350D and Underwater

[DallasG]

Has anyone come across a site with an underwater case for the 350D or know of a case that works with the 350D? Please let me know! Thanks.

[Andy_T]

There are some options, none is exactly cheap...

look here (http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/slr/index.html) for some examples....

and welcome to the forum :D

Best regards,
Andy

[DallasG]

Thanks, I don't even have the 350D yet but I'm definitely going to be using it underwater. My father has a saltwater fishtank with beautiful coral and fish. Just one thing I'll be using the camera for. Thanks for the welcome =)

[Andy_T]

Must be a big tank then :lol:

Best regards,
Andy

[DallasG]

Just looked at that site... I think what I might be looking for is a good freezer bag =P

[tim]

Be careful you don't end up with an expensive paperweight inside a cheap plastic bag. I wouldn't do it.

[Andy_T]

That ewa-marine freezer bags sure look solid :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[Rob612]

Has anyone come across a site with an underwater case for the 350D or know of a case that works with the 350D? Please let me know! Thanks.

There are pleny of UW cases for DSLR, but I think you need some extra info, if this is your first try at UW photography (I assume that you already are an experienced diver, b/c handling a camera together with all the resto of the equipment to which in a way or another you rely your life on can be a serious risk).

Only the UW case can be useful only up to lets say 5 meter/15 ft in CRYSTAL CLEAR water. Below that you'll need light. A lot of light. And UW cases for DSLR usually do not allow the use of on camera flash (that would be too weak anyway).

This means that after the case, you are going to invest a whole bunch of money in UW strobes, arms etcetera.

My advise is to get a nice P&S with it own UW case and give it a try. UW cases for P&S allow the use of oncamera flash (some of them even have a diffuser), are relatively cheap and the whole combo will probably cost you less than a single Ikelite, Nimar or whatever you choose UW case for the DSLR. BTW, this is whee I am at the moment.

There is another thing that you should be aware of: UW cases are EXTREMELY sensitive di manteinance and handling, failing on this side will easily result in drowning the camera. And that's something you definitely do not want !

Also for this reason, I'll recommend that you test first how you feel UW with a cemera using a cheap gear. Sure, you'll never got a shoot National Geographic style, but at least you can try with the miimum financial exposure and the minimum risk. And if you do not like the experience, you can still sell the casing and keep the P&S that is always handy to have :D

Edit to add: forget about thole little ridiculous plastic basg. Those are absolutely useful only if you want to take pictures while raining. But UW its a different world.

[Icepirate]

Ok, first are you a diver? If not then you dont want to spend 500-2000 for a U/W case specific to your xt. Second, if you are actually considering an putting 1000+ dollars in a plastic bag and dunking it effectively in the toilet, please send it to me instead. :) Seriously though. If you are interested in underwater photography, stop by your local dive store and check out the underwater cameras there. You can pick up a begginer model (Ikelite aquashot 3) houseing and camera for around 100-150 US. I have had one for about 4 years and have had it down to over 75 feet. It uses a nice cheap fuji aps camera. And yes, I am a diver. And yes, I have had to replace the camera due to flooding of the case!!!! On a dive to 25 feet in a local quarry, the o-ring didn't fully seat and mid dive I noticed I was clicking away with a case half full of water. Stopped clicking and hung the camera on my bcd. When I surfaced, tossed the camera and film in the trash, went to the store and bought a new camera for 20 bucks! Do you really want to risk a xt on that! Seriuosly, go to your local dive store and talk to them before you do something rash. And dont think that just because its shallow water it makes any difference! You get the greatest pressure change in the first 33 feet of water!

Just came across this on another forum. May give you an idea what you are asking for.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=13802438

Forum may require you to register to view thread so I will summarize as well, He was carrying his water bottle with him and placed in his bag with his camera to pass through an x-ray machine. Some water leaked, how he didn't say. Now his camera is not working. Buttons not working, lcd not working, aka toast!

[Rob612]

Just came across this on another forum. May give you an idea what you are asking for.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=13802438

Forum may require you to register to view thread so I will summarize as well, He was carrying his water bottle with him and placed in his bag with his camera to pass through an x-ray machine. Some water leaked, how he didn't say. Now his camera is not working. Buttons not working, lcd not working, aka toast!

I'll second every word (basically Icepirate and me were saying exactly the same things). But le me try to make it even easier: water (if at high pressure, worst) and electronic devices do not go togheter unless you put a lot of money in it, or stick to cheap stuff with all the limitations is has. 'nuff said :D

[2new]

A friend of mine used the ewa-marine bag while scuba diving. It worked well, however the deeper he went the more the pressure squeezed the bag so it was only good for about 10feet. At 20+ feet the pressure on the bag kept the shutter depressed perpetually.

I would also suggest exerimenting with a point & shoot and the ewa-marine bag as a starter.

Good Luck!

Michael

[Andy_T]

Another option would be a used S40 and the corresponding Canon underwater housing.

Best regards,
Andy