Ikelite Housings

[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by jackdiver

Yes, but CU have been quite clear that they think that the Hugyfot floods were down to user error (though I don't think they can prove it).

I hope you continue to not have a problem!

Really? They didn't make that clear to me when I wanted to buy one through them, in fact it was quite the opposite!!

I hope that too - although am kind of looking for an excuse to maybe upgrade *whistles innocently*

Originally Posted by MartinJ

Any housing will flood if people don't take care putting it together and whilst using it! I don't think any should be any worse than any other personally as it really isnt rocket science....its a box with machined smooth surfaces which compress an o-ring between them....and there are swivel and button controls with o-rings in them!

Absolutely - however I saw 2 of the 3 Ike floods and the care and attention given to putting the housing together did not come under the "If people don't take care putting it together" banner, they even checked it twice with 2 professional photographers so paranoid were they after the first flood.

PS have you got your pics done yet from last year?

[Okeanos]

I have 2 Ikelite housings for my Fuji's, both have been to 75m without any problems, although a button did stick in due to the pressure (60m rated). It popped back out at 70m. The O'rings seem to stretch really easily on the replacements I have. The originals lasted for ages, the replacement stretched after a few months!!

The use a funny thread at the bottom of the housing, they can supply the correct bolts to fit a different tray.

[ChristianG]

Originally Posted by Tazzie

I know of 3 SLR Ike housings that have flooded I think they're great for digi compacts but I wouldn't (PERSONALLY) put £X hundreds into a £lower end range housing

Having said that when you speak to Cameras Underwater the Hugyfot system I have "floods" - I've never had a problem

In my experience flooding is almost inevitably operator error. I've had several floods over the years and only one can fairly be said not to have been my fault given that it was was an acknowledged design fault.

I don't care what camera system or housing you have, that, to my mind, is a fact of life. We hooman beans make mistakes, unfortunately sometimes we try to get away with them.

[Tazzie]

Originally Posted by ChristianG

In my experience flooding is almost inevitably operator error. I've had several floods over the years and only one can fairly be said not to have been my fault given that it was was an acknowledged design fault.

I don't care what camera system or housing you have, that, to my mind, is a fact of life. We hooman beans make mistakes, unfortunately sometimes we try to get away with them.

I absolutely, totally agree, however in the situation I describes earlier, so paranoid was the user about their camera flooding again they were incredibly meticulous about putting the housing together, they then got it checked by 2 other photographers - the housing then leaked... Defo not user error in that situation.

[Daniel Taylor]

Do you want caused the flooding on the Ikes?

I had an Ike housing for my film F801s. At one point in its life it cracked. Repairable but it did crack. That said, I bought a 2nd hand Sea and Sea housing and that had a crack as well.

I would buy another Ike. They are big and bulking compared to the small housings but you get what you pay for. You then also need the big heavy handles to counter the extra buoyancy. I did buy Maria an Ike housing for her Nikon Coolpix and we certainly haven't had any problems with that.

I understand that the reason why a lot of people do not like the Huy's is because they do not use spring loaded latches (and because they is little support in the UK).

Daniel

[BJ]

Everyone enjoys a flood at some time. It's simply God reminding us of who is running things!

[Daniel Taylor]

Originally Posted by Tazzie

I absolutely, totally agree, however in the situation I describes earlier, so paranoid was the user about their camera flooding again they were incredibly meticulous about putting the housing together, they then got it checked by 2 other photographers - the housing then leaked... Defo not user error in that situation.

What you have to remember though is that if a housing is not properly rinsed then it will build up salt crystals on the controls and dials. When you then use them you can cut into the gills and this will cause a leak (I know, been there, done that). This is often out of sight because the salt water is trapped in the small gaps. An external viewing of the many O rings would not show this up but it is still in effect cause by user error.

[Cussy]

I have an Ikelite housing for my D80 and I am very happy with it. Compared to my previous Olympus housing it is solid and when I shut the catches I know full well the system is secure (which is something I couldn't say of the Oly). The advantage of TTL and being able to see everything is very useful too.

Admittedly it is big, it is heavy (travel is then an issue). It does cause envy when I see shiny ali housings

But the cost was a major issue for me and I recently added a 105 to my setup and the port was only about £100 - now if it had been a different housing I wouldn't have been able to afford the port. For what I paid for the whole setup I basically got TTL and two superb strobes free; that's the difference in cost.

So would I recommend Ikelite to a compact owner - absolutely, no second thoughts. Would I recommend to a DSLR owner - yes I would, especially if cost is an issue.

Now you mentioned cost. If I put my £800+ Ikelite housing next to my £180 Olympus one, which one in my opinion is better value. One is weak, poorly designed, I always thought it would leak and is manufactured by a company that regards these things as disposable. The other is solid, has TTL, will last a long time, and is manufactured by a company that you can buy every part as a spare if you so desire. There is simply no comparison.
Rob

[secondrule]

I've had a Ike housing for my vid system for 5 years and never had a spot of bother. Its done 60m dives and been bounced by idiot boat boys and then done the business again.

It is cumbersome and weighty, but it is coming with me to Dahab in 4 days to make me some money. Insh'allah!

[Beau Nidle]

Hmm,

The one constant I am seeing here is that I WILL get a flood regardless!.

On that basis I think I will go with the point & shoot for diving and keep my SLR firmly on dry land!

Thanks all.