Canon WP-DC46 Housing for SX 260 HS

[FlyingPig]

I ended up getting the Ikelite housing. I will do a follow-up report in a couple of days after a using the camera and housing in Bonaire last week here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/canon-corner/441806-canon-sx-260-hs-ikelite-housing.html

I was going to suggest getting the SX230 or SX220 and the WP-DC42. The combination is probably cheaper than the ikelite housing.
There isn't really anything you can gain from the SX260. Unless you put the camera on a heavy duty tripod, no one has the hands to hold it steady at 20X zoom

Let us know how the housing is

 

[VAmtnguy]

I was going to suggest getting the SX230 or SX220 and the WP-DC42. The combination is probably cheaper than the ikelite housing.
There isn't really anything you can gain from the SX260. Unless you put the camera on a heavy duty tripod, no one has the hands to hold it steady at 20X zoom

Here are a couple of hand held shots when I was experimenting with the camera. I also posted the camera settings, and in both cases the optical zoom was at 20x, with some digital zoom also.


This was shot from about 12' away.





I took this from about 100' away through my kitchen window.





I think Canon has mastered their IS system. :thumbs-up

The big problem is getting the subject in the frame at that zoom. I had meant to center the scuba ornament better, but by the time I pressed the shutter bottom, the little fellow was not centered.

Let us know how the housing is

The housing worked great except for 2 items. The on/off button wasn't long enough....I shimmed the rubber tip some to correct that. I could not get the mode dial to turn sometimes.....I am gonna contact Ikelite to see what can be done with that.

I posted some pictures here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/canon-corner/441806-canon-sx-260-hs-ikelite-housing.html

 

[VAmtnguy]

Deleted-Repeated post.

 

[DivingTodd]

Overall I'm pleased with the SX260 and the WP-DC46 case. The case was easy to manage and I found access to all of the buttons were easy to use with 7mm gloves on. I did have some dexterity issues with the knob to turn the menu dial, but I think that's to be expected given 7mm gloves. Since the water is so clear at Bonne Terre, I decided to try auto for the pictures. I think they came out decent, though next time I'm going to play with some of the quality settings and maybe even put it into night mode since it's so dark down there. Totally different world taking pictures in it. If anyone has any experience with night dives or cavern diving like the cenotes in Mexico, I'd love to hear how to make the pictures come out better.

Here's a few of the videos that I took at Bonne Terre with the SX260 and the WP-DC46 case.

[video=youtube_share;D9IO54_w0Zw]http://youtu.be/D9IO54_w0Zw[/video]

[video=youtube_share;QaSouvWPTGk]http://youtu.be/QaSouvWPTGk[/video]

[video=youtube_share;PN8hPMl4a3Y]http://youtu.be/PN8hPMl4a3Y[/video]

And a few of the pictures taken:

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/d...re_-_Touching_the_ceiling_and_air_pockets.jpg
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/515/medium/Bonne_Terre_-_Elevator_shaft.jpg
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/515/medium/Bonne_Terre_-_Headlights_out_of_the_dark.jpg
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/515/medium/Bonne_Terre_-_Moon_landing.jpg
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/515/medium/Bonne_Terre_-_Topside_half-submerged.jpg

 

[Ron ><(((º>]

I was also looking at the Ikelite housing until my friend brought hers over. I found it to be extremely bulky with a lot of problems accessing the buttons, also the zoom control kept slipping off the the leaver! Working this with gloves on would be a nightmare. Plus the fact that it costs $400 for the housing and she had to spend another $300 for a light/handle package (not sure if you can just buy the handle). I thought she bought the handle because being a woman she has smaller hands, but after laying hands on it myself I have to agree that it needs a handle (or double handle) to make this manageable.
I've had no experience with the Canon WP-DC46 for the SX260 (which I own), but I do own the Canon WP-DC14 for the Canon SD750 and it is EXCELLENT! Even though the depth rating is 40 meters (130 feet), (like the WP-DC46 housing) I've had it down to 49 meters (160 feet) with ZERO problems.
Like somebody else mentioned in an earlier post, Canon USA doesn't say their is a housing because it's not sold in North America. However, from my experience with the WP-DC14 housing I will be getting the Canon WP-DC46 for my SX260.
I hope this helps some people that don't have access to these housings. If not for my friend having the Ikelite housing for me to play with I would have gone with Ikelite. I'm so glad I didn't make that mistake.
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[VAmtnguy]

I was also looking at the Ikelite housing until my friend brought hers over. I found it to be extremely bulky with a lot of problems accessing the buttons, also the zoom control kept slipping off the the leaver!

It is a bit bulky, but it fits my right had good with the included thumb tab. I also have added the handle (see below), which makes it easier to handle.

On my setup, the zoom control will slip off of the lever if forced. I have also forgotten to place the control on the lever before the dive, but can "force" it during a dive. I have more of a problem with the control not be self centering. Too much either way, and the zoom is activated or deactivated. The good thing is the zoom is not needed much underwater. I basically leave the zoon alone except to zoom in on my gray card, and a slight zoom when using the flash......since the lens port is so big, shadows will appear from the flash diffuser on close shots.........about the only time the built-in flash is effective.

Working this with gloves on would be a nightmare. Plus the fact that it costs $400 for the housing and she had to spend another $300 for a light/handle package (not sure if you can just buy the handle). I thought she bought the handle because being a woman she has smaller hands, but after laying hands on it myself I have to agree that it needs a handle (or double handle) to make this manageable.

I agree, working with thick gloves may not be doable with the Ikelite housing. As far as the handle, I paid $70 for mine from B&H.

I've had no experience with the Canon WP-DC46 for the SX260 (which I own), but I do own the Canon WP-DC14 for the Canon SD750 and it is EXCELLENT! Even though the depth rating is 40 meters (130 feet), (like the WP-DC46 housing) I've had it down to 49 meters (160 feet) with ZERO problems.
Like somebody else mentioned in an earlier post, Canon USA doesn't say their is a housing because it's not sold in North America. However, from my experience with the WP-DC14 housing I will be getting the Canon WP-DC46 for my SX260.
I hope this helps some people that don't have access to these housings. If not for my friend having the Ikelite housing for me to play with I would have gone with Ikelite. I'm so glad I didn't make that mistake.

As I have never used a Canon housing, so can't compare. I have friends that have used them for years, and all seem very pleased with them. I am pleased with my Ikelite housing. My combo takes excellent pictures IMHO, both above and below the waves.