Sony Marine Packs

[BIGG_BUDD]

Hola Amigos,

I'm getting ready for an upcoming dive trip to Kauai. I have a Sony DSC-W7 and am looking at purchasing the MPK-WA underwater housing for it. Does anyone have experience with Sony housings? Are they worth the price tag? Any horror stories out there? My biggest fear is that I spring for this sucker and it hinders the flash, or the o-ring goes and it's a one-of-a-kind.

I know Ikelite offers a housing for the W7, so any feedback on Ikelite is also appreciated.

Peace Out.

 

[rmannix]

I bought a Sony Marine Pack housing in the 80's for my first UW video outfit, and Sony lights. Never again. POS. Get a housing made by people familiar with UW use. Most camera mfrs housings are dedicated to a particular camera model too, which will be obsolete and unavailable after you inevitably flood it.

Ikelite has a long history of excellent service. I flooded a Canon SLR in an Ikelite housing, but only after years of use without maintenance (my fault).
I currently use an Ikelite housing for my Oly digital and an Ocean Images housing for my Sony 8mm video, happy with both. The video housing will take any camcorder with a LANC plug. The Ikelite Oly housing will take the 3040 I have and a few later models. So if either floods, I can replace the failed o-rings and still get a camera for it.

 

[aedavidson]

I have had a Sony marinepack for my p-9 for about four years. I have done about a 100 dives with it no problem. I check and lube the o-ring and soak the housing after saltwater and it has been faultless. I now am looking to move up but I can't complain about the sony housing at all.

 

[MoonWrasse]

I haven't had any problems with the Sony housing for my DSC-P100.

 

[Kim]

I bought a Sony Marine Pack housing in the 80's for my first UW video outfit

Ummm...20 years ago? I think they might have improved a bit since then! I haven't heard of people having trouble with them these days. Take the normal care with them and I think they are just fine.

 

[mntdiver]

I've had one for a P-10 for a couple of years now. Lots of dives and not a single problem. Takes good photos and it's extremely simple. It fits in the thigh pocket of my drysuit as well. I don't think you could go wrong with one, if what you want is a small point and shoot camera. Just curious, you mentioned price tag. You should be able to get one for around $150, how much are you looking at?

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

From Sony it is $199, but I've found them online for as low as $129 new.

It looks like they've come a long way since the shabby housings of the 1980s. I think I'll give Sony a try. Thank you all for your feedback!

 

[Jetwrench]

No issues with my P10 housing. Took it to 145ft last year(not a good idea) and no problems. 100+ dives so far with it. Seems to me it's more a "care" issue than a product one, and I'm tougher on my equipment than I should be. It will hold up to a 8ft giant stride entry so I'd say it's worth a try.

Jet

 

[MN Lakeman]

'Just posted my first photos, & thought it appropriate to respond to this thread, since I have now used my Sony DSC-150 & marine pak now for two week long trips. I can't rave enough about this rig - from the perspective that it is SO compact (never a problem getting in & out on recent shore diving in Bonaire) & that for the price & small size, it packs a lot of great features & functions - & all settings are accessible w/ marine pack buttons. I use the mpg movie feature a lot, & integrate jpg's & mpg's into computer edited movies - great way to remember a trip.

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/31871

 

[dawetterdabetter]

I have an old(5-6 years) MPK-P5 for my Sony P5 camera and it works great. Just keep an eye on the O-ring and rinse it well after saltwater dives.