What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving?

Bear · 13th July 2005, 01:01

I had gone down this path (digital camera/housing combo) about 2 years ago. I ended up choosing a Nikon Coolpix 5000 housed in an Aquatica A5000 housing with the 19mm wide angle lens/dome port all bought off eBay. From memory, I paid ~US$800 for the housing, W/A and FE lenses with adaptors and the dome port. The camera cost ~US$450.

Unfortunately I didn't get to do any deeper dives with the camera before I sold it to recoup some funds for another project although the guy I sold it to has used it extensively and took these images with it: http://www.southernoceanexploration....na-gallery.php

Cheers

NickT · 13th July 2005, 03:46

Hi,
I have an Aquatica housed Nikon D90. Have taken it down to 209 ft (so far) with no problems what so ever. It is my second Aquatica housing. The other houses a film camera.

Cheers
Nick

vlada · 14th July 2005, 15:30

They got housings for D100 and D70 Nikon cameras, both of which can now be had relatively cheaply on eBay (under US$1,000 and even under $800 if you wait).

Housings for D100 occasionally come up for sale second hand, D70 is too new. Aquatica site has prices in USD. http://www.aquatica.ca

Good thing about Aquatica, once you change cameras, you only have to upgrade the housing, ports and accessories can be transfered model to model

I am yet to play with my D100 housing, but my F100 housing been in pretty rough conditions. It is rated to 300ft, mine's only been to about 220 - no issues.

Vlada

Mdemon · 14th July 2005, 15:45

Thanks all!

Yes, I was after a digital for stills (and occasionally on Bulb for the low light/no flash stuff) but also with a video capability. I find short video clips are great on my current land-based digital and I'd love a similar albeit low grade capability underwater too...

The 5060 has caught my eye - thanks for that. I'll see what the Ikelite cases are like. Failing that, I like DW's suggestion of the Sony case - the LANC(sp?) connectors seem a useful idea, both for upgrading and for sealing...

decoweenie · 14th July 2005, 16:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

...the LANC(sp?) connectors seem a useful idea, both for upgrading and for sealing...

Sorry for blurring between still and video on my earlier post...

LANC is main for Sony video recorders. However, there are new video recorders now in the market that are capable of taking relatively good resolution still pictures as well.

Personally, I am saving my pennies for the new Sony HD video camera (under US$2000) that is supposedly just been introduced. All the specs sound wonderful!

CHRISB · 22nd October 2005, 18:31

Although light and motion and amphibico have 'deeper' ratings on their housings an issue with the springs compressing and disallowing fx'ns at depth has always been an issue. Special springs need to be ordered installed, I have had varied success with this option. For video I have found Gates to be the most reliable doing many dives beyond 300 feet and one to 460 with full camera fx'ns. still available. Aquatica is a great option for stills going to greater depths, I have limited experience with these housings but can say that mine has been below 300 feet several times without problems. It is also a very reasonably priced option for the quickly changing world of digital cameras.- Your options for ports are plastic not glass which makes things a little cheaper.Going along the ikelite route may work for you if you are planning to stay shallower than 200' , I have also found those housings to be quite a bit bulkier, the ergonomics/balance with strobe handles etc.. not being very user friendly. The price is amongst the lowest on those so its a trade off. Hope this helps you, good luck!

Curt Bowen · 24th October 2005, 23:34

I use an Aquatica housing that has been refited with a special aluminum thicker backplate view window. Originally it was rated to 330 feet 100m, but now is rated to sub 500 feet 160m

But you get what you pay for, and aquatica is not cheep

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

Hi All,

Does anyone have any experience of underwater camera cases rated to 40m, specifically have you taken them deeper and what would you push them too?

I ask because I want a digital camera for underwater pictures and want to take pictures in the 60m+ range. For the sake of argument, <=100m. I don't want to buy a camera now to have to replace it later... Cases like this seem to be few and far between - either they or the cameras are very expensive...

Does such a beast exist please?

Got to be digital. Cheap good! Would consider eBay/second hand if people recommend a make...

By the way, is there any way of holding open the shutter on a digital like the Bulb exposure used to be on film cameras? You know, for taking low light pictures of stars etc?

TIA!

John

Curt Bowen · 24th October 2005, 23:36

Yes, I weighted tripod works well

I use one all the time for cave and deep wrecks. Pain in the ass to carry, but to get the best shots, you have to do extra work.

Curt Bowen
Publisher ADM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon)

Hi All,

By the way, is there any way of holding open the shutter on a digital like the Bulb exposure used to be on film cameras? You know, for taking low light pictures of stars etc?

TIA!

John

barney · 25th October 2005, 00:11

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

Personally, I am saving my pennies for the new Sony HD video camera (under US$2000) that is supposedly just been introduced. All the specs sound wonderful!

Yeah, but the camera is dirt cheap compared to the housings (i.e., $6k).

barney · 25th October 2005, 00:17

For video, I have had the Amphibico (Sony VX-2000) below 400fsw several times and it always worked perfectly.

For stills, I have a pretty simple Oly 5050 in a L&M housing. I asked for the heavy-duty springs, but doubt I got them. I have had it to 270fsw and starting getting compression problems, even though it is rated for 100m. I need to send it back, as over the past year I have really hurt the springs; I can't go below 180fsw with it now as the springs are shot.

Leigh Bishop has an interesting article about taking housings deep (e.g. 500 fsw), but then again, a very limited few need to worry about this application.

Mike

13th July 2005, 01:01	#11 (permalink)
Bear Smelling Dairy Air Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Not Bought Yet Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 101	I had gone down this path (digital camera/housing combo) about 2 years ago. I ended up choosing a Nikon Coolpix 5000 housed in an Aquatica A5000 housing with the 19mm wide angle lens/dome port all bought off eBay. From memory, I paid ~US$800 for the housing, W/A and FE lenses with adaptors and the dome port. The camera cost ~US$450. Unfortunately I didn't get to do any deeper dives with the camera before I sold it to recoup some funds for another project although the guy I sold it to has used it extensively and took these images with it: http://www.southernoceanexploration....na-gallery.php Cheers __________________ http://www.victech.org VICTECH.ORG: A web resource for Technical Divers in Victoria
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13th July 2005, 03:46	#12 (permalink)
NickT Peru Diver Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peru Posts: 31	Hi, I have an Aquatica housed Nikon D90. Have taken it down to 209 ft (so far) with no problems what so ever. It is my second Aquatica housing. The other houses a film camera. Cheers Nick __________________ NickT Lima, Peru
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14th July 2005, 15:30	#13 (permalink)
vlada Diver with a camera Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 68	Looks at Aquatica housings They got housings for D100 and D70 Nikon cameras, both of which can now be had relatively cheaply on eBay (under US$1,000 and even under $800 if you wait). Housings for D100 occasionally come up for sale second hand, D70 is too new. Aquatica site has prices in USD. http://www.aquatica.ca Good thing about Aquatica, once you change cameras, you only have to upgrade the housing, ports and accessories can be transfered model to model I am yet to play with my D100 housing, but my F100 housing been in pretty rough conditions. It is rated to 300ft, mine's only been to about 220 - no issues. Vlada
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14th July 2005, 15:45	#14 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Thanks all! Yes, I was after a digital for stills (and occasionally on Bulb for the low light/no flash stuff) but also with a video capability. I find short video clips are great on my current land-based digital and I'd love a similar albeit low grade capability underwater too... The 5060 has caught my eye - thanks for that. I'll see what the Ikelite cases are like. Failing that, I like DW's suggestion of the Sony case - the LANC(sp?) connectors seem a useful idea, both for upgrading and for sealing... __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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14th July 2005, 16:45	#15 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) ...the LANC(sp?) connectors seem a useful idea, both for upgrading and for sealing... Sorry for blurring between still and video on my earlier post... LANC is main for Sony video recorders. However, there are new video recorders now in the market that are capable of taking relatively good resolution still pictures as well. Personally, I am saving my pennies for the new Sony HD video camera (under US$2000) that is supposedly just been introduced. All the specs sound wonderful!
(Offline)

22nd October 2005, 18:31	#16 (permalink)
CHRISB CHRISB Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: GRAND CAYMAN Posts: 30	Re: What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving? Although light and motion and amphibico have 'deeper' ratings on their housings an issue with the springs compressing and disallowing fx'ns at depth has always been an issue. Special springs need to be ordered installed, I have had varied success with this option. For video I have found Gates to be the most reliable doing many dives beyond 300 feet and one to 460 with full camera fx'ns. still available. Aquatica is a great option for stills going to greater depths, I have limited experience with these housings but can say that mine has been below 300 feet several times without problems. It is also a very reasonably priced option for the quickly changing world of digital cameras.- Your options for ports are plastic not glass which makes things a little cheaper.Going along the ikelite route may work for you if you are planning to stay shallower than 200' , I have also found those housings to be quite a bit bulkier, the ergonomics/balance with strobe handles etc.. not being very user friendly. The price is amongst the lowest on those so its a trade off. Hope this helps you, good luck!
(Offline)

24th October 2005, 23:34	#17 (permalink)
Curt Bowen RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA, Florida Posts: 248	Re: What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving? I use an Aquatica housing that has been refited with a special aluminum thicker backplate view window. Originally it was rated to 330 feet 100m, but now is rated to sub 500 feet 160m But you get what you pay for, and aquatica is not cheep Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) Hi All, Does anyone have any experience of underwater camera cases rated to 40m, specifically have you taken them deeper and what would you push them too? I ask because I want a digital camera for underwater pictures and want to take pictures in the 60m+ range. For the sake of argument, <=100m. I don't want to buy a camera now to have to replace it later... Cases like this seem to be few and far between - either they or the cameras are very expensive... Does such a beast exist please? Got to be digital. Cheap good! Would consider eBay/second hand if people recommend a make... By the way, is there any way of holding open the shutter on a digital like the Bulb exposure used to be on film cameras? You know, for taking low light pictures of stars etc? TIA! John
(Online)

24th October 2005, 23:36	#18 (permalink)
Curt Bowen RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA, Florida Posts: 248	Re: What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving? Yes, I weighted tripod works well I use one all the time for cave and deep wrecks. Pain in the ass to carry, but to get the best shots, you have to do extra work. Curt Bowen Publisher ADM Quote: (Originally Posted by Mdemon) Hi All, By the way, is there any way of holding open the shutter on a digital like the Bulb exposure used to be on film cameras? You know, for taking low light pictures of stars etc? TIA! John
(Online)

25th October 2005, 00:11	#19 (permalink)
barney Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 287	Re: What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving? Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) Personally, I am saving my pennies for the new Sony HD video camera (under US$2000) that is supposedly just been introduced. All the specs sound wonderful! Yeah, but the camera is dirt cheap compared to the housings (i.e., $6k). __________________ Michael C. Barnette ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS
(Offline)

25th October 2005, 00:17	#20 (permalink)
barney Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 287	Re: What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving? For video, I have had the Amphibico (Sony VX-2000) below 400fsw several times and it always worked perfectly. For stills, I have a pretty simple Oly 5050 in a L&M housing. I asked for the heavy-duty springs, but doubt I got them. I have had it to 270fsw and starting getting compression problems, even though it is rated for 100m. I need to send it back, as over the past year I have really hurt the springs; I can't go below 180fsw with it now as the springs are shot. Leigh Bishop has an interesting article about taking housings deep (e.g. 500 fsw), but then again, a very limited few need to worry about this application. Mike __________________ Michael C. Barnette ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS
(Offline)

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