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About underwater and waterproof digital cameras; the sort professionals use are very expensive and not normally used by casual photographers. The cost of underwater digital cameras is usually to prohibitive for just keen amateurs to afford so it is left for serious scientists to use this piece of modern day technology. Many waterproof cameras are ok but they cannot be submerged for more than a meter below the surface of the water.

In fact the only way you are really going to get to use an underwater digital camera is if you buy one of these small specialist cameras that are able to be submerged for short periods.

There is lack of real underwater cameras owing to the problems of water ingress in to the camera and of water pressure. Some of you may have seen or tried the cheap solution to this problem that comes in the form of a plastic casing. As a make-do, it woks quite well; converting an ordinary digital camera into an underwater or waterproof camera.

There are a few things you need to be aware of if you are taking photos underwater. First buy a waterproof or underwater digital camera. And then periodically check for leaks in the casing.

If you have ever place you hand in water and noticed how it looks different then you will understand light diffusion and this problem gets worse the deeper you go underwater. Owing to the waters diffusing action, all images end up darker than a normal photo out of the water but this can be avoided if a few simple settings on the cameras white balance facility are adjusted. This diffusion effect also magnifies the image to give the impression the zoom function was used. Be sure to check your underwater digital camera’s viewfinder to check the right picture angle and size that you want.

Before using your underwater digital camera, submerge the camera in the water first for several seconds then check if there are leaks through the case. Even a silly thing like a strand of hair can break the seal so check carefully before submerging. It is also advisable to put a silica gel pack or two inside the case of your underwater digital camera as long as they don’t disturb the camera’s operation.

Optional lenses are often available so if you can add these to your underwater digital camera then do so. Lenses that allow you to get really close to the subject can also normally be fitted just ask if the camera has a macro facility.

Make sure when you re-surface that you rinse off the camera full to make sure all the salt water is washed off the camera as crystals of salt can break the camera seals. It is not uncommon to experience the odd grain of sand getting into the case which will cause problems later on so rinse the case with a flow of clean water.

For more information, check out Sony, Nikon and Canon’s website for available underwater cases for your digital cameras.