SeaLife SL511 ReefMaster RC Underwater Photo Set 35mm Camera

Rating:
Summary: I just recommended this camera....
Review: ....over the Canon Elph. It works at a greater depth. This makes it more versatile at only a slightly higher cost.

Rating:
Summary: Better than disposables
Review: Don't expect quality like a Nikonos, as this is not a professional camera. After a few rolls, mine has trouble pulling the film completely to the next frame, resulting in overlapping exposures early in the roll, even in a 24 exposure roll. Sharpness and focus is pretty good, but its difficult to center the subject, especially when using the optional close-up attachment, since there is no parallex correction in the rangefinder (You'll need to point the camera "down" farther as you shoot closer to center the subject. I also have the external flash, which works well and improves the image quality considerably on close-ups. Final: good starter camera, but if you have the bucks get a Nikonos or rent one for the day.

Rating:
Summary: Takes Great Photos and is Easy to Use
Review: I am a novice scuba diver, and completely new to underwater photography, but I do have a lot of land photography experience. I bought a ReefMaster RC camera a few days before going on a recent Caribbean vacation and am very happy that I did. I took it on 3 different dives, a shallow (35') reef dive, a deeper (72') reef dive, and a deep (82') wreck dive (a WWII Soviet Warship!). The camera is very well designed and performed extremely well; even after I dropped it! (It bounced.) It's a breeze to handle underwater, with all the key stuff easily readable and accesible. It's also really easy to use; a couple of times I handed it to my fellow divers (underwater) and they took very good photos without needing to fuss with dials, etc. I shot 3 different rolls of 36 exposures of Kodak ASA 200 Gold film. My first roll (the shallow dive, my first with the camera) yielded 10 photos I put in my album. The second and third rolls (dives 2 & 3) yielded 18 and 15 photos respectively that I judged good enough to show to friends and colleagues (who were blown away by the pics). The 'rejected' photos were due to 'operator error' (as in, I was too close, or too far away, etc.). I highly recommend this camera to people who want to take high quality underwater photos without the expense and hassle of higher-end cameras. If you get the camera, be sure to also get the 3x close-up lens, which really brings out the best in your underwater subjects. And READ THE MANUAL ... I suspect that some of the folks here who complained about the camera didn't take the time to follow the instructions. Have fun!

Rating:
Summary: A good beginning camera
Review: I bought this camera for photographing my SCUBA dives. My first experience was that the case leaked and ruined the film on my first dive. There was a flaw in in the o-ring gasket, which the manufacturer remedied by replacing the camera. The second model works well, is easy to handle, has good viewfinder size, and clips easily on my B-C. However, I find that the camera has problems with film advancing, too. The flash color compensation is not the best and could stand some more strength. The pictures I've taken in relatively shallow water come out with a boring color sameness. I would like more contrast. However, for a beginner, this would be the right camera until you get to wanting better underwater exposures.

Rating:
Summary: Great starter or casual photo set.
Review: I just came back from a trip to Maui and the pictures came out exceptionally good. ...If you plan on being a published photographer, but if you just want great pictures for yourself and family,and don't want to spend another $500.00, I would reccomend this camera. I have been scuba diving for the better part of 25 years and have seen many other cameras that cost more but don't deliver the quality of this one. It takes great pictures in and out of the water.

Rating:
Summary: A good beginning underwater camera!
Review: I just purchased this camera and have already used it on 6 dives and found it to work so much better than other disposable cameras and housing for scuba diving. It's not a Nikonos (sp?) but it's still pretty good for a beginner. The only thing I don't like too much is that if you're pretty close to one object but also too far away from another object in the same frame, the flash is only good for within some many feet. Anything further and you can start to see the bluish cast from taking underwater photos around the perimeter of the photo. I also purchased the 3X macro lens to go with it, but found that I had much difficulty keeping this portable lens on without actually using both hands at the same time trying to keep it on the camera while taking a photo. Otherwise a great camera!

Rating:
Summary: A good beginning underwater camera!
Review: I love the pictures I get with this camera. The large shutter release lever is very easy to use underwater, wearing gloves, or whatever. The camera comes with a clip (for your BC) and wrist band to help hang on to it. The camera floats, the flash works well to bring out underwater color, and there is the closeup lens. There is also a large viewfinder atop the camera housing so you don't have to squint through the regular one while wearing a mask and snorkel. There is a separate camera inside the housing that comes out and can be used for daytime shots outdoors, too. Great for SCUBA and the backyard swimming pool.

Rating:
Summary: It works very well for me.
Review: I love the pictures I get with this camera. The large shutter release lever is very easy to use underwater, wearing gloves, or whatever. The camera comes with a clip (for your BC) and wrist band to help hang on to it. The camera floats, the flash works well to bring out underwater color, and there is the closeup lens. There is also a large viewfinder atop the camera housing so you don't have to squint through the regular one while wearing a mask and snorkel. There is a separate camera inside the housing that comes out and can be used for daytime shots outdoors, too. Great for SCUBA and the backyard swimming pool.

Rating:
Summary: Over priced camera that leaks
Review: Well I bought this camera a few weeks ago to go hawaii. Well it leaked after one roll of film so cleaned it out and let dry over night and loaded it again the next day and leaked again to where the camera didnt work anymore. Well I ended up getting some underwater disposable cameras. When I got the film developed the the disposable pics actually came out better than the 1 roll that came out of my $... camera (imagine that). Well now Im trying to get it repaired or replaced and I have to pay to ship it to them plus another $... I have to send to them for processing, what is up with that if I have a warrenty and its faulty equipment they should cover at the the shipping back to me. Over all There is nothing that I can recomend about this camera from the pics to the service. Would give it a 0 if possible.