Housings

Anyone doing scuba-diving with their cameras? What is the cheapest housing you can find for a Camera up to 50 feet down? I am running off a 20d currently - but the housings I have seen are obscenely expensive.

Does it make sense to bring down a cheaper film camera?

-JM

There is a limit as to the depth that cameras can go without imploding. That's why the Ikelite housings are so expensive - they're good to 250'. I'd take a cheapie waterproof down about 10' but wouldn't want to go much further without taking a chance of having no pics at the end of the day.
I've got an Ikelite and must say that they're value for money - they're rugged, well built and all stainless connections, etc.

I agree that maybe the best thing to do though is considering going down with a film body. Why risk a 1,000 or 2,000 - or more - dollar camera? It seems to me that film is the better medium in this area.

I have done diving in the past but never with a camera. I would imagine that most people do not go too far below 25 or 30 feet down.

TOLady, how far down do you normally go when you dive with the camera? Unless you are going down with some decent lights, I would imagine that it starts to get dark fairly quickly. I know that when I used to clam dig that it was nearly impossible to see and I was not much farther down than that.

Lou

Hey Folks,

I guess I will finally get a lot more information on diving as we have just started interviewing Eric Cheng of Wet Pixel!

-JM

Hi James..
I'm a pro underwater photog and use high end photo/video gear underwater..(Nikon D2x and Subal housings) If you have an interest in underwater photography I suggest getting the best housing you can for your $.. The thing to always remember is that the light goes through an extra peice of glass (lens ports)- Thats where the quality is so important. Also, You will find that you won't be satisfied with the quality of images from cheap housings...
I suggest, If you are starting out with underwater photography and have a limited budget to get a Nikonos V underwater film camera. It's all manual and it is the cheapest way to find out- 1, if you actually enjoy it (It's the hardest photography to do)and 2 - getting used to useing one underwater..
People think it would be easy, but in fact it's the complete opposite....lol
Hope this helps..

Dave

Hey Dave,

It is a passing fancy that my wife and I debate. I have been very anxious about doing it mostly because I realize just HOW HARD it is.

BTW, Your website has some great photographs on it. Do you have your own dedicated website for your work?

Also, can you tell me a bit about your business? I am always very interested in hearing pros talk shop. As a wedding photographer, I am sort of 'in and out of the loop' as our clients come from very different sources.

-JM

Hi James..

I'm in the proccess of buiding a dedicated site at the moment.. I hate it..lolol.. Rather be underwater...lol

What can I tell you...mmmmm

It is a specialist business. I do most of my work for clients rather than magazines etc.. They don't pay enough to make it worth while..I may start to submit my work to them so I can get more exposure.. I also produce/direct/video with my brother underwater docos as well.. Just finished a pilot on Shark research for Australian Geographic.. We are working with them to produce a TV series next year.. I hope it works out.. Put a lot of work into it...They loved it by the way.

Regarding underwater photography.. Try it cause when you get it right- The satisfaction is immense and it definately improves your technique on land..

The thing with underwater photography is practice ( just like on land..) It has to become second nature to you because if you forget to look at your gauges etc Your in big trouble.. I always take a non photographer with me on these dives for that very reason (Safety) and can use them as spotters or models if the need arises..

I hope you give it a try... You never never know, If you never never go....lolol


Dave

"Just finished a pilot on Shark research for Australian Geographic.. We are working with them to produce a TV series next year.. I hope it works out.. Put a lot of work into it...They loved it by the way."

Congratulations. I hope it works out for you. What does it take to put together a pilot? The closest thing I know to developing a pilot comes from Seinfeld.

Lou

hi,
I'm new to the world of h2o photography and was hoping for a little guidence. I plan on shooting surf shots w/ the d2h and underwater shots (snorkling depth for now in ambient lite) w/ d2x. I 'm pretty sure i'm leaning towards the seacam housing.

For the surf shots i was thinking of using the 10.5 fisheye or 17-55 dx. are these good choices/which one would be best and why?

For purley underwater shots i was thinking 17-55 dx, however, i noticed some of the web posters appear to all be using primes rather than zooms... is that personel preforance or do primes really make a huge difference underwater compared to zooms??? If so would a 85 f1.4 be a good all around underwater lens??? (using ambient lite for now).. (my choice of lens would be ..10.5 fisheye, 17-55 dx, 85f 1.4, 70-200 vr).

Also,undrh2o w/ ambient light can you keep the shutter speed high enough to hand hold the d2x s/ blurring (snorkelling depth)...what iso do you regulary have to use (say 10-20 ft down)..oh yeah- I live in st augustine florida so the water is somewhat clear.

Finally, what occurance of housing leakage of you (all) experienced= does it happen often, is the DAN underh2o insurance good for replacing /reimbursing the cost of your gear? do they then drop you after you make a claim or will they continue to insure you?

All thoughts, oppinions and comments appreaciated!

best regards,
jd

Hey Jordan,

Underwater photography is not my specialty, so I apologize that I am not much help to you here. If no one answers, you might want to consider logging in over at WetPixel. Someone might be able to answer your questions there.

-JM