Canon A40 housing - 50 quid

[dhague]

I posted something similar to this on the Equipment forum a few days ago - I didn't spot the Underwater Photography forum then...

Anyway: I've found a place online where you can get a pukka Canon A40 housing (WP-DC200s) for 50 quid, including VAT and delivery:
http://www.camerashop.co.uk/buy_pag...3&producttype=8

Mine arrived a few days ago, so this is definitely genuine. I have no connection with these people - just a satisfied customer.

Given that you can get a Canon A40 (2 megapixel) for about £50 from eBay, this has to be about the cheapest way to get started in underwater digital photography - £100 for a complete package.

I'm looking at lighting now, and a UK D8R or UK Light Cannon (£150-160ish) are looking favourite. As someone on the equipment forum suggested, why buy a strobe when you can get a decent torch for the same money?

Cheers,
Darren

[String]

I use the A40 with housing and its ok. Once you get used to the shutter delay and photograph slow moving objects

The photos are far better with the flash turned OFF even abroad on good vis.

Due to the nature of the thing it wont work with proper external strobes due to TTL so a decent torch is probably a better bet than buying one.

http://www.whitcombe.org.uk/Ibiza2003/Espardell_19.jpg (example photo of a moray taken with the above setup)

[Woz]

Just got a 49 quid housing myself and you can get the A40 cameras brand new for 75 quid from SRS Microsystems dahn saaaaarf sumwhere.

[Woz]

BTW how buoyant is the thing? Would you recommend popping some weight onto it so that it ends up only slightly +ve?

[John Gulliver]

I'm one of those dinosaurs still using a 35 mm film camera (Motormarine II EX) but I wonder why you want your camera/housing to be slightly positive. If you let go of it, it will rise to the surface and likely disappear in the current. Far better if your camera is slightly negative, in my opinion.

[CotoChris]

Originally Posted by dhague

II'm looking at lighting now, and a UK D8R or UK Light Cannon (£150-160ish) are looking favourite. As someone on the equipment forum suggested, why buy a strobe when you can get a decent torch for the same money?

Cheers,
Darren

As for lighting I have the UK D8R which is very good. I've had some problems where as teh light blew on second dive and now there is a weak connection so the lights often don't work. I reckon this is more bad luck and hope to have it solved soon. You can get the torch for a good price at SDS watersports, brought mine for £120.

[String]

The A40 in the case is in fact very buoyant.

Ive thought ive lost it a few times to find it floating above my head on its clip. Im about to stuff blu-tac or something in the case in an attempt to weight it slightly.

A positive case i guess is great for snorkleing or just splashing about in the sea but id rather a negative case for diving as the one place i cant go if i let go is up as fast as the case does.

The one thing that just came to mind as to a "problem" as such is the LCD display. Abroad in light waters its occasionally hard to read due to the ambient light around it (its fine in britain where its darker). Ive been tempted to glue a plastic cover around the back of the case to counter this problem.

In fact...I think i'll try it today and test tomorrow.

[kath2407]

The link don't work anymore!!!! Boo hoo. Has the "offer" expired? Any similar offers around??

I'm looking for a reasonable starter camera. I'm not looking to go pro or anything, just some happy holiday snaps!!!

K X

[Woz]

Originally Posted by kath2407

The link don't work anymore!!!! Boo hoo. Has the "offer" expired? Any similar offers around??

I'm looking for a reasonable starter camera. I'm not looking to go pro or anything, just some happy holiday snaps!!!

K X

I think I had the last one....

You can get an Olympus mju housing for 89 quid- there is an ad in this month's Dive mag.

[Woz]

Originally Posted by John Gulliver

I'm one of those dinosaurs still using a 35 mm film camera (Motormarine II EX) but I wonder why you want your camera/housing to be slightly positive. If you let go of it, it will rise to the surface and likely disappear in the current. Far better if your camera is slightly negative, in my opinion.

I'm just talking very slightly +ve so it will gently drift up rather than go up like a Polaris. Thing is, I usually have everything clipped off to me when diving where as in the boat, there is always some numpty ready to accidentally drop it over the side.