Best CHEAP DC setup?

[Jonathan Bird]

Hi Everyone,
I have a diving friend who is poor. Her camera is a POS. She wants a better one, but has limited finances. So I am interested in finding out which of the "previous gen" digital compacts are the best for the money so we can get her one used, maybe on eBay.

One friend of mine swears by the old Olympus 5050 in an ikelite housing with a wired TTL DS-125. It's only 5 MP, but that's probably fine. They can be had cheap, they are reliable and shoot on TTL. The 5050 has excellent manual control and special presets you can set up and memorize for macro, wide angle, etc. Generally, back in its day, it was one of the best underwater compacts available. But that day is long gone. Are there better options?

I realize that when you go "cheap" and "previous generation" you are looking at smaller files, smaller LCD screens and longer shutter lag, but keeping the cost down is a pre-requisite of this. As is a wired strobe (none of this optical remote firing crap....)

Thanks in advance.

Jonathan

[tarczy]

I was reading your post and immediately thought "Olympus 5050." But it seems you've already considered that solution.

Your problem is that immediately after the Oly 5050 or the 5060, all the camera manufacturers moved away from storing in RAW format, leaving JPEG as your only option . . . until recently when Canon introduced the G9.

If storage in RAW format is not a critical requirement, then the field is wide open for acquisition of cheap, used compact digital rig. However, if RAW is a critical factor, then your only options are the Oly 5050 or 5060, or the Canon G9.

Good luck.

[Daniel]

To meet your friends requirements, check out the Olympus SP-350 and PT-030 housing.

Btw... it supports RAW too.


Cheers!
Daniel :)

[Jonathan Bird]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]If storage in RAW format is not a critical requirement, then the field is wide open for acquisition of cheap, used compact digital rig. However, if RAW is a critical factor, then your only options are the Oly 5050 or 5060, or the Canon G9.

Good luck.

Raw is not an issue for her. OK, everyone keep your eyes open for something cheap in a 5050 or similar.

[dbh]

The Nikon Coolpics 5000 was right in there with the 5050

http://www.digitaldiver.net/wantads.php?adID=511

[Jonathan Bird]

Thanks for the link! I forwarded it to my friend.

Jonathan

[seafan]

I shoot with the S&S 8000G and you might be able to find a good deal on one of those. Great for macro... fast response and light for traveling... one of the main reasons I haven't moved over to DSLR Prior to that I shot with a canon s40. :)

Right now I'm looking into the canon sd990 for an ultra compact topside camera. Canon's have some of the best macro capabilities for little P+S cameras and you can either go with one of their housings for around $170 or an ikelite for $245. Your friend can always add external strobe later on... You can get that type of setup for just over $525 if you shop around... and with black friday around the corner who knows what deals can be had!