Showing posts with label How far can you see using an underwater video camera?underwater cameras. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How far can you see using an underwater video camera?underwater cameras. Show all posts

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Disposable Underwater Cameras

Disposable digital and film cameras (also called single-use cameras) provide a cheap and easy alternative for photographers. They offer an option for times when you don’t want to risk your expensive equipment but you do want to take some photographs. For example, what could be a scarier combination for a photographer than an expensive piece of camera equipment and water? While professional underwater photographers (or serious hobbyists) are willing to spend a lot of money on their underwater cameras, what about the rest of us? Disposable underwater cameras offer an inexpensive alternative. After all, we may only want to take pictures one time on a snorkeling vacation. Why should we have to buy or rent a lot of expensive equipment?

Disposable underwater cameras are ideal for a wide variety of outdoor adventures where water, sand and rough use might come into play. Use them underwater, (many models are actually waterproof from 15 to as much as 50 feet underwater) but also use them above water for many outdoor shots in sunshine or on a light cloudy day at the beach, the pool, or even the desert.

An underwater disposable camera can also be called an all-weather camera since it is ready for anything at anytime. It’s ideal for shooting outdoors in wet and even snowy conditions. Think of it as not only waterproof but also weatherproof, allowing you to use it to get some great shots in the great outdoors. Use it in the rain, on the slopes, on a boat or in the ocean. Use it while snorkeling, skiing, fishing, boarding, or surfing. Take great photos of sunsets, wildlife, waterfalls or crashing waves.

The disposable underwater camera you buy should be extremely durable and rugged. It should be easy to grip and take pictures, even with gloves on. It should fit in your pocket, beach bag or purse.

Most of these cameras are pre-loaded with 400-speed film with 27 exposures, and include a shock resistant, heavy-duty housing that floats. They are cheap (you can pick up a disposable underwater camera for about $6.00 to $20.00) and even cheaper if you buy them wholesale in quantity.

Not all underwater cameras come with a flash. To get really nice underwater images, your best bet is an external strobe so you won’t create “”backscatter”" (which looks like snow or dirt in your pictures). Also remember when taking your photos, especially when snorkeling, to keep the sun behind you and to take advantage of that beautiful blue clear water. With a disposable underwater camera you really can take great pictures anywhere and at anytime.

Disposable Cameras Info provides detailed information about digital, wedding, and underwater disposable cameras, as well as cheap and wholesale disposable cameras. Disposable Cameras Info is the sister site of Underwater Cameras Web.

Applications of Underwater Video Camera

There’s so much you can do with an underwater video camera. If you enjoy snorkeling or diving, you can use the camera to show your friends and family the beautiful tropical fish, colorful coral reefs, and other underwater treasures you encountered on your vacation.

But that isn’t all. Videotape the children (and adults) swimming at the ocean, lake or pool. This could help them improve their swimming techniques or record their very first swim. Or you could plant your underwater video camera on the bottom of your pool and enjoy all the underwater swimming and games played on the VCR.

You could put this camera in your aquarium and see the fish and water life from another view on your television across the room.

Many people use underwater video cameras for fishing, ice fishing and boating. Think of this: You can actually see the type and quantity of fish below the water surface or find out what the conditions are like beneath your boat. Are there weeds, rocks, or sand? You could also inspect damaged propellers. All you have to do is attach your underwater video camera to your boat hook or fishing pole.

Your underwater video camera should connect to most camcorders TVs, VCRs, portable monitors and LCD screens with AV inputs.

You can also record everything on your computer with an underwater video camera. All you need is something called a Grabbee Video Grabber. Then you connect the camera to your lap top and record.

How far can you see using an underwater video camera? About 10% farther than a diver can. Water clarity plays more of a role than the depth and available light. Typical viewing distance of an underwater video camera will range from 3 feet (very poor visibility) to 50 or 60 feet (excellent visibility).

You should have a choice of a color camera or black and white. In the past black and white cameras were much more light sensitive and were a better camera to use underwater. This is not the case any longer. Today’s color video cameras are very light sensitive and can produce a very nice image in low light. So price is really the major consideration when choosing a black and white or a color camera.

During the day most underwater video cameras will operate on natural light to about 100 feet in most water conditions. Beyond 100 feet or at night you will need to use the auxiliary lights.