Hey guys!
Coming into chrissy, people are asking "what do we get you"?
What i really need is a decent sports digi camera! 
Probably something that is small and easy to take away on holidays!
Im not sure, but i think the only camera that has the "waterproof" feature is the Olympus Tough 1030SW.
What do you guys use, to take photos of kiters and windwackers!
Cheers Steve!!
Ive had a Pentax Optio WP for the last few years which has been pretty good in the water & at the snow. Also if you get mud/dirt on them you wash off under a tap.
The new model is an Optio W60 http://www.pentax.com.au/pentax/index.cfm?pageID=2&modelID=58& .
But I think the new Olympus is the go.
Yep gotta agree. I have the Olympus 770 which is last years model and its not too shabby. I take it everywhere. Three thumbs up
awesome guys sounds good!
Whats the zoom on it like, i imagine its not that great?
Let me know!
Cheers Steve :D
I saw at a shop in Brisbane called Videopro (I guess it's available else where) a small Fuji digi came that came bundled with a waterproof housing. The housing looked like the real deal and would be able to be used at depth if that's your thing. I think it was less than $200 for the package, over 7 mega pixel, 4 x optical zoom etc etc.
Looked good enough that I nearly bought one.
I just bought myself the Olympus 1030SW for Crissy and tried it out yesterday for the first time, I still need a bit of practice getting everything in the picture but am happy with the result for a simple point and shoot camera that will fit in your pocket.
You also have to watch out for water drops on the lens.
It can also be setup for sequence shots but the quality is reduced a bit
(less megapixels).
Hope you don't mind me posting the photo's Sam, you did ok considering there was barely enough wind to get going.
The other one I considered is the Pentax Optio W60 which has the bonus that it can be programmed to take a photo every ten seconds, which is good if you want to mount it on your kite in a cam rig to take snaps of you as you kite.
Yeah Tightlines, that first shot is good for an action shot (apart from the kiting theme) - you can see individual drips of water clearly - good stuff. The only gripe I have with the Olympus is the macro mode - the Pentax cameras seem to take far better macro shots.
Thanks dude super helpful!
Those shots look sick (even if you are a kiter)!
Has anyone had any experiece of the pentax camera?
are they waterproof?
Cheers dudes
Those underwater shots are great airhead, I've never had any luck with that water quality to take pictures in, I'm always stuck with silty water.
Taken with the last model by leaning over the side of my boat and shooting, didn't have to get wet and the seal co-operated for once. As for lag General is on the money, push halfway to focus before shot and then almost no delay.
Great shots airhead, I know you kiters are getting reasonable video with these, I might have to get one 
Kite Surfing article on cameras is good to review for purpose. If want to self photo then interval shots are a must = Pentax.
I bought Olympus 1030sw as I reckon 10m rating is good for heavy surf.
It has a pocket lense and zoom but a 10 Megapixel sensor so as long as focus is good most shots edit well in 10 meg mode. 10 to 30 metre shot can zoom when editing to to 3 to 5 metres.
I take shots when I am swimming / paddle boarding / kiting - it is tough compact and relatively easy to use. I tuck it into wettie when not using - attached via supplied leash to a leash I have for my sunnies around my neck.
The supplied leashes are tough so if you drop it for hands free it is still there when you pull on the leash (so far anyway!!).
Average video (very ave' results so far), sequence shots are not super fast but it is a trade-off good quality versus speed. I like 10 meg mode - keep more photos.
As all similar cameras / phones - screen is hard to see details in bright light - I never review shots in action - just take more shots. Battery life is good and with 2 or 4 gig's memory you would be hard pushed to fill in a session.
For an indepth - review...http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/olympus/stylus_1030sw-review/
hope this helps
Cheers
SF
original shot was 2 megs and this is under 100 KB - could blow up to A3.
how is the olympus 1050sw different to the 1030sw?
"The other one I considered is the Pentax Optio W60 which has the bonus that it can be programmed to take a photo every ten seconds, which is good if you want to mount it on your kite in a cam rig to take snaps of you as you kite."
I can't find that intermittent setting on the specs anywhere for the pentax.
Still probably going to get one of these though.
Has anyone got some info on how to attach cameras to the leading edge of a kite? I'm looking to set it up for Cocos this year and I might even buy a sanyo exacti to share around so we all get some time in front of the camera...
^www.seabreeze.com.au/Articles/Kitesurfing/How-to-take-photos-from-your-kite_1945086.aspx
colinwill78 - The 1030SW just has a few more feature not to sure but think it is water proof to 10mtrs vs 3mtrs, has a higher crush proof rating, more megapixels and features such as face detection.
As for the timer intertval on the Pentax Optio, I don't know how you switch it on but I know it has this feature, a friend has one, use the Seabreeze search function and you might uncover some info.
ditto,
But I can't find anyone confirming that their pentax w60 has intermittent mode. Plenty about the w30 having it.
Anyone...Anyone??
Olympus models
1030sw is newer higher specs including waterproof depth (10m v's 3m) etchttp://www.camera-warehouse.com.au/product-comparison.asp?pr=OLYMPUS-MJU-1030&pr=OLYMPUS-MJU-1050
JIC - Read the article on the Kite surfing forum - goto right hand margin in boxed section will find Kite surfing articles Title = "How to take photos from your kite" it is a good read to get it right first time. The link is in tightlines edit above...
Getting the case / attachment and angle is hard.
W60 - assume that you have drive modes selection then probably find how to there:...
Drive Modes:Mode selection - One shot, self timer (10s, 2s), continuous, high speed continuous (5M), interval, auto bracket; Continuous FPS - Approx 1 FPS, high speed continuous 3.6 FPS for 7 frames (5M); Self-timer - YES (10s, 2s); Remote control - n/a
used the olympus with great success for a couple years but santa at Goodtime brought me gopro.com/en/au/ which is a lot more fun
The TOUGH 1030 Olympus needs review.
I just returned mine - a battery leak.
A modest 45 days old.
I had a good look at it before sending it in.
There are 2 hinged & waterproofed openings.
1) the SD card / battery compartment.
2) the usb cable port.
The metal fittings on the flap for the USB port are tarnished and on the way to corroding (this bit is outside the seal so is meant to get wet).
The socket pins for the usb are also looking less than clean (tinge of corrosion) and not likely to see out a year.
I am really disappointed as the concept is great.
I think that a good rinse in freshwater after use in sea water is not enough (I have been filling sink up and doing recommended stuff) - When it comes back will be soaking in fresh water for a few hours. Plus using electronic cleaning spray etc.
Unfortunately you can't buy the silicon sleeve and floatation strap locally (OZ importer doesn't) you have to go to AMAZON or equivalent.http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Silicon-Li-50B-Replacement-Battery/dp/B0016D3YQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1226460892&sr=1-1
www.amazon.com/Olympus-202204-STRAP-FLOAT-ORANGE/dp/B0014DURIW/ref=pd_bxgy_p_text_c
Running at around 350 pic's for $500+
Wonder how or where they test these things - My real world laboratory (sea side) - ain't anything special
The repair shop sounded polite anyway - so fingers X'ed
SF
PS top of the new year to U
Hey thanks SYNUSFLUSH that floatation leash is just what I need, I just discovered that the foam float that I have been useing does not in fact float the camera, it's justlucky that I didn't lose it.
