5D Underwater

[glassandgear]

I'm going to be going on vacation in a few months and I'm going to have the opportunity to do some snorkeling/diving. I'm planning on bringing my 5D with me on the trip as well as a SD800 that my wife will be using. I'm curious if anyone has any experience using a 5D in an underwater housing. Right now I'm leaning towards just getting a $200 housing for the SD800 rather than an expensive housing for the 5D but I don't want to regret that decision later. Any thoughts?

[BigBouncyBall]

yikes thats brave! I'd go for a disposable underwater camera myself!

[glassandgear]

Well, that is the other reason I'm thinking of using the SD800, much cheaper to replace in the event that I mess something up and destroy it.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

I can't say I'd ever bring a 5D underwater, no matter how good the housing. I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself!

I'd gladly bring an SD800, though. Probably get some darn good shots, too!

[Troopa]

just make sure you have accidental insurance on both items

[Skrim17]

I just picked up one of these, no housing needed.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1287

[cicopo]

This kind on topic comes up from time to time and besides the cost factor there are far more considerations. Taking photos while floating is not like land based photography, and unless you are a very experienced diver with excellent buoyancy control you wouldn't have a very good time trying to control something that bulky underwater. Divers with limited experience need both arms to make up for their inability to get the buoyancy mastered to where they can drift or hover without the use of their hands or arms, and a big camera housing will really throw you off. Start with a point & shoot, learn how to use it well, and eventually move up the ladder. At least digital is far more user friendly underwater than film. More info here.
http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/uwphoto/index-e.html

[deadpass]

I just picked up one of these, no housing needed.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1287


agreed! my wife has one and it's awesome.

[Cathpah]

I, personally, am hoping to get an underwater housing down the road, I'll be living in Panama by then and thus will have ample opportunities to use it.

however, for most purposes and casual use, I've seen similar threads come up like this all the time and the resounding answer is to get a housing for a compact and enjoy that. Getting good shots with a dslr underwater takes a lot of practice/technique/equipment. You have to get weights, huge lights, etc. Can make diving seem more like a chore than a joy. get the housing for your compact and enjoy your vacation instead of stressing about bringing your 5d underwater. No matter what, don't entrust one of those silly glorified ziplok bags to protect that great camera of yours.

have fun!

[thekid24]

I can't say I'd ever bring a 5D underwater, no matter how good the housing. I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself!

I'd gladly bring an SD800, though. Probably get some darn good shots, too!
C'mon Ron live a lil..lol.

[Shoreliner11]

I agree with what others have said. If you're going to take the 5d underwater go with an Aquatica or Sea and Sea housing. Both are over $2k but worth it for the 5d. A dslr underwater setup isn't as difficult to use as one would think. Yes...you'll need at least one strobe which can be over 500 a piece, but most dslr housings can be trimmed quite well to be relatively neutrally buoyant. It'll take some practice to get rid of backscatter, which is when marine snow is illuminated by the strobe, but all in all, most people with a 5d already have a bit of photography knowledge and will be able to work it out. With that said, make sure you're comfortable underwater before adding a 5d into the mix. Good luck

[jlg84]

I would never put my 5D in one of those housings; I bought a housing for my old Canon P&S camera and keep that camera just for underwater photography now. It would be far too difficult to use all the 5D's controls through the housing, so you probably would not benefit from its greater range underwater anyway. Use the SD800.

[StewartR]

Use the SD800. One huge advantage that nobody has mentioned so far (but I'm sure they all realised) is that looking through the 5D's viewfinder whilst wearing a mask isn't going to be easy. With the P&S you can compose using the LCD - much more convenient.

Incidentally I guess this is another instance in which the Live View on the 40D would be a benefit. I expect the diving pros will all be starting to use SLRs with Live View now.

[JBaz]

I'd also recommend that Olympus under water camera. My friend has it and it's pretty tough. We always play around with it at the pool and do some pranks like throwing the camera in the water when random people walk by with our friend screaming "why would you do something like that!?!?!". lol

[footballyears]

just make sure you have accidental insurance on both items


i did not get insured

[Win]

My 5D was under water this weekend,unfortunately it was not in a housing. Off to Canon for repairs!

I have the Olympus 720SW and it's really good for beating around, too bad I grabbed the Canon.:cry:

Win

[BigBouncyBall]

ouch! hope the repairs go ok!

[cookie99]

Buy a second hand Nikonos V and shoot slide film (400asa) then have the negs scanned.

You will never shoot digital underwater again.

[neil_r]

Not sure how experienced a diver you are, but your diving skills have to be as good if not better than your photographic skills if you want decent results.

N

[MikeBurtonPhillipson]

Echo some of the other comments...

I've been diving for about 4 years and only recently started taking my photography underwater.. Started with an Olympus and now I have a 400D + 10-22mm + Housing + dome port... and it's a bulky unit with the 400D! (see below)

It's a big ask, and you'll need plenty of patience and practice..

Good luck anyway :D

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i47/mphillipson/mepluscamera.jpg

[Bamamike]

It depends on what do you want to do, snorkeling or scuba diving. For snorkeling the Ewa-Marine bags are good enough to prtect your 5D, for scuba diving I would recommend a P&S with an underwater housing (I have a Fuji F30 and the housing for it is rated 130ft).