WATERPROOF cameras, are they truly waterproof or water resistant, how good are they? With the holiday season in full swing one of the packing decisions is what camera and associated gear should you pack.
The keen photographer is likely to pack far more gear than they need covering the ‘just in case’ scenario and I have to admit to been one of these. If your budget or space limits your choice an all-purpose compact or bridge camera is a good choice. Be aware of compacts with zoom lenses on the beach, sand is the biggest killer.
An alternative for cameras without any water protection is to buy one of the pouches from Aquapac.net. They have a huge range of pouches making even smartphones waterproof.
The market for resistant cameras has grown very fast in the last few years with the Gopro Hero setting the standard for action cameras. Underwater housings are available for the full size DSLR cameras but they are expensive, heavy out of water, and bulky. Fully watertight cameras vary in safe working depth but most will cope with a snorkelling trip.
A quick search on the internet produces its fair share of users reporting failed seals and water ingress. The cameras are dependent on the user making sure the seal is intact, in good order, and correctly positioned. The ease with which some catches can be released is a concern.
A good choice is the Panasonic Lumix FT5, it has a flat profile, and waterproof to 13 metres. If you require even more depth then consider a Canon Powershot D30 with a depth rate of 25 metres. I use a Nikon AW100 (current version AW120) similar to the Lumix in offering ruggedness as well as keeping water at bay. In my camera jacket I normally carry my Kodak Zx1 water resistant video/stills camera and now also pocket a Sony AS30. Action cameras like the Sony have good optics, incredible angle of view, and come with an underwater housing. A limitation is they have no screen, designed instead to connect to your smartphone as the viewing screen, not particularly useful underwater, but very effective in normal use.
If you want to test the water, buy a cheap disposable like the Fujifilm Waterproof Single Use Camera.
TOPTIPS:
A glass filter on a lens helps to protect it from knocks but do invest in a good quality one, cheaper ones create more problems than they solve.
Fairly often, in the box, when you buy new camera gear you will find a bag of silica gel, don’t throw it away keep it in your camerabag.
I have mentioned about having spare batteries before. Confusion can occur however as to which battery is charged so number the batteries.
For next week’s Photography page, we would like you to share images on the theme of ‘Highs and Lows’.
HOW TO SHARE
1 Upload your images at facebook.com/CambridgeNews, including details of where they were taken.
2 Or email picturedesk@cambridge-news.co.uk, marking your pictures ‘Photography feature’.
Please tell us your name, where you’re from and a bit about the picture.
No comments :
Post a Comment