Subject:	The C4040 is a really nice camera for both topside and underwater +
Author:	NLAVD
Date:	5/30/2002 11:23:22 AM
Message:

and as it turns out, I'm currently trying to put together a web page that answers some questions such as this so I have lots to say :-)

As far as I can tell, this is a pretty good price on this camera. The prices on any given digital camera will drop with time so this may just be the latest good price, but it's certainly less than I paid. As for the question of it being right for you, that's a much harder one. You've correctly identified that it's a substantial step from a point and shoot camera in that it has LOTS of features to get familiar with. At the same time, it has one feature that may actually make it easier to use than your Reefmaster - the ability to see your results instantly. This means that even if you don't have a full grasp of some of the features, you'll know instantly if you've screwed up so the learning curve is really fast.

In general I can say that this camera can take some outstanding photos. I've taken mine on three trips so far and have come back from all three with a handful of good photos and a few that I'm really happy with. Below are some links to various shots to show various capabilities of the camera. I should point out that many of the photos in my galleries were taken with either the Inon wide angle or macro lens adapters. The following were taken with the cameras built in lens.
Solander's Toby
Fimbriated Moray
Lionfish
Black Grouper being cleaned
Trumpetfish on Reef

Now for the downsides. This is a lot of money to spend on a camera if all you want are snapshots of a vacation dive. When I got mine, I seriously considered the fact that I might wish that I had gone with a housed 35mm camera or a Nikonos. So far I'm not sorry at all. I recently had some film developed and I thought it seemed downright primitive : ) The issue of film vs digital aside, you most definitely are getting a better camera if you spring for a Nikonos or a housed Nikon SLR. You'll have to decide. I can say without hesitation that because you see the photos instantly, you'll come home from your vacation with more good ones and less junk...by a long shot.

Downsides to the camera itself are really pretty few. I'm really frustrated with the delay between when I press the button and when it actually takes the photo. This delay is unique to digital cameras and most consumer versions have it. This doesn't seem like much of a problem until you take your 123rd photo of the butt of some fish because it swam off before the photo was recorded.

The fact that it eats batteries like popcorn is also a bit frustrating. If you get this camera, don't even think of using disposable batteries! Get two sets of 1800mAH rechargeable batteries and a really good charger. One set of these will typically get you through two dives which is tolerable.

My other complaints in the past have involved things that were more an issue of me getting used to how the camera worked. In other words, it didn't do what I expected so I complained. These are in the category of "quirky" but not really problems so I'll not list them.

Once you decide to get this camera, you'll have to choose a housing. Many divers I know are happy with the Olympus housing. I chose the Ikelite housing because Olympus put a 100' depth limit on theirs. I know it would probably be fine at greater depths but I don't want to think about that during a dive. If you're comfortable with this depth limit, I see no reason not to get the Olympus housing.

If there is any way your budget can accommodate it, get a strobe. It will greatly enhance your photos! This camera can take good photos with the internal flash, most notably very close-up photos, but an external strobe makes the system more versatile and reduces backscatter.

If you end up with this setup and a strobe, read the instructional pages on this site. There are many cases where understanding and using the manual settings will get you better results. Do youself a favor and eliminate any fears you have concerning the manual operation. The understanding you'll gain will be well worth it.

Whatever you end up with, have fun with it and post your results so we can see them.

Subject

Author

Date

Olympus C-4040 for $560--should I ? (3)

SteppinRazor

5/29/2002 11:35:43 PM

The C4040 is a really nice camera for both topside and underwater + (2)

NLAVD

5/30/2002 11:23:22 AM

Justifying the step up... (1)

SteppinRazor

5/30/2002 11:58:09 AM

Man you ask hard questions + (0)

NLAVD

5/30/2002 12:24:13 PM

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