Does anyone have any recommendations for an alternative to the disposable waterproof cameras for snorkeling on our upcoming trip to the Big ?Island.

I don't want to spend more than $125 or so. It needs to have a flash (I've heard that really helps), and is ok for to a depth of around 10'. Digital would be oh so nice but not critical.

I've been researching on line but haven't seen a lot of real world experience.

Thanks!
Kim

I remain a big fan of disposable cameras for water shots. My peace of mind is worth it. My husband brought his digital, then proceeded to lose the extra battery on the boat. Me, for $7 the nift rubberband strap is the best.

I keep the digital for drier photo ops.

We have had good results with the inexpensive, reusable, local, underwaterwww.snapsights.com/mr2.html

Would also like to hear if anyone has checked out their new digital underwater models

I've als had surprisingly great luck with the disposable underwater cameras. I've used them in the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii with wonderful results!

Years ago, after using the disposable underwater a few times, I decided to buy an inexpensive underwater camera. I went with a low end Reefmaster Sealife. It's a point and shoot 35mm with flash. I take it on beach vacations. The photo quality is similar to the disposable. I like having it because I have ruined a good camera from sand, so now, my good camera never goes to the beach.

I've used it snorkelling, I've used in in pools and I've used it on the beach and in the ocean. My kids have also enjoyed playing around with it under water.

If it's something you may use more than just your upcoming vacation, it's worth it, if only for this trip, I'd pick up a few disposables.

I have always used disposables (since I tend to lose things!)The developing can make a difference in the quality of underwater photos. After my last snorkeling trip I purchased some photo developing mailers, I think it is called Kodak Sea Processing, and I was happy with the results. It adjusts the colors.

After years of lugging the "bells & whistles" camera and the underwater bag for our snorkeling shots, we forgot to pack it one time.

Bought a disposable underwater -- and those photos were every bit as good as any we'd taken with the "big" camera...without the hassles.

Agree with JohnD, the reloadable Snapsights are great. After years of taking snorkeling pix with the disposables, and with poor results, I was ready to give up. We found a Snapsights reusable on the BI at Walmart and decided to try it. The difference, I believe, is that it is preloaded with 800 speed film, which helps immensely as water clarity can vary so much. These cameras also have a flash. We bought our replacement film on island and had the photos developed at Walmart before our flight home to avoid the hassle of having the film inspected at the airport. You can get prints or a CD.

I would love to try the snapsights camera on our upcoming trip. Where can we get them in Maui?

Thanks!

Reply to shandraw,
On Maui we have found the basic Snapsights models at Walmart and Kmart with prices varying within a few$-). Have also found them on the mainland occasionally at dive shops.

Thanks so much JohnD!

JohnD......do you know if the Snapsights are available on Kauai?

T minus 1 day 18 hours 9 minutes
8-)

Reply to jamaltay, yes indeed the were available at Walmart & Kmart during our last visit. We heeded the advice of the Kmart photo center assistant that recommended the flash model, which worked well on K`auai but not as well on Maui.

Mahalo, John.
8-)

I've always just used disposables too.

I have a underwater camera that I purchased 15 years ago. It takes 110 film, but when I ran out of the 110 I've used the underwater disposable camera and they were just as nice if not better. My recommendation is to make sure you use a flash for what ever you get. My pics are always better with the flash option! Then, I've scanned them and used my phot program to enhance the color. What a difference!! Yes, it is time consuming to scan and then fix, but I have beautiful underwater shots.

We bought an underwater case (about $125 on line) for our older (now) Nikon Coolpix digital camera, and got FABULOUS underwater pix from trips to Grand Cayman and Australia. The bonus is that you can hook it up to the TV that night and look at the pix you took. We spent hours looking at fish and then trying to identify them with the fish id book we brought. That was so fun. You can zoom in on sections and even see fish you didn't "see" that day. It was great. We're looking to upgrade our camera to get faster between shots speed and will get an underwater case for that, too, I hope. the flash works in the case BTW and there is no chance of getting the camera wet or sandy if you wait until you get back to the hotel/condo to open it.
Sally in Seattle

We purchased in February a Pentax Optio water proof camera 5 mega pixels and 3 x zoom, and used it our on trip to Provo, Turks and Caicos last week. We really enjoyed it and the pictures came out much better than the Kodak or Fuji disposable cameras we have used for years.

2 things I noticed, but wasn't a big deal. The setting for underwater pictures, the shutter response is delayed so if the fish are swimming around, they tend to swim out of the picture before taking. To resolve, I switched the mode to action and the shutter response closed faster.

The LCD screen it was hard to see the picture you are taking in and out of water. To resolve, hit the zoom button once and the picture in the screen came in view better. Overall, I am very happy with this camera and will never use another disposable again.

I just noticed in the new issue of the Caribbean Travel and Life an advertisment for a Olympus Stylus 720 SW water proof camera. It's a 7.1 mega pixel. It must have just came out. I've been looking for a digital water proof since May '05 and when we finally purchased in Feb of this year, the Pentax was only one I could find.

They do not guarantee the Snapsights after the first use. Mine leaked on the 2nd use, AFTER I'd already taken about half. Just FYI.

Agree with OldSouthernBelle, that the low-tech Snapsights are not for everyone, and carry more than one in case one leaks after reloading, and with practice have been able to get up to a week or two's use with daily reloading.