Cameras
 

I am leaving on a 16 night honeymoon to Bora Bora, Moorea, and Tahiti and am getting very excited. I was wondering what type of camera I should take? I have an EOS Rebel G that I do not want to get ruined, but it takes awesome pictures. Should I take this or go buy a cheap camera, disposable cameras or what? How many rolls of film do you think I should take? Also, does anybody recommend a certain underwater camera? Thanks.

You will regret it if you do not take a camera that takes good pictures. The scenes are breathtaking. Regarding underwater camera, if you are not sure, take disposable underwater cameras with you from the US (psu.edu?) I only took one disposable underwater camera from the US and needed a second one. It was 5 times more in Bora Bora than in US! If you are serious, you need a camera with flash, the kind the divers use. Go to dive stores for this. These are quite bulky thing. You can rent a good underwater camera there but be prepared to pay a fortune for this priviledge. I mean alot of money.

I agree with Greg - bring your good camera and make sure that you have a good case to protect it from sand, dirt, rain, etc. Disposable underwater cameras, such as the ones available from Kodak, are just fine for snorkeling, and will give you pretty good photos as long as you don't need close-ups. If you are diving, these cameras won't work - the shutter freezes up from the pressure at about 5 meters depth. I would recommend buyig an Ikelite Aquashot camera housing. You can get one for disposable cameras, and you can get one for a small 35mm or APS camera as well. Another choice would be a Sealife Reefmaster RC with a unique rubber housing. Here is a Website for both choices - http://discountdivers.com/fx/camera1.html

thanks for the advice. do you recommend how many roles I should take. <BR>

Definitly take your best camera! If you have a good underwater take it but if not just get one of those underwater diposables by kodak or whomever. I just uploaded some photos of my trip to Tahiti back in Feb 01 and here is a link to them (also a trip report). This sight will only allow nine pics on there so its not nearly all of them. http://travel.concierge.com/run/myConcierge/travelog/Photo?aid=1387948&drid=1100<BR><BR>I recently got a new digital camera that takes pretty good photos and will be trying it out in playa del carmen in less than a week! I feel a little worried about it in Mexico but I felt very safe in Tahiti. Really only have to worry about leaving it somewhere or getting it wet. Have a fantastic time! I look at my photos and just can't beleive how beautiful it was, green mountains, green water...Just wear a TON of sunscreen!!!

PS I would take at least 4 36exp rolls! I am kind of nuts about pics though.

If you are going be there for two weeks take at least 24 rolls of 24 exposure. Use your own judgement. I would take 24-25 rolls of 24, another ooster recommended 4 rolls of 36. It really depends but nobody but you need to decide.<BR>I agree with others. You must take your best camera or you will be sorry for the rest of your life. This is your honeymoon and it should be once

<BR>I highly, highly recommend the Advantix type of cameras (almost every major manufacturer has this type). I got my first one years ago when they first appeared on the market and wasn't too sure of what the picture quality would be...I bought it for the sole reason that it took panoramic shots, and I was not disappointed. A few years later we were going on an extensive trip to Italy and I pointed out to my husband that we'd be moving around alot, and really...did he want to carry his camera bag complete with various size lenses, etc.? The next day he came home with the "Elf" by Cannon. I call it the "spy camera" as it's exactly the size of a pack of cigarettes and looks like it's made out of stainless steel. On top of that it had a nice clip on feature that he could hook on to his belt. Last year for my birthday I got the new Advantix, which is sort of a hybrid- you can view your shots after taking them like a digital (and remove them if you don't like them), but uses film like a regular camera. It also has lots of other "bells and whistles" for taking great shots. <BR><BR>As far as underwater, disposible type cameras, please keep in mind if you're snorkelling with one of these, you have to get up VERY close to a fish to get a good shot -- otherwise you wind up with shots of lovely clear water and a brilliant speck of blue, wondering why you took this picture, and then realize there was a fish, but all you can see is a little speck of color.<BR><BR>Melodie

A couple of tips when you are taking a lot of rolls of filem.<BR><BR>Number the exposed film can/cartridge as you finish each roll. It wil be easier to identify where a picture was taken if you can identify when it was taken.<BR><BR>Take in your odd numbered rools to be develeoped on one day..and the even numbered rolls n the next day. Teh likliehood of all photos being lost, misplaced, ruined etc is reduced to almost zero.<BR><BR>While the chances of anything going wrong, accidents/problems do occasionally arise. Better to be safe than sorry.

Thanks for all your help.<BR><BR>

Whatever you do take plenty of film. This is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Whatever camera you take you will positively not get a bad shot. I have a 35mm Olympus as well as a digital. My pictures in French Polynesia were taken with the 35mm. and they were wonderful. I had them put on a CD so that I could enhance them. It really is a beautiful spot and you will have many happy memories when you look back at your pictures. Do try to keep a log of your pictures - it's easy to get confused where the pictures are taken. Happy Honeymoon!

We brought our digital camera and I took 1200 photos in 14 days. Definitely bring more than you think that you will need. There are photos ops at every corner, at every time of the day. If you have a small tripod bring that too. The night shots are great.