Camera for taking surf pictures?

by **ceweal** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:12 am

Hi everyone,

I need some advice on what digital camera I should get for taking surfing pictures. I hope I put my question in the right forum.

I'm just an amateur hobbyist, but I still want to take great in-focus surfing shots. I think an SLR would be too much for me but a camera with a better than average shutter speed would be nice.

At first I was dead set on getting one of those waterproof Olympus digital cameras, but I don't know if those are any good for long-range shots. I'm sure there will be days when I just want to sit by the beach and take pictures from there instead of having the camera strapped to my wrist while surfing. (Besides, I can always buy a plastic case for a non-waterproof digital camera).

Taking surfing pictures is really my main reason for wanting to buy a digital camera. Hope you guys can recommend some nice digital cameras that would be appropriate for me. Thank you!

**Sponsor**

by **kitesurfer** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:34 am

This one if you want cheap but still good quality

http://www.actioncameras.co.uk/Digital_Hero_3.html

KS

by **greg@hoodatsurfco** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:13 pm

^^I have actually heard some good things about those.

by **Hang11** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:52 pm

Honestly, if you want to take decent surfing photos, a SLR camera is the way to go. Firstly, because they are more responsive - so when you press the shutter button, there isn't any lag - stops you missing the shot. I struggled for years with a Nikon prosumer camera, and it just didn't do the job. Secondly, you need a long, fast lens - gets you into the action easier, and focuses quickly, or you can focus it manually. A small compact camera with a long telephoto lens won't let much light in, it will hunt for the focus, you can't really focus it manually with any speed, and because it lets less light in, the shutter speeds you will have to use will be too slow.

You can't escape the simple physics of using a decent lens, more light = better photos & less missed shots.

If you get into it, you'll only end up upgrading to a digi SLR anyway, so my advice is to go for one of those, with a decent lens, and save yourself wasting money in the long run.

I also use a little Fuji Finepix in a waterproof housing sometimes for taking shots in the water, and get some decent results. You can pick up a setup like that for not much money. Canon and olympus also do reasonably priced housings for their compact cameras.

by **SurfCamera** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:23 pm

The best waterproof camera out right now is the Pentax W30. It will take a pounding out in the surf.

by **myate** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 5:20 pm

Only problem with an SLR in the water is that the housing will cost many times more than the camera and lens.

by **RJD** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:11 pm

Not if you buy the expensive camera an lenses...

IMO dont take your dslr in the water unless your a pro

(theres some plastic bag type dSLR enclodures that are a mere few hundred pounds and supposed to be ok.)

by **myate** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:26 pm

Doesn't matter what type of Slr you have, the water housing is expensive...well over $1000.

by **RJD** » Sat Oct 06, 2007 9:37 pm

Nope thats for the solid plastic ones, theres cheaper ones around for $300

Take a look at the Ewa-Marine housings, basicaly a big plastic ziplock back with a clear circular plate for the lens to shoot through.

IMO not a good option for divers, no flash, bad WA distorion, not physicaly up to it, but for surfing shots it'll do fine.

http://www.ewa-marine.com/english/cameras/e-slr.htm

by **ceweal** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:14 am

Thanks for all of the replies guys, much appreciated.

I guess this thread can be further used as a discussion place for surfing photography.

by **RJD** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:19 pm

Tripod, 1DmkIII and 600f4L, and if anyone has all that spare I can let you know my address...

by **hawaiiSUCKSexceptsurf** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:09 pm

3 megapixel, small, armstrap, video, $139 U.S. i want one but id feel stupid buying one when i already have a camera

http://www.goprocamera.com/

by **WooD** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:53 pm

RJD wrote:Tripod, 1DmkIII and 600f4L, and if anyone has all that spare I can let you know my address...

Yep that wood get the job done. I shoot surf shoots with a D80, and a 80-200 f/2.8 for shore break, and a 300 f/4 with a 1.4 TC that gets me out to 420 f/5.6.

My dream lens is the 400 f/2.8, but at close to $8K it will be staying a dream for a while.

by **GeekyMe** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:02 pm

ceweal wrote:Hi everyone,

I need some advice on what digital camera I should get for taking surfing pictures. I hope I put my question in the right forum.

I'm just an amateur hobbyist, but I still want to take great in-focus surfing shots. I think an SLR would be too much for me but a camera with a better than average shutter speed would be nice.

At first I was dead set on getting one of those waterproof Olympus digital cameras, but I don't know if those are any good for long-range shots. I'm sure there will be days when I just want to sit by the beach and take pictures from there instead of having the camera strapped to my wrist while surfing. (Besides, I can always buy a plastic case for a non-waterproof digital camera).

Taking surfing pictures is really my main reason for wanting to buy a digital camera. Hope you guys can recommend some nice digital cameras that would be appropriate for me. Thank you!

Go for 3 meter waterproof digital cameras. You can find good quality digital underwater cameras from online gadget shops for low prices.

by **danno** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:12 pm

I got a gopro surf hero 5 for 139. shipped with 2gb sd and batteries. Its a lot of fun. Here is my second session. I have nt taken stills with it yet. the quality off the camera is really clear even on video, after it is uploaded to web it looses a lot. I have an 8' superfish XL and I just put it on the nose. You barely notice it. take care

http://www.surfing-waves.com/video/122_ ... camera.htm

by **vvashed** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:37 am

hey i would go for the cannon power shot G9 or or anything above G5 they are great cameras and have a water tight case that is designed just for them for just 100 on eBay here is a link to the review i highly recommend it http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_G9/ here is video review also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUSPT7YnsS8
hope it helps you make up your mind

Camera for taking surf pictures?

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