I posted this under another subject and was told it would be best if I started a new message for my questions so here is my post.

My cousin, sister and brother-in-law and I are going to Maui in Sept 2006. These posts have helped greatly. If you can think of anything else please list them.

I do have some questions.

I love taking pictures. I know I will need to buy and underwater camera, how many cameras would I need to buy? I take substantial amounts of photos...you could say as my hubby says "I need to belong to an camera's or picture's anonymous group." How much does these camera's cost at Walmart in Maui, if anyone knows?

I have a digital camera and would like to know about how many memory cards I will need to take with me for an 8 day trip to Maui. I had 1 256MB and and 4 128MB for a trip back east this past October and had to put 4 of them on CD half way through the trip and delete some photos to take some others on the road.

For Hawaii I will have those 5 memory cards plus two extra 256MB. Do you think this is enough or should I buy more? How much does a 128 or 256MB SD memory card cost at Walmart in Maui, if anyone knows?

Also, since we don't snorkel, but want to when in Maui, would buying a cheap set a walmart be advisable? Also, will they be available the middle of September? The Condo we are staying I guess has snorkel gear for guests, is it better to use there's or buy from Walmart?

Thanks for any help!

First, see if the snorkel gear provided at the condo is a good fit (test it in the pool). If not, rental of good sets is very cheap by the week or more; shops are everywhere (and you can even get the 2/1 coupons from the brochures/guides at the airport). Underwater disposible cameras are pretty cheap now--and K-mart (next to the airport--I can't think of a Walmart anywhere on Maui?)has them (but they'd be cheaper on the mainland). I've taken lots of underwater photos over the years, and almost all of them are not worth keeping--I'd save my $$ and just enjoy what you see while you see it! You have more than enough cards, even if you are using a 5 megapixel camera. Just set up your shots, compose your photos, don't take billions of the same thing! (so easy to do with digitals.)You have enough cards for more than 400 photos, even at high resolution. Just remember to bring a battery charger and extra batteries for your camera, they get expensive. Another card would certainly cost more on Maui, as does everything.

kiotegirl: As I'm sure you've found, prices on camera memory have been slowly decreasing.

Wait until about June or so, and start checking Amazon.com. Plug in 1GB SD, and see what turns up. With any luck, you'll be able to get a GOOD card for under $50.

Read up on the subject a bit. Steves-digicams.com and dpreview.com are two good places. Look for cards that have a faster write speed. As the card fills up, it'll become increasingly important to shorten the lag in writing the image.

The reason I suggest Amazon is that they have user reviews. They can steer you away from cards that might be less than reliable.

There are a lot of what-ifs about using big cards. However, as you've already found out, it can be a bit of a pain to keep shuffling smaller cards, particularly as you're an avid photographer.

I know....

Both Walmart and KMart have had the SnapSights underwater cameras with and without flash (~$20) on our visits to Maui. We found we save $) by buying 800 ASA film and reloading the by following the enclosed instructions, however we make sure no sand is present on the gaskets when reclosing the camera waterproof outer case. We usually develop the film at Walmart which also can store the images in digital format on a CD, to prevent damage from airport X-Ray machines.
underwaterlink: www.snapsights.com

That's a great bit of info, JohnD! I'm going to do that next time I'm lucky enough to be underwater--But, is there a depth limit, that is, are these just good for snorkeling?

Mahalo Sylvia3, as indicated on the link below the depth rating varies from 25 to 100feet, depending on model: www.snapsights.com/products_sawc.html

Also if you purchase new underwater cameras before Maui, or don't use up the roll of film inside before going through airport security &X-ray, be sure to insist that security instead of X-ray performs a hand inspection to avoid X-raying of the (800ASA) camera/film.

Additionally agree with Sylvia3 regarding waiting till Maui to check out the need for picking up more snorkel gear. Have found a little vaseline on rim of mask (widely available as lip balm with SPF) can stop mask leakage issues.

We've done fine packing our own inexpensive US Divers gear (available at Sports Authority or similar) and on Maui have seen similar sets at Walmart,& Kmart, and heard more choices at Costco and of course rentals available at www.mauidiveshop.com & www.snorkelbob.com
Best wishes for your trip to paradise!

Mahalo, JohnD!

Buy disposable underwater cameras. The reason is because every time we've gone the water is not as clear as Jamaica or Cancun so I wouldn't spend a lot of $$ on a camera.

I've only used underwater disposable cameras that I bought on sale before leaving home. Each camera has one roll of film so 28 photos per camera maybe?

Thanks for the great answers.

I love taking pictures too and will be visiting Hawaii in April. Get the 1 GB card, it is worth it. I also have picked up a portable storage device (like a computer hard drive) that I can put my card into, download my pictures (without needing a computer) THUS freeing up my memory card! When you get home, you download the device to your computer and you are good to go.

Depending on the make and model of your digital camera, some camera companies make an underwater case for your digital camera! The Canon Elph has this accessory available!


8-)

Before buying a one gig card, make sure that your camera can handle one that size

And don't forget the batteries!

The only problem with the 1 gig cards is that some places can't put them on a cd for you. Cds only hold like 650 megs. There is a way to put it on 2 cds, but we couldn't find anyone that knew how.

I LOVE my card holder case. It is waterproof and shock proof and I don't loose them. It is called the Card Safe Extreme by Gepe.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

We took over 1400 digital photos in Maui!

Me and the hubby both are serious picture takers.

We bought the Kanagroo storage thingy that we could download the pictures to.

We used disposable cameras for underwater. Pictures were terrible. We have not tried the underwater casings that are available. I still have an issue with putting our camera in those. We have a Nikon D70 and I would be so nervous putting that in an underwater case.

I cam understand not putting an expensive camera into a waterproof case.

I will be buying the disposable cameras. I plan (hope) to get the film developed in Maui, so no worries about the X-ray machine. I do thank you for reminding me so I can tell my relatives as they do not have a digital cameras.

I will get a 2 512 mb cards as my camera will not take the 1 gb.

Thanks for all the tips! I can't wait to go to Maui!!!