buy dive computer and dive camera

[Mermaid]

Hi,
I'm planning on buying my first dive computer. Ideall want a watch type design so I can wear all holiday not just when diving - any recommendations?
Also would like to buy a camera - again any recommendations for a beginner photographer?

[Dida]

If you are looking for your first comuter then I assume you are still training or have just completed training ?? ( no disrespect but ...) you are not really in a situation with your limited diving experience to be using a camera underwater. To obtain good quality images requires excellent buoyancy and a good understanding of underwater photography techniques + equipment.... otherwise you are wasting your time and money - I know because I've been there.
Go on a photography course before you select a camera.
I have been coached by some excellent photographers - I look back and think I could have saved so much money instead of just throwing it down the drain.
Even for the professionals only 1 or 2 out of 10 under water photographs in British waters turn out any good.
Buy a computer ( much of a muchness these days) and get used to it.

[DiveDevil1966]

Dive Computers are great tools and you have a great selection to choose from. In the last few yeasr the watch models have really taken off and there is some good computers out there. I think the most widely used watch computer is produced by SUUNTO. You can choose between many different models starting from basic right up to an air integrated watch/computer. The D4, D6 D9 and the Stinger are all watch computers. They have very similar features. Just have a look on the website and then choose which one you like. I am happy to advice you if required. Look at Suunto - Home and follwo the link to the diving computers and watches. Scubapro also has a watch sized dive computer.
As of the underwater camera. In this area of diving you can go from simple to very complicated and expensive very quickly. Depending of what you want to do, and what kind of pictures you want to take. I am not an underwater photography specialist, but then I do like to take pictures on my dives. I am using a SONY Cybershot (T100) with the appropriate marine pack. They are very reasonably priced and you can take very good pictures with it. The cameras in this style are also nice and small and actually fit in most BCD pockets. There is many different cameras and models available and SONY is just one of them. You can also look for OLYMPUS, CANNON and many more. There are also cameras available which do not require a marine pack.
If this is not good enough and you want to take underwater photography a step further, then you may want to get a digital SLR camera and an underwater housing. Thats when you start to spend some real money, but then you get what you pay for. These cameras are also produced by many different companies. Choose the canera you like and then have a look at the housings available. The company I have very good experience with is LIGHT & MOTION. These guys have a housing for most carmera types and brands.
Getting into underwater photography is exciting and challenging at the same time. You will see that the quality of your pictures improve steadily and YES doing a underwater photography course is a good thing, and will give you great tips and suggestions how to take great pictures. But not only that, it also shows you how to deal with the prictures by the time you have downloaded them to your computer.

I hope this is helpfula dn please let me know if you have any other questions.

DiveDevil

[Mermaid]

Thanks for the helpful advice guys.

[BigDon]

I tried my luck on amazon and I bet that you can find some on ebay as well. Good Luck with it!

[DeepDish]

Ebay is very good, you can grap some hot deals out of there, i just got a Suunto D6 from Ebay for just 540$, what a deal

[DiveDevil1966]

I understand that there is a lot of websites out there where dive computers can be purchased including e-bay etc. These places are OK if you actually know what you are looking for. If you are not sure what kind of computer you want to buy or should be buying, the advice from a dive professional, such as a diving instructor or a dive shop is very important. There you will receive the correct information about what is important and what features need to be in the package.
The web is good when you know what you want and you do not expect too much back-up after you have bought the product.

Dive Devil

[surf99]

Have a look at Getting started in underwater photography (Casio Point & Shoot)

[DiveDevil1966]

Very Nice pictures. You took them with the Casio point and shoot?? Impressive!!
DiveDevil

[surf99]

Yes - Casio Z77 + EWC-11 for $230
But you can only take nice shots with point and shoot cameras if you don't use the built-in flash.
Otherwise it'll look like this