GEARBOX: Easy scuba photography

From Chicago Tribune: GEARBOX: Easy scuba photography
Name: Liquid Image Scuba Series HD720P Wide Angle Digital Camera Mask

What it is: A scuba-diving mask with an integrated camera that's waterproof to 130 feet (the recreational diving limit). You can shoot high-definition 720P video with audio or 5 MP stills while diving without worrying about holding a camera. The mask has a micro SD/SDHC card slot (and memory is expandable up to 32 gigabytes). It comes with a 2 GB micro SD card and four AAA Energizer lithium batteries. This mask's wide-angle lens keeps you from fretting over framing subjects. Images are easily downloaded from the mask to a PC or Mac via the included RCA/USB cable.

The good: Initially, I missed the display that underwater cameras provide. But after seeing video from two dives, I realized I didn't need a monitor because with its point-of-view orientation I could shoot what I was seeing. I clicked the left side of the lever (above the right eye) to turn the camera on, looked for the blue (video) or red (stills) light, then hung with the fishes while pressing the right side of the lever to capture video or photos. Although the audio captured only bubbles exhaled underwater, it's better than no soundtrack.

The bad: In low light at deeper depths, the video was a bit red or too dark. Liquid Images has sidelights that can be attached to the mask to solve this problem. Holding my dive light didn't provide adequate lighting in darker areas below 50 feet.

Cost: $350

Available from: liquidimageco.com and amazon.com