What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving?

PeteS · 25th October 2005, 05:32

Quote: (Originally Posted by Curt Bowen)

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

Unfortunately I had an Aqautica for my S2. It didn't fit. The machining was out of alignment with the casting, and the drive gears didn't align with each other. Neither did some of the gears turn when the shafts turned. It was however, a cheap housing compared to others. I was given my money back, in full, by my dealer when he heard Aquatica tell me over the phone that it was both of my Fuji S2 bodies that were wrong, due to "build tolerances" with the cameras. My bullshit detector went off at that stage, and he was running my credit card through the machine for a refund before I'd even finished the call. The dealer, an excellent one I must say, was Cameras Underwater. Nice guys, no problems with them.

I now have a Seacam housing with macro and dome ports, the housing is tested to 100m and the dome to 125m. Both of my S2 camera bodies dropped in and worked. The build quality is stunning. The Seacam is "not cheap", but it WORKS. And the 10" dome with Nikon 10.5mm lens is lovely.

***jradomski*** · 25th October 2005, 06:05

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

John,
I have used my tetra housing sub 100m, its officially rated to 100m.. The olympus 3000 and 4000 series cameras fit them.. The cameras can be had pretty cheaply... buying a used system you can probably get awy for around $1000 us with the flat port, if you want wetmate lenses expect to at least double that..

Curt Bowen · 26th October 2005, 00:33

I might have to look into these Seacam Housings

Quote: (Originally Posted by PeteS)

Unfortunately I had an Aqautica for my S2. It didn't fit. The machining was out of alignment with the casting, and the drive gears didn't align with each other. Neither did some of the gears turn when the shafts turned. It was however, a cheap housing compared to others. I was given my money back, in full, by my dealer when he heard Aquatica tell me over the phone that it was both of my Fuji S2 bodies that were wrong, due to "build tolerances" with the cameras. My bullshit detector went off at that stage, and he was running my credit card through the machine for a refund before I'd even finished the call. The dealer, an excellent one I must say, was Cameras Underwater. Nice guys, no problems with them.

I now have a Seacam housing with macro and dome ports, the housing is tested to 100m and the dome to 125m. Both of my S2 camera bodies dropped in and worked. The build quality is stunning. The Seacam is "not cheap", but it WORKS. And the 10" dome with Nikon 10.5mm lens is lovely.

25th October 2005, 05:32	#21 (permalink)
PeteS Consent Issued! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 546	Re: What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving? Quote: (Originally Posted by Curt Bowen) 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 Unfortunately I had an Aqautica for my S2. It didn't fit. The machining was out of alignment with the casting, and the drive gears didn't align with each other. Neither did some of the gears turn when the shafts turned. It was however, a cheap housing compared to others. I was given my money back, in full, by my dealer when he heard Aquatica tell me over the phone that it was both of my Fuji S2 bodies that were wrong, due to "build tolerances" with the cameras. My bullshit detector went off at that stage, and he was running my credit card through the machine for a refund before I'd even finished the call. The dealer, an excellent one I must say, was Cameras Underwater. Nice guys, no problems with them. I now have a Seacam housing with macro and dome ports, the housing is tested to 100m and the dome to 125m. Both of my S2 camera bodies dropped in and worked. The build quality is stunning. The Seacam is "not cheap", but it WORKS. And the 10" dome with Nikon 10.5mm lens is lovely. __________________ Pete S. http://www.steggle.co.nz Every silver lining has a cloud
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25th October 2005, 06:05	#22 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,134	Re: What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving? 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 John, I have used my tetra housing sub 100m, its officially rated to 100m.. The olympus 3000 and 4000 series cameras fit them.. The cameras can be had pretty cheaply... buying a used system you can probably get awy for around $1000 us with the flat port, if you want wetmate lenses expect to at least double that.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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26th October 2005, 00:33	#23 (permalink)
Curt Bowen The man who pays the bills Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: USA, Florida Posts: 713	Re: What digital camera casing for 40m+ diving? I might have to look into these Seacam Housings Quote: (Originally Posted by PeteS) Unfortunately I had an Aqautica for my S2. It didn't fit. The machining was out of alignment with the casting, and the drive gears didn't align with each other. Neither did some of the gears turn when the shafts turned. It was however, a cheap housing compared to others. I was given my money back, in full, by my dealer when he heard Aquatica tell me over the phone that it was both of my Fuji S2 bodies that were wrong, due to "build tolerances" with the cameras. My bullshit detector went off at that stage, and he was running my credit card through the machine for a refund before I'd even finished the call. The dealer, an excellent one I must say, was Cameras Underwater. Nice guys, no problems with them. I now have a Seacam housing with macro and dome ports, the housing is tested to 100m and the dome to 125m. Both of my S2 camera bodies dropped in and worked. The build quality is stunning. The Seacam is "not cheap", but it WORKS. And the 10" dome with Nikon 10.5mm lens is lovely.
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