Pentax Optio W30

[paulf]

Hi, I've just watched tonights Gadget show on channel 5 where they tested to destruction Digital Camera's. 
Now one that came on top was the Pentax Optio W30.
What I'm wondering after being seriously impressed with the treatment it took doe's anyone use this Camera underground & are you impressed with it's results ?  :-\
Also will it work with Fireflys & fire my mates Flashes ?
Cheers Paul

 

[ditzy 24//7]

hi paul nearly all the photos i put up have been taken on brains pentax optio s30. dont know how this differs to the w 30 but he tells me he cant turn the flash off or use a b setting and he doesnt think its waterproof  , but it is a good happy snapper.

hope this helps
ditzy

 

[paulf]

What I need is a reliable Camera that's Waterproof & indestructible.
Also a few of the Caver's I've met this Year have had problems Firing the Firefly which would be a Nightmare for me 
Cheers Paul

 

[andymorgan]

Check out Amazon for reviews:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pentax-Waterproof-Digital-Compact-optical/dp/customer-reviews/B000NI6J7M/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_summary/202-5173191-9810220?ie=UTF8&customer-reviews.sort%5Fby=-SubmissionDate&showViewpoints=1&customer-reviews.start=1&qid=1194373191&sr=8-1#customerReviews
http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000LXZYKW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1_cm_cr_acr_txt/105-6879147-0686040?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

It doesn't appear to be too waterproof.


sorry for the long URL, I can't remember how to make them small

 

[paulf]

http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?lnk=401&featureid=461&pageid=957&show=s7e2&section=Features
This was an eye opener for me it was between the Pentax Optio w30 & Olympus MJU 770SW which was slightly dearer  :-\
Cheers Paul

 

[ian.p]

i use a fuji fine pix A400 its very basic but can be baught with a waterproof case.
http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/dive/cameras_with_underwater_housings/camera/index.php?id=934&flash=7
im very good at destroying cameras but i havent maniged to brake this one yet and so far ive droped it of a roof, dived sump 1 with it several times and generaly given it a good general batering and its still good as new. the other good thing is that its comparitivly cheap the camera on its own is ?80 and the packige with the case costs ?100. its probably to basic for what you want but i think you can get higher spec models with waterproof cases not sure sure if theyle be quite as robust though.

 

[Misty]

I agree with Ian.P. I was looking at a similar option, the hard waterproof diving case is an expense but well worth it and the camera won't end up in camera heaven like the rest saving you loads of money in the long run, Unless you are planning taking loads of kit with you its a good pocket option. There are some others in this small camera range.

Maybe another way to do it is to go to http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/ and choose the casing first then the camera.

Pentax Optio W30 - waterproof/sand proof (to 3 meters, my watch said to 50 meters but it broke washing up) but I'm not sure about cave proof. So much of caving involves squeezes and crawls, sand/grit might not clog the mechanism but what about the lense? Every year without fail many of my good friends in ISSA seem to end up replacing theirs regularly.

I've looked for info on the slaves and the flash but not able to find confirmation on the Optio W30 camera, so might be worth going to a camera shop and giving it a test run, before I guess you buy on line.

MXX

 

[paulf]

I've looked for info on the slaves and the flash but not able to find confirmation on the Optio W30 camera, so might be worth going to a camera shop and giving it a test run, before I guess you buy on line.

Thanks Misty that's what I intend to do a bit of experimental Flashing in Jessops  :blink: probably the talk of Bromley !
The trouble with me is I love to Point & Snap taking as many as possible then Delete as appropriate 
Taking along the Flashes Gives me a better range & you can't beat Photoshop. 
Cheers Paul

 

[TimN]

I have the Pentax Optio WP camera 5.0 megapixel.I have owned it for 2 years ,using it  mainly on rope access geotechnical sites to record progress of rock drilling,spraying concrete, pressure grouting etc..in the rain and dust, to give the camera a break from work I take it caving at weekends,where I keep it in the top pocket of my caving suit and subject it to everything the cave can offer...the camera is still going strong.I have a firefly 3 slave which when used with the above works well.
I don't know how the S30 stand up to abuse, but it's anything like the optio WP it will be a robust reliable point and shoot digi camera.

 

[ogofmole]

I have been using the Olympus mu720sw now for over a year, and has been caving most weekends, it bounces around in a bdh bottle and if it gets dirty I just find a stream or puddle to wash it off with and it works fine with a Firefly3. Setting the ISO to 100 I can produce nice clear A3 size prints. and using the 4 second exposure gives me time to fire various flashguns for those nice lighting effects. Well recommended. 

 

[bscreen]

I have the olympus mju 725, which regularly comes underground with me - with no case, just in my oversuit pocket or personal srt bag. It taken a fair few knocks, squeezes and ducks etc. and is still working fine  :bow:. Can't comment on the pentax, but when i was looking to buy i found the olyumpus a fair bit cheaper . I think the spec's of both cameras were pretty comparable. I definately think the added cost of a 'indestructable' camera is well worth the investment.

 

[WillDeBeast]

I have been using my Pentax Optio for caving for some while now and have had no problems with it. Previous cameras I've used have nearly always become jammed up with sand/grit but this ones been fine. I accidentally dropped it down The Slide (4m near vertical onto a rock floor) in Pridhamsleigh a while back which only resulted in a little chip in the casing.
I use up to three firefly 3's to trigger external flashes and have had no problems whatsoever with them.
As for waterproofness I generally keep my camera in a waterproof box with my flash units so could nt really comment on this, other than that i clean it in the washing up bowl and touch wood its been fine so far.
My only concern is the lack of a lens shutter/cover and I do worry about the lens getting scratched but so far its been fine.

 

[paulf]

My only concern is the lack of a lens shutter/cover and I do worry about the lens getting scratched but so far its been fine.

Apparently Jessops sell a Neoprene Case 

 

[Skyrmy]

Currently using an Optio WP20 - works well with i-slave and firefly 3 units.

 

[paulf]

Thanks for all the advise the Pentax will be on my early Christmas Shopping list
Cheers Paul

 

[Skyrmy]

Taken with Optio WP20 using 2 remote flashes with i-slave slave units. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brcc/2057437880/

 

[paulf]

Cool very well lit 
Cheers Paul

 

[Skyrmy]

Paulf

Did you get your Optio??

 

[paulf]

Sure did first trip was in OFD during a Wet Wk/end in Wales 8) I struggled to fathum it took ages to adjust with no light  Close up's were excellent
Next a Survey trip in Surrey with it on Firework mode firing Firefly's worked quite well 
I've just tried a Swildons trip it struggled with the Steam but as i didn't have time to set up the Shots they came out OK  :-\
Will be away next Weekend with time to Play 

Cheers Paul

 

[SamT]

Love the last shot - with the square blocks - where was that.