Would you trust your DSLR in one of these...

I do have one of these for small items that I take on holiday but that one has so many seams, I'm not sure I'd trust my DSLR in it plus I fear that the bit over the lens would seriously degrade the photos. I think the old saying "you get what you pay for" should be applied with anything that goes over the end of your lens.

I was looking at getting a Nikon P7000 and a hard plastic housing for my holiday last year which I costed at a total of £250.
 
depends on how much you value your camera.

To be totally honest you can buy underwater cameras quite cheaply now with cases to take them to 30m+.

I would certainly NOT put £1000 + worth of camera in a plastic bag and take it in the water.
How do you fasten strobes to it??
 
Is this a pizzzztake?
 
I've put a compact camera in one of these before, worked fine, didn't leak. Even after testing it, I still wasn't convinced to put anything work more than £100 in there.

I ended up buying an underwater cam as the compact AF was terrible under water...
 
Looks like a freezer bag crossed with a Femidom! I'll stick with my D10 and stay above the 10m line...
 
Could you stretch a condom over a compact ? And tie a knot in it.
Semi-serious question ...
I feel an experiment coming on.
 
Did use one of these everyday for 2 weeks last year on holiday.

Not a single problem with leaks etc. Not to say it can't happen. I used it daily in the sea and the swimming pool. Didn't go deeper than a meter though.

The actual problem is getting the front of the bag flush with the lens, IQ through it isn't great tbh.

It will never compare to a proper housing, but is a bit of fun and not a lot of money. Don't buy it expecting too much, but enjoy playing with it.

Controls are near impossible to use, bar the shutter and function wheel (at a push).
 
OP, I used one similar to that - didn't put my D7000 inside (the 17-55mm was too large) so used an old 30D and 18-55mm from work. The camera was fine and I got the shot (made the cover of a mag) but handling was atrocious... the zoom ring was unusable and controlling the camera was a pain.
 
Ok, as an underwater photographer I'll add my tuppence to this!

If you plan on diving with it, it's a straight no no.

Snorkelling wise, the type of case is feasible, albeit I would strongly suggest the ewa-marine range for a few quid more.

However, it's tough to get decent shots from the surface - it's possible but not ideal.

IMHO, best cheap option is something like the canon d10, maybe buy 2nd hand then sell after your trip for minimal loss

Mike
 
Oh no. I wouldn't chance it. £20 wager to keep your £500+ investment dry. Erk.
 
pooley said:
O

IMHO, best cheap option is something like the canon d10, maybe buy 2nd hand then sell after your trip for minimal loss

Mike
Click to expand...

I'll second the D10. I bought one for a holiday trip and have kept it as a robust point and shoot. Takes great images and video under water.
137308755.jpg
 
pooley said:
Ok, as an underwater photographer...


Mike
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

I've always wanted a go at this, but am not going to risk a good camera and I only want to experiment so buying a proper housing isn't worth the dosh. Have you ever tried one of the disposable film jobbies? There are still a few around for about a fiver. Or the cheap 'waterproof' digis? I'll only be about a meter or two under.
 
Jon,

I've seen plenty of people try with the film jobbies, and its possible to get an average result, I suppose it all comes down to your expectations.

The single biggest quality improvement is getting as little water between you and your subject as possible - its pretty rare you can be too close!

Shooting at or near to the surface don't bother with any type of flash, all it will do is light up all the crud around.

If you follow those 2 points then you can get something as good as a cheap plastic lens will be capable of.

I just had a quick look on fleabay, and there are plenty of waterproof compacts available that can be used down to 3 metres available for well under £100 - you've much more chance of a reasonable shot with one of these though.

Have a look at olympus underwater housings as well - you can often pick up a bargain for a discontinued camera
 
Cheers, Mike. I'll be in the Med later this year - I'll give it a go.
 
I fear that the bit over the lens would seriously degrade the photos.
Click to expand...
The light detraction caused by the water will be more of factor of image quality.
 
Jon, some of the underwater disposables rely on fast (ISO800) print film and have fairly extreme grain. OK(ish) for 6x4 prints (so not bad for holiday snaps) but even with careful scanning, don't handle much in the way of enlargement. They're a good way to get into snorkel photography though but be warned, it can be addictive! If you can get hold of APS film, I have a waterproof Minolta compact you're welcome to borrow but it (APS film) seems to be rarer than rocking horse poop now!
 
Thanks for the offer, Nod. D'you know, I haven't shot a frame of film in about five years! I have no darkroom, so would have to rely on commercial printing, and the combination of that, a cheap camera, and a total lack of experience in this area doesn't add up to good results. I reckon I may get a cheap waterproof digi that avoids the need of a housing. But I won't be practising off Sidmouth for a while!
 
Can't remember the last time British waters saw my flesh! These days my salt water swimming (indeed, all my swimming) is done in the warmth of the Med around Crete.

Beware of some of the cheap "waterproof" cameras - and indeed, some of the not-so-cheap ones. My first "waterproof" digi decided it wasn't going to be so any more shortly after the warranty ran out and the manufacturer basically said "tough titty" and washed their hands of it. I've since found out that I am far from the only user of that model to have had problems and to have received the same disservice so now I just avoid Olympus. It has to be said also that my current waterproof compact (a Canon D10) gives far better photos both above and below water as well as being easier to use and (so far!) more waterproof.
 
I have the Dicapac wp-s5 - which is a better make and more robust than the thing you have linked there, it is still the same type of thing though.

I have so far used for 2weeks everyday in the Red Sea and 2weeks snorkelling in Jamaica I had no problems but before each swim I checked it and tested it to make sure of no leaks. I do only use it for the D5100 though so no biggy if I have to end up replacing it.

I have used and purchased many dedicated underwater cameras in the past and they have all in my opinion only! Been of a substandard quality when it comes to the image.
 
I used an Aqua-Pac waterproof bag/pouch with a camcorder and whilst it kept it dry - for up to 30 minutes down to 3-5 metres, the results were mediocre - the camcorder/camera needs to be held tightly up against the front acrylic lens as otherwise you get lots of light diffraction/ reflections occurring - I chose the Aqu-pac as a cheaper alternative to the equivalent EWA-marine offering.

We had much better success with a rigid (read more expensive) dedicated waterproof housing for a compact camera. Unless you want to spend literally thousands, a dedicated waterproof compact will imho be the best compromise for value and performance - such as the Canon D10 or D20 mentioned above.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top