Where to rent an underwater camera in Cozumel?

[Ginger2k]

We were down in Cozumel in Oct. 2011. Going down from 6/24 thru 6/30 (next week).

I really wanted to buy an underwater camera but didn't know a lot about them and didn't have time to get up to speed enough to be comfortable spending the money.

However, would REALLY like to rent one while I'm down there. I find a very old board message that recommended Armando with an email of photocozumel@ecozumel.net. Anybody know if this is still a good place to rent? Can you tell me where you have gone? I am staying at Iberostar. Thanks, Ginger

 

[Christi]

Unfortunately, Armando is off the island until July 15th.

I do not know your dive experience, but please do not take a camera down unless you are very comfortable in the water and have excellent control of your buoyancy. Consider taking a photo course with an instructor as well

I have an UW camera set-up that I rent - but only to those diving with me because I am the one responsible for the daily mainenance, recharging, opening the housing and closing it back up, etc. I also only rent the camera to my divers once my DM(s) have assessed their skills in the water and determine that they have excellent buoyancy control and strong basic dive skills. New or inexperienced infrequent divers should not be on the reef with cameras.

Check with your dive shop to see if they might have one you can rent if you have strong dive skills.

 

[Ginger2k]

Christi, I have been certified for 6 years and have my advanced certification. My boyfriend has been certified for many many years. Neither of us is a new diver. We just have never done any photography. The dive shop near our hotel tells me they do not offer camera rentals. I would be open to taking a photo course but don't know if we will have time during this trip. Thanks anyway for the info and if anyone else has any suggestions, I would appreciate them.

 

[cvchief]

Ginger,

Assuming you picked an op, try contacting Dive Paradise about a camera. I searched the forum and Ggun said in Jan they have plain jane cameras for rent. If you haven't picked an op, don't feel constrained to an op near your hotel. There are lots of options and probably one would offer a class or camera rentals. I just take a camera use the spray and pray method. Now and again I get a nice shot...

 

[Brules]

Christi, I have been certified for 6 years and have my advanced certification. My boyfriend has been certified for many many years.

Does not equate to mastery of your

buoyancy......which you really need when taking pictures to keep control of your body so you don't plow into the coral like a bull in a china shop. UW photography is hard, and even harder in Cozumel due to the currents.

Your best bet is to befriend any fellow divers with massive multi thousand dollar camera rigs that you may dive with. Ask for a CD of their pics and then enjoy your hands free/worry free diving. ​

 

[Ginger2k]

cvchief: Thanks ! I've been to Cozumel before; know where that is. I will contact them. I like the 'spray and pray' method! Also, thanks for being the only one here to actually ANSWER my question rather than try to critique my diving and buoyancy without knowing anything about me.

 

[cvchief]

cvchief: Thanks ! I've been to Cozumel before; know where that is. I will contact them. I like the 'spray and pray' method! Also, thanks for being the only one here to actually ANSWER my question rather than try to critique my diving and buoyancy without knowing anything about me.

Hehe. We do tend to do that around here a little bit I am afraid. I am not super diver, but I find drift diving easy. Camera didn't add much. Probably helped my air consumption as it keeps my hands busy. I started with a Canon in a box which took pretty good pictures. Better, I found, once I got really close to the subject. If you got a point and shoot you might check on a box. Depending some aren't TOO expensive and you have an easy dual purpose camera.

I do manage to avoid smashing coral and sponges and such. I do brush both my knees with hydroids EVERY trip, with or without camera, but I figure every stinger I take is one for the team!

Also we PA types got to hang together!

 

[Brules]

I have had way too many experiences with 1st time novice photographers and witnessed their flailing, chasing, group slowing antics to be anything but cynical. Sorry.

cvchief in full photographer mode:

 

[FuzzyNutz]

like a bull in a china shop

This was on MythBusters... the bulls were like ballerinas - nothing broken!

 

[Ginger2k]

Brules: I understand. No offense taken and I get your point. However, the bull in a china shop scenario is a myth (as my son has informed me over and over again). Mythbusters: Bull In A China Shop - YouTube

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Ahhh you beat me to it PansSiren