:: Selecting a Digital Camera for Underwater Photography

Before you purchase your first underwater camera, you should evaluate what types of photographs you want to shoot. It will be an essential point when selecting your underwater camera.

1) Before You Purchase an Underwater Camera

Now that you’ve earned your open water certification, you’ve probably thought about trying underwater photography. However, you’re clueless about where to start. Don’t worry. Modern equipment and techniques make it easy for just about anyone to get started.

2) The Basics of Underwater Photography

Before you purchase your first underwater camera, you should evaluate what types of photographs you want to shoot. It will be an essential point when selecting your underwater camera equipment and film. Each category involves a different camera configuration, flash and lens. Most of all, you’ll want a camera that is: compact, easy to use, low maintenance, reliable, and cost effective.

a) Macro Photography

Close-up photography is the easiest and most vivid type of underwater photography. The best method of shooting film depends on the system you use.

Most cameras have focus limits so you'll need an accessory to allow macro photography. Some of the point-and-shoot cameras come with a macro lens and framer system. Use a flash to bring out the color of your subject.

Select a digital camera with a macro function of no less than 10cm.

b) Wide-Angle Photography

An exhilarating facet of underwater photography is the ability to capture a panorama of a reef and its ecosystem. Wide-angle photography makes this possible. You'll need a wide-angle lens for this type of photography. Also, powerful strobes are desirable because the field of view caught on film is greater and needs to be lit. Wide-angle photographs are best taken with wide-angle specific lenses.

Resource third party lens such as Inon if they have lens for the intended digital camera that you are about to invest in

c) Fish Photography

Fish photos are great, but they are the most difficult to take. Fish don’t sit still and they don’t let you get close. To capture them on film, a special approach is needed: stealth, knowledge of the fish, and patience. Some camera systems use gun sight viewers or light beams to let you know when the fish is in your frame of focus.

Most modern digital cameras will be able to handle Fish Photography. However, it is advisable that you do take up PADI Underwater Naturalist/Fish Indentification and PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy so that you can better control your buoyancy while taking the photo and also, better knowledge on the marine life for photo composition.

:: Purchasing your Digital Camera

There are many places that you can go around buying your first camera. But generally speaking, the best deals are located in Sim Lim Square. Take your time to shop around and compare the best deals.

The selling price of any given camera will vary between S$10 to S$50, depending on what sort of freebies they are throwing in. The better freebies are memory cards, pouches or better still, cash rebate is always the best freebie!

Now that you have purchase your camera, read more tips on Digital Underwater Photography