underwater camera housing`

[Jimmy2Feet]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Camera Question.

Some of you may know, i have recently got into photography, and so far am loving it! and i think that the pictures that i am taking are starting to get better every day.

I am also into surfing big time, and would like to combine the two. What i would like to be able to do it use my SLR under the water!

The problem i have is the housings that i have seen are £1000+

Is anyone aware of decent housings that are not that much? or is it just the nature of underwated photography.

i do have a cheap £50 undwewater point and shoot digital, which is more than good enough for holiday snaps, and having a giggle.......but not a hope in hell that you could showcase the pictures that is what i am after!

And advice would be great.

Cheers

[yorkie_chris]

TBH mate I'd be a bit unsure about immersing a grand or so worth of DSLR in seawater in a cheap housing.

Check out nobubblediving.com for some various info of what sort of kit you need to keep the wet shorty-outy stuff out of the expensive electrickery at depth. Obviously there isn't much pressure to worry about at surfing depths

[Jimmy2Feet]

sorry, to make sure i am not planning on going cheap, i do not plan to get one of those zip up dry bags, :)

i was expecting something more like £200/300 not £1000!!!

i will check out that web site tho, cheers for that, and defo wont need to keep out high pressure, but at the same time, if it is not much extra cost then may be worth spending the little extra to get something that will cover depth as well, you never know what the future may bring!

[Bluefish]

I bought one a few years ago for my cannon compact, that was about 100 quid, for a dslr no doubt they would cost a few quid more to have access to all the buttons. A grand though, bit steep :smt037

[matt_rehm_hext]

Every proper (or worthwhile at least) waterproof housing I've seen is ridiculously expensive.

[lukemillar]

Ikelite are probably one of the more reasonable SLR housings, but you'll still be looking at 1000s. The housing is only part of the equation as you'll also need a dome port and a decent strobe!.

I looked at getting a housing for my Nikon D90, but the cost was too much. In the end, I bought a Canon G11, Ikelite housing and basic strobe, which is a big improvement over the simple Canon compact + Canon housing, but not completely bank breaking.

The other bonus of this setup is I can take it as hand luggage, whereas a full DSLR kit would have to be checked baggage and then you get nailed for overweight/ extra baggage charges

[keith_d]

I managed to pick up a second-hand Ikelite housing for my D70. That was hundreds rather than thousands, but it took a lot of searching.

However, for surfing I'm not sure a big housing with an SLR inside would be the best choice. You might do better picking up a compact camera and housing that's small enough to strap to your wrist and less likely to get damaged (or damage you) when you get the washing machine treatment.

If you do decide to take the SLR route look out for second-hand housings that fit older bodies from the same manufacturer. That allows you to use the same lenses as your main body and reduces the costs if you do have a flood. Generally, an older housing plus a used body will still be less than buying a new housing for your pride and joy.

The good news about surfing is you don't need all the expensive toys that go with underwater photography. No strobes, no arms, no macro ports etc...

Just my thoughts,

Keith.

[454697819]

If you go point and shoot route...

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=309020&CatId=126

Stumbled upon it whilst getting some new cameras for work.

ATB

Alex

[Jimmy2Feet]

I managed to pick up a second-hand Ikelite housing for my D70. That was hundreds rather than thousands, but it took a lot of searching.

However, for surfing I'm not sure a big housing with an SLR inside would be the best choice. You might do better picking up a compact camera and housing that's small enough to strap to your wrist and less likely to get damaged (or damage you) when you get the washing machine treatment.

If you do decide to take the SLR route look out for second-hand housings that fit older bodies from the same manufacturer. That allows you to use the same lenses as your main body and reduces the costs if you do have a flood. Generally, an older housing plus a used body will still be less than buying a new housing for your pride and joy.

The good news about surfing is you don't need all the expensive toys that go with underwater photography. No strobes, no arms, no macro ports etc...

Just my thoughts,

Keith.

it is not for use whilst surfing, i have a little compact for that already, i want to get in the water with the lads, with no board and get shots like......

http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPhoto.php?photoId=214528&photoOfTheDay

http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPhoto.php?photoId=213605

Before anyone points out the obveous..... i know that is no 'lad' in the first pic, and i also know that i will be hard pushed to get pics like that in british waters, but we do go to france from time to time.

[lukemillar]

I managed to pick up a second-hand Ikelite housing for my D70. That was hundreds rather than thousands, but it took a lot of searching.

However, for surfing I'm not sure a big housing with an SLR inside would be the best choice. You might do better picking up a compact camera and housing that's small enough to strap to your wrist and less likely to get damaged (or damage you) when you get the washing machine treatment.

If you do decide to take the SLR route look out for second-hand housings that fit older bodies from the same manufacturer. That allows you to use the same lenses as your main body and reduces the costs if you do have a flood. Generally, an older housing plus a used body will still be less than buying a new housing for your pride and joy.

The good news about surfing is you don't need all the expensive toys that go with underwater photography. No strobes, no arms, no macro ports etc...

Just my thoughts,

Keith.


Ahh - I missed the surfing part! Strobe probably wouldn't be much use then :wink:

[beabert]

Gopro HD does an ok job, not what you were after but might be an option.
ZTj4afdkWGs&hd=1

[keith_d]

it is not for use whilst surfing, i have a little compact for that already, i want to get in the water with the lads, with no board and get shots like......

http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPhoto.php?photoId=214528&photoOfTheDay

http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/viewPhoto.php?photoId=213605

Before anyone points out the obveous..... i know that is no 'lad' in the first pic, and i also know that i will be hard pushed to get pics like that in british waters, but we do go to france from time to time.

The one with the model diving under a breaker would be much easier with scuba gear and a housing. Great composition though.

If you're shooting in the surf like the second shot the problem with a big housing is that one bash on the bottom could dislodge the dome port and it's bye bye camera. If you're doing it professionally and have the cashflow to write off a camera occasionally that's one thing. But for us amateurs I think a compact camera would still be the better choice.

[Jimmy2Feet]

Gopro HD does an ok job, not what you were after but might be an option.
ZTj4afdkWGs&hd=1

I cant view this at work, so i will have a look at home later.

The one with the model diving under a breaker would be much easier with scuba gear and a housing. Great composition though.

If you're shooting in the surf like the second shot the problem with a big housing is that one bash on the bottom could dislodge the dome port and it's bye bye camera. If you're doing it professionally and have the cashflow to write off a camera occasionally that's one thing. But for us amateurs I think a compact camera would still be the better choice.


i am sure you are right now that i am looking at the cost of it all! as i say definatly not expecting to be able to get shots like the 2nd one, mainly as i dont know any hot models and secondly if i did, i dont recon the sot would look quite as good in the murkey seas around the south coast!

I may look into compact's i am guessing tho that i will still be looking at £500+ for a decent compact with a housing?

I would look for a housing to go with my current compact, but TBH it is not the best compact in the world! i think i would want more control than it gives!

[Jimmy2Feet]

yep defo a compact would be the step to take, even if it is a bridge and surround will be cheaper than just the housing for my SLR, (e.g nikon P700 and housing i just found for £600. not saying that is what i would get but as example) cheaper to replace the camera if something goes wrong in the water, will still produce good results, will act as a second camera on day to day basis (better than a compact, and more practical than the SLR) and more importantly, much cheaper!

in that case then, any suggestions on a good Bridge? Nikon i think would still be my preference (lets not start the canon/nikon debate tho hey!) :)

[keith_d]

If you're seriously interested in buying a camera and housing have a chat to Cameras Underwater. Explain what you want to do and they'll give you some suggestions. I've found them really helpful, and been in the London shop when they've spent 20 minutes convincing a customer not to buy stuff he didn't need.

Keith