Camera Choice for Beginner

[H2Andy]

guys, I am thinking of buying the Canon Powershot SD10 (Elph), at
4 MP (not the SD100 at 3.2 MP) and the WPDC-10 housing, both for just under $500.00

i am a beginner at underwater photography, and my last (and only)
underwater camera was a 35 mm Ikelite which flooded on me.

I was wondering if anyone has had some bad experiences with the
SD10 that would want to steer me away from it; or

if for a little more i could get into something better; or

if someone could suggest a cheaper way to go.

Basically, I just want to hear what's out there before going ahead and
buying.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[justin-branam]

my only advice. dont go with sony. dont get me wrong. if you want a reliable point and shoot camera then they are fairly cheap, but the quality of the images could be a lot better. uuuummmmmm....wanna buy mine

 

[H2Andy]

Guys, last chace before I go ahead and buy it.

If anyone has any reason why I should not buy a Canon Powershot SD10, speak
now or forever hold your peace (or something)

...and we thank you for your support

 

[Gilligan]

My

Here

 

[H2Andy]

Gilligan: I had actually read your essay before, and I made my decision to go with
a digital camera based on it.

I don't see anything in there that would speak against the Canon SD10. Am I missing
something?

Essentially, I am following your advice: get a nice digital camera ($500.00), 4 MP,
with internal flash and forego the external flash for a while.

I am just wondering if anyone has tried the Canon Elph (SD10) and has
concluded that it is just not good for underwater photos.

 

[jhelmuth]

H2Andy,

The SD10 does not have "raw" mode. I can truely get amazing results using this mode with Photoshop CS (and I suppose other digital editing software that supports the raw mode as well). The ability to color correct is awesome. I've tried the SHQ mode, but I just cannot get as good results (not even close). It was worth the extra $ because it's still cheaper than buying the strobe and tray setup. I use a C-5050 in the PT-015 housing. My cost was $549 + $139 + shipping for the two (the cost of the other accessories would have been a constant without respect to the camera choice. So the rig was under $700 total.

Hope this helped you decide (either way)

 

[H2Andy]

hmmm... can you explain for a newbie what "raw" mode is?

 

[MosheDyan]

Hello H2Andy,
To be brief .RAW images are unprocessed by the camera software and generally run 7.1Mb in size each (at least for the OLY5050z .ORF files generated). The idea is that YOU...the photographer...have full control of image manipulation in post processing as opposed to allowing the cameras onboard software process your image before you do.
Also....RAW is a "lossless" image storage format.
I have no comment on your camera choice as I know nothing about it....

 

[H2Andy]

i see... excellent, thank you

 

[H2Andy]

ok... well... i ordered my Canon SD10 (4 mp) and the WC-D100 waterproof
case from B&H Photo... and...

they don't make a waterproof case for the SD10. The case is for the SD100.
you can only get a topside "dry" case for the SD10, rated to 10 feet.

B&H customer service was very good. took me about fifteen minutes to sort
the whole thing out (that involved talking to two people). i am returning
the SD10 and getting an SD100 (only 3.2 mp, drats!!!)

thanks all for your help on this one.