Going to pop my MPK-PHA cherry on Saturday!!

[Darren A]

Hi

Well, it's arrived. Got my Sony MKP-PHA housing for my P10 a few days ago, and I'm going to get it wet in Stoney on Saturday. My questions is, can I just put the camera in, seal it up and jump in, or do I have to take the blue o ring out and grease it every time before I use it, and if so how much do i use - a smig or a splodge? Tried looking in the destructions, but can't see anything about this

TIA

Darren

PS Any suggestions on what settings I should start off on?

[Fiona]

Darren

First don't put your camera in it on the very first outing. Tiny blob of grease. I didn't grease mine before each dive on a trip in April, but this may be wrong. I didn't have any problems. Hope you have some fun with it.

[jlwarlow]

Originally Posted by Darren A

Hi

Well, it's arrived. Got my Sony MKP-PHA housing for my P10 a few days ago, and I'm going to get it wet in Stoney on Saturday. My questions is, can I just put the camera in, seal it up and jump in, or do I have to take the blue o ring out and grease it every time before I use it, and if so how much do i use - a smig or a splodge? Tried looking in the destructions, but can't see anything about this

TIA

Darren

PS Any suggestions on what settings I should start off on?

I've been after a MPK-PHA myself for a while, let me know how you get on with your camera. Better still, post some photos here when you get back!

[wilbo]

Originally Posted by Darren A

Hi

Well, it's arrived. Got my Sony MKP-PHA housing for my P10 a few days ago, and I'm going to get it wet in Stoney on Saturday. My questions is, can I just put the camera in, seal it up and jump in, or do I have to take the blue o ring out and grease it every time before I use it, and if so how much do i use - a smig or a splodge? Tried looking in the destructions, but can't see anything about this

TIA

Darren

PS Any suggestions on what settings I should start off on?

darren,

As fiona suggests, don't put the camera in first time.. a bit of grease - not too much - and check for hairs.. always use the tool for extracting the O ring.. make sure that you click the shutting mechanism properly - sometimes it don't click all the way shut.. I don't grease every dive.. probably once every series of dives - i.e. 4 dives, 1 weekend.

try to get yourself some of the little slilica gel satchets that you get with leather goods to put inside the housing with the camera.

I chuck camera onto the highest setting, so I can reduce the images back down afterwards.. don't use the zoom, just wastes the battery - get close instead.. Haven't found a way of setting the white balance yet - not even sure if you can? Somebody may correct me..?

HTH?

[steve2056]

Hi Darren,

As Fiona says make the first dive empty, just to be sure there are no leaks. There is no need to grease every dive, I usually do it once a day before the first dive - I have only used my housing on Liveaboards so far.

Just use the absolute minimum to coat the O-ring, too much will attract dust, dirt and hairs (fatal!). Also, be very careful not to stretch the O-ring too much, just put a little grease on your thumb and first 2 fingers, make a Triangle and gently pull the ring through. Go around a few times and carefully check that the O-ring has a shiny finish all over. CHECK FOR ANY HAIRS OR DIRT!

IT IS NOT THE GREASE THAT MAKES THE SEAL! The grease just acts as a lubricant.

When just under the surface look for bubbles escaping (means water is getting in), keep the port facing down as you descend and periodically look upwards into the port for signs of water. If there is any, get back to the surface as quickly and as safely as you can.

Happy shooting.

Steve.

[Darren A]

Just had a request for where I got my housing from, as Sony in their ultimate wisdom, have decided to discontinue the MPK-PHA whilst still selling the brand new digital cameras that would fit it !!


Cameras Underwater have 19 left (it was 20 before John - Jlwarlow Pm'd me and bought his!). Apparently they are the last ones left in Europe, and will not be replaced. So if you want a housing for your P8 or P10 (also fits the P9 I think) and you have not got it yet - get in there quick!

Their number is (0)8700 660384

Its 159.99+7.50 p&p (I know it's £20 more than Amazon were doing them, but they have sold out!)

Happy shopping.

Darren

[wilbo]

you may also get some joy from Kevin at KMR Photo service on 0845 6588805 - they are a Sony repair centre and he may be very accomodating.

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Darren A

Just had a request for where I got my housing from, as Sony in their ultimate wisdom, have decided to discontinue the MPK-PHA whilst still selling the brand new digital cameras that would fit it !!

Darren

Blimey I am glad I got mine earlier this year then.

[JAG]

I stuck my houseing in a full bath for a about 20 minutes first just to check for any leaks.

But definately dive with it empty for the first time, just in case.

Ian

[Dave Crampton]

I bought my housing from a shop in the States. I just did a search in google and it was one of the links that came up. Cost me 99 Dollars, plus 45 Dollars FedEx to a freind who was returning from Santa Barbra. Sony were rubbish getting one. By the time I got round to buying one the housing was discontinued in the UK from Sony UK. it was either that buy a newer P10 housing and not be able to turnn it off under water. When I did find P5 housings the cost was 450+ pounds from shops like Cameras Underwater. If you have any freinds who are going to the US I'd recomend it. I used Etronics in NY. I had to email over a colour photo/scan of my Credit card and Passport. If you get someone to bring it back you don't pay import tax :-)

Happy hunting

Dave C