What make and model of digital camera is best for use on a RIB?

rbw156 · 15 December 2005, 14:46

I like the look of the Pentax Optio WPi.

Any alternatives that would cope well with banging around in the wet?

Andy Moore · 15 December 2005, 15:00

I have a Nikon D70.

I don't know if its *the best* but its damn good. Its lovely to hold, nice to use in either manual mode or by selecting one of the pre-programmed modes (e.g. sports, landscapes) and produces sparkling results.

I *do* consider Nikon to make the best cameras around.

columbiachop · 15 December 2005, 15:07

i've owned a pentax optio WR4 for a few years. water resistant to 30ft. had a warranty issue with the power source and took 3 months to get it back. they did repair it for free but 3 months...lame.
i love the camera though. i take it white water rafting frequently. 3x optical zoom, decent macro feature for closeups.

codprawn · 15 December 2005, 15:09

I have a Penta Optio WP - great little camera and very waterproof - takes a bit of getting used to looking at the screen underwater though!!!

Has the best Macro mode of any camera I have ever seen.

Milan · 15 December 2005, 15:11

I use the FujiFilm Finepix S3000 nice size to hold while moving on a rib not to expensive and fantastic pictures works well for me

Petrov · 15 December 2005, 16:08

Also Nikon D70

Milan · 15 December 2005, 16:09

What sort of price are the optios

columbiachop · 15 December 2005, 21:43

i bought mine a couple years ago when 4 megapixels was pretty cool. it was one of just a few affordable waterproof/resistant digital cameras available to me.

400 dollars with upgraded memory

The Jackeens · 15 December 2005, 21:45

Paul's attached at the hip to his D70

missus

columbiachop · 15 December 2005, 21:49

oh, also...

i was in costa rica and this woman had an olympus water resistant digital camera and was bragging about it the whole trip. she went to take a close up of a red eyed tree frog and it jumped onto her face. she fell back into the hot tub and soaked the camera.

she lost everything. it leaked.

one of the best moments of my life

andy

jwalker · 15 December 2005, 21:56

Did you get a photo?

Brambles · 15 December 2005, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Jackeens

Paul's attached at the hip to his D70

missus

The Nikon D70 is also my weapon of choice. I bought a rain cape from EWA Marine, which I use if it is pouring, but otherwise I don’t bother. To date it has taken rain water, sea water and a few falls onto the deck at high speed with no ill effects.

Oh, and it produces great quality images as well

Cheers

Ian

columbiachop · 15 December 2005, 21:59

no, my girlfriend wouldn't let me! i'll keep that image in my head as a little treasure for the rest of my life though. i've never laughed so hard on the inside. my body was kind of shaking but i didn't crack a smile.

hard1 · 15 December 2005, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbiachop

no, my girlfriend wouldn't let me! i'll keep that image in my head as a little treasure for the rest of my life though. i've never laughed so hard on the inside. my body was kind of shaking but i didn't crack a smile.

That's cold, so cold.

columbiachop · 15 December 2005, 22:07

you'd have to have been there. she new everything about everything. non stop explanations of the behavior of every freakin frog in the jungle. after two weeks, even the other elderly couples wanted to shut her up.

after the incident, she was quite pleasant

hard1 · 15 December 2005, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbiachop

"you'd have to have been there. she new everything about everything. non stop explanations of the behavior of every freakin frog in the jungle.

after two weeks, even the other elderly couples wanted to shut her up"

after the incident, she was quite pleasant

I know EXACTLY where you're coming from...

Jackwabbit · 16 December 2005, 06:48

I have been using a Cannon A10 (no longer available) with the Cannon underwater case for a few years now, & my son has been using a Cannon A70 (which I think is also no longer available) both these camera’s have been bounced around the boat many times even had diving gear fall on them & they came back for more.
So from my experience if their current range are as good as their older ones I would recommend them as long as they do underwater cases.

rbw156 · 16 December 2005, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milan

What sort of price are the optios

The Pentax Optio WPi is around £200-220 in the UK, and $240 in the US.

thorper · 16 December 2005, 10:47

Nikon D100 at the moment, although the new D200 is looking like a must have

OceanEco · 17 December 2005, 01:44

Nikon d70 in a pelican case. I was anti digital until I got the d70. Awesome and it can take the rain just not the salt.