Has anyone tried the Liquid Image camera/mask unit?

[fjpatrum]

My suggestion.. don't take a hand held camera diving quite yet, get your skills and experience tuned up first. As much of a photo maniac as I am... too many vacations end with funerals. No picture is worth that!

I'm sorry, I have to call BS on this one. Do you have any statistics for this? While I think getting better at diving before worrying a bunch about photos is certainly a good idea, this kind of FUD is completely annoying.

If you can find 2 divers that have died specifically as a result of being newbies and not controlling ascent or whatever due to a camera, I'd be surprised.

Controlling buoyancy is a good idea but the attitude here of "you're going to die" is complete nonsense.

 

[Airleron]

I just bought a Nikon Cool pic L22 with Ikelite housing, both for $369. It's compact, relatively inexpensive and it's point and shoot. It takes really good video also, and uses 2 double AAs (as opposed to the rechargeable square batteries that Sea LIfe has. Those stopped holding a charge after about 8 months). I'm not a pro, and will never be, but this is a fun camera.

 

[yarik83]

I have bonica snapper hddv hand held video camera. As much as I love it I always wished I had something like this mask but after seeing one up close in a dive shop I cant say that I care much for them. If I had to buy a new camera I would want a passive camera because it is very annoying to have to hold mine all the time especially since its positively buoyant. I want a passive camera that is located at eye level pointing at some angle down... kind of like... parallel to the tanks but 20-30% down.

There is a shoulder camera out there and I think it would be really cool to have something like that for divers. Here is a photo:

 

[Protist]

Seems like bubbles would get in the way..

 

[MB104]

Seems like bubbles would get in the way..

They do. That is one of the downsides of this thing. I still like it though, and can usually edit it down to a nice viewable 10-12 minute video from its original length.

 

[surfinusa555]

I just googled that camera and 2 videos on youtube shot by Shaka Doug with that mask came up. Maybe you should ask him about it as well. Just search for him/the videos because I can't post links yet.