The summer months are upon us. Many divers are planning their once in a year trek to a tropical paradise to bask in the sun and explore the warm, clear tropical waters or you may be one who prefers diving the local waters close to home. No matter which category you fall into, the way to remember a vacation is to have a camera in hand to capture scenes and sights underwater.

Are you ready? If so, let me enlighten you on how to select a digital camera system that will fit your needs and budget. Buying right the first time saves money and many heartaches in the future.

In this issue we will discuss the best systems available to the entry-level underwater photographer.

Caution: All digital land cameras are not appropriate for the underwater environment, even if you can get an underwater housing for them. Many cameras are designed and produced for the mass population and offer little or nothing for the underwater photographer who needs ease of use more than bells and whistles. With that in mind. . .

Guidelines for the entry-level digital underwater photographer

1. Visit your pro dive store retailer who is knowledgeable about underwater imaging and current with all the latest product reviews.
2. New buyers have a tendency to research mail order or other bargain basement deals thinking cheaper is better. Not so. The best buy and best camera for the money is at a pro underwater retailer. The cost factor is minimal between mail order and pro dive retailer.
3. Purchase from the store that gives a free private lesson with the purchase. Knowing how to set up and use your new camera will definitely prevent equipment malfunction due to user error and possible flooding. Always get instruction on O-ring care and maintenance before taking your system into the water!
4. Go for quality and acceptable image resolution in making your selection. Don’t compromise. A 5 megapixel system is appropriate. Less means marginal or poor results in the underwater environment. An 8 megapixel is better. For the beginner a 10 megapixel system will probably be too sophisticated and more costly.
5. Purchase the system that offers an optical zoom lens capable of zoom from wide angle to telephoto. Macro mode is very important. Make sure it has a one-touch button to get you in macro mode.
6. Check the camera for easy-to-access menus. Cameras that require multiple button pushing to access a given task such as white balance, ISO, exposure compensation, aperture and shutter speed are time-consuming underwater. Get the system with the least amount of button pushing to access data required in taking rapid shots underwater.
7. Digital color. Very important. Most cameras do not offer color saturation modes. Make sure you purchase a camera that allows you to choose the intensity of color saturation.
8. The ability to attach an external strobe to the camera is not important—it is essential! In underwater photography you are painting the picture with color with the strobe. Why not use the built-in flash? Because the built-in flash will produce backscatter. Reserve the built-in flash for topside use.
9. Research the companies that make only camera and housings intended for underwater use. Quality, model shelf life, and the ability to add accessories are paramount in buying the right system right off the bat.
10. Buying the right system right off the bat means getting a better trade-in value when ready to upgrade. Once you get hooked on underwater imaging, after a few years will want to upgrade to a more advanced system. That’s the nature of the underwater imaging beast.

From the ridiculous...




To the sublime....




It was fantastic!!!

Images taken by Cara Sherman with the Sea & Sea DX8000G and YS-90Auto strobe.

If you own or plan on owning a Sea & Sea DX8000 digital system, you best check in with Liburdi’s Scuba Center reference the compatible lithium battery and charger that gives over 200 pictures with a recycling time of a few seconds. Regular nickel-metal batteries recycle time is 8-15 seconds between shots. Much too long! By the time the camera recycles, the fish is gone! The lithium battery ensures rapid fire shooting. We swear by it.