Does the thought of taking your very expensive digital camera 200 feet underwater send shivers down your spine? I know it does for me. Although, having seen some truly incredible underwater shots, it’s hard not to wonder if it’s worth the risk. After looking around a bit, I’ve found some underwater camera cases that are truly magnificent feats of engineering and design. That’s not to say they all are. Some, I wouldn’t trust in my kids wading pool. But the really good ones are quite remarkable.
[This is a a short review of underwater camera cases and materials they are produced of. After reading the review you will realize that these gadgets will take your photography experience into the next level and enlarge your creative horizons.
The next level means first of all that now using those underwater camera cases while diving, snorkeling or hiking you can upgrade your current common digital camera into a waterproof one. Thanks to those waterproof camera cases, also called waterproof camera housings, fantastic underwater videos and pictures will be recorded with your normal digital camera enriching your memories with unforgettable experiences. And may be you will be able to make some money by using your digital camera.
Come to water, beside the water, snow or somewhere near waterfall – and make close ups with your camera equipped with a waterproof camera housing. Those waterproof underwater camera cases will protect your camera from rain and snow, waves and splashes, but also from dust and sand. You get the complete freedom of travel with camera all over the world: in deserts, jungles, rain-forests or tropical islands safely capturing the unique moments to share with friends and family.
Waterproof underwater camera cases and bags are produced in various shapes and sizes fitting a specific camera model with or without zoom lenses sometimes with additional filters or close up lenses. Moreover to buy an underwater camera case is a low-cost solution with high end results for extended quality and durability. Besides they are easy to operate and no need to learn manuals and instructions. Waterproof camera housings are just made to protect your camera so that you do not think any more about protecting your camera from possible damages.
That is so easy to make your current camera waterproof: just place it inside an underwater cam case and that is that. It is a money and time saving solution. Whatever material is used for a camera – double laminated PVC, optical glass and foam inlays – using an underwater camera housing allows you taking pictures underwater up to 10 meters deep with the excellent quality as if there is no case. Some of those underwater camera cases are subjected to a all day submersion tests, they are checked to exceed of 400 lbs of stacking as well as a drop test at 48 inches.
Make every your shot a power shot wherever you are filming – just equip your camera with a waterproof camera housing and start to share your best underwater moments with those close to you.
Have you ever wondered after a purchase, it you really got the best deal you could have for a product or service you received? I think we all do at some point, but the important question is, will you feel that way if you buy a Canon PowerShot A650IS Digital Camera. You probably won’t, as long as you know what your getting, and more importantly what your not receiving with this digital camera.
Why Canon hasn’t found an affordable way to make camera LCD monitors readable in the outdoors is a mystery. The technology is available, as I’ve seen it on many marine electronic products. I suppose that Canon assumes that the majority of pictures taken with the A650IS will be done inside. The least they could start doing, would be to add a brightness dial, so users could crank up the screen when outdoors.
There is of course the option to use the viewfinder to frame your shots. You need to be aware though, that with this and many PowerShots, the viewfinder is not totally accurate. You’ll find that your pictures are about 20-25% bigger than what you see through the A650IS viewfinder. Something to be aware of when your snapping the shutter.
Another thing not to get too excited about with the PowerShot A650, is the wide range of ISO formats available. While it’s true, that you can shoot up to 3200 ISO, in reality, any images at 400 ISO or above are going to be excessively noisy. Depending on the image subject, and what your going to do with the images you may be able to push your luck a little here.
While these aren’t totally damning issues with the Canon PowerShot A650IS, they don’t help make a strong case for one either. Before you pass a final verdict, here are a few more points to ponder as well:
- LCD not practical when shooting rapid continuous shots
- zoom lens (6X) extrapolates some softness in corners
- visible barrel distortion during wide mode
- color fringing on some images after enlargement
- battery cover is cumbersome (should be separated from memory compartment)
- should have neck strap connectors for this weight of camera
If you want to invest with entry-level or professional digital cameras then you should prepare your pocket and skills in the world of photography since it’s really a serious task. It is a must to take good care of your gadget and its accessories if you want to capture the best shots of your career. Make sure to protect your investment with durable cases so as to secure that it will remain spotless and defect-free. Lowepro camera cases will answer similar concerns since it caters to the interests of both hobbyist and professionals in their journey towards the world of photography.
DSLR cameras needs to have a well fitted bags to avoid it from getting damage. Camera cases are not just mere accessories rather it’s a requirement to keep your gadget and materials packed in one bag and carry on with your photo sessions without hassle. Lowepro camera cases answer the needs of any photographer who wants to experience convenience while exploring their chosen career in the world of photography.
Every case is intended to suit a specific camera type and more often they vary in size, designs and overall package. Semi-professional to advance type of cameras are most often big and they are the ones that require a special bag. Lowepro camera cases are known to be one of the leading brands because it caters the immediate need of photographers and professionals who are very meticulous in terms with the proper storage of their items.
Lowepro is proud to offer their clients with different bags that will handle any camera with utmost care. It holds the item giving careful attention to sensitive parts of the camera and make sure to keep everything organized. Water-resistant zippers will make your camera from any defect caused by water spillage. Make your photo sessions hassle-free and explore any place with Lowepro camera case that will stand by and ensure the safety of your gadgets.
Thanks to developments in electronic technology it is now possible for anyone to become a photographer or videographer. Personal digital cameras have become almost as popular as mobile phones and personal camcorders are growing in popularity. Because there is such a large market for digital cameras and camcorders there is also a great demand for camera accessories like lens cases, camera bags and cases. Many accessories are designed to protect a camera from getting scratches or being broken, but some accessories are designed with style in mind as well. Camera accessories take all shapes and forms, both fashionable and functional.
When it comes to protective camera accessories some of the most popular choices are lens cases. Lenses are very delicate so they require cases which are designed to protect them against dust, moisture, and impact. These accessories come in a variety of styles to fit lenses from Canon, Nikon, Olympus and many other brands and they can be made from several different materials. Neoprene cases are waterproof and durable and leather cases also resist moisture and are very light and space-saving. Camera lenses can be very expensive so photographers must take care in protecting them. Lens cases, however, do not need to be expensive – affordable cases can be found online for prices much lower than those offered by manufacturers and retail stores.
Camera bags and cases are also very popular camera accessories designed for protection. Because digital cameras and camcorders come in so many shapes and sizes camera cases and bags do too. Camera bags are generally meant to protect the camera from moisture and dust while also providing storage space for additional accessories like lenses, charging cables, and back-up batteries. Camera cases are sometimes smaller, meant to house the camera alone and to protect it from impact, dust, and moisture.
Not only do camera cases and bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they also come in various designs. Many cases and bags come in solid colors but some have novelty designs, covered in Hawaiian flowers, cartoon characters, or other designs. Depending on the size of camera, camera cases and bags vary in price – the smaller cases can be found for as little as $4 while the larger varieties equipped with storage pockets and made from special materials can run much higher. As with most products, however, it is possible to find camera accessories like bags and cases for very reasonable prices online – all you have to do is look around to find the best deals.
Learning how to properly care for your underwater housing
The first thing you need to learn about underwater photography is to properly care for your housing.
In order to complete your underwater housing maintenance you will need the following things:
* Cotton balls
* A blower
* A silica Gel Bag
* Grease for the O-ring
* O-ring remover
You should also make sure to bring your items with you on ALL your diving trips.
Seawater:
Seawater is extremely harmful to your camera. Make sure to put a towel or a mat on your work surface when you’re out of the water or in a dry location. Use the blower to remove drops of water, dust, sand and particles that could be trapped in the small gaps in the backside of your protector’s cover. Always keep the lens pointed down as you carefully open the cover to prevent any seawater from getting inside.
Cleaning the O-ring:
Use the O-ring remover to remove the O-ring. Carefully clear away any seawater, sand, old-greased that may be caught in the O-ring area. Use cotton swabs to properly clean the indented sections. When seawater dries, it turns into small grains of salt t that could possibly damage the quality of the O-ring. Make sure you very thoroughly and carefully clean the O-ring and the O-ring housing.
Greasing
In order to remain watertight the O-ring needs to stay pliable and smooth. This means you have to clean it and grease it on a regular basis. There is no need for you to use large amounts of grease, however make sure you use enough of it as the O-ring could become stiff or wear out and could succumb to infiltrations if you use too little. Sad and hair can also be the cause for infiltration damage.
Placing the camera in the housing:
In order to minimize the opening and closing of the housing cover, it is highly recommended that you use an xD Picture Card with a large amount of memory. I know this goes without saying but make sure your battery is fully charged. Also be sure to insert a new silica gel bag and make sure the long glued section of the silica gel bag is facing inward before you close the housing.
Checking the Functions
Once you’ve placed the camera in the protector, it is very important to make sure that all buttons, including the shutter and zoom lever are in working order. Next, you need to make sure that the camera is properly inserted inside the case and does not shake or wobble. When using your camera with the housing, keep it away from high temperatures and intense humidity and make sure you don’t drop it.
Infiltration Test
Now that you have completed the few steps listed above, the time has now come for you to test the housing. All you need to do is slowly immerse the protector in a tank of water and check that no water actually comes in. First, immerse it for 3 seconds and pill it out of the water. If the O-ring is damaged and not properly functioning, I could be enough for water to actually come in. If everything appears to be ok, immerse it for 30 seconds and check. Lastly immerse it for 3 minutes and put the various button to check that everything is in perfect order and that there are no leaks.
IMPORTANT
Where is the best place to do the maintenance?
It is best to do it in an air-conditioned humidity-free and brightly lit room. The bathroom is usually the best place because it normally has goo lighting and less dust than in other rooms. It is especially true in resort hotels.
What if my housing is leaking?
First of all, don’t panic! If a leak occurs during the infiltration test, slowly pull out the camera out of the water. NEVER yank it out of the water. Open the cover very carefully to prevent he camera from getting wet and go over the procedure again from the start. If infiltration occurs again, it could mean that you need to replace your O-ring with a new one. It is always recommended to have a couple spare ones with you just in case.
In case of infiltration, take out your camera and dry it off, also take out the batteries and memory device and dry them as needed.
Have you ever wondered if buying a canon waterproof camera case and jumping into the ocean to snap a few pictures of that beautiful coral reef could destroy your camera? Well, you’d be right to wonder, because it certainly could. Water and digital electronics are a bad combination. At least for the electronics it’s a bad idea . . . the water will be fine
If you still think trying it would be a good idea, there are a few simple precautions you can take to improve your odds for a good experience.
Even experienced divers have precautions they take before each dive in regards to themselves and their equipment. That includes and photography equipment they’ll be using. If your camera case is new, make sure you read the manual throughly, and understand the proper use of your case. That includes the maximum depth the case is rated for. They can range quite a bit. Some are good down to 200 feet, but some are less than 100.
First of all, try out the case with nothing in it (at least nothing valuable) either in your bathtub or a sink. Leave it there for a good hour or so. It’s an easy test, and will do wonders for your comfort level. Once your case has passed that test, go for a little more depth. If you plan on doing a pool dive before your next scuba trip, the be sure to take your camera along. Take a few pictures while your in the pool. Preferably from varying distances, lighting, and angles. This should also give you a good idea of what your Canon camera is capable of under the water. There are different challenges to getting good underwater pictures. Generally speaking, the less water between you and your subject the better.
After a pool dive, be sure to rinse your camera housing in fresh water. Chlorine can be very detrimental to housing materials, controls and seals.
If your camera case is going to leak, it’s going to be around the seals. You’ll want to inspect these seals before and after every dive. They should be kept clean and well lubricated. The case should come with a lubricant or grease to help with this. Don’t experiment with different lubricants. Use what Canon recommends. It doesn’t take much dirt or grit on a seal to allow water to seep in. Be vigilant for sand, hair, and other foreign particles on the seals.
An additional precaution you can take is to get flooding insurance. The value of this varies greatly of course with the replacement cost of your camera. If it’s a simple $200 point and shoot, then it’s probably not worth it. A $1800 Canon SLR is of course a different story.
A better piece of insurance, would be to take an underwater photography course. In addition to learning how to make the best use of your underwater photography equipment, you can get first hand advice from experienced underwater photographers. Good advice and preparation, is the best insurance you can get.
No tags
