The APS format is dead, and for good reason; it offers marginally more convenience than 35 but much less resolution and a very limited selection of film emulsions. IMHO, kayaking requires a real dive camera that can take the impact of a breaking wave, where pressures can easily dulplicate those found at depth. My favorites, which I take on kayak trips, are the Nikonos IIs and III. These were favorites of many Vietnam photojournalists for their ruggedness and waterpoofing and can still be found at reasonable prices. The Sea & Sea 35mm cameras are another good choice, I think, offerring true dive camera waterprooofing in an affordable package. Lately I've been using a Canon G2 digital camera, and I've found waterproof housings are now available for it, although they're a bit more than I want to spend right now. My favorite source for repair and sales of underwater cameras is Subaquatic (http://www.subaquaticcamera.com/). They usually have a selection of Nikonos cameras of various vintages. I spoke with them a few days ago regarding a repair and they told me they will be carrying a true digital dive camera in the near future. -- mike ------------------------- Michael Edelman medelman_at_ameritech.net http://www.foldingkayaks.org http://www.findascope.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Arthur, I often use the Minolt Vectis Weathermatic. It is waterproof to 33 feet, very sturdy and shoots fairly good photos in the APS format. It is not the kind of quality I get from my Canon EOS but it is an on the water camera that comes with a bracket that I mount to my shoulder strap on my pfd. It is best with 200 ISO film. The telephoto is very short and as such is really only useful for preshot editing. Be advised: any point and shoot, with the exception of Leica and Contax, are too slow to provide any lens speed worthy of the long telephoto's some of them are equipped with. Read the specs and see what the speed is at the outer limits of extension and you'll see what I'm talking about. Cheers, Rob G *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks, Rob for the info. Larry and I are looking for both on the water and on the land cameras, the Minlota Vectis appears to be the on the water camera for the action shots. With any luck we will be in some serious stuff that only a simple operational camera will catch the moment. Arthur www.lacostadelgolfo.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Rcgibbert_at_aol.com To: seacajun_at_gs.net Cc: paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 12:35 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Minolta Vectis, sea&sea MX10 Arthur, I often use the Minolt Vectis Weathermatic. It is waterproof to 33 feet, very sturdy and shoots fairly good photos in the APS format. It is not the kind of quality I get from my Canon EOS but it is an on the water camera that comes with a bracket that I mount to my shoulder strap on my pfd. It is best with 200 ISO film. The telephoto is very short and as such is really only useful for preshot editing. Be advised: any point and shoot, with the exception of Leica and Contax, are too slow to provide any lens speed worthy of the long telephoto's some of them are equipped with. Read the specs and see what the speed is at the outer limits of extension and you'll see what I'm talking about. Cheers, Rob G *************************************************************************** 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 agree about the APS format. Another problem with the Minolta Weathermatic: I gave my wife two of the older, non-APS version in succession -- one used, one new -- and both leaked and shorted out in normal kayaking use within a year or two. She now has a Pentax 105WR, which I bought on the recommendation of several Paddlewisers. So far, so good, though I think she's had the Pentax on the water only once so far. I use a Nikonos V, a successor to my earlier Nikonos I and III, which spent a lot of time sloshing around in the footwell of my old sailboat. Not one ever leaked. *The* standard diver's camera, it's sturdy and has good optics, but is expensive -- and has no autofocus or focusing aids. Unfortunately Nikon has discontinued the entire line. Chuck Holst *************************************************************************** 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 had a Nikonos which I had specifically bought for a project back in the early eighties, flash in the rain. I was working a more than full time job at the time, and had from one to two days off a week. It never rained my days off for 2 years which essentially shelved the project. Seems to hold when I vacation, never seems to rain then either. I actually like it when it rains... Got rid of it as really didn't hold a candle to my M3 or CL on dry days. I have gone totally digital at this point except for studio work documenting my furniture and very pleased with the functionality of my old Canon S110 and my newer s230 For all those arguments pro/con chemical verses digital, I used to shoot on average 3 rolls a week 36 of tri-x, my digital camera has recorded more than 12,000 images over the past 2 years. It also allows the frequent updates on the photo journal website below of 5 years of daily images (including on the water) The shame is the amazing equipment sitting in a drawer from darkroom to exposure making equipment. Chuck Holst wrote: > I agree about the APS format. Another problem with the Minolta > Weathermatic: I gave my wife two of the older, non-APS version in > succession -- one used, one new -- and both leaked and shorted out in > normal kayaking use within a year or two. She now has a Pentax 105WR, which > I bought on the recommendation of several Paddlewisers. So far, so good, > though I think she's had the Pentax on the water only once so far. > > I use a Nikonos V, a successor to my earlier Nikonos I and III, which spent > a lot of time sloshing around in the footwell of my old sailboat. Not one > ever leaked. *The* standard diver's camera, it's sturdy and has good > optics, but is expensive -- and has no autofocus or focusing aids. > Unfortunately Nikon has discontinued the entire line. -- gabriel l romeu ø http://studiofurniture.com ø ø http://journalphoto.org ø ø http://kayakoutfitting.org ø ø http://kayaknavigation.com ø *************************************************************************** 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 used a Minolta Weathermatic Dual 35 for a number of years. It was great for skiing, sailing, snorkeling, paddling etc. When it died, I wanted something that was simple and rugged. After looking closely at the Vectis, I wound up with the Minolta Xtreem GX-4 instead. It's a fraction of the cost, it floats, it captures the moment. If I shoot something that needs cropping, I scan it and finish the job in PhotoShop. If I lose it or it dies, I won't have a coronary. Dan *************************************************************************** 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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