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Snorkeling Photography

One of the drawbacks to taking underwater pictures while snorkeling is that we don't have the time (or air) to wait for the perfect shot.  We pretty much have to take what we get.  So unless we're in very shallow water, macro photography is not something we get a lot of chances to do.  We also aren't so deep that light is something we have to worry a lot about but we do need to worry about the bluish cast to our pictures.  My thinking (if you're really serious about underwater photography and you don't want to take up scuba) is that we need a camera like the Reefmaster with a wideangle lens and a strobe.  Check back with this page every month or so because the next time I go snorkeling I'm going to test a digital camera in a freezerbag, a disposable and an underwater camera with a wide angle lens and report the results.

All of the pictures taken at Singer Island were taken either with a Kodak disposable camera or a Minolta Vectis Xtreem GX-4 Underwater Advanced Photo System Camera.  I've never had a picture not come out with either.

Having said that, here is some advice I got in an email dialog a few months ago.

Disposable Cameras

Advantages:
Disposable cameras are great if you're a snorkeler just getting started taking underwater pictures.  They cost $10 to $20 and are available everywhere.  It's cheaper to buy them at a local department store than it is at the beach so stock up before your trip.   Kodak and Fuji both make them
Used to be the fastest film speed you could get was ISO 800.  Both Kodak and Fuji sell underwater disposable cameras with ISO 1200 fill.  Haven't tried them yet but wiil the next time I go snorkeling

Disadvantages:
Even at $10 a piece that still adds up after a while.  If you're really interested in taking pictures while snorkeling, you may want to consider an underwater camera like the Minolta Vectis Xtreem GX-4 Underwater Advanced Photo System Camera.  They cost around $100 but will eventually pay for themselves after a few trips.
Manual film advance.

Point and Shoot Underwater Cameras

Advantages:
There are a variety of point and shoot underwater cameras available for around $100.  These cameras let you choose the film you want to use and over the long run are cheaper than the disposables.  They all come with a built in flash and most have an automatic film advance.

Disadvantages:
The built in flash can result in poor pictures due to back scatter.  
No ability to change the focus, shutter speed or aperture.  
No accessories available, i.e. lenses, filters.
 
 

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Copyright 2001 by Tim Kurtz