I'd take a look at Cannon. I have an older setup but Cannon is one of the few companies that makes underwater housings for a number of their cameras. The housings are very reasonably priced (at least compared to companies like ikelite) and are quite well built.

I'd suggest you research which cameras have housings available and then select a camera. You'll find the cameras that have housings also have underwater modes that correct for colour etc.

The benefit here is that you have a regular point and shoot camera for surface work and then you plunk it into the housing when you dive. It's a good idea to have separate memory card for surface and underwater -just in case the enclosure ever floods, you still have all your holiday pics.

For diving, yes ! you'll always have more fun on scuba than a snorkel ! My advice is to take a class before you leave and get all the theory stuff done. Then do what's called a 'referral dive' when you arrive somewhere warm. Not only is it FAR cheaper that way, but you don't spend precious vacation time sitting in a classroom !!

why aren't any of these up for POTM :) great stuff

Diving is far better than snorkeling so I'd suggest getting certified. However don't plan on bringing a camera until you have at least a few open water dives under your belt. Once you have your open water you can actually take underwater photography courses as well.

I have an Ikelite housing so all controls are fully useable. One suggestion I have seen for the Canon G/S cameras is to use the customs settings on the camera. There are two custom setting that you are able to toggle back and forth. One can be set for distance shots and the other for macro.

I practiced with my camera in the housing in low light around the house in order to get acquainted with the functions. A suggestion for those that dive locally and use wet gloves is to even practice with them on. Don't forget, that diving with those, manual dexterity is lost. I dive with dry gloves so it's not too bad.

Another +1 to get certified. There is a world of difference being able to stay down for a long time versus snorkelling/free diving. You get to see a whole lot more. Definitely get comfortable in the water before trying to shoot pictures. Task loading can lead to potential issues.

I would tend to disagree with this. Do the entire course at home, it will be cheaper that way and you wont have to waste valuable holiday time practicing skills like fin pivots and mask removals etc. You are going to find that most of the dive destinations charge a lot more for their courses than any of the places here.

Depends where you go, typically these places in the Caribbean aren't that professional. As long as you're comfortable you'll probably just end up doing 4 dives without practicing any skills or maybe just a few skills the first dive. If you do find one of the few professional places they will likely check your log book anyway and still make you do skills since you're newly certified. But either way I'd rather do a few quick skills down their than dive the low visibility, cold lakes here.

I'd agree with doing classroom and pool skills at home then doing the 4 open water dives on your holiday provided after your class you feel comfortable enough with everything. That's what me and the wife did and I don't regret it.

I've used two different point and shoot cameras with the dive cases with pretty good success. An older Canon A95 with the dive case. My current setup is a Sony Cybershot DSC-TX9 with the marine pack. Here is a link to an album of dive photos from the Dominican with my Sony.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6a32ba3&type=1

As a lot of people have mentioned though it depends on the visibility and amount of light as to how good the colours are going to be without a good set of lights.