Best Camera For A Dive Shop To Use For Rental?

[Ralph Capeling]

Rental cameras seem to take a beating, sometimes customers don't really understand how to care for a camera and sometimes they don't get good results. Does anyone have a view as to what is the best camera for a dive shop to use for rental?

 

[RJP]

Asked and answered...

Would be interested to learn what other dive shops and customers think are the best cameras to use as rentals.

I'd suggest going with GoPro rentals. Anyone who is renting a camera probably has little/no experience using one... so is unlikely to be happy with what they end up with image-wise. Especially if you don't intend to rent them multiple strobes as well.

GoPro, on the other hand, are very forgiving and with a red filter are very likely to give the typical vacation diver a good output that they'll be happy to bring home and show their friends.

Probably also one of the cheaper options.

As you may know, they are one of the most popular things on the face of the planet currently.

 

[Ran Mozaik]

As well as GoPro, Sealife offers the Micro HD which is an excellent option for rental. The best thing about it is that it's completely idiot-proof, since it is factory sealed and never needs to be opened for any reason.
The field of view is similar to a GoPro (Fisheye) and operation is as simple as it gets. Much easier to operate than a GoPro and also feels more rugged.
You can get a rental kit which comes with several lights, mounts and adapters so your customers get different options at different price points if they prefer.
Here's my review on it: Sealife Micro HD Review and Samples
Let me know if you're interested in more info on the rental kits.

 

[SeaLife Cameras]

The Micro HD makes an excellent rental camera, particularly (as Ran Mozaik mentioned) because it's permanently sealed and flood-proof - meaning customers literally cannot flood the camera. It's very compact, but the rubber armored body is tough and can easily withstand a one meter drop.

Additionally, the menus are very intuitive, and the easy setup guide walks the user through setting up the digital color correction in order to eliminate blue images.

Check out all the details on our site:
Micro HD+ | Sealife Cameras