During the next two months, many people around the country will be enjoying their vacations at pools, lakes, waterfalls, rivers and oceans. To revive these vacation memories, several easy-to-use cameras are available.
Some models can be used for topside and underwater photography; others are designed for taking pictures in splash and spray zones - and in the rain, sleet and snow.Here's a look at several:
- Canon Sure Shot A-1: This 35 mm camera features a built-in 32 mm lens, built-in flash, auto-fo-cus-ing, automatic film advance and automatic exposure. Topside, it's a practical snapshot camera. Underwater, it will keep your film dry to a depth of 161/2 feet (maximum depth rating), making it a camera for snorkelers rather than scuba divers.
- Minolta Vectis S-1: This Advanced Photo System camera is the first single-lens-reflex splash-proof camera. Vectis accessory lenses (22-80 mm, 28-56 mm, 56-170 mm, 80-240 mm and 50 mm macro) and the Vectis FS-1 accessory flash are also splash-proof. Splash-proof means the camera will not be damaged by water droplets.
- Sea & Motor Marine II EX: The built-in 35 mm lens on this automatic 35 mm camera is designed for topside and underwater photography. Two underwater-only wide-angle accessory lenses (16 mm and 20 mm) are available to record reef scenes. Other accessories include a flash and close-up kit, both of which can be used under water and topside. This camera has a maximum depth rating of 150 feet.
- Nikonos V: Designed for advanced amateurs and professional photographers, this 35 mm automatic-manual Nikon camera accepts several lenses, flash units and accessories. For topside photography, there are three Nikonos lenses: 35 mm, 28 mmL and 80 mm. The 35 mm and 80 mm lenses can be used underwater, too. For underwater-only wide-angle photography, there are three Nikonos lenses: 15 mm, 20 mm and 28 mm. To add light to underwater pictures, Nikon offers the Nikonos SB-104 and SB-105 strobe lights. And for close-ups of small reef creatures, there is a Nikonos close-up kit. This camera has a maximum depth rating of 150 feet.
- Kodak and Fuji one-time use cameras: Kodak and Fuji offer fully automatic one-time use 35 mm cameras that can be used in and around the water. The maximum depth rating for both cameras is about 12 feet.
If you own a 35 mm camera and don't want to invest in a model designed for taking pictures around the water, here is a tip for keeping your camera dry: Place your camera inside a large plastic sandwich bag and cut a hole for the lens. Position the lens so that it is almost entirely inside the bag. Using this technique, if your camera gets splashed or sprayed, only the front element of the lens will get wet. If this does happen, wipe it clean as soon as possible.