Water Proof Digital camera....

How waterproof have these cameras turned out to be? I use a Canon PowerShot A85 for work (my day job). I keep it in a dry bag but plan on buying one of the waterproof cases they make. The cases seem pretty bulky though. We'll probably end up getting one anyways for use on underwater weed shots.  That looks like a pretty compact little unit. I don't think I'll be bringing my EOS 1DmkII (aka anchor) out on a yak with me. I already lost $10,000 worth of photo equipment to thieves this year, I don't need to temp fate with the ocean.

Joel, is your camera submersible or just waterproof? I'm not so trusting of the waterproofness of electronics right now. On Monday I was surveying the upper section of Cache Creek, I wasn't expecting the 3' falls that I ran into. Want some fun try taking a Prowler 13 over 3' falls. I landed it but miffed it a few yards down and went for a rock roller coaster ride. At any rate my professional, waterproof, floating, blah blah blah... GPS unit took a crap on me.

I took my Pentax Optio 43wr through Cache, and even swam a few of the rapids with it in the pocket of my pfd as part of my rescue class...it never flinched.  Mine has been bulletproof.

Joel, is your camera submersible or just waterproof? I'm not so trusting of the waterproofness of electronics right now. On Monday I was surveying the upper section of Cache Creek, I wasn't expecting the 3' falls that I ran into. Want some fun try taking a Prowler 13 over 3' falls. I landed it but miffed it a few yards down and went for a rock roller coaster ride. At any rate my professional, waterproof, floating, blah blah blah... GPS unit took a crap on me.
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David,

I just found out that it is water proof (like it says it is)- I accidentally left it on my kayak's wet footwell (totally submerged) after I took the pic of the octopus I caught at Monterey. The camera was underwater for about 5 minutes - and it's still ticking  

Very beautiful landscapes David    "Bridge Sunset" really draws you in. "Nice"  

mickfish,
Thanks
, if you have ever been to the Consumnes River Preserve between Elk Grove and Lodi that is the bridge you take to get to the Headquarters. I used to live right down the road there in Thornton. They supposedly have some great paddling trails throughout the preserve. I see people launching there all the time. I never had a kayak when I lived down there. Unfortunately I moved to Sacramento this January. Six weeks after moving in my neighbors decided to come in while we were working and take all my camera equipment, my laptop, three of my guns, all my wife's jewelry. Worthless tweakers even had the nerve to look me in the eye and say their house was robbed the same day. I had them arrested a few days later when someone snitched on them. They spent a big whopping 2 nights in jail for stealing over $14,000. I used to live near the river and wake up to Sandhill Cranes now it's 1000 watts of 50cent all night. I guess I'd better go catch my first Salmon from a Yak on the American to make up for it!

David... that is some incredible photography on your website...  

Wow what a bummer, well make sure you make a lot of noise at 5am when your loading up your Kayak and play Country Music.
Let me know when the salmon fishing heats up I'll come on over.

Mooch When you showed that camera to me at mendo I was wondering just how water proof it was. Thanks for testing out 5min underwater is a long time. I looked on line and one guy says he takes underwater pictures with his. Impressive!!  I put it on my wish list. Now all I have to do is convince the boss how much she needs it.

Mike

one guy says he takes underwater pictures with his.

Mike,
I'll be trying that myself this Sunday at Monterey - I can't think of a better place to take underwater photos. If I came across some bait fish swimming on the surface, I'll dip my camera and take some shots and post 'em I already rigged a cut piece of a pool noodle on the lanyard to keep the camera afloat in case I drop it.

Now all I have to do is convince the boss how much she needs it.

good luck!

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David - saw your gallery = great photos!!!!