Canon A-series cameras and wet-mount lenses

[bureau13]

Hi,

I've been leaning towards getting a Canon A640 and a Canon housing for use in UW photography. I'm a DSLR guy on land, but as a beginner UW I can't justify the cost of something like a SeaTools housing (although it does and probably always will make me drool). Anyway, I had pretty much settled on the A640 due to the price/resolution/housing availability combo when i came across a statement in another thread: Basically, it was that you can't use the wet-mount lenses from, say, Inon, even with their special mount, if your Canon housing has the rectangular lens port. Oops! The WP-DC8 for the A640 does indeed have the rectangular port. I guess this means I need to make sure the housing has a round port before I settle on the camera? More specifically, I guess I really need to make sure that the Inon product page has a wet-mount for the housing of the camera in question. I don't really want to move up to the Ikelite housings for the afore-mentioned cost reasons.

Anyway, just trying to clear this up before I make a final decision.

Thanks,
jds

 

[BrianMayes]

It's the same problem with the G7 & G9, but I modified my housings to use Inon macro lenses. To see how click on the green link below.

 

[Nemrod]

As far as I know Inon does not support that camera. It is common that they do not support cameras with square ports on the housings. You might be able to use it with an Ikelite and use the Inon Type II WAL and dome etc.

I don't even see an A640 on the Canon page, must be discontined or something.

Underwater Housing for Canon A630-A640 Cameras

Generally speaking, it has come to be my conclusion that cameras with more than a 4X zoom ratio are not optimal for underwater use unless macro is your cup of tea. The port is so far extended to accomadate the long lens that the wet lenses vignet and/or the housing have those square ports which Inon is NEVER going to support IMO.

N

 

[tripntx]

Thank you for the link and how-to. I'm going to experiment, hopefully this mod will work with WP-DC16 housing for A720IS camera. Just ordered several sizes from 47th Street Photo to experiment with, cost is cheap, 2 each 52mm-67mm; 3 each 58mm-67mm; 3 each 62mm-67mm.

Shipping Method: Standard
Shipping Preference: Group my items into as few shipments as possible
Subtotal of Items: $33.25
Shipping & Handling: $7.95
------
Total for this Order: $41.20


Delivery estimate: August 29, 2008 - September 4, 2008
Shipping estimate for these items: August 26, 2008 - August 27, 2008

3 each "Adorama Step-Up Adapter Ring 58mm Lens to 67mm Filter Size"
Electronics; $3.95

Sold by: 47th Street Photo
3 each "Adorama Step-Up Adapter Ring 62mm Lens to 67mm Filter Size"
Electronics; $4.50

Sold by: 47th Street Photo
2 each "Adorama Step-Up Adapter Ring 52mm Lens to 67mm Filter Size"
Electronics; $3.95

Sold by: 47th Street Photo

 

[Gilldiver]

The A640 was discontinued so the price of Ikelite housings should be coming down soon. Right now B&H has them still listed for 339 but it should drop into the 150 to 250 range soon.

The Ion lens are a direct screw on to the Ike housings, and the housing is much better and will go deeper then the Canon one.

One thing to keep in mind is that the screw on lenses will block a substantial amount of the cameras flash, so you will be either doing available light or need a strobe.

 

[bureau13]

Good info guys, thanks. I guess I will keep an eye on those Ikelite housings. When I pull the trigger, if they're around $200, that's not that much different than the Canon price.

jds

 

[tripntx]

Followed the link in brianmayes post, which takes you here, Canon G9 & G7 housing - DIY 67mm lens adapter - Wetpixel :: Underwater Photography Forums,

Just wanted to update my post above, received adapters today. When I get around to doing this, I'll be using 52 to 67mm adapter with my DC16 housing for A720IS. 58 to 67mm might work, but 62 to 67mm is definitely to large.

 

[WelshGasman]

tripntx,

They do a version for the WP-DC16 as well for about your outlay already
Onderwaterhuis.nl