shallow water camera waterproof housing?
- Thread starter mmcp42
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- Hugh
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they're OK ish - but as with cameras you get what you pay for.
Although they're rated to 20m most divers rekon they're only good to 5 which is OK for snorkling - but not for anything else. The buttons on your body will quickly become unworkable with depth as the bag compresses. The big consideration is you can't work a zoom ring with one on and you can only use internally focusing lenses (don't know if thats an issue)
The other thing to consider is they still need an amount of looking after - keeping your camera dry on the way in and out for example
Hugh
Although they're rated to 20m most divers rekon they're only good to 5 which is OK for snorkling - but not for anything else. The buttons on your body will quickly become unworkable with depth as the bag compresses. The big consideration is you can't work a zoom ring with one on and you can only use internally focusing lenses (don't know if thats an issue)
The other thing to consider is they still need an amount of looking after - keeping your camera dry on the way in and out for example
Hugh
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- Derek
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How much do you value the camera you are going to put in the housing?
If you are not going to be doing a lot of underwater photography to make it worthwhile purchasing one of the more expensive housings, have you investigated if it's possible to hire one?
If you are not going to be doing a lot of underwater photography to make it worthwhile purchasing one of the more expensive housings, have you investigated if it's possible to hire one?
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mmcp42
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- Mike
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didn't think of that
have to look out see what i can find
do you know of any hire places?
(Canon 5D btw)
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- Simon Everett
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If you are not doing much there is a NIKONOS V for sale for £275 - you can buy a LOT of film before you start to break even with digital underwater stuff.
Me, I just use a G10 in its dedicated housing which is good for 40m. It keeps you afloat too unless you use weights (made my own thanks!)
Me, I just use a G10 in its dedicated housing which is good for 40m. It keeps you afloat too unless you use weights (made my own thanks!)
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- Stewart
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It's very unlikely that you'll be able to hire one. I've looked into it.
The main reasons (as explained to me by the helpful people at Cameras Underwater in London) are:
(a) Housings are specific to each DSLR model. So anyone who wanted to hire them out would need to stock a lot of different housings and it's hard to see how you could make a good return on them.
(b) DSLR housings are really not suitable for casual use. Diving with a point-and-shoot is easy, but diving with a DSLR isn't. The camera completely takes over the dive. So if you're a serious diver/photographer you'll have your own housing, and if you aren't then you shouldn't be using one.
Hope that helps. I was advised to buy a point-and-shoot with a compatible waterproof housing rather than take my DSLR into the water.
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I'm glad someone else has issues with the buoyancy on the G10 housing and it's not only me. I took it off my husband mid-dive and nearly shot off up to the surface. Next time i'll put more weight on.
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Couldn't agree more - I've just put together an underwater DSLR set up and it was neither cheap, nor will it be easy to use. It also is going to take alot of looking after as well to keep it leak free. I think the amount of work they take would also put you off hiring them