Underwater housing

[Epic]

I've been looking at underwater housings for my 450D anyone have any suggestions, do's and don'ts etc? It will be the first underwater housing I've owned and would like to get something reliable. Thanks.

[fokker]

I was really keen to get one, looked at some a while back and the only ones I found were more expensive than the camera itself, so I put that idea away...

[Epic]

I was really keen to get one, looked at some a while back and the only ones I found were more expensive than the camera itself, so I put that idea away...

yeh i notice the price was rather high for these lol. you can get a plastic bag type housing that looks cheap but I dont trust it. plus i doubt itl be a very good picture

[Redal]

I have a water housing, here are my thoughts and what i have learnt.

Going for the "bag" options is the cheapest and most versatile, what i meant by versatile is more than one different model camera could fit in the bag, these are more of a splash housing . You have limited control over the camera.

The "real" housings come in two sorts , sports housing and water housing .
Sports housing is generally used on and just under the water to about 8-10m.
Water housings are used underwater and you can get attachments like multiply strobes.
Both housings are usually designed for 1 model camera, as the buttons in the housing line up with the camera.
If you are looking at upgrading your camera you might be stuck with a housing that wont work with your new camera.
You have different ports for different lenses, buying new you get the housing only so more costs.

Im my case i have a aquatech dv-3 it is designed only for Canon 1d,1ds,1d2,1ds2 but not the 1d2n or 1d3 or 1ds3 or other canon cameras. And have two ports covering fisheye to 85mm. This housing is built like a tank and great fun.

If buying used , check the housing in person before handing over the money, check for cracks in housing, O rings aren't dry and in good nick. And the ports arent covered in scratches minor scratches can be buffed out with.

Good luck on finding one, they dont come up for sale to often in new zealand, usually when a new model camera comes out is best, as people are upgrading.

[Epic]

Thanks for that redal I think Ill just get a bag type at the moment.