Waterproof digital cameras

I will get a pic..errr...hmmm. need two cameras....Are you coming to the Alder Creek Paddle Fest this weekend? I'll have it there.

My set up is NOT surf proof at this point. I basically carved a slot in a piece of closed cell foam a bit more narrow than the diameter of the camera and wedge it down in there, making sure I can get to all the buttons and the lens isn't blocked.

Then I tie the camera off to the perimeter line and snugg the foam under the bungee deck rigging. Holds through mild action, but not really set up for breakers. I suppose if I ran a couple of cam straps around the boat and foam piece it would hold through heavy action.

What we've done at the shop, and some of my co-workers did for This is the Sea and Pacific Horizons, was two things;

1.strapp a tripod to the deck riggin on your back deck, and screw on a camera. lash everything down to the point of excess. This makes you a bit top heavy.

2. wrap a housed camera with cam straps all the way around the deck and hull to the point of excess.

A friend of mine has been doing the action photo thing quite well lately. You might get some ideas from him: www.paulkuthe.blogspot.com

Sorry out of town over the weekend.  I understand your mount system just by your description.  Thx.   

Insayn

Can you give us an update on how you like the Stylus 1030 SW so far?  I bought one early on, didn't like the results, and returned it.  However, it was a very short test period.

I'm in the market now and would like something specifically for fishing.

Thanks

Insayn

Can you give us an update on how you like the Stylus 1030 SW so far?  I bought one early on, didn't like the results, and returned it.  However, it was a very short test period.

I'm in the market now and would like something specifically for fishing.

Thanks

I really like it, and it's size.   My priority here is that it needed to be a rugged camera, and take clear pics while on the water.  So far it has exceeded my expectations. 

After talking with the guy at the local camera shop he thought my problems with the Stylus 1030 was that it was a lemon.  Impressed by the design and ruggedness I bought the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000 from Amazon ($329) last Wednesday and it arrived Friday.
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1448

Now I'm waiting on the memory cards and a silicone protective housing from Adorama.  Should be here in the next day or so.  Had I done more research I would have ordered the Micro 2 SDHC cards instead of the xD's.

So far the pics come out much better than the 1030.  Can't wait to drag a steelhead up to the side (underwater) and take some video!

I'm happy with my olympus. The lens quality isn't as good as some, but man, I beat the crap out of that thing....leave it in my pfd pocket soacking wet, throw it in the bottom of my gear bag, and sling that thing around.

I tested my deck mount in some small (2-6ft) breakers this past weekend and it worked great. For me personally, the waterproof/crushproof thing is more important than anything as I've killed a few cameras in my day. A moderate quality pic is better than no pic, and the olympus has proven itself to stand up to my abuse.

I'll post the video as soon as I clean up my computer to make enough room for the video to download from the camera.