The New York Underwater Photographic Society
Testing new housing before first dive
I'm about to pull the trigger and invest in a housing for my Canon 50D. I'm choosing between the Seatool and Sea & Sea.
My question is on leak testing the housing before diving with the camera.
Do you recommend taking the empty housing down to 100ft to test for leaks before diving with the camera or is there a better way so I don't have to waste that first dive with the housing?
My question is on leak testing the housing before diving with the camera.
Do you recommend taking the empty housing down to 100ft to test for leaks before diving with the camera or is there a better way so I don't have to waste that first dive with the housing?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Ciurczak on -
I don't know of any better way.
I "Invested" the first dive with an empty housing on my first trip with my D200 rig. Even though the rig is flood insured. it's better than making a claim...
Also, I did some extensive "1 meter leak tests" prior to the trip with the same empty housing in the botom of a (clean) garbage can for 3 days at a time. It's not the same as a depth test, but it assured me there were no gross leaks in the system.
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Permalink Reply by JasonDPG on -
You only need to take it down a few feet. best to try and do so without blowing a dive if possible. If it's gonna flood, it will do so within the first 10 feet of a dive.
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Permalink Reply by Robin on -
You can try a trial dive in a pool if you have access.
"I" tested my latest DSLR housing by asking my friend to take it on it's test dive, as he was already in the water. He took it to ~50-60 feet for me for a minute or two. So it got it's "test dive", and I didn't have to waste a dive. However, if he were not able to do this for me, I'd have done the "test dive" sans camera in a heartbeat.
No sense in ruining an entire trip, if your housing leaks, and you didn't check it out. From what I hear, most massive floods occur in the first couple feet like Jason said, and from improper port or main door errors.
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Permalink Reply by Claver on -
Thanks for the input. Those are great suggestions.
I was able to score a Subal housing for a great price. I'm maximum excited for my Bahamas trip in Feb.
I think I will test the housing in a pool next weekend for any major leaks. Hopefully the chlorine won't harm the O ring. I might even be able to get someone to take the housing down before my first dive.
I'll report back on the setup when I get back.
My New Year's resolution is to make it into the city for a NYUPS meeting this year.
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Permalink Reply by marcaumarc on -
I don't think it is necessary, but I did it with my new DSLR rig. I actually enjoyed diving without taking photos for a change.
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