Looking for a very inexpensive step up..

[Murph88]

First of all, I apologize for not giving all the information you may need, because I honestly don't have it. I've been looking at various cameras for a while now, but still have no idea which direction to go.

One of the dive masters I dove with took her TG-3 rig with us, and one day, I'd love to have something like that!! For the time being, all I know is that my little gopro knockoff works amazing for what it is. All I want to do is upgrade to something with optical zoom and some kind of lighting/flash. Just let me catch a picture of those anemone shrimp and little nudibranchs and I'll be overjoyed!

I'm so frustrated! I found a decent deal on a used TG-2, but then couldn't find a PT-053 underwater case ANYWHERE! It was going to be out of my price range anyway, but if I find the right deal, I'm notorious for grabbing it up.

At this point, I'm about ready to just get a used Coolpix S33 and take my chances. I'd really like to stay under $150, but if it was the right deal, I'm sure I'd spend more.

Any and all suggestions very much appreciated!

 

[oli4]

150 US$ isn't going to get you much. For sure not with external strobe. I would stay away from 2nd hand gear. In my opinion, look for a high end digital camera (canon or Nikon) with a housing. You want to be able to do manual settings and Manual white balance. At the moment I'm shooting (one of my camera's) with a Nikon Coolpix 7100 wit Fantasea housing. I rememebr i bouth it 4 or 5 years ago for less than 600 US$. If I would to buy anything new now, I would go for the Canon G16, also with a fantasea Housing (I prefer them over the Canon Housings). I haven't really looked in lately in new high end digitals, so there might be better options.

 

[Murph88]

Thank you Oli! I understand I won't get much and it will be second hand. The way I travel in the Philippines, my cameras and computer will be at risk on a regular basis. My last 2 month trip involved about 15 different hotels/guest houses and I purposely didn't have anything in my rooms that I was overly concerned about. This is the main reason I won't be spending much on a camera that I would constantly be worried about.

That being said, I really think the little Nikon s33 seems about right for my situation, but I can't take it deep enough. I only need the camera safe to 30M, but I don't know of one that can do that without a very expensive housing. There has to be a simple solution to this seeing that my gopro knockoff never flinched at those depths, and only cost $60! I just want some kind of flash, and a little zoom would be great.

If anyone can give my any direction here, it would be very much appreciated.

 

[diversteve]

For Sale - Tons of sea life cameras new - One new SL330 left - $100.

More info: SeaLife Mini II Digital Underwater Camera SL330 B&H Photo Video

discontinued model but within your budget. 9MP stills, 40M depth rating.

Add-on lens to get within 1' - normal close focus for the camera alone is 2'.
Mini Wide Angle Lens | Sealife Cameras

$45-50 for that: Amazon.com : SeaLife Mini Wide Angle Lens SL974 : Underwater Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

It's going to backscatter some since the flash is directly over the lens - can't be helped w/o an external flash.