Rent a camera for 6 weeks?

FrankGrimes

We're heading off on a 6-week honeymoon next week that will involve plenty of snorkelling and a couple of days of scuba diving. I'd like to bring a camera to take some underwater shots but I'm mostly thinking of shots for snorkelling as we're novice divers so don't want to be distracted while diving.

So I only need a camera to take shots while snorkelling, so it only needs to be rated to about 3metres. I've done a lot of research and it seems the vast majority of point-and-shoot waterproof digital cameras have major issues with leaks. The only one with consistently good reviews seems to be the Canon Powershot D10 which is around €240. Having invested in a DSLR, I can't justify that investment so was wondering if anyone here would have a waterproof compact digital they would rent for 6-weeks if not using it, or if you could recommend some place that does rent them, or if there's places I should be looking to get deals online (have tried Ebay, Amazon, Adverts.ie, DoneDeal.ie but not much joy).

Having done snorkelling before, the one thing I regretted was not having photos to remember it by, so hopefully I can find a cost effective and reliable way to do it...

frozenfrozen

Gopro sounds perfect for your needs if you just want video

Rew

This was shot with a gopro while snorkeling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu8n11VwzXY

If your getting one you will need a dive casing for it as the one that comes with it is waterproof but not suitable for photo/video underwater

PCPhoto

I might be able to give you a loan of a Canon G10 and housing - if you need

I had promised it to a friend who is going to Thailand for a month - but haven't heard from him in a while (will give him a buzz on facebook and see if he still wants it or not)

When are you off ?

ps. congrats on your engagement.

G10 will be suitable for video and pics.

I could offer you other underwater gear to rent - but you would really need to have a serious amount of diving experience (and deposit), getting to grips with pro underwater housings, external strobes etc takes a good degree of comfort underwater - very good buoyancy is a must....oh and you would probably be overweight on every flight you take.

Pkiernan

Rew wrote: »

If your getting one you will need a dive casing for it as the one that comes with it is waterproof but not suitable for photo/video underwater

Good point, and GoPro now offer one themselves:

http://gopro.com/hd-hero-accessories/dive-housing/

I have used it, and it is better than an aftermarket one I bought that cost twice the price.

FrankGrimes

Thanks for the advice and kind offer folks.

I mainly want still images so don't necessarily need video, but it seems a GoPro can do still images also. But it looks like it's a couple of hundred euro for a GoPro so I'll give it a miss as I've already invested a lot in my DSLR so don't want to spend much more on photo gear with the costly honeymoon coming up.

PCPhoto, thanks a lot for the possible offer of a G10, though it's slightly heavier and bigger than I have room for at this point (when casing is added) - we're up against weight and space limits trying to cram everything in for a 6 week holiday and still make the weight so I could only really afford to bring a compact underwater camera. And it looks like most of those are more harm than they're worth except for the Canon D10 which is above budget.

So I think I'll have to give it a miss and go without the snorkelling photos, pity but not to worry. Thanks for the tips.

PCPhoto

G10 is very small compared to most cameras/underwater housings !

- the offer is there if you want to borrow (I dont plan on doing underwater stuff in the next 6-8 weeks ...and even if I do I have a fujifilm f31 (could also offer this and housing if you want) .... and 5D with strobes and housing and 7D with strobe and housing.