Hi, I am looking for a waterproof camera. From previous postings I know all the good things fellow PWisers posted about the Pentax camera which is a bit more water resistant than advertised -forgot the model name. Anybody out there with some hand on experience with the Canon Sure shot A1? I would be interested in learning about its image quality, waterproofness, durability . I could get one for CAN$ 200, what is considerably less than the Pentax would cost me, and since it is camera no. 4 in my collection I think I could live with the fixed 35mm lens -if the image quality is OK. Appreciate your input. Cheers Ulli (All spelling errors are intentional and are there to show new and improved ways of spelling old words.) Dr. Ulli Hoeger Dept. Physiology and Biophysics Dalhousie University Halifax, B3H4H7, Nova Scotia Canada Phone I : 902-494-2673 Fax: 902-494-1685 Phone II :902-488-6796 http://is.dal.ca/~uhoeger *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have the Canon "Sport Utility Camera" and am very happy with it, especially NOT worrying about - it floats too. It comes in a neoprene case. It has several different modes that make it versatile, including a macro function to take close ups underwater. The fixed lens is all right, but you have to get really close to the scenery to photograph it. I assume making a waterproof zoom is impossible or cost prohibitive right now. The picture quality is excellent with all sizes the advanced photo system allows. It is not as good as a zoom lens, but this is a small worry free camera. Trouble is keeping moisture off the lens - I'm going to cut a small piece of chamois cloth to carry with me to take care of this. If the neoprene case is wet, condensation builds up on the lens too. Hope this helps, Tim Boat'n in the Ozarks *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Trouble is keeping moisture off the lens - I'm going to cut a small piece of chamois cloth to carry with me to take care of this. If the neoprene case is wet, condensation builds up on the lens too. Hope this helps, Tim Boat'n in the Ozarks Yes I forgot to mention I have this trouble too and even a few drops on the lens, though no harm to the camera, can ruin a good picture. David *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Ulli I have been using the Cannon Prime A1 underwater camera for years from my kayak and it has worked great. It sits on top of the kayak even during surf landings and gets quite a trashing. This allows me to have quick access to a camera when my SLR is buried deep inside the hatches in dry bags. I predominantly use slides which is a good test of the exposure and they have been very good. The only down side is the standard 32mm lens is a bit small it would be nice to have a similar camera that had a choice between 32 and 70. The Front cover of the December issue of Sea kayaker was taken with this camera whilst playing in the surf David Australia *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have 2 Pentax WR105's and am very happy with them. One is used by my 15 year old son who is not so gentle with cameras. Both cameras, one is 1.5 years old, have held up very well. I also am not gentle. I have also used a Minolta Weathermatic 35mm camera that has two focal length. It also held up well. Both cameras "take" good pictures with the quality slightly better with the Pentax - this is probably due to better inards. I also prefer the zoom lens on the Pentax. I find the weathermatic focal lengths limiting. sid *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I've got the Canon Sureshot. In fact it's my second. The first ate it when I neglected to check the O-ring before I sealed that puppy up. I like the lense a lot. Fixed focus yes, sorta wide, yes, but you can take top quality shots with it if you start thinking the way the lense sees. Barbara *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I convinced my wife that we should give each other a Sony DSC-p1 for Christmas. It's a great small digital camera, 3.3 megapixels, takes short movies in small quicktime mode, 3X zoom lens, 6X digital zoom etc., etc. Key, to me, is the accessory lexan marine enclosure which is supposed to be waterproof to 30 meters. I used it for the first time on the boat, today, and it works really well. One of the nicest parts was that I leave the USB cable connected to a hub, all the time, so that when I come home I just plug the other end of the cable into the camera, turn on the camera, and it comes up on my Mac's desktop. Took about a half minute to transfer 23 pictures. I really, really, like it. It's a little expensive at $699 at Buy.com, and something like $230 for the enclosure, but prices will probably come down after it's been out for a while (introduced just before Christmas). If you need really sharp pictures it'll take 'em in uncompressed TIFF which makes them about 8 Megabytes in size and only 3 or four would fit on a 64 Meg memory stick. I do them at 1280 x 960 which gives picture files that average about 300k, so I should get around 180 images at a time on the memory stick. (sorry about all these techie numbers, that's digital photography.) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have a Pentax WR105 because of the zoom (wildlife) and flash (sea caves) capabilities. Have found that water droplets don't show up in the photos, but dried salt on the lens does. I try to dip the camera in water before shots to wash it away. Unfortunatly means have salt on the lens again when this water dries. Would a chemois or similar suggested by Tim Boat'n in the Ozarks in a previous post scratch the lens if used dry? Cheers Grant *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
No one's yet mentioned licking the lense. Best done before, not after, eating the Power Bar. I think there's no best answer on this one. Barbara *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have the camera and find it just fine for what I wanted to do. Note, not too much in the scenic, nature, for that matter, 'pretty' pictures. Strictly content stuff that didn't require a great distance. It is a fixed wide lens. Recently, I have gotten the Canon s100 digital with a waterproof case that will give me more latitude (pun) and expediency for what I do with the images. There is the Sony psc(?)-1 digital that is also available with a waterproof case (to 100'), quite a bit higher resolution and a 3x optical zoom as well. Flash is lacking in both cameras, but I am quite happy with the Canon Elph (Ixus in your part of the world) All in all, I have banged the Canon sure shot on the top of my kayak with no ill effects and the images are fine. I would recommend some sort of lens water shedder unless the droplet distortions don't bother you. -- Gabriel L Romeu http://studiofurniture.com İİİİİ furniture from the workshop http://studiofurniture.com/diary İİİİİ life as a tourist, daily journal http://studiofurniture.com/paint İİİİİ paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 1/17/01 8:34:05 PM, romeug_at_erols.com writes: << I would recommend some sort of lens water shedder unless the droplet distortions don't bother you. >> Gabriel, Does a normal camera shop carry this stuff? I have the Minolta Weathermatic (waterproof / APS / zoom) but the lens always seems to need to be rinsed off and the water sticks to the lens cover. Thanks in advance. Jed *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Well Jed, I am always leery about recommending stuff I use of which I have no idea the long term effects. In other words, I am not recommending Rain-X from the auto supply store. -there is a surface film visible on the glass. -could cause damage to the seals if you are not careful -cleaning, wiping and general messing with lenses usually causes damage, and you should really clean the lens well before application. but I use it. An optician made me a set of script glasses for kayaking/safety glasses for the shop that he used a water shedding surface coat. Might want to ask one of them. Let me know if you come up with some alternative. Still cold up there? gabriel > Gabriel, > Does a normal camera shop carry this stuff? I have the Minolta > Weathermatic (waterproof / APS / zoom) but the lens always seems to need to > be rinsed off and the water sticks to the lens cover. Thanks in advance. > > Jed Gabriel L Romeu http://studiofurniture.com İİİİİ furniture from the workshop http://studiofurniture.com/diary İİİİİ life as a tourist, daily journal http://studiofurniture.com/paint İİİİİ paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Gabriel wrote (about keeping water droplets off camera lenses): > I am not recommending Rain-X from the auto supply store. <snip> but I use it. < > What I did was buy a window washing squeegee that had a pliable rubber strip mounted in plastic, and cut a length off one end of the squeegee that is about two thirds of the diameter of the lens. After trimming off some excess plastic, I drilled a small hole in one end and used a cord to tie it to the strap of my waterproof camera (a Nikon Action Touch, which is highly recommended if one can be found used). The squeegee is thus instantly accessible, and with one or two swipes does a good job of removing water droplets. The downside is that the squeegee has worn off some of the lens coating, but that doesn't appear to affect the quality of the photos at all - and I've been using this system for more than 10 years. Erik Sprenne *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
SeaKayakNH_at_aol.com wrote: > > In a message dated 1/17/01 8:34:05 PM, romeug_at_erols.com writes: > > << I would recommend some sort of lens water shedder unless the droplet > distortions don't bother you. >> > > Gabriel, > Does a normal camera shop carry this stuff? I have the Minolta > Weathermatic (waterproof / APS / zoom) but the lens always seems to need to > be rinsed off and the water sticks to the lens cover. Thanks in advance. Not a lens or camera expert, but I would be leery of any of the materials designed to "shed" water off windhsields (such as "Rain-X," etc.). The coatings of lenses are specially made to minimize glare. Other stuff on top of the anti-glare coatings is likely to make your pictures inferior. OTOH, I can endorse the chamois method -- have used this with satisfaction for a couple years now (on an Olympus WR-90). Like Erik Sprenne's "wiper" method, the chamois minimizes damage to the coating. I was impressed with Erik's **10 years** of wiping, with minimal damage to the lens coating. FWIW, on the Pentax WR cameras, the surface wiped is actually not the lens -- it is a protective outer layer of glass. I can see differences in sharpness (handheld) between my WR-90 and my (old) Pentax SLR, paticularly at longer focal lengths, and hence disagree with others who say the lens makes little difference. Yeah, I know about camera shake ... and how to minimize its effects. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR chemist *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: Gabriel L Romeu [mailto:romeug_at_erols.com] I would recommend some sort of lens water shedder unless the droplet distortions don't bother you.>> Gabriel what to you use as a water shedder David *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I own a Canon A1. It's something like the yellow Minolta waterproofs, a camera for those of us who snorkel and paddle and really get a camera wet. The Pentax is a zoom camera and is water-resistant. The Canon is watertight. It's great for underwater fish photos while snorkeling, and does a fine job above the surface. The color and optical quality are just fine for any fixed focal length camera work. The camera is autofocus, has a built-in flash, and a primative close-up capability. I use it for no-brainer photographs when I don't want to dig out the 3 pound SLR/telephoto combination, and for all my paddling trips. I lost a camcorder last spring going through the San Juan rapids on the American River. Piddly rapids, but the canoe took in 2" of water, and the camera case ended up floating in the bottom of the canoe. I don't have to worry about that with the Canon. Darrell Lee Alameda, CA snorkler_at_juno.com On Wed, 17 Jan 2001 17:15:43 -0400 "Ulli Hoeger" <uhoeger_at_is.dal.ca> writes: > Hi, > > I am looking for a waterproof camera. From previous postings I > know all the good things fellow PWisers posted about the Pentax > camera which is a bit more water resistant than advertised -forgot > the model name. Anybody out there with some hand on > experience with the Canon Sure shot A1? I would be interested in > learning about its image quality, waterproofness, durability . I > could get one for CAN$ 200, what is considerably less than the > Pentax would cost me, and since it is camera no. 4 in my > collection I think I could live with the fixed 35mm lens -if the > image > quality is OK. > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I was describing the waterproof canon elph, not the sureshot. I think they are just under $200. I haven't tried the chamois cloth yet, bet I sure have tried everything to keep a handkerchief dry while boating - it is impossible! I have used rain-ex on my kayak glasses, but would be hesitant to put it on the camera lens. BGOTO (blinding glimpse of the obvious) - I'm sure the solution is to have two cameras, one on deck (small fixed lens), the other stashed in a pelican case (a nice zoom). Tim *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
If this is US money, it is not the digital with case...not sure of the sureshot price as I have had it for a couple of years now NEWTOT_at_mail.modot.state.mo.us wrote: > > I was describing the waterproof canon elph, not the sureshot. I think they are > just under $200. -- Gabriel L Romeu http://studiofurniture.com İİİİİ furniture from the workshop http://studiofurniture.com/diary İİİİİ life as a tourist, daily journal http://studiofurniture.com/paint İİİİİ paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Thu, 18 Jan 2001 NEWTOT_at_mail.modot.state.mo.us wrote: > BGOTO (blinding glimpse of the obvious) - I'm sure the solution is to have two > cameras, one on deck (small fixed lens), the other stashed in a pelican case (a > nice zoom). > That is the system I use, but it has its drawbacks. Last sumer we were passed by a pod of Orcas going the other way. I fumbled for the telephoto, and realized I wasn't going to get it out in time. Precious seconds elapsed. By the time I decided to shoot with the Canon waterproof, the Orcas were far enough away that their spouts and fins showed up as tiny specks on the photos because of the 32mm lens. People are paitient with me when I point out the miniscule little plumes of mist, but it is very unsatisfying to me. A waterproof zoom would be the best solution. Dean *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
A note on waterproof zooms - the last time I checked (a year or so ago) all waterproof zooms carried warnings to not zoom the lens while wet as water would be drawn into the mechanism and wreck it. Maybe someone has improved the systems since then, but if you go looking for a used camera keep this in mind. Benno Jones >A waterproof zoom would be the best >solution. > >Dean *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Uli I have had nothing but super results from my Minolta AF Weathermatic Dual 35. I have had mine over five years. It has accompanied me (exposed on deck) paddling in Alaska, Cape Breton Island (in your neck of the woods where I got some great shots of a pod of pilot whales we paddled with), Sea of Cortez etc. I have also used it under water without any problem. The lens has two settings, one for wide angle and one for zoom. I don't know the price of the Minolta since it was a gift from my daughters. Best wishes Bill Wetzel Dover, NH *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dave Kruger wrote: > > SeaKayakNH_at_aol.com wrote: > > > > In a message dated 1/17/01 8:34:05 PM, romeug_at_erols.com writes: > > > > << I would recommend some sort of lens water shedder unless the droplet > > distortions don't bother you. >> > > > > Gabriel, > > Does a normal camera shop carry this stuff? I have the Minolta > > Weathermatic (waterproof / APS / zoom) but the lens always seems to need to > > be rinsed off and the water sticks to the lens cover. Thanks in advance. > > Not a lens or camera expert, but I would be leery of any of the materials > designed to "shed" water off windhsields (such as "Rain-X," etc.). The > coatings of lenses are specially made to minimize glare. Other stuff on top of > the anti-glare coatings is likely to make your pictures inferior. > OTOH, I can endorse the chamois method -- Be really nice if I had the time to Dave, but the image usually won't wait for a wipe. I have a glass cover over the lens on my canon, so I am not really concerned about the lens coatings- my apprehension is the seal between the glass and the body. Like I mentioned, my optician offered a water shed coating on 'script sports glasses which may be more inert. but this is all about the image for me anyway, the camera is just the tool. regards, gabriel -- Gabriel L Romeu http://studiofurniture.com İİİİİ furniture from the workshop http://studiofurniture.com/diary İİİİİ life as a tourist, daily journal http://studiofurniture.com/paint İİİİİ paintings, photographs, etchings, objects *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Not a lens or camera expert, but I would be leery of any of the materials > designed to "shed" water off windhsields (such as "Rain-X," etc.). The > coatings of lenses are specially made to minimize glare. Other stuff on top of > the anti-glare coatings is likely to make your pictures inferior. > The Rain-X type products are mostly silicone oils that form a film on the glass and function by not letting water wet the surface of the glass. The hydrophobic silicone oil film makes the water bead up on the windshield, and the 'wind' generated by the car moving through the air push the water droplets off the windshield. I wonder if the silicone oils might affect or solvate lens coatings on optical lenses, as these products are designed to be used on automobile windshields which usually don't have any coatings on them. > OTOH, I can endorse the chamois method -- have used this with satisfaction for > a couple years now (on an Olympus WR-90). Like Erik Sprenne's "wiper" method, > the chamois minimizes damage to the coating. I was impressed with Erik's **10 > years** of wiping, with minimal damage to the lens coating. > The 10 + years of wiping *has* worn off some of the coating, but it doesn't seem to affect the quality of the pictures as much as the presence of a water droplet on the lens. In taking a closer look at my camera (a Nikon AF "Action Touch" - waterproof to 3 m/10 ft), what I'm calling the lens is really a flat piece of optical glass that forms an outer housing for the real lens. The real camera lens (35 mm, f2.8) is 15 mm in diameter, and the outer flat glass is 40 mm in diameter. I'm guessing that the coating on the outer flat glass is probably an anti-reflective or anti-glare coating and its removal is not critical to the operation of the camera - unless the camera is being pointed towards the sun. Using a chamois might be a more lens-friendly means of removing water droplets from a lens, but like Gabriel, I like to be able to take photos on the spur of the moment and without a lot of futzing, and the micro-squeegee is for me the quickest means of removing water droplets that would otherwise result in blurry spots in photographs. Erik Sprenne *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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