Underwater Cameras

[juls64]

Well for Christmas my daughter got a Canon A95 digital camera. I am thinking of getting the underwater housing for it before vacation in June. I know about taking the housing for a test dive to make sure it doesn't leak. But I get relly nervous thinking about taking the camera underwater. I worry about ruining it.

Did you ever take your camera underwater for the first time or two and wonder if perhaps you weren't doing something that was, well, maybe not a smart idea?


Juls

[Atlaua]

Well for Christmas my daughter got a Canon A95 digital camera. I am thinking of getting the underwater housing for it before vacation in June. I know about taking the housing for a test dive to make sure it doesn't leak. But I get relly nervous thinking about taking the camera underwater. I worry about ruining it.

Did you ever take your camera underwater for the first time or two and wonder if perhaps you weren't doing something that was, well, maybe not a smart idea?


Juls

Yep, every time. But I carry equipment insurance and have my camera on it so if it get's ruined that's just an excuse to upgrade :D.

Some advice I got for the "empty" camera test:

1. Don't forget to use some weight. Find somthing that is close in weight to the camera and will fit in the housing. This will help you get used to the bouyancy characteristics of the camera.
2. Put plastic wrap or a baggie around the weight. If you use a shot bag or somthing similar as the weight it will leave dust, etc. in the housing.
3. Finally wrap the whole bundle with toilet paper. You'll know for sure if you have any leaks as the TP will make it obious.

James

[nauifins73]

I agree with James - try it out stuffed it paper towels or tissue 1st. I was soooo lucky that my dive buddy saved my set up - it was just a tiny leak and not sure it would have ruined my camera but......

Also please think about getting a moisture alarm - that is what truely saved mine. I saw the alarm come on and knew I had to do something.

I would also check with Ikelite for housing and strobes - they have great customer service if anything ever goes wrong. Which it will sooner or later not if.

Becky

[steve2281]

I've had the Canon A70 and Canon housing for a couple of years now. I took the housing for a dive without the camera the first time. The housing has been GREAT. It's been a little below 130' and has never leaked a drop. I have gotten over being nervous about it leaking. Just take good care main O-ring and rinse the rest of them.

[Atlaua]

Some of you folks need to start posting some pictures to the gallery! :D

I haven't yet because I've only used the camera once, in Cozumel...But this summer I hope to get some local pictures to share.

James

[Wkndbum]

Well for Christmas my daughter got a Canon A95 digital camera. I am thinking of getting the underwater housing for it before vacation in June. I know about taking the housing for a test dive to make sure it doesn't leak. But I get relly nervous thinking about taking the camera underwater. I worry about ruining it.

Did you ever take your camera underwater for the first time or two and wonder if perhaps you weren't doing something that was, well, maybe not a smart idea?


Juls

I've got an A95 with the WPDC 50 housing, only dove with it once @ Bonne Terre. No leaks but the pictures didn't turn out worth a darn. Operator trouble, I'm sure.

Terry

[juls64]

I've got an A95 with the WPDC 50 housing

Terry

That is the housing I was considering. I have checked Ikelite housings, but there a bit more procey and I don't need the extra strobe(s) at this time.

[ldkearney]

i use an ikelite housing which allows you to see if any water is getting in plus i use moisture packets that would change color if they got too moist. i put my housing in a barrel and zip tied it to weights to test it. maintenance is crucial especially in salt water. you cant just rinse it, you have to soak it and work all the buttons to squeeze the salt water out from behind them.

[DeepDiverBob]

Some of you folks need to start posting some pictures to the gallery! :D

I haven't yet because I've only used the camera once, in Cozumel...But this summer I hope to get some local pictures to share.

James

I plan on snapping a few above surface pics this weekend at Beaver Lake. I brought my camera with me to Mermet last weekend, but forgot to take it out of the bag...ooops.