Housing retailers?

[Tazzie]

Can someone point me in the right direction please?

I'm looking to upgrade my camera and have my eye on the new EOS400D, I'm finding it hard to get a variety of information on the housings though

I've looked at Cameras Underwater, Ocean Optics and Alan James Photography, can anyone recommend me anywhere else to look please?

Also, can anyone shed light on why they chose their particular housing? Apart from looks there doens't seem to be much functionality difference between say Sea and Sea, Ikelite, Subal etc unless I'm missing something obvious?

Thanks in advance

[uwila]

Originally Posted by Tazzie

Can someone point me in the right direction please?

I'm looking to upgrade my camera and have my eye on the new EOS400D, I'm finding it hard to get a variety of information on the housings though

I've looked at Cameras Underwater, Ocean Optics and Alan James Photography, can anyone recommend me anywhere else to look please?

Also, can anyone shed light on why they chose their particular housing? Apart from looks there doens't seem to be much functionality difference between say Sea and Sea, Ikelite, Subal etc unless I'm missing something obvious?

Thanks in advance

I used Ocean Optics and got a half day 'tutorial' on how to use the housing and loads of other advice as well. Cameras Underwater, I've used them in the past, just sold me stuff.

There are big differences between Ikelite and most of the others (Hugyfoot, Subal, Aquatica etc) in that the Ikelite ones are generally not made specifically for each camera type. They produce a limited number of boxes, and then drill them and fit controls appropriate to that camera, whilst every Subal housing is specifically shaped for a single camera model. This tends to make the control layout better. When I was trying to decide what to buy, I did notice that the layout of the controls varies greatly. I chose Subal because I can reach both the apperture and shutter speed controls without removing my hand from the handle, which really helps as you bracket a shot.

Another example, the strobe connector on the Ikelite housing for my camera came backwards off the box and was very close to some other controls. I have since met someone using an Ikelite who told me that this causes problems underwater as well as when boat crew lay the camera on its back after a dive (this bends the cable and can break it). Also, there are 2 strobe connectors on the Subal, but only one on the Ikelite - which would mean using a Y cable if you use 2 strobes and this cable can get in the way a bit. Another slight problem is the sheer physical size and weight of the Ikelite housing when compared with Subal (for example).

Oh, another difference - the Ikelike dome port is plastic, whilst the Subal one is glass - which is more rugged and scratch resistant.

However, there's a huge cost difference - around 1K for the Ikelite and 3K for the Subal, so you pays your money and takes your choice...

Cheers, Chris

[gingerstu]

I thought you meant estate agents.

hat, coat, never to be seen again.

[Tazzie]

Thanks Uwila, some really good points made there, most appreciated

Gingerstu - an easy mistable to make... if you were blondestu LOL : POly joking, the title is a little misleading, apologies!

[David A]

I seem to manage OK with an Ikelite housing for my D70, despite it being a big lump of plastic. The strobe connector is no longer an issue, as it feeds out at 90 degrees to the housing on the new models, and the Y connector can be wrapped around the strobe arms quite easily.
True, the glass domes don't scratch as easily, but when they do they're fooked. And they do, I've seen it happen. As for me, I reach for the acrylic polish, and after 20 minutes of elbow grease it's sorted.
There are undoubtedly benefits to some of the metal housings, both dimensionally and aesthetically, and I would agree with Chris that the Subal is really nicely thought out, but if budget is an issue, don't worry about the results you'll get with an Ike.

David

EDIT: sorry, not really answered your question. I have only dealt with cameras underwater in the UK, and only by phone. Very efficient, and everything delivered quickly, but not everyone on the phones understands what they're selling. If and when I buy again, it's unlikely it will be in the UK.

[BJ]

Peole get very hung up on the glass/plexiglass issue.

I have large Plexiglass dome ports by Sea & Sea, Nexus, and Aquatica.
I have large glass dome ports by Subal and a mid-sized one by Sea & Sea.

Plexiglass does scratch easily but it can be repolished (in your cabin) just as easily with 'Wet n Dry' followed by Duraglit. It has the same refractive index as water so minor scratches do not affect it.

Glass is fragile. I have a very expensive coated optical-glass port for my Sea & Sea housing. I have to be very careful with it.

Which makes the sharpest pictures right across the frame? The large Plexiglass Sea & Sea port.

[samui13]

i have the canon 350D and that sits in a sea and sea DX350.
the reason i chose the S & S housing is because i have smallish hands and i found that with this housing my fingers were big enough to reach all the relevant controls on the housing.

I had my lenses, housing, ports, focus gear, focus light shipped in from Japan at a massive saving than what i would have paid in the UK.

Home :: www.uwdigitalcamera.com [Eglish]

take a look on here, if you need any help with anything, email Yuzo, he is very very helpful and will always do you a good deal.

[Tazzie]

That's great, thanks very much chaps David, all info is relevant to me at the moment as it's a big purchase and I want to get it right

Most appreciated, thank you

[diver-repairs]

Hi Tazzie.

Just bought a new Canon 400D c/w 18/55 lens AND screwin corrective lens for even closer focus (ie extra 10mm or so length..) from ebay and have now to get the housing...

I'm going for a FantaSea F400D, which should be available in the UK in February.

I suggest you contact :-
sales@underwater-housings.co.uk
www.underwater-housings.co.uk
or phone and ask for Mike on 0131 2082356

Be sure to mention me by name...Brian Cooper...so I might be able to get some extra discount when I finally part with MY money.

Housing is Cat # 1141 with either lens port 7008 (34mm long) or 7007 (44mm long).

If you Google Fantasea you can find the housing in their catalogue under SLR digital... no price as yet but I have been told by their Janice Kaye suspected to be $1099 for the housing and a lens port....then divide by about 2 to get it to £s...a lot cheaper than Ikelite, then buy a port.

Hope that helps, mine is being sent as soon as arrives in the country...I'm in North Yorkshire if you want to look or play.

Cheers for now

Brian Cooper aka diver-repairs

[John N]

I've just picked up a 400D and will be getting a housing for it.

I've used an Ikelite housing with an Olympus 5050 for a few years and have been happy with it - no floods. I will probably go for Ikelite again because of that, and because they are relatively cheap. Leaves a bit more money for getting a decent strobe which is very important IMO.

The one thing I did spend some time looking at were the different housing port options. You need to work out what lenses you will have (now or later) and then check that the housing supports it. In particular there are some lenses including a very popular zoom lens with 'anti-shake' technology which are too wide to fit into Ikelite ports. Ikelite has a chart which shows the lenses that they support.

If you are planning on buying multiple lenses you could also find out how many different ports you will need and how much they will cost. I chose a wide lens (10-22) , a 28-105 zoom (as a general purpose topside lens) and a 100mm macro.
Looking at the cost of the whole system is important.

Another consideration for me is that if I get an Ikelite strobe as well as the housing, there is built in TTL which has worked well for me in the past.

I've had very good service from Cameras Underwater in the past and will probably go back for the next purchase if it is Ikelite.
I looked at online retailers in America - a combination of the exchange rate and good prices makes Ikelite prices look attractive there. I then worked out the duty, VAT and postage - it ended up about 10% cheaper. Whether that is worth the hassle if you need to send stuff back is your call.