Retire in Paradise

Don’t rush into buying a waterproof camera before first reading these tips, whether you are an amateur professional or an experienced who is looking at submersible cameras for the first time. Here are some things to think about:

1) First and foremost, the sealing. This is what differentiates your waterproof camera from normal ones, and if any sealing breaks you are just left with an expensive piece of junk. Check all sealing while buying or evaluating, and recheck it regularly, especially in places where it comes under stress, such as on the lens or on the battery opening.

2) Next, the picture quality: Nowadays most cameras come with at least 5 megapixels of resolution and you may want to stick to that. Less resolution only represents a small saving, and much higher ones won’t make much of a difference for underwater cameras, except if you are a pro with special needs.

3) Construction and burden: Check that the waterproof camera is sturdy and well-build, with dependable materials. Make sure that you also get the supplementary equipment that you need. For most people a compact camera will do, don’t get an SLR just because it looks cooler, unless you really need to exchange lenses it will just load you up with extra bulk.

4) Industry standards: Often overlooked by buyers, these are important as they confirm that your new waterproof camera has been tested and meets certain requirements. Aim at JIS Waterproof 8, or higher.

5) Characteristics: make sure that you have all the extra capabilities that you will need. Whether it’s a lens mount for filters, extra flash sockets, or simply different burst modes and automatic settings, check for them and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance at the shop.

6) You bought a waterproof camera? Great! Now clean it. Regularly. Be especially vigilant around dust, tar and sand, these will destroy your gaskets and water WILL leak into your device, rending it useless. Or your lens will jam. A well maintained camera is a long-lived camera.

7) Avoid exposing your waterproof camera to harmful chemicals, This includes Chlorine, so avoid using it in artificial pools. The sea, rivers and lakes are much safer environments for underwater photography equipment.

make sure that you do not end up with a splash-proof camera, instead of a waterproof one. These are not intended to be submersed, and will assuredly leak and then break if you do put them under water.

9) Learn about your waterproof camera and its performance gradually. Don’t take it take it to a dive right away, experiment with it in a shallow place first. Read the manual and try out the effect of different picture options, and you will soon be shooting like a pro.