Page 20 - CAMERA

ESSENTIAL GUIDE

Waterproof

cameras and

housings

Most of the major manufacturers now Nauticam
offer a waterproof compact as part of
waterproof Ikelite waterproof
their ‘rugged’ compact range. These
cost between £200 and £350 and are housings housings
usually waterproof to a depth of between
10 and 30 metres. There are a couple of W W W.NA UTICAM. C OM W W W.IKELITE. C OM
exceptions, but most waterproof compacts
are built around small 1/2.3in sensors. This Based in Hong Kong, Nauticam is considered by many Based in Indianapolis, USA, Ikelite is another company
to be the Rolls Royce of underwater camera housing that specialises in underwater housing units for digital
does limit their performance somewhat,
manufacturers. It makes waterproof housings to fi t all cameras. The company offers polycarbonate housings
especially at higher sensitivity settings.
types of camera – from advanced compacts to CSCs for all the major camera manufacturers, covering
Compact System Cameras and DSLRs
and DSLRs. Prices vary, though as a rule the bigger the everything from cheap compacts to professional-
with larger sensors will invariably get
camera, the more expensive the housing will be. For grade DSLRs. Prices are much cheaper than for
better results at higher ISOs, however,
example, a Nauticam housing for the Sony RX100 VI equivalent Nauticam housings: a Canon 5D Mk III
you will need to invest in a waterproof
will currently set you back £860, while one for the housing, for example, costs £1,400. Note that when
housing unit (as well as a bespoke lens
Canon EOS 5D Mk III will cost £3,543 – more than the 5D choosing a housing for CSCs or DSLRs you will need to
port to protect the lens) and these can be
Mk III itself! In return you can expect a premium-grade add a dedicated Lens Port that’s compatible with the
quite expensive. Ultimately, if you just want
aluminium housing that is water resistant to a depth lens you intend to use, which will cost you extra. The
a camera to take into the sea, or for a bit
of 100-150m and neutrally buoyant for easier handling depth rating of Ikelite housings is 60m, which is
of light snorkelling then a waterproof
underwater. Since each housing is tailor-made, you slightly lower than Nauticam ones. That said, for most
compact is the most cost-effective option.
can also expect to operate all of the main external divers 60m is likely to be more than ample. Ikelite also
On this page are some of the best
buttons on your camera while underwater. For more offers a generous range of underwater fl ash lighting
specialist underwater photography brands,
information on the Nauticam range check out its UK rigs. For more detail on the full list of cameras covered
and opposite are some of the fi nest
distributor at www.nauticam.co.uk and UK prices go to www.camerasunderwater.co.uk
waterproof cameras.
Sea Fourth
& Sea Element
YS-01 Underwater Magic Hydroskin UV
Strobe £360 Filters Rash Suit £75
W W W.SEA AND SEA. C OM W W W.MA GIC -FILTE RS . C OM HTTP://F OUR THELEMENT. C OM
Sea and Sea specialises in underwater photography While your camera’s white balance settings can be While swimming and snorkelling in warm seas as
equipment. It offers a limited range of waterproof used to correct underwater colour temperature to a the sun beats down is undeniably pleasant, it’s also
housings for DSLRs, as well as underwater strobes that degree, at depths deeper than 2-3m you may benefi t a surefi re way of getting yourself horribly sunburnt
come highly recommended. Chief among these is the from using a lens fi lter. Generally red in appearance, if you don’t take precautions. This is because the salt
YS-01 (£360), which features a circular beam angle of underwater fi lters accentuate colour in things like in seawater refl ects the sun’s harmful UVB rays,
100° and a maximum guide number of 20. The YS-01 is coral reefs; and can also help turn washed out open essentially focusing them back onto your skin. Using
triggered by built-in wireless optical slave technology ocean backgrounds into a pleasing deep blue. Magic a high factor sunscreen (SPF 50+) certainly helps to
which makes it compatible with compact cameras that Filters is a respected brand set up by two experienced reduce the effects, however the sea combined with
lack a hotshoe. It can be operated in Digital Slave TTL underwater photographers that produces fi lters for the sweat from swimming can soon wash it off,
mode, TTL mode or in a fully manual mode that offers use with compact cameras and DSLRs. Most of these leaving you exposed. The Hydroskin UV rash suit
ten graduated power settings. In addition to the main are supplied as internally mounted gels that attach covers the whole body and offers a SPF of 30 when
strobe, the YS-01 comes with a single LED target light to the rear of the lens, though there are also some dry and over 30 when wet. Constructed from high
that’s useful for night diving or lighting up darker front-mounted acrylic fi lters that will fi t 77mm fi lter quality lycra, the suit allows for easy movement and
reefs. Sea and Sea also has the YS-03 (£270) that is TTL threads. For best results you should ideally shoot at also acts as a barrier to some stingers. The Hydroskin
only, but delivers the same power and comes with all a depth of 3-10m with the sun on your back. Also, suit is available in a range of colours and in all sizes for
the accessories you need. Sea and Sea products are don’t use a strobe and a Magic underwater fi lter both men and women.
distributed in the UK by www.sea-sea.com together as this can affect colour temperature.

20 WWW.WHATDIGITALCAMERA.COM