Advantages: Very little to go wrong, takes std 35mm film
Disadvantages: Could be cheaper!

...The MX5 (the Sea & Sea MX5, that is, not the Mazda) is a basic waterproof camera of the happy snapper variety. Depth resistant to 36m, it has a natty flip-up sportfinder/lens cover, built in flash and uses 35mm film. This camera is not aimed at the serious underwater photography crowd - it really is just a housed inexpensive 35mm camera. However, it is a nice bit of kit if you don't ask too much of it! There is no focussing to worry about (fixed focus, not autofocus), there is very little to go wrong and it is capable of taking some pretty good shots in shallow water. The onboard flash really shouldn't be used underwater, as backscatter will show up rather a lot and bleach out your images. I looked at buying one, but decided after much playing about with it that given my delusions of taking the odd semi-professional looking shot... Read review

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Advantages: Value for money, easy to use and compact
Disadvantages: Says it can take 7.0 mp photos when in fact it only produces 5.1 effective mp

...settings do allow you to set the camera at various sizes of mega pixels (7, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1) but on the max you will still only get 5.1 mega pixels. Although you only get 5.0 effective mega pixels out of the camera the quality of photos you get are above average for a digital camera when printed with a photo printer on photo paper or at the local photo shop. Put it this way, my wife loves her scrap booking and she recently printed some of the photos from our Red Sea diving trip and you cannot tell the difference between the photos that were taken with the 750G and the photos taken with the Pentax MX5 film SLR camera. I have compared this camera to quite a few other digital cameras of friends and family and I still have yet to find one that takes photos with the same quality as mine. I wouldn’t trade it for the world (unless someone offered me... Read review

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Advantages: Cheaper than throwaways - and it goes deeper
Disadvantages: Rangefinding! Needs a strobe

...The Sea & Sea Motormarine II EX (also known as the Seamaster Pro) is a fairly simple underwater rangefinder camera. It is depth rated to 45m, has a maximum shutter speed of 1/125 and uses 35mm film (DX coded). It has a built in flash - which I have to say is of no use underwater (the flash is so close to the axis of the lens that it illuminates any suspended debris in the water, causing a snowstorm look...). However, it is useful on land & around pools (the ultimate party-proof camera?). I bought mine about 6 months ago to take to the Carribean for some snorkelling & diving, and found it excellent. The quality of some of the shots really astonished me - as a novice user, I didn't expect to get anything like the number of good shots (IMO) that I did. Trying to judge distances underwater is tricky at best, so I tended to work... Read review

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Advantages: Amazing pictures
Disadvantages: Heavy when above water

...I visited Australia as my brother lives over there a few years ago and he was lucky enough to book me a place to go scuba diving. I have always had such a desire to go and see the Coral Reef and all the life forms that you can't even imagine unless you have seen pictures in magazings. You couldn't believe my excitement when I was actually told that I was able to do this! I do not own this camera but was given the loan of it for my adventures to the bottom of the sea. As all of you will most likely know, you can't just take an ordinary camera on a journey like the one I was about to experience and with some of the cheap cameras around, you cannot always guarantee quality pictures. The features of this camera included: Built-in 35mm amphibious lens Unique built-in close-up lens that focuses down to 18 inches Automatic film load... Read review

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Advantages: Quick and Easy
Disadvantages: Doesn't include processing

...I bought a twin pack of these for my 14 year old neices. Knowing that 14 year olds aren't particularly careful with their belongings, ut seemed like a good idea. The camera comes with 27 exposures and has a flash mode but takes a while to warm up. The cost was £9.99 for two. The camera is simple to use, adjust to the type of photo you want i.e. classic or panoramic, then point and shoot. The results are very good. Clear sharp images. We were all very impressed at our budding photographers. The pictures ranged from the dog next door to sea views. Both close up and far images were superb and photos taken at night were also very clear. A good all round dispoable camera.... Read review

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Advantages: Amazing underwater photography
Disadvantages: makes you wish you were David Attenborough

...: The Blue Planet, The Deep, Open Ocean, Frozen Seas, Seasonal Seas, Coral Seas, Tidal Seas, Coasts, Making Waves, Deep Trouble. This series apparently took 5 years to make, and watching the programmes you can imagine Sir Dave and the camera crew sitting around in boats waiting for hours for the right weather, or tides, or whale to appear. The camera work is amazing, you won't have seen anything like this on television before. The viewer is introduced to some beautiful and some truly horrible creatures, including some discovered down in the darkest depths which hadn't been seen before. The BBCs natural history unit has an excellent reputation and watching this series you can appreciate why. The dedication put into making these programmes shines through. The Blue Planet provides a fascinating introduction to the various regions and types... Read review

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Advantages: An unusual experience, good for the skin
Disadvantages: A long walk, the salty water may sting after a while

...~Summary~ The Dead Sea, this was the main reason for my trip to Israel. The healing properties of the waters may be overstated, but you can't go to Israel and not experience mudpacks and swimming in the salty water. The resorts are well equipped with showers, lockers, toilets, restaurant and products to take back home. The actual Dead Sea waters are receding so it is a long walk to the water edge, but there is a land train if you have trouble walking far. The waters are a bit stingy on the skin so I would advise caution if you have sensitive skin. ~Introduction~ The Dead Sea is in Israel and is shared with Jordan. The Dead Sea is renowned for its revitalising properties and products from the Dead Sea area include mud masks, bath salts and other bathing items. The Dead Sea is also below sea level in a valley and has very high salt... Read review

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Advantages: Great quality, compact design
Disadvantages: I can't think of any

...I bought this camera 18 months ago for £160. I spent around two months looking for a digital camera. Like many people I didn't want anything too expensive but I did want good picture quality. I have used the camera several times since, for holidays, social occasions, everyday use. It still works as if it was new. I bought a higher capacity memory card and I can have up to 300 pictures in stored in it. The picture quality is superb (in fact better than from other more expensive cameras) The camera looks great. It's very compact, which makes it really easy to carry with you, it fits in a small handbag and there is still space for plenty more. It has a great sleek design, making it look a much more expensive item. There are many settings to choose from, but the normal setting does a good enough job. Battery life seems good to me... Read review

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Advantages: N/A
Disadvantages: N/A

...this is the first poem i ever did and i wanted to share it and see if others could relate to what i was trying to say. Standing and staring at the deep blue sea, Thinking how clear it is to see Closing her eyes she try’s To look into her heart To see her own blue sea Seeing it within she sees how deep and dark, it flows Standing and staring at her own hearts sea Seeing the pain and misery Hoping that one day it will flow clear as the deep blue sea. i would love to hear peoples thoughts on this and if you could relate to what it was that i was thinking at the time i wrote it. I did actually write this standing by the sea in Blackpool.... Read review

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Advantages: Don't miss it.
Disadvantages: None

...Near Paphos, I also visited the Ancient Roman theater. It is similar to the one in Verona (Italy) but this one is smaller. The beauty about this structure is that it is built in a semi circle manner with a small platform or flat area in the centre of the semi circle, where you can stand and speak and everyone will be able to hear you. It is un believable. This structure sits high on the hill side over looking a flat plane of land with the sea clearly visible not too far away. It is a beautiful setting, especially if you are with someone who likes a similar atmosphere. After visiting this ancient site, i went down the plains to the sea. The sea in this region of Cyprus faces the African continent and is rough. It is not advisable to go swimming in these parts but sitting by the sea with the strong sea-breeze splashing salt water on you... Read review

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