Digital cameras

Digital photography & water do mix!

DO YOU WANT SALT WITH THAT?
Wind-borne salt air coats the lens, making images fuzzy, plus dry cleaning the glass can damage it, as salt is abrasive. The best protection for a conventional digital or 35mm lens is a UV filter attached to the front of the lens - if the camera has a lens thread. Still, the filter can become cloudy with salt build-up in as little as 20 minutes, opaque enough to affect picture quality.

Ideally, for lenses to remain clear, clean with microfiber cleaning cloths, available from optical stores. Regularly clean the UV filter by wetting one microfiber cloth well to wipe off the salt, then follow-up with a dry cloth.

The camera body will also need some attention from time-to-time if it's been exposed to a saltwater environment. The best treatment is to wipe the body with a lightly soapy, freshwater-damp cloth - this can be a soft cloth, or microfiber cleaning types found in supermarkets - then finish with a dry cloth.

Personal experience reinforces the perils of saltwater mixing with cameras. On a beautiful day, where a Gold Coast river meets the sea, sun shining, photographing a fashion model with blue tranquil water background, a freak wave crashed over the camera outfit.

The camera was dried off, but too late - the technician's face said it all: "Your $1000 camera is only good for scrap, mate." An expensive reminder, conventional film and digital cameras need care when used near saltwater.

WATER-RESISTANT CAMERAS
Recently, water or splash-proof cameras have arrived. Some even survive a drop from waist height. It's jaw-dropping to see the Olympus salesman drop a camera in a fish-tank with the camera still operating, or drop it from waist height. This destruction-resistance also rates some Olympus cameras as near childproof, so young family members can be photographers too.

When selecting a digital camera, important issues are price, resolution (megapixels), optical zoom range, memory card capacity and for marine applications, splash-proofing or underwater immersion ratings. An optical or electronic viewfinder is a feature of choice too, as the LCD preview screen can be hard to see in sunlight.

PHOTOGRAPHY IS NOW A SNAP
Digital cameras have brilliant 'auto' settings to achieve near-perfect photographs without the photographer needing technical and creative knowledge. Nearly all the latest crop of cameras have symbols on their rotary mode dial representing major photo styles, like portrait or mountains, so selecting these is all that's needed. Aim the camera and you are almost guaranteed a near-perfect photograph. The timeless basic photographic 'rules' can make a good photograph great, like keeping the sun behind your back if possible, move in close, plus hold the camera still in low light - or use flash.

DOES THE CAMERA FIT YOU?
With the dazzling array of digital cameras now available, it pays to become well informed about the choices. Photographic magazines, friends, stores and the Internet are excellent sources of information for potential purchasers.

Making a comparison chart or spreadsheet of camera features is the ultimate method to quickly clarify which camera meets your needs. Features to look for in a digital camera are: resolution (megapixels), optical zoom range, memory card size and for marine applications, splash-proofing or underwater immersion ratings.

Optical zoom relates to enlarging or reducing subjects from a single position. Digital zoom does this, too, but greater magnification reduces the resolution and clarity.

Cameras rated at 5MP (5 megapixels) and above are perfect for clear A4 size enlargements or even larger.

CARDS - THE FILM FOR DIGITAL
Large memory cards are now super cheap, so be sure to obtain 500MB (megabytes) or more. Typically, the card supplied with digital cameras only stores about 10 to 20 high quality photographs! It's opportune to take advantage of the recent price reductions, with some 1GB (gigabyte) cards just $30 to $40.

When starting with a new memory card, if the brand is different, 'format' it first and use this option instead of 'erase' from time to time. Then the card's directory is the same as the camera's 'language', plus residual stray data is erased. Your camera and card will get along much better!

PROTECT YOUR KIT
Waterproof camera carry-bags protect your investment. Soft cases are hard to beat for light bumps and splash-free areas. The downside is they can absorb moisture and don't offer total protection when in a rocking boat or aircraft hold.

Extra tough hard cases, like the renowned Pelican brand, are the ultimate in all-round protection. They can survive almost any event, plus are watertight, dust and sand-proof.

NEVER LOSE THE MEMORIES
Backing up with extra copies of your image files is vital. Computers crash, memory cards can be corrupted and discs lost or damaged, so be sure to set up a good archive of copies on CDs.

Ideally, make two back-up CDs, storing each in a low-light location. If you stress over losing photographs, then they definitely need back-up.

CHOICES, CHOICES
So what are the digital camera choices for boaters?

For infrequent use, where there's little danger of splashing or dunking, a small digital camera is superior to an expensive SLR, as the risk-factor is much less.

We tested: The easy-to-use Canon Power Shot A550, a compact 7MP conventional digital, priced around $200 in some stores.

We liked: The price, optical viewfinder, large display, hand-grip large enough to hold, plus ease of use. The 4x zoom is enough for most users too. A genuine point and shoot camera.

We didn't like: Canon software (supplied) required to load photos to a computer. The off-centre tripod socket allowed the camera to easily topple with a mini tripod.

Overall: Superb functionality, easy to use, a great grip, low price and a host of features. Recommended.

The next level of digital cameras are splash-proof, or even waterproof to shallow depths. Olympus has models boasting excellent water and drop resistance, stating their 'Tough Lite 790SW is waterproof to three metres'.

The 790SW is rated to 3m, shockproof to 1.5m drop. Specifications include 7.1MP, 3x optical zoom lens, Face Detection, 2.5in HyperCrystal LCD Screen and movie mode with sound. Select one of 23 scene programmes, like 'Portrait' and the camera sets itself to optimum. Recommended retail price is $499.

GOING DEEP
The next level are the true underwater cameras or housings that can go to serious depths. Place an Olympus 790SW in their PT-041 housing for a deep-water camera, to 40m (or 131 feet)! Underwater housings are more difficult to use, so they mainly appeal to enthusiasts. The recommended retail price for PT-042 is $399.

Vivitar's ViviCam 6200w camera is rated to an impressive 10m (without a housing), dressed for duress in a yellow shockproof rubber shell. Features include a bright 2.0in LCD screen, 6MP resolution, five scene settings, focus-free lens and 4x digital zoom. ViviCam 6200w has a recommended retail price of $299.

With waterproof cameras, saltwater can still enter cavities in the camera body, like the 'speaker' holes and the tripod screw thread. The best prevention against corrosion is to dip and stir the camera in clean freshwater. (Only do this with a genuinely submersible camera, or you'll be unpleasantly surprised!). Then gently pat the camera with a soft rag and leave it to dry in the shade.

Finally, there's nothing better than reading the entire instruction book, keep underwater use to essential short visits and never exceed the manufacturer's depth limits.

For more information, visit your nearest camera store or contact the manufacturers: