Canon Housings

[nwflyboy]

TIP: If buying the Canon WP case to use without a strobe, be sure to buy the Canon weight kit. The WP case for the A570is needs 2 weights to be very slightly negative, somewhat buoyant with 1 weight, or very buoyant with no weights which is annoying.

Hmmm. I have the Canon A620, which I have not yet used underwater. Have a brand new Canon WP-D90 (I think, it's not handy), the Canon case for the camera. Haven't gotten it wet yet, but am planning an hour of pool time tomorrow night to get acquainted with it.

Based on the recommendations from another person who had this camera and case, I decided to skip the weights - he said the weights were really not important, that without them the case would be only slightly boyant. Sounds like your experience was different?

I guess I'll find out in about 24 hours (although not terribly deep, in the pool).

We leave in about a week and a half for a trip so I suppose it would be possible to get the weights overnighted in time...hmmm....just how big a PITA would you say it is without he weights?

 

[CompuDude]

Hmmm. I have the Canon A620, which I have not yet used underwater. Have a brand new Canon WP-D90 (I think, it's not handy), the Canon case for the camera. Haven't gotten it wet yet, but am planning an hour of pool time tomorrow night to get acquainted with it.

Based on the recommendations from another person who had this camera and case, I decided to skip the weights - he said the weights were really not important, that without them the case would be only slightly boyant. Sounds like your experience was different?

I guess I'll find out in about 24 hours (although not terribly deep, in the pool).

We leave in about a week and a half for a trip so I suppose it would be possible to get the weights overnighted in time...hmmm....just how big a PITA would you say it is without he weights?

Any floaty camera is a PITA, unless you keep it in your hands at all times. If you let go, even slightly buoyant means it's always trying to float up. Depending on where you have it clipped off, that means it's never in a consistent place, or it's always floating into your face.

If you can get a standard tripod screw from somewhere, however, you can probably screw something else to the bottom of the case to weight it rather than spending $30+ for Canon's little pieces of metal with a hole in the middle.

 

[Willar]

It is very usable without the weights but I found it mildly annoying. If you let go of the camera it would definitely float to the surface but not zoom away. This could be considered a good thing, I guess.

For seawater my camera takes 2 weights be be very slightly negative which is what I prefer. Remember that it will be LESS bouyant in the pool and MORE bouyant in seawater. Yes, you could use any tripod screw mount and some other steel for weighting, but it would rust quickly if used in seawater.

Don't panick about it. The camera is still very usable without the weights.

 

[ScubaMarc]

Weight: with a strobe I feel the a g7 with canon case is clost to equilibrium

 

[alcina]

yeah, don't panic about it. I don't have the weights on any of mine and never have. Works just fine.

 

[Scuba.com]

Canon WP-DC12 Underwater Housing

For the A570 IS Digital camera
Full function camera capabilities
DEPTH RATING: 130 feet
http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-535...-Underwater-Housing-For-Powershot-A570is.html

Sealife Digital Strobe

Universal Underwater Flash for all digital cameras
Enhances color and brightness
Flexible arm allows for easy aiming at any angle
Rubberized arm provides a sure grip
Powered by 4 AA batteries (not included)
Mounts easily to all digital cameras equipped with external flash mount
Distance range from 2 to 8 ft.
DEPTH: 200 feet
http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-540/068086/Sealife-Digital-Strobe.html

 

[acj]

I have the A620 with the housing. I found 1 weight to work great for me....that makes it neutrally buoyant.

 

[Hoosier]

So, Canon housing can take a wideangle lens? If then, what lens?

Thanks for your expertise....

Canon WP-DC12 Underwater Housing

For the A570 IS Digital camera
Full function camera capabilities
DEPTH RATING: 130 feet
http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-535/069316/Canon-WP-DC12-Underwater-Housing-For-Powershot-A570is.html

Is this item qualified for 150% price match policy as you advertised?

 

[coldstroke]

I have the A570is and the Canon housing. It will accept strobes and allows full control of all camera functions. I prefer the Canon case since it is smaller than the Ike. I use it without strobes and lenses and I really like the compact size. I can clip the camera to my BC and just dive, or hold it in my hands folded across my midsection, and dive a streamlined profile. Add the strobe or go with a bigger case and this is not possible -- you are holding that camera out front every second of the dive.

TIP: If buying the Canon WP case to use without a strobe, be sure to buy the Canon weight kit. The WP case for the A570is needs 2 weights to be very slightly negative, somewhat buoyant with 1 weight, or very buoyant with no weights which is annoying. The Canon weights are stainless steel and attach to the mounting base on the bottom of the WP case. The weights can be used on other brand cases also.

I read with interest your opinions. You seem knowlegeable. I have a canon sd 900 with their underwater housing. I have been getting very blue photos. I am a novice,just want to get some nice pictures. My dealer advised me to get a canon SD 850/wp-dc 9. Will that help/will I need a strobe? I use the underwater setting.

 

[Willar]

Without a strobe you will get very blue pictures when trying to take landscape (wide) shots. If you move in close and take shots of individual creatures/fish you can reduce the blue cast. Using the internal flash will work on these closer shots but using the flash on wider shots will give too many white spots from things in the water.

If using the camera in Underwater mode, the White Balance is set by Canon. If using the camera in Auto mode, I think you can set the White Balance yourself. You would set it using a white slate or the white sand seafloor. This would help reduce the blue or green cast. But without strobes, this color cast is a fact of life underwater.

The functinality of SD900 vs. SD850is will make little difference in your shots. I like the Canon A-series because of the additional manual controls, but many people enjoy the small size SD-series and the ease of use it affords. However, the image stabilization in the SD850is is very nice to have and will allow slower shutter speeds (more light) with less blurring of moving subjects.