Cameras That Work

I have used many different waterproof cameras and through work, many "pro-level" SLRs and DSLRs (all of which cost way more than my Nikon D5100) utilizing lenses worth over $10,000.00.  For a light weight rugged camera, the TG-3, when setting the camera up for the situation you are in, can take amazing pictures that do not need Photoshop corrections. But I can only speak from my experience.

Another option which I do occasionally,is to throw a DSLR in a dry bag and take it out of the bag only if there is something worthwhile like a naked mermaid riding a dolphin or pictures for the ORC Facebook page. I do not risk it for something like an AOTY measurement picture of a fish I plan to release.

Rudy, if you are new to DSLRs, or if you are interested in learning more about the various camera settings for different situations, which can also be applied to a point and shoot, this is a great book.  He even gives tips on how to cheat like the pros with Photoshop, or if you are a cheap bastard like me, The Gimp (open source freeware).

http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Book-Part-2nd/dp/0321934946/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419461364&sr=1-13&keywords=dslr+photography

ooo...I will look into it.  THANKS!  I'm not pro enough to know the difference of mirror and mirrorless.  But I have come to the realization that while my media of choice is still video, to monetize any of my hobby, high res pictures are still worth MUCH more unless I can capture gopro footage of me being eaten by an orca or something along those lines!

Rudy, mirrorless cameras are sort of like the old non-reflex, rangefinder cameras, like the Leica M, that do not let you preview the image through the cameras lens - except most mirrorless digital cameras do not have a separate viewfinder and you use the LCD screen to compose the shot.  They all have a larger image sensor than pocketable cameras and produce much better images than pocket-sized cameras.

I understand that you're hoping to capture new pictures of you when you're out in the kayak being all fanatical, in case someone wants to write another article featuring you and also think that you're lovely enough to include a picture or two.

When I first asked this question about waterproof cameras, I was looking for a point-and-shoot for casual photography.  You're asking about a waterproof camera that will produce an image for publication.  That's apples and tomatoes: they're both fruit, they're both round and red, but when you bite into them, the experience is different.

Most publishers (okay: editors) want images they can work with.  Hypothetically, lets say the image needs to be cropped to remove something in the background, like me back there making faces or being thoroughly seasick, and after trimming me out of the picture, the final image of you will be 100% (or larger) of native size.  None of the rugged pocket cameras will produce an image that's fit for feature publication when enlarged to that size, and all the many reviews of those little rugged cameras state that their image quality is not up to snuff at full image size.

That kind of image quality requires a larger image sensor than what's in a pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera, and that's why the manufacturers started their mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras lines.  And the Nikon AW1 is the only one of these compact, mirrorless cameras that is ruggedized and waterproof.

It might be worthwhile to ask the newspaper a few questions about what they look for in photo quality and let that be a guide.

Should you decide that the Pentax K5 DSLR, with it's more familiar controls, is the way you want to go, there are lots of plastic rain sleeves that will keep almost all water away from the camera, and the protection offered by a couple of the $20 sleeves is top-rated - as long as the K5 doesn't go swimming.

I use rain sleeves when I have the Canon D's on the beach, and they do the job, but I would never carry either of the D's in a kayak (hence, my original question)... unless, of course, I noticed an orca in a furious fistfight with some Alaskan guy.  That would be a million-dollar photo.

Merry Christmas to you and to yours.  Have a safe and happy holiday!

Lol. Good stuff tinker. I like the compact size of the mirror less. Leaning that way now. Thanks and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!

I have the Pentax K30 - one of their weather sealed models also.  It has been out in the rain with no problems, and has been out in the kayak too.  When not shooting, I keep it in a drybag, but I have no qualms about it when using.  i don't bother with rainsleeves, just use a WR lens on it.  The seals on the K30, k5, etc, are as effective against water as against dust.  There are a good many users over at pentaxforums.com that have put their K models to the test - rainfall, waterfalls, desert combat conditions, arctic winters, you name it.  While not immersion-proof, they are enought for me to trust them otherwise!

Jim

My wife loves me! Just got my Christmas gift 5 min ago

Awesome! You will love it. The focus stacking feature is really cool. Olympus has great customer service.  I got mine back from a repair recently and it is good as new.  Fully covered under the warranty even though the damage was my fault.  Apparently they stand behind their "Tough" claim.  Just a 5 minute phone call was all it took.

Awesome! You will love it. The focus stacking feature is really cool. Olympus has great customer service.  I got mine back from a repair recently and it is good as new.  Fully covered under the warranty even though the damage was my fault.  Apparently they stand behind their "Tough" claim.  Just a 5 minute phone call was all it took.

My wife loves me! Just got my Christmas gift 5 min ago

You are a lucky kind of a guy, and the wife's definitely a keeper.  The TG3 is still on my list.  Let me know how you like it?

I just got my wife a TG-3 for Christmas too - I'll chime in once we have a few frames on it. I'm a stickler for image quality too (my day to day camera is an OMD EM-5), but I don't find anything terribly objectionable about the TG-3's sample images (at DP Review, or on flickr) for a point'n'shoot.

The problem is less about putting a cheap camera in a waterproof case than it is about fitting a decent, non-fixed lens in a waterproof housing. The sensors and software in these cameras (the sub-$500 waterproof point'n'shoots) are generally "good enough" nowadays, but you still can't cram the same lens in it as you would a point'n'shoot that doesn't have to be waterproof.

If I were serious about kayak photography I would get the $900 dive case for my EM5 and be a happy camper. If you really want interchangeable-lens quality your only choice is to shoot an interchangeable-lens camera.

Oh yeah, and on the subject of "weather sealed" cameras - the EM5 is weather-sealed, along with a couple lenses for it, and I would not hesitate to shoot in the rain with it. I've had zero problems with it shooting in snow and rain and blowing mist. (Using the weather sealed lenses, of course.)

This is harder than choosing a kayak!

I still haven't bought "my" christmas present. 

I was going to get a new gopro since I do so much video, but at the end of the day, my gorpro hero2 is even better in my opinion than the newer versions simply because I don't require professional grade video and the battery life is MUCH better with the hero 2 than the 3 or 4's. 

But as I started putting out feelers to how I could partially monetize this hobby, its apparent to me that a high quality still image is the most demanded medium. 

But at the end of the day, pouring through thousands of images and Kayak angling sites and magazines, I think the best way to get good photos is to go out with someone.  That could be a bigger problem for me than picking the right camera! 

Thanks for all the input.  Still deciding!!!!

My wife loves me! Just got my Christmas gift 5 min ago

You are a lucky kind of a guy, and the wife's definitely a keeper.  The TG3 is still on my list.  Let me know how you like it?

I've been playing with all the settings, taking pics around the house, and a few of my son at the Hawks game last night. So far I love it! The menu and options are easy to navigate, and the picture quality is better than other tough cameras I've had experience with. She's no digital SLR, but I think you'd be hard pressed to get more from a waterproof point and shoot tough enough to do what we ask of them! Plan to get it in the field this week.

TG-3 Pics of my son from the game. They've not been edited aside from being resized with the Olympus Viewer 3 software included with the camera.

This is harder than choosing a kayak!

I still haven't bought "my" christmas present. 

I was going to get a new gopro since I do so much video, but at the end of the day, my gorpro hero2 is even better in my opinion than the newer versions simply because I don't require professional grade video and the battery life is MUCH better with the hero 2 than the 3 or 4's. 

But as I started putting out feelers to how I could partially monetize this hobby, its apparent to me that a high quality still image is the most demanded medium. 

But at the end of the day, pouring through thousands of images and Kayak angling sites and magazines, I think the best way to get good photos is to go out with someone.  That could be a bigger problem for me than picking the right camera! 

Thanks for all the input.  Still deciding!!!!

Yeah it is tough to decide.  I asked the question a l-o-n-g time ago, Rudy, and I'm still sitting on the fence.  I use the "but it doesn't compare to my pro DSLR's" excuse, but it's just an excuse.  I'll do what I always do and worry it to death until after the sale prices end.  It makes The Boss irritable to watch me, but I can't seem to stop myself.

It might be cheaper and work out better if you cajoled or just paid someone to follow you around and take pictures every so often.  I need to get to Alaska some day before I die.  It's on my List.  If I do get up there, I'd be honored to be able to photograph you.  No charge.  Orca optional.

- Kevin

TG-3 Pics of my son from the game. They've not been edited aside from being resized with the Olympus Viewer 3 software included with the camera.

Thank you!  I get carried away by comparing pocket camera snapshots to the pictures I get with the Canon EOS D's, and it's hard to be more stupid than that.

Earlier this year, when we were bank fishing, The Boss caught her first-ever Chinook.  I was busy helping land it while the third member of our party was taking snapshots of the fight and the landing.  Unfortunately, that camera managed to get dunked and was failing, and only two of the pictures survived.  The Canons were at home, where they belonged (the EOS cameras weigh as much as an anchor) and we almost lost the moment.

That's when I decided to find a waterproof camera I could shove in my pocket, just in case.  I have to remind myself that what I'm after is a snapshot.

Those are fine photos from the game.  More than clear enough and vibrant enough to capture a memory, even in tricky lighting.  They're as much convincing as I need, and I appreciate that they knocked some sense back into me.  Thanks.

P.S.  That's one good looking boy, too.

I'm glad you picked up on the lighting, I was purposely shooting with the lights behind him to see how they came out. I've lost what would have been good pics on the ocean because I didn't take the sun's position into account.

Thanks! He can be a ham at times