Originally published in Oct/Nov 1992 newsletter, © John Wall & "The" Dive Shop, all rights reserved

 Before starting in underwater still photography, you must first decide which camera system to use. This is a difficult decision; there are advantages and disadvantages to every option.

 Advertisers spend millions of dollars each year to sway budding underwater photographers. In the end, divers generally choose between and amphibious camera and a housed SLR camera. (SLR stands for single lens reflex. It means that, when looking through the viewfinder, your eye sees what the lens sees.)  An amphibious camera uses orings and seals built into the external body of the camera to keep the internal camera and film dry.

 Amphibious Cameras

·        Amphibious cameras are compact, durable, and easily transported to diving destinations. When outfitted with a tray, support arm and strobe, the camera system is easy to handle underwater. Most resort Divemasters are familiar with amphibious cameras and have few problems in dealing with them when you hand them up to the boat. A further benefit of amphibious cameras is that many resort Divemasters can readily offer advice to novice photographers.

·        For close-up photography, extension tubes or close-up kits make this type of system almost goof proof, even on night dives. Many amphibious cameras use TTL lighting. With few limitations, TTL strobe photography improves your chances of getting properly exposed images.

·        There are a variety of add-on lenses and accessories for amphibious cameras. In some cases, these accessories can be added or removed underwater.

 Amphibious cameras are not without their shortcomings:

• Most amphibious cameras differ from better quality land cameras (SLRs) in that they are rangefinder cameras. This means that the viewfinder shows only an approximation of the image that the camera will record on film. This limitation makes precise focusing and composition difficult, except when using extension tubes and close up lens.
• Unfortunately, the framers used with these accessories may frighten of traumatize small aquatic animals. There is also evidence that cavalier use of framers leads to camera damage or flooding.

 Few serious underwater photographers rely exclusively on amphibious cameras.

Housed SLR Cameras

• SLR cameras enable photographers to see, through their viewfinders, exactly what the lens sees. This allows precise focusing and composition. SLR cameras do not require then use of framers to estimate focal distance and image size. This allow photographers to easily approach a wider variety of subjects – particularly in tight spaces.
• There is a vast amount of land camera equipment that divers may use underwater. Housings are available for nearly all popular SLR cameras, including those with motor drives and autofocus capabilities. Through dome and flat ports, SLR housings accommodate a variety of lenses, from macro to wide angle. Only telephoto lenses do not work well when housed.
• Most popular SLR cameras are compatible with TTL underwater strobes. As mentioned earlier, TTL strobe photography improves your chances of getting properly exposed images. Many SLR viewfinders include metering information that divers may find useful when composing images.

There are disadvantages to housed SLR cameras as well:

• Housed SLR camera systems are larger and less portable than amphibious cameras. They are bulky and more cumbersome to handle above water and on boats – although they are easy to handle under water.
• It takes longer to use SLRs underwater, because divers spend longer getting the focus exactly right. If the action is fast and furious, and requires a guess as to the proper focus, these are not the best system to use.
• At the end of  the dive, handing up a housed camera to a busy Divemaster may be a bit of a chore – particularly if the Divemaster does not know where to grab the system. Marking secure grab spots with colored tape may help eliminate this problem.
• Many resort Divemasters are not familiar with the vast array of housed SLR camera systems, and will not be able to offer help and advice. Unfortunately, their lack of knowledge may come across as criticism of your system.

Comparing the Two

   Initially, a high-quality SLR camera and a housing may cost more than an amphibious camera. However, if you already have a considerable investment in an SLR system – and want to acquire an underwater housing as an accessory to that system - this may not be the case.

   A flooded housing can result in costly camera repairs or replacements; however, a drop or two of water inside the housing is not the disaster that those drops would cause in an amphibious camera.

   The argument rages on. Many consider amphibious cameras the best for wide angle and action photos. Housed SLR cameras may be preferable for close up and macro photography, where precise focusing is critical. If you are a serious photographer, you may end up with both.