SeaLife SportDiver SL545

Once the Sea Life Sport Diver SL545 35mm camera is switched on, it will go into standby mode after about 2 minutes. A light press on the shutter release button is all that is needed to prepare the camera for use (make sure that the flash ready LED is lit). My camera had a fault and would not come out of standby. Even after pressing the shutter release fully and taking photographs, the flash would not work and the photographs were ruined. I began to realise that whatever part of the mechanism which brought the camera out of standby was faulty.

Due to the relatively low cost of the camera, it was not cost effective to repair, as it was out of warranty, so it was time to repair it myself or replace it. I was able to remove the outer case without affecting the inner camera mechanism, and I soon identified the fault. There are 2 small spring switches activated by the shutter release bar. One activates the camera, and the other the motor wind when the shutter button is released. The activation contacts were sliding along the shutter release bar and were not closing. One quick twist of the contacts with a pair of pliers and the camera is now in A1 condition.

The only reason that I can not recommend this camera is because of the problems that I have had. However, it can be purchased very cheaply if you shop around, whereas underwater digital cameras still seem to be quite costly. I don't believe that I would buy this model again, as I could do without the hassle, and I would want to go digital myself, as I have done with my land camera.