Suggestions for first proper underwater camera?

drusus wrote:

My relative has expressed interest in mirrorless cameras and underwater housings. Do you have any recommendations for a compact entry-level system that is a step up from Olympus TG but will not be a big financial commitment? Camera, lens, housing, optional lights. Or is there such a thing as a digital underwater camera, like a digital Nikonos?

There are a lot of threads here with this same general question, so you should scroll down and read a bit.

I can offer a GREAT deal on two Nik V cameras. Bought them from someone a decade ago, never seen the water. Semi serious - sure I'll sell them, but not the best candidate for a freediving photographer.

One more thing. My relative has the use one one hand instead of two. If there is a system that, for whatever reason, is easier to use one-handed, that would be preferable. Certainly the preference is for a compact system. For example, if lighting is a must (is it?), a light built into the housing would be preferable to a pair of lights on attached arms. Water clarity would range from the clear Caribbean waters of Tulum, Mexico, to the not-so-clear Eastern Pacific waters of San Diego, California.

So freediving + one hand presents conflicting challenges.   But if her intent is focused on wide angle targets in the mid depths (20m?), then a housed 4/3rds with an 8mm fisheye in the 4.33" dome using ambient lighting would be highly manageable and would only need the right hand grip.   She could rest the camera on her back as she dives, shielding it from a lot of the current/drag.   The exposure settings variation is pretty controllable as well.

Wetpixel's classifieds (or Scubaboard) will have older 4/3rds systems available for people who have upgraded.  The price drop is pretty substantial from new.   For a freediver, I think the vacuum port is pretty important as it will be going through a lot of pressure changes, whereas the scuba diver only subjects it to a handful per dive.

Is it the left hand that she doesn't have?   Hopefully, since most cameras are right hand triggers.   And is it just the hand she doesn't have, or the forearm, or all?  A forearm with no hand could still be used to brace.   No arm may mean it's better to keep the housing negative but attached to her so she can brace with the one hand.

https://www.thedigitalshootout.com/ - this is in Bonaire in 2 months and I believe would offer the potential to have a lot of demo gear coupled with some of the most knowledgeable salesfolk (Backscatter) in the nation/world.    They would also have the most experience with scenarios like her's.

Though this represents the cost of a mid range dive trip, the ability to try out many choices as well as iterate each day on the rigging gives a high probability of finding the most viable upgrade without a lot of costly mistakes or compromises.

Much cheaper, depending on where she is, is to go to a major dive expo where the manufacturers and big vendors like Backscatter, Bluewater, Reefphoto attend.   She wouldn't be able to get in the water to experiment, but she could at least get their advice and see/touch the gear.    The biggest one I know is in Long Beach, CA, on May 14th and 15th.