Snorkelling - Maldives - what camera?
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m going back to the Maldives after 15 years. Last time i visited I didn’t hardly get any photos. It was a proper digital free zone.
Don’t burn me at the stake but whilst I have a camera sat in a draw somewhere - nowadays I use my iPhone Pro to do holiday snaps - last year I bought a insta360 gimbal to smooth out the videos and give me a easy platform to stitch the content together.
Anyway - I don’t have a device to take water shots which would be a great shame considering where I’m travelling too.
Now I’ve spent more than I’d like on this holiday but for a device I might use once a year (max) I’m loathed to buy a GoPro13 or DJI 5 but is this really the only way to capture good quality photos / videos if I’m in and out of the water.
Thanks in advance
I’m going back to the Maldives after 15 years. Last time i visited I didn’t hardly get any photos. It was a proper digital free zone.
Don’t burn me at the stake but whilst I have a camera sat in a draw somewhere - nowadays I use my iPhone Pro to do holiday snaps - last year I bought a insta360 gimbal to smooth out the videos and give me a easy platform to stitch the content together.
Anyway - I don’t have a device to take water shots which would be a great shame considering where I’m travelling too.
Now I’ve spent more than I’d like on this holiday but for a device I might use once a year (max) I’m loathed to buy a GoPro13 or DJI 5 but is this really the only way to capture good quality photos / videos if I’m in and out of the water.
Thanks in advance
As above, a go pro will do you fine. I got some great video and photos using an old go pro when I went to the Maldives. I have a newer one now but tbh, never really use it, can't even remember which model it is, all I know is that the one I have now has pretty good waterproofing without the need for a case.
I got a couple of extras as well, such as a handle that was foam, so if i dropped it, it would float. IIRC, it wasn't an official gopro one, probably something cheapish, or part of a big set of accessories from A mazon or E bay?
Definitely extras batteries as I was in the water both morning and afternoon, so one battery wouldn't last. Again, not official batteries, but something with good reviews.
I took quite a few small capacity sd cards because I didn't have my laptop with me to download the pics/ videos. So I changed them every couple of days so that if one crapped itself, i wouldn't lose everything. Then downloaded and viewed everything when I got home on a larger screen. Not sure if the new ones have bluetooth etc that you can view on a phone or tablet?
Just made sure I kept it clean and washed using tap water to keep the salt at bay.
I'm sure there's other stuff I can't think of as well.
Definitely extras batteries as I was in the water both morning and afternoon, so one battery wouldn't last. Again, not official batteries, but something with good reviews.
I took quite a few small capacity sd cards because I didn't have my laptop with me to download the pics/ videos. So I changed them every couple of days so that if one crapped itself, i wouldn't lose everything. Then downloaded and viewed everything when I got home on a larger screen. Not sure if the new ones have bluetooth etc that you can view on a phone or tablet?
Just made sure I kept it clean and washed using tap water to keep the salt at bay.
I'm sure there's other stuff I can't think of as well.
Another vote for the GoPro here as well - we took a couple of Hero 11s when we went to the Maldives a couple of years ago and got some amazing footage.
One tip if you have the newer cameras: shoot at the highest (5k) resolution which gives you a square video. You can then use something like DaVinci Resolve with a 4k timeline and use the zoom and x/y positioning features to fill the 4k widescreen canvas with the bit of the clip you are interested in - I found that invaluable for the "just point it in the general direction" of the shark, fish, etc.
Another advantage is that you can use the Quik app to export high-resolution photos from your video timeline.
And one from Barbados
One tip if you have the newer cameras: shoot at the highest (5k) resolution which gives you a square video. You can then use something like DaVinci Resolve with a 4k timeline and use the zoom and x/y positioning features to fill the 4k widescreen canvas with the bit of the clip you are interested in - I found that invaluable for the "just point it in the general direction" of the shark, fish, etc.
Another advantage is that you can use the Quik app to export high-resolution photos from your video timeline.
And one from Barbados
miniman said:
I find the battery life of the Hero 8 appalling. I guess newer versions may be better.
Agreed, even on the 11s I had battery was awful, we ended up with the super high-performance versions 2 for each cameraJohnson897210 said:
Great shots, anyone got a manta ?
Assuming you don't mean the 1980s classic Opel... 
They are simply majestic animals
Not sure if it's any less a waste of money, but a waterproof camera may be an alternative - OM System TG7 appears to be the top pick among the affordable compacts.
We've got the TG6, and I don't think the images are QUITE as good as the shots above, but it does drive a lot more like a normal compact camera and gives you more control options.
Budget option may be to find a waterproof case for your smartphone, assuming they exist and still permit decent touch-control.
We've got the TG6, and I don't think the images are QUITE as good as the shots above, but it does drive a lot more like a normal compact camera and gives you more control options.
Budget option may be to find a waterproof case for your smartphone, assuming they exist and still permit decent touch-control.
Just be aware that gopro warranty does not cover water damage.
My 2 week old 8 black died the first time i took it in a pool , watched the air bubble emerge from the camera lens and that was it. Contacted go pro, not interested in the slightest.
Wont ever buy anything from them again. Not sure what dji or insta360’s warrantys are like
My 2 week old 8 black died the first time i took it in a pool , watched the air bubble emerge from the camera lens and that was it. Contacted go pro, not interested in the slightest.
Wont ever buy anything from them again. Not sure what dji or insta360’s warrantys are like
I use a GoPro 9 for diving and find that it gives pretty good results for a fairly small unit. I am not sure what the 2nd hand prices are like, but they must be fairly cheap now. One battery will last me at least 2 x 1 hour dives, that is with the camera turned on, and only recording interesting things.
For diving I use the waterproof housing, I do also use the housing for snorkelling as I have heard of unprotected cameras flooding - as mentioned above!
For diving I use the waterproof housing, I do also use the housing for snorkelling as I have heard of unprotected cameras flooding - as mentioned above!
havoc said:
Not sure if it's any less a waste of money, but a waterproof camera may be an alternative - OM System TG7 appears to be the top pick among the affordable compacts.
We've got the TG6, and I don't think the images are QUITE as good as the shots above, but it does drive a lot more like a normal compact camera and gives you more control options.
Budget option may be to find a waterproof case for your smartphone, assuming they exist and still permit decent touch-control.
My friend sent me a link to a throwback Casio! It’s an option. We've got the TG6, and I don't think the images are QUITE as good as the shots above, but it does drive a lot more like a normal compact camera and gives you more control options.
Budget option may be to find a waterproof case for your smartphone, assuming they exist and still permit decent touch-control.
Issue I’m finding is I’ve come to terms with the inevitable….. but I take the point about using the waterproof housing!!
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