Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

Like all the reviews, controls are hard to operate. A bit of guesswork to know what settings to set your camera to on the surface, especially as a noobie. Experience will minimize this.

Camera stays dry. Even with "all" the air taken out (when not using a flash), it still bobs like a cork. A bit cumbersome when using a scuba mask, and spinning the dial is work.

Main advantage to a hard case here is if you switch camera bodies, you can still use this housing. And it lets you use flash, or even remote triggers for strobes above water (great for strobing into a swimming pool)

For the price, I can't complain too much, the only way you'll get easier use of controls is to buy a hard case, and that means $1500 minimum for a pro DSLR (and you're stuck if you upgrade bodies in the future). For simple surf shots, portraits around a pool and basic underwater shots, this is great. For serious SCUBA imaging, not so much.

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

I had been shooting underwater portraits in a swimming pool with the G11, but wasn't fully satisfied with the quality. So I decided to get this bag as an alternative so I could use my better cameras in it. I've done three shoots with it using the Canon Rebel XTi and the 430ex because I was too nervous to put the 5dMii in the water. The quality was MUCH better! (I'm using the 24-70L in it as well.)

The first use was a TOTAL disaster. I didn't realize I could remove all the air out and was having major issues getting the flash below water. It was terrible and I was about to burn the thing. Second and third use, I took all the air out and put a 2lb weight in it. SO much better and easier.

It's very difficult to see through the viewfinder and settings aren't easy to change while in the bag, but it can be gotten used to. The imprinted plastic ring on the back is the worst feature...it gets in the way of the viewfinder and the screen. Previewing what you've shot is nearly impossible. I also have a very hard time finding my focus points while wearing goggles. It's a combination of the goggles, the bag and the infamous plastic ring.

I trust it enough now that I'll be putting the 5dMii in it next time. It functions just like it's supposed to...though difficult to maneuver. I didn't want to spend the money for the hard case, but because this is so frustrating, I will in the future. It's a good starting point, though, for a lot less dough.

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

I can't use the functions of my camera in full. for example the turning wheel at the back of camera is very hard to function.
the circle window for view finder obstructs the display screen.
rather than that its a great Idea.

Thanks

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

Once you get over the fact you just paid over 4XX dollars for a plastic bag, it does allow you to take underwater pictures, although without much customization, at least on the spot. As other have pointed, it is best to set the camera settings before going in the water. Me using the Canon 7D,20D, it was almost impossible to change settings via the "dial wheel" (both of them)and even adjusting zoom range on the lens was with difficulty. What separates this model/brand is that it keeps the front glass "attached" to the lens which is great, because it eliminates vignetting. If you can't afford the hard housings, like me, then this is the best option available.

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

This bag is amazing, if you just play around with underwater photography this is a great start. Allows you to use multiple cameras with a variety of lenses. Changing controls can be challenging, but not impossible. I found it's easier to change the controls without having a flash in the bag, this allows the bag to move around more.

I feel completely safe placing my camera underwater with it. My only complaint is that they don't really tell you what lenses can and can't be used. The Nikon 24-70 is just a hair to big to work, I can fit in the bag but it's super tight and causes it to zoom back to the 50mm point. Since changing focus/zoom is very difficult underwater it makes using that lens impossible. Also using a fixed focal length lens is tough because of how short they are and also the threading size is too small. I found that I have more restrictions on what lens I use than camera body.

In the end it's worth the money.

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

The bag is easy to use and fit with all kind of camera. The disadvantage is that you need to do all the set up of the camera before to put the camera in the bag. also, the visualization of the images underwater was not so easy.
Finally, this underwater housing is a good investment for the price.

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

Being too cheap to buy an Ikolite or similar case that would allow full functionality I rolled the dice with this one figuring that as long as it keeps the camera dry then I would figure out a way to make it work. Well... I wish it were that easy. The case certainly keeps an SLR dry, however I didn't buy an SLR to put on auto. Adjusting controls through the bag is near impossible, honestly even pressing the shutter is more annoying than I hoped.
Another main reason for my disappointment is that my widest lenses are the 15mm Canon fisheye (which doesn't work b/c it can't secure to the lens housing) and then Canon's 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens. Before making the purchase I knew the fisheye wouldn't work but I clearly didn't give enough thought to the 24-70mm. That lens is wide when the barrel extends forward. Unfortunately there's really not enough room, so the accordion-like lens housing wants to shrink back into shape causing you to shoot at around 50-60mm. Annoying as all heck when you realize that there's no easy way to put your hands on the lens, you resort to grabbing the front black ring on the lens housing and "pulling and holding" the lens out in order to get the wide angle shot. Thankfully, I've wanted and plan on purchasing the 17-40mm f/4 L lens soon, but I still can't help but feel disappointed in this case. I grew up in love with the water and have taken many pictures of surfers and riding waves my self with underwater point and click cameras however I thought this might be a good way to start with my SLR. Fed up with the frustration of still photography when using this case, I resort to taking video in this bag using my 5d Mark II. I'd love to sell it used. I want to spend the extra dough and get an Ikolite or at least do more research and get something worthwhile.

On the plus side you have limited control over the amount of air in the bag so you can better adjust bouyancy.

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

I bought this product to protect an expensive dslr from ocean wave splash and it absolutely does that and more. I tried it snorkeling and while it protected the camera it was way too buoyant (though you could add weight) and hard to get to the controls. I would not take it diving for the same reasons. When using it, you can set up the camera to make the use easier but it is really hard to manipulate the controls thru the plastic. I was also chagrined to find that there is no way to attach it to a tripod. Also, be sure you have the correct lens rings. It came with a 77mm but the best fit was with my 24-85mm lens that has a 72mm filter ring.

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

I have had an Ewa-Marine housing for my Sony PD-150 for years so when I was in the market for one for my SLR this was an obvious choice.

I am not a pro photographer by any means but this works perfectly for my needs. Snorkeling and shooting the kids in the pool could probably be done with a waterproof point and shoot but I have never had a problem with my D300 and SB-800 mounted on the top.

It would have been silly for me to spend 2k+ on the housing so I am happy with it. I don't have any plans on testing it to the max depth of 155' since I am only certified to 100'.

I have read a ton of reviews by hardshelled owners about putting their cameras in a "plasitc bag" and how dumb it is. If you don't make a living at it or have a huge disposable cache of funds it makes perfect sense.

Take your time and play with the bag before you put your camera in it. It takes a bit to get it in there but not impossible. I put the camera in full auto with continuous shutter release set to low and single servo mode.

Since shooting underwater gives you an added level of magnification I tend to just use my Sigma 10-20 set out as wide as possible.

Have fun.

Comments about Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 Underwater Housing:

My major problem with this was that it did not come with any directions or instructions.
It is solidly made but I had a heck of a time figuring out how to get the camera in and make sure it is sealed.