the flash lens to soften it.

Marek

If it floods take it back and say you were only snorkeling, how many shop assistants know how deep we get?

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WARNING: CONTAINS CARROT

It was not the depth, I've stuffed up the seals by NOT washing the camera!
M

Shop assistant won't know that either unless you tell them.

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WARNING: CONTAINS CARROT

Marek, I haven't used my camera all that much, but might try that 3m tape to see what it does, I don't leave it on for very long, and haven't taken much video with it yet, but will try it this weekend and see what happens. I guess the other option is to get Nicad rechargeable batteries but I don't know if they'd last any longer than the lithium ones? I'll get video this weekend and see what I can do about getting it onto youtube or something.

Paddy here is a link so you can see the camera and have a read: http://camerahousewa.com.au/vivitar-620 ... b503fdf1bb

looks like a good choice.
after i buy these fins i will have enough for the cam.
i dont know anything about mounts, can you get or make up a snap on/off cam mount for a railgun?
i couldnt see why not but if you can then let me know.

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Forever falling through the water column