Underwater Camera - Sealife DC1400 Pro Duo

[Hunt n Fish]

Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the Sealife dive cameras. Specifically the DC1400 Pro Duo (http://www.sealife-cameras.com/cameras/dc1400-pro-duo), but if anyone has experiences with the previous DC1200 I'd like to hear about them.

I am selling my combination Canon cameras, dive case and slave flash because I am looking to upgrade. I have a vacation to St. Lucia where I will be doing some diving coming next month and next year I am planning on getting to the Galapagos Islands finally. So I want a good camera for both trips, and future trips, and want to do it just once.

Or if anyone has other recommendations for other cameras, I'd like to hear about them.

Thanks,

Chris

[Kraken]

Don't know how much you are looking to spend but I would HIGHLY reccomend checking out the new Sony nex5 cameras. Literally the most bad ass little dslr I've used and it shoots incredible UW shots too. It's a great size even with the housing. The whole set up isn't too cheap though.

[LIMITLESS]

I have a dc1200 and i can tell you i love it. For the price its a great cam,. I built a mount and i can use it attached to my gun. I also use it to just shoot stills and video. I use a 32gb card, and on video i can get a little over an hour before the batt starts to go. But stills, you can load up. Great video, and awesome stills. Then theres the part about reviewable lcd while under water. Plus all the land features when you take it out of the case. I have been using mine for over a year now, i am certified in underwater digital photography and i can tell you i havent had to change the dry stick yet. I highly recomend it if you are looking to shoot stills and video. But if i was gunna buy a cam strictly for the gun... It would be a go pro...

[Hunt n Fish]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.

Kraken, I went and looked into those cameras you recommended, the SLR's and necessary cases are way out of my price range. But thanks for the information. It gave me more to look into.

With the lack of info available on the camera, positive or negative, I finally just went down to my local dive shop and spoke with them there, and got to see some of the pictures they've taken with it. I was happy, and bought the 1400 duo pro from them. I can't wait to try it out in St. Lucia next month.

Limitless, thank you also for the review of the 1200. I've been playing with this one and have been very pleased with all the features. I can't wait to try it out. I actually don't spearfish too much. I'd rather take photos, and now video. When we're offshore fishing, my buddies will go in with their guns, and I'll usually just try and take some pics of them in action. I can't wait for this season to start.

I have a GoPro already. I took it to South Africa and used it to cage dive with Great Whites, and I've used it up on Cape Cod while tuna fishing, to video the whales feeding on sandeels. Unfortunately, I'm very deficient when it comes to all the editing that I need to do, and haven't been able to get up the videos. One of my favorite things I've done with it this season though, was to mount it to my dog, and video some retrieves he made. I am working on making a new collar for him so the camera can be mounted up by his head more so it can see over it better.

http://youtu.be/DzO20Pe9XWk

http://youtu.be/t2JrFbub2Is


Thanks again guys,

Chrs

[Hunt n Fish]

I just got back from a trip to St. Lucia where I got to try out the camera and was very pleased with the picture quality and user friendly features of the camera while underwater.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/427952_10150611440292400_517632399_9321681_7481377 58_n.jpg
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I did not find the video light very effective at anything less than about a foot in front of the camera lens. You can see in this video of an octopus I took that it was not until I was practically bumping the camera into it, could you see the effect of the video light on the subject.

Octopus Encounter

So, IMO, save yourself a few bucks and just go with the camera and slave flash combo.

Chris

[LIfishslayer]

Nice pics! the one with the sea turtle is great. I use a sealife DC 800 which I picked up a few yrs ago. I've used it in the NE for spearfishing videos and also for some stills. Took some great pics in Jamaica last year on vacation also.

[CCR Josh]

Thanks for sharing! We sell A LOT of sealife cameras and it seems like everybody who sells them is very happy with them.

If any of you are looking at getting one, shoot me a PM or EMAIL ME (josh@diveaddicts.com) and I can hook you up!

[rexgear]

Don't know how much you are looking to spend but I would HIGHLY reccomend checking out the new Sony nex5 cameras. Literally the most bad ass little dslr I've used and it shoots incredible UW shots too. It's a great size even with the housing. The whole set up isn't too cheap though.

Which underwater housing are you using for your Sony nex5?

Thanks!