Underwater housings for digi cameras

[Driftwood]

Okay, not that I have anything against the likes of Sea&Sea's cases, but does anyone know which digital cameras you can get a genuine (manufacturers) waterproof case for diving (min 30m rating)

I know there is one for the Canon A20/40 at circa £149 (gulp - still have to add on the camera) but what other options are there?

Okay, and how do non-standard fitmet (sea&Sea et al) compare for durability, containment and price.....

Be gentle, it's my first time in the pornography section....

[Bantam]

I would actually be inclined to think the reverse.

The sea and sea housings are made by a manufacturer who know the underwater environment inside out, and make amphibious cameras themselves, whereas Sony / Canon et al don't actually make very good housings for even their own cameras.
The only exception to that is the excellent Sony digital stills cameras with the housings to match. Expect to pay £500 for the camera and probably £2-300 for the housing.

Either that or get a 35-mm Sea and Sea MX5-II for £140 and have much better pics with 35mm film.

(I have both a Nikonos and now a MX5-II, and a digicam, and I prefer the regular 35-mm over digital anyday.)

[andy2tanx]

what was the address of that website for housing you mentione dJay?

[Jay]

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk

[JohnK]

Hi Drift - just upgraded to the Olympus C4040Z and PT010 housing (camera was £535 from www.acecameras.co.uk and housing was £220 from www camerasunderwater.co.uk)

Its great kit - housing goes to 30m (if you want more then it will cost £500 for the Ilelite housing)

Also just added W/A lens (Epoque @ £199)

Now skint but happy. One problem is strobe availability (either the DS50.DS125 or S&S 90DX - cant seem to get hold of one anywhere) If you know of any suppliers (mail order/net etc) either in the UK of abroad let me know. If you need any more info contact me

Cheers

[JohnK]

Forgot to add - if this is your first foray into UW pornography, GET SECOND HAND KIT - its cheaper and you wont be wasting money when you decide to upgrade - I speak from painful experience

[Eddie]

Or in the first place, just buy what you want/need for the type of photo's you will be taking in the future! then you won't be wasting any cash...

[Driftwood]

Well, to be honest.... I'm actually getting a digital camera for on land and the underwater aspect was just going to be a mess about and see....

But at £150 for the Canon A40 housing, I think I'll keep it above water

[clive francis]

What is the WAL like, I have the 3040 and looking at getting either the Epoque or the S&S WAL

[JohnK]

The epoque DCL20 has given some great results - be careful though, either get a strobe as well or swith off the camera flash - as the WAL is large it gets in the way of the flash and interferes with the lighting (effectively blocks some out. This will be a problem for all WAL`s

safe diving and piccing