"What camera should I buy for use underwater?" That's a question we love to get asked. We are able to advise, based on our own experience using various cameras with traditional and new, ground braking techniques, what we think will work best in all sorts of circumstances. Whilst we can't test each and every camera that appears in this rapidly changing market, we do get to use certain models and quickly work out what are the features to look out for in a camera that we are selling. If you simply want a no frills underwater camera that will provide the ability to take shots and are not too fussy about the very best results, there are models available for less than £200. On the other hand for around £300 to £400 camera packages (Camera and Housing) are available that allow you to use Custom White Balance, ISO and Exposure Control. These functions enable you to elevate your pictures to a whole new level. It's important to realise that you can just use these cameras as basic "point and shoot" machines but dig a little deeper into the camera's menu and you can really take control. Another "must have" for an underwater camera is the ability to accept an external wide-angle or fisheye lens. These accessories really make a significant difference to your photos. These are a "must have" because we need to get rid of as much water between us and the subject as possible and a wideangle or fisheye lens lets you do just that. As water is much denser than air we really need to get close to our subject to keep clarity and contrast, therefore wide-angle lenses should be one of the first accessories you should consider as they will directly affect the quality of your images. Don't let this put you off using your SLR though; you just need to be aware of the implications involved. Your SLR will generate much bigger file sizes than a compact so the potential to achieve the very best results are with this. You can attach specific lenses to it for particular tasks, i.e. very wide-angle lenses or extreme macro lenses but remember what you choose to use is decided before you dive, you can't attach and detach these lenses underwater as you can with a compact. Also SLR housings are necessarily larger to accommodate the larger cameras. Strobes tend to be much bigger too. Therefore your diving and buoyancy skills need to be of a very high standard to get the best out of it, let alone your technical photographic skills. It is also worth considering your airline weight allowance too. Hints: We think the ability to accept a wide-angle lens, followed by custom or manual white balance, are "must haves" when purchasing a digi-compact camera. And for most peoples needs, these attributes easily outweigh more technical photographic functions, such as the ability to shoot in RAW, or full manual exposure control. Please contact us about your specific needs, what is written here is only a brief guide.

The Epoque EHD-800 camera & housing The Canon Ixus 85IS with the WP-DC23 housing An Epoque wide angle lens and an Inon fishye lens An Epoque ES150 flash kit An Ikelite housing with a Canon 450D SLR camera The Aquatica housing for the Nikon D300 SLR camera