Sealife DC1000- Reviews/Questions

[BoomerNJ]

I ended up going with a Canon G10 & housing. It's an advanced point & shoot with all the "pro-sumer" bells & whistles and has a great zoom. The whole package cost me less than $600, I believe. It takes great pics, even on full auto. I now use the camera for everything, above & below the water. I think they just came out with a new version too, the G11, so you could probably get a deal on the G10...

[palatulog]

My husband purchased 2 of Sealife DC1000 for teaching purposes. Camera 1 flooded on 2nd dive. Strobe 1 flooded on 3rd dive. Camera 1 and Strobe 1 was shipped back for repair. Received the strobe 1 back after a couple of weeks while we’re still waiting for camera 1 after 2 months since it was shipped to them. The supposedly repaired strobe 1 stopped working after the 2nd above water practice. It didn’t even make it back to the water.


Practiced with camera 2 but was not happy with the performance. I have a Sony point and shoot in an ikelite housing that focused better on little stuff like letters on your keyboard so I didn’t even bother using camera2 underwater.


Today, Strobe 2 was tested underwater for the first time. It worked on 1st dive but had bubbles coming out from the inside in the beginning of the 2nd dive. Didn’t see water levels inside the strobe yet but bubbles was coming from the inside (inside the transparent part where the on/off/test is located). I had to walk back to the surface to leave strobe 2 (with 16 dive buddies waiting). We are going to send the 2 strobes back and wouldn’t know if Sealife would really fix the problem (after the experience with repaired strobe 1). Thinking that it was our mistake why camera 1 and strobe 1 got flooded, I was more careful with inspecting the seals on strobe 2, but still it got flooded.

I’m using an ikelite housing and had 50+ dives without a single issue. I know how to take care and inspect the seals. Even if Sealife will repair their products, I am now hesitant of using it. Using it is a hassle in the real world when it floods. Using it with the feeling that it might flood again is just not worth it. The kit is not bad if it works. And if it works the question is for how many dives. Sealife camera kits appeared to be cheaper but in reality turned out to be more expensive because it floods in a just few dives. I wish we can return the thing and get something else.

[Rick1975]

Just got this camera--experienced diver, experienced land photographer and finally took a shot at underwater photography. Didn't research the purchase--just went with the dive shop's recommendation. Tried it for the first time last week in ARuba. The biggest problem I had was the lag in focus/shoot. Was totally unable to capture a moving fish. Tried it in the hotel pool, shooting my kids coming off the slide. There was a lag--no matter how hard I tried to catch them on the slide, all I got was an empty slide and a splash. I know I have a lot to learn but not sure how to solve this issue---very long delay. Would appreciate any guidance, advice. Thanks, Rick

[DevilDiver]

This is an issue with a lot of P&S cameras, try a half press/focus lock on the subject or area and wait for the right moment to fully press the shutter release. You can try the same idea but on a subject at the approximate same distance (like a coral head) then move the camera to the primary subject with the camera prefocused to fully press the release. Best thing to do is practice, kids and pets are great.

[furby076]

Well I ordered the
G10
Canon case
Strobe light

Hopefully the camera will arrive this week so I can test it out and learn how to use it (I have some plane time on Friday to give me a chacne to play with it for a couple of hours).

Canon case is on backorder for a few weeks but no biggy I don't have any dives planned
Strobe light should be here in a day or two

[SteveR]

Originally Posted by furby076

Well I ordered the
G10
Canon case
Strobe light

Hopefully the camera will arrive this week so I can test it out and learn how to use it (I have some plane time on Friday to give me a chacne to play with it for a couple of hours).

Canon case is on backorder for a few weeks but no biggy I don't have any dives planned
Strobe light should be here in a day or two

Any updates on the camera? Where did you order it and what strobe are you using?

Any other updates on the DX1000?

[BUDMAN]

I've had a SEAlife DC 600 for awhile now and I've never had an issue with it.no flooding and I really like the pictures it takes.

that being said I realize it's on the low end of cameras out there but really is there that much difference between the low end and mid range cameras?

I would like to buy a new camera eventually but my price range is below $1000.
would you consider any camera/housing to be that much better than what I already have considering the amount I would have to spend?

[DevilDiver]

FYI- If anyone is interested here is a review from DivePhotoGuide.com

SeaLife DC1000 With SeaLife SL961 Digital Pro Flash :: DivePhotoGuide.com - The Underwater Photo & Video Portal

[bitumen_surfer]

I've been reading this thread with some interest as I have been looking for an entry/intermediate level camera under $1000. I have been considered the SL1000 Elite package (one strobe plus macro lens)

I note the reviews have mostly been positive (i.e. SeaLife DC1000 With SeaLife SL961 Digital Pro Flash :: DivePhotoGuide.com - The Underwater Photo & Video Portal )

However, I note that a number of posters here have had quality issues with:
1) leaking seals. ( palatulog & FishFood )
2) batteries

I'm wondering if the leaking seals is because SeaLife is using a seal that should not be greased ? which may be against experience with other cameras.

[graemeh]

I purchased the DC1000 Elite package in September '09 and promptly headed to Bonaire and logged 6 dives and several snorkles with it. This was my first exposure to underwater photography, but I have a good deal of experience with land photography, digital and film, SLR and P&S.

I found the DC1000 to be a terrific camera/strobe combo and it produced some great results both underwater and on land. Here are some of my observations:

• The predefined "Easy Setup" modes worked very well for me underwater. The ease of use allowed me to focus on my subject matter and composition rather than worrying about the camera. Not to mention that I was able to pay attention to situational awareness (i.e. not bashing into the reef).
• The ability to switch focal modes (macro, normal) quickly and easily helped in getting pics of those little "critters".
• Being able to add or remove the wide angle lens while underwater and the convenient storage slot in the tray made it easier to capture those big "critters" including my dive buddy, schools of fish, or larger coral formations.
• Battery life was not an issue. On one occassion, I used the camera through 3 dives of close to an hour each and had battery to spare. I would recommend, however, the purchase of a spare battery to have on hand either for reviewing your pics afterward if you're not near a plug or if you are planning a long series of dives.
• I had no issues with any leakage. I think a simple rule of thumb here applies. Follow the directions on cleaning and installing your seals and then tank test them before you get in the water.
• I "played" around a bit with the camera in land mode and got some very good results. There is a lot of versatility built into this little unit.

So, from my perspective, I am very happy with my purchase and results to date.

Just a side note, it seems that a number of the reviews and comments here are posted by people who have not used the camera and are commenting based on their experience with prior models. If you are using this forum as a basis for a purchasing decision, it might be wise, if you can, to wait until there are more posts from actual users of the camera.