Waterproof camera for canyons?

[Brian in SLC]

Ok, time to drag this topic up again.

What do folks recommend for a watery descent? I hate to get a waterproof box for my camera, and, would prefer to just get a waterproof point and shoot. One that would shoot some video too, would be nice.

Also, usable in dark or very low light. Ie, maybe a good flash? Or a setting for low light?

Recommendations?

Thanks!

[CarpeyBiggs]

panasonic ts-3

[Brian in SLC]

That Panasonic looks great.

Any places for a good price?

[CarpeyBiggs]

i haven't looked too closely lately, but anything around $300 is good. i've never seen it on sale, and since it's pretty new, i doubt it will be anytime soon. if you can find the older ts2, it is equally good, and sometimes can be cheaper.

[jman]

I've been eyeing that panasonic for awhile now. Do you own it Dan?

[CarpeyBiggs]

i don't, but lots of guys i canyon with do. it will be my next point and shoot camera, if i go that route. waterproof and wide angle lens, and the image quality seems good. mmac on here has one.

[deathtointernet]

Well, I have spent a *little* time developing an opinion on this... started out with an early version of the Olympus Stylus Tough, took okay pictures but was quite resilient and easy to use. Replaced it with an Olympus Stylus Tough 8000. Better pictures, but still not something to write home about, and slow. Slow to start up, slow to take pictures. Plus didn't survive long, water leaked in. Tried newest Olympus... terribly slow, not very good. Tried Fuji XP10 I got on the cheap. Worst pictures I've ever taken. Wouldn't go near that camera again. Currently have a Panasonic TS3, got it off Amazon for $295. So far great camera. Best quality of the waterproof cameras I've tried, and for what it is surprisingly good in low light, many good shots in canyons even with no tripod, which is a huge plus. So far it's held up... got slimed in Birch Hollow and had no problems. Favorite so far.

[canyonguru]

I have been using the Cannon D10 12 megapixle and it works fantastic. water proof up to 33ft freeze proof down to 10 degrees i think and drop proof to 5ft. It did however start leaking after this last mystery canyon a couple of weeks ago. I have had it for about 2 years now and am waiting to hear how much it is to repair. I only paid $265 for it but my cousin worked at the camera shop so i did get a small discount. It shoots fast, starts right up and has a million different modes to choose from and shoots great video.
http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_d10#Features

[spinesnaper]

Dan

I have been dying to ask what camera you do drag down canyon? Your photos are so fantastic. How do you protect it? I have nursed my leica M9 with its 21 mm f2.8 Elmarit down canyon in dry bags, but I recently broke down. I bought a water proof case for my canon S90 and will be giving that a go down Boundry on friday.

Ken

[CarpeyBiggs]

i have an s90 with housing, but rarely use it. typically take a m43 in an ortlieb waterproof chest harness. only works in canyons where it's not super wet though. boundary would be tough. you'll like the s90 setup. just make sure you take some sort of tiny squeegee to wipe the drops off the lens in the waterfalls, or it will look like a blurry mess.

[ststephen]

Great tip on the squeegee; even just a little bit of mist and humidity can be a problem to remove once you and your clothes are all wet. I own a TS2. I love the wide angle lens. The photos aren't quite as sharp as I would like. I'm not sure if the Canon D10 would be significantly better in sharpness, but it doesn't go as wide which to me was critical.

Here's a shot from Gravel I took with it.

[maarten.1975]

Well, I recently bought the Sony DSC TX-10 for my upcoming holiday in October:
- waterproof 5 m
- dust-proof
- shock proof 1,5 m
- Exmor sensor (high light-sensitivity sensor for low-light situations)
- wide-angle lens (for as far as that is possible with a small camera like this)

No experience yet with this camera, but previous Sony camera's with an Exmor sensor performed outstanding for me in (dry) canyons.
The 'but' in this camera.... it is really very small... too small? I don't know yet, however wearing gloves will make using the touch-screen hard I think.

[ststephen]

That looks like a good option too. It goes to a 28mm equivalent as well.

[spinesnaper]

just make sure you take some sort of tiny squeegee to wipe the drops off the lens in the waterfalls, or it will look like a blurry mess.

Great tip. I usually keep a dry synthetic towel in my dry bag and store my camera in a bag similar to what you use. However, when things get too wet it becomes unmanageable and the camera stays tucked away. I'll look around for a small squeegee.

Ken

[Brian in SLC]

just make sure you take some sort of tiny squeegee to wipe the drops off the lens in the waterfalls, or it will look like a blurry mess.

Just bought a Panasonic. Can't wait to get it.

Curious how folks carry these type cameras. I usually carry my camera in a small otter/pelican box. Great for protecting the camera. I can clip it high to my pack and its available to shoot. Stuff one of them dry towel rigs in with it.

For a waterproof camera, do you still attempt to keep it dry? I'd sorta worry about wiping the lens constantly and scratching it. Is there some way to protect the lens? Or, if you wipe the outside, does the lens pop out and its clear?

Case? I guess I wouldn't be worried near as much about moisture, except I'd want the lens fairly clear.

Is there a brand of squeegee that folks prefer?

Thanks for any info!

[CarpeyBiggs]

Just bought a Panasonic. Can't wait to get it.

Curious how folks carry these type cameras. I usually carry my camera in a small otter/pelican box. Great for protecting the camera. I can clip it high to my pack and its available to shoot. Stuff one of them dry towel rigs in with it.

For a waterproof camera, do you still attempt to keep it dry? I'd sorta worry about wiping the lens constantly and scratching it. Is there some way to protect the lens? Or, if you wipe the outside, does the lens pop out and its clear?

Case? I guess I wouldn't be worried near as much about moisture, except I'd want the lens fairly clear.

Is there a brand of squeegee that folks prefer?

Thanks for any info!
i'd still carry the protective case. i don't really trust the waterproofness of the cameras themselves.

for a squeegee, just buy a small rubber spatula, and then when you get the camera, cut it to the exact size of the lens opening. use a razorblade or something to keep it perfectly straight.

[Brian in SLC]

i'd still carry the protective case. i don't really trust the waterproofness of the cameras themselves.

for a squeegee, just buy a small rubber spatula, and then when you get the camera, cut it to the exact size of the lens opening. use a razorblade or something to keep it perfectly straight.

That's a great tip!

Fun stuff. Thanks, Dan!

[canyonguru]

Just a heads up Cannon just sent me a brand new D10 because they don't do repairs on them. So mine was a year out of warrenty and the still sent me a new one for free. Pretty sweet.

[Brian in SLC]

Ok, got the Panasonic DMC-TS3. Nice lookin' rig. A few questions:

What do folks use for a case for these? I'm hoping it'll fit my little Pelican. Have a larger Otterbox but its bulky.

How do folks tether these? I usually replace the stock wrist cord with a neck lanyard. Will probably do that. I see that Chums makes a waterproof float for these types of cameras. Hmmm. Idears?

Still nervious about the lens getting wet, and, wiping it. Will try the spatula squeegee thing, and, will also probably carry some type of damp lens cleaner (the kind for eyeglasses, like a wet wipe). I could imagine with a bunch of wiping, eventually, that lens cover will get scratched. Do folks ever put on a protective film cover (like on the back screen)? Any idears?

How 'bout shooting under and/or in water itself. There's a mode for beach/snorkling. How's it work? What about video under water? What about jumping (yeah, the user manual warns against it)?

Probably shoot some tonight with it whilst climbing. Some of the burst modes look neat. Fast v regular? Any tips?

Anyone use the 3D mode? Wild it was a GPS and alimeter too. Crazy. I turned off the GPS mode to save batteries. Has anyone got spare batteries for it? Recommendations? I see folks have luck with the Wasabi stuff. Thoughts?

Whoo hoo! Gonna try it in Ouray this weekend...hopefully see some familiar faces there.

Cheers!

[ratagonia]

Ok, got the Panasonic DMC-TS3. Nice lookin' rig. A few questions:

What do folks use for a case for these? I'm hoping it'll fit my little Pelican. Have a larger Otterbox but its bulky.

How do folks tether these? I usually replace the stock wrist cord with a neck lanyard. Will probably do that. I see that Chums makes a waterproof float for these types of cameras. Hmmm. Idears?

Still nervious about the lens getting wet, and, wiping it. Will try the spatula squeegee thing, and, will also probably carry some type of damp lens cleaner (the kind for eyeglasses, like a wet wipe). I could imagine with a bunch of wiping, eventually, that lens cover will get scratched. Do folks ever put on a protective film cover (like on the back screen)? Any idears?

How 'bout shooting under and/or in water itself. There's a mode for beach/snorkling. How's it work? What about video under water? What about jumping (yeah, the user manual warns against it)?

Probably shoot some tonight with it whilst climbing. Some of the burst modes look neat. Fast v regular? Any tips?

Anyone use the 3D mode? Wild it was a GPS and alimeter too. Crazy. I turned off the GPS mode to save batteries. Has anyone got spare batteries for it? Recommendations? I see folks have luck with the Wasabi stuff. Thoughts?

Whoo hoo! Gonna try it in Ouray this weekend...hopefully see some familiar faces there.

Cheers!

DPReview just came out with a group test: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q311waterproofcompactgrouptest/

Panasonic on top, along with the Sony TX10.

Thinkin' o' gettin' one myself.

Tom

[Brian in SLC]

Seems to work!

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Video is nice. Reasonable sound. Fun!

[MrAdam]

I bought the Panasonic TS-3 based on the recommendations in this thread. Took it thru Keyhole, The Subway, Boltergeist and Pine Creek this weekend and it did really well. I kept it in my pocket and had a bit of trouble with water and fog on the lens, but was usually able to find a dry spot on my shirt to wipe it off. I will definitley be investing in a pelican box for my next trip, but no water manged to get into the camera even though it was in and out of the water many times. I also dropped the camera about 5 feet into a dry pot hole in Pine Creek, and then managed to drop it again in the same pot hole while trying to put it back in my pocket, I am special! But luckily the camera came out without any problems or noticable scratches, so its durabilty claims are legit so far. So far I like the camera and will be posting some pics in a trip report soon.

[MrAdam]

Still nervious about the lens getting wet, and, wiping it. Will try the spatula squeegee thing, and, will also probably carry some type of damp lens cleaner (the kind for eyeglasses, like a wet wipe). I could imagine with a bunch of wiping, eventually, that lens cover will get scratched. Do folks ever put on a protective film cover (like on the back screen)? Any idears?

I was curious about putting a protective film cover over the lens cover also, but wasnt sure if it would effect the picture quality or not. Anybody know?

[rick t]

Koen keeps a small piece of chamois (3x5, 4x6?) tied with a string around the middle, to the camera. then he just squeezes the chamois dry and wipes the lense, for each water picture setting. since he only does water canyons, i'm guessing it works, he takes a lot of pictures/video.

[Brian in SLC]

Used Dan's recommendation of a rubber spatula cut to fit the lens cover: perfect.

As an eye glass wearer, I know that when I wipe my lenses they eventually get scratched.

Camera worked well. No lens foggage, but, I kept it in a dry case the whole time. Misty falls got a few droplets on the lens, but, no problemo. Just gave 'er the ol' spatula treatment.

47404

47405

Middle Oak Creek in Ouray last weekend...

[CarpeyBiggs]

I was curious about putting a protective film cover over the lens cover also, but wasnt sure if it would effect the picture quality or not. Anybody know?
definitely a bad idea. you only want optical grade glass in front of the lens, ever...

[CarpeyBiggs]

Used Dan's recommendation of a rubber spatula cut to fit the lens cover: perfect.

As an eye glass wearer, I know that when I wipe my lenses they eventually get scratched.

Camera worked well. No lens foggage, but, I kept it in a dry case the whole time. Misty falls got a few droplets on the lens, but, no problemo. Just gave 'er the ol' spatula treatment.

awesome. glad to hear it worked out. good to see you this weekend too, shame i was too hungover to get up for portland before you left. we ran middle and lower oak this morning. great canyons!

more spatula treatment in oak-

[ratagonia]

Whoa, awesome. Photoshop that rope into a Canyonero and we are SET!!!

Tom

[Brian in SLC]

I can't compete!

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Ivan's Tail in Ouray. Ram's daughter Amy...fun stuff.

I need to figure out the light better...seems to like light, and, I haven't figured out how to take a stop out without trying to spot meter off something. Hints? Also, I get too much motion. I guess I need to figure out how to hold it more steady, or, if there's a motion control setting on the camera, figure out how to turn it on...

[hank moon]

http://goo.gl/AKd7Q

New olympus camera w/25-100mm equivalant F2.0-4.9 zoom lens

http://4.s.img-dpreview.com/files/news/4058573358/TG-1_lead.jpg?v=1501

:slobber:

[blueshade]

Recently bought the new Panasonic TS-4. Pretty much the same as the old models, but supposed to have a new panorama feature. Haven't actually tried it out yet, though. Took it through Choprock (in relatively dry conditions) and performed fine- no leaks and great color in the pictures. Was pretty careful with it, but no problems.

Did fog up when I stuck it in my wetsuit, but a few minutes in the air cleared it up. Also, a dip in the water has (so far) been able to clear up water spots on the lens.

Oh, and I keep mine in a micro-fiber bag for glasses which has kept it scratch free til this point. If it's clean and dry, works well for cleaning the lens, too.

Had a friend with the Sony DSC TX-10. Would have looked into it, but it's water depth allowance is not up to par. Absolutely GREAT panorama feature- just pan the camera across the scene.

That Olympus camera looks like it could have potential.

Great pic of Oak, Dan.