JCCC3 Snorkel Monkeys
- This topic has 155 replies, 34 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
@sus 1. You will likely want fins, though renting/borrowing them may not be a problem. I will say that rented fins can sometimes be difficult because of sizing issues. Snorkel fins can be rather short so bringing them as well shouldn’t be much harder than bringing a snorkel.
2. See above about skin suits. They work as a rash guard (if you mistakenly run into something you shouldn’t) and as sunscreen that can’t wash off. Can be useful, but not required.
3. You’ll have the chance to buy a disposable underwater camera all over the place, possibly even on the ship (when the stores are open). They aren’t very big or fiddly and most of your movement will be with you fins so your hands will be free-ish. They also tend to have a rubber band strap to attach to your wrist so it’ll just float there when not in use.
I got a couple hundred dollar Nikon AW100 and I am fairly happy with it for underwater photos. This year I’ll probably have the AW100 PLUS a HD Hero3 with me, on a monopod for extending into places where maybe I can’t reach.
I saw a lot of waterproof-enough for snorkeling (to 10-15 feet) cameras for less than $200 lately. They all make alright rugged travel cameras anyway, as much as I hate telling people to use small-lensed point and shoot cameras.
Thank you muchly, @origamislayer. I know I overthink things, but I like to be prepared. Fins it is!
@Shouganai, ahem…I wasn’t planning on spending more than 20 pounds. I see your point of course, but there’s no way I’m spending that kind of money when I don’t even know if I *like* being underwater. 😉 Disposable cameras for meeee!
That’s cool.. I just can’t do the disposable camera thing because they must take what, max 36 photos? I think I took more than 750 pics and 45 mins of video when I was in the water. 🙂
We have an inexpensive underwater camera that we use and last year for our cruise to the Galapagos we got a camera mask, which did incredible images. HEAVY on the face though.
We got it at the scuba story near our house as it was cheaper and I wanted new prescription lenses anyway.About fins – the cruise before last, I didn’t bring mine, and just used the rental ones while snorkeling…and I got blisters on both feet. I decided it was worth packing my own from then on.
Since we’re driving and the luggage restrictions for my own F350* are considerably more relaxed than airline travel, I’m bringing my own snorkel gear this year, and will probably be taking Kim to a dive store Real Soon Now so she can get her own, given how taken she was with snorkeling at HMC last year and her stated desire to “do that again!!!11!” this year.
Given the restrictions at HMC, I didn’t use the (provided with our cabana) fins, just the mask, but I’ll be much happier with my own gear.*Never underestimate the bandwidth of a 1-ton crew cab pickup truck with a locking hard tonneau cover.
@sus if you burn easily I highly recommend a rashguard, skin suit, or crappy old tshirt. Snorkelling is like falling asleep on the beach – you’re always facing the same way up.
Regarding tanning salons, just say no. Spend the money on good sunscreen and a sassy wide brimmed hat instead. Melanoma really isn’t worth it – and the salons are worse for that than the real thing.
@Shouganai I just got a blue Nikon AW100 (because it didn’t come in red but I did buy a red floaty strap for it) on eBay. It came with a little tripod, really nice carrying case, 4GB SD card and a cleaning kit. I can’t wait to try it out underwater. I also got the travel size fins and a new dry snorkel. Both red, to match my red mask. Must be color coordinated even under water. I agree about needing to take lots of shots. I actually have an ancient yellow waterproof 110 Instamatic. Remember those? I don’t know if you can even buy 110 film and get it developed any more.
I’ve already packed my snorkel gear!!!
Oh man, 110 cameras, I totally remember them.
I didn’t mind the AW100, but I think this year I MIGHT get a red filter for underwater photography. Some of my pics turned out a bit blue. I’m sure the filter is probably not recommended for underwater use, you’d probably have to ‘prime’ it with water before you use it, but I’m not sure.
Still debating getting an HD HERO3 white with a monopod for some up close and personal video.
I think I’ll just use Photoshop or iPhoto to fix the color afterwards. It’s gonna take me the rest of the time before sailing to learn how to use this new camera.
Did you find the continuous shooting speed fast enough to catch speedy turtles? I have a great picture from Grand Bahama of the back end of a turtle with a hand reaching for it. I would have rather had the whole turtle.
Well, honestly, I am NOT used to point and shoot cameras, so I find them horribly slow no matter what. I don’t fully know the features of this camera, either. I kind of feel like an old person when trying to figure out the weird modes on a point and shoot, I just get frustrated and give up. I really miss my DSLR, but I can’t afford a new one, and I especially can’t afford underwater housing!
Oh yeah, one thing I wanted to add about the AW100, @dndgirl – get some more batteries. The battery life can be kind of abysmal. I picked up 3 extras, and I might pick up some more. I would change them out every couple hundred shots/every time I got out of the water. I managed to pick up some off brand ones on ebay for a few bucks each, well worth it.
@Shouganai Good to know. Thanks! I may get one extra and keep one in the recharger while the other one is in the camera.
- The topic ‘JCCC3 Snorkel Monkeys’ is closed to new replies.