Instant regret - Seafrogs A7IV + 90mm doesn't fit

[Pyndle]

Hi all,

So I went ahead a bought my 3rd Seafrog case. Never been a fan of the quality but they improved between case 1 and 2 and I thought it might get even better now. Oh boy I was wrong.

I'll pass on the few problems I've had so far (I will make a detailed review later), but for now, I can't even fit the camera in properly. I can close the case but 2 buttons (C1 and AF-ON) don't work. I can see C1 through the glass, the rubber thing that is supposed to push on the button is placed slightly too high. It feels like the camera is not sitting right.

• I've tried with the focus ring, without it, and without any lens at all.
• I've tried removing the port alltogether, same issue
• I've removed and replace multiple times that part that sits above the screw of the port to lock the camera in place, and made sure it's pushed all the way in
• No accessories on the camera like a tripod plate or laniards
• No wrap or case on the camera
• Yes, it is the case for the Sony A7IV
• I tried by putting the focus ring ahead on the lens and then inserting the camera, as well as placing the focus ring first into the port, then pushing the camera in it.

I know sometimes the camera doesn't fit properly (used other housings for 100s of dives), so you have to take it out and place it back. I did this at least 40 times now, it just doesn't fit.

I can also see that the menu button is too low and pushes on the button:

And some rubber inserts are pushed a bit too much:

I inspected the case thoroughly, can't find culprit. Has this happened to anyone?

 

[sea_ledford]

I have no experience with any sea frogs housings, but I feel your pain with this. In my experience with other housings, when something isn't lining up like that, it is because I am doing something wrong.

The last one that got me: did you remove the eyecup around the viewfinder on the camera? It should just slide up and off if you haven't.

 

[Barmaglot]

Best option at this stage would be to get in touch with the vendor. Maybe consider returning it and getting an AOI housing instead - I've never seen any one report this level of QC issues with one of their products.

 

[Pyndle]

I have no experience with any sea frogs housings, but I feel your pain with this. In my experience with other housings, when something isn't lining up like that, it is because I am doing something wrong.

The last one that got me: did you remove the eyecup around the viewfinder on the camera? It should just slide up and off if you haven't.

Thanks. I just tried but it doesn't do it.

Best option at this stage would be to get in touch with the vendor. Maybe consider returning it and getting an AOI housing instead - I've never seen any one report this level of QC issues with one of their products.

I messaged them too but thought I'd ask online. I had already message them about previous issues that they completely brushed off in their response.

I would've returned it if I didn't stupidly scratch the lid of the vacuum cover (I couldn't find a coin handy to open it so I tried with my keys and it slid and scratched the metal a little bit). I'm sure they'll refuse it if I send it back (I also removed the stickers). I'm also going on a dive holiday for the next 3 months on Monday so I'm kind of stuck.

Next buy is either Nauticam case for my A7 IV or a TG-6, I'm done messing around.

 

[Nemrod]

Next buy is either Nauticam case for my A7 IV or a TG-6, I'm done messing around.

Nauticam is never the wrong answer. I have never seen any sort of functionality issue with a Nauticam. There may be things liked or disliked but functionally they are perfect and they are durable and repairable and serviceable. I imagine that Marelux is similar in those regards as perhaps Isotta and Aquatica. I just have familiarity with Nauticam. IMO, especially as you move up in camera class and photographic interest, something like Nauticam is worth the $.

Ikelite is out there and they stand behind their products 100%. Goofy and behind the times perhaps, perhaps not, but solid and workable and again they do stand behind their products and their stuff just works.

 

[Pyndle]

Nauticam is never the wrong answer. I have never seen any sort of functionality issue with a Nauticam. There may be things liked or disliked but functionally they are perfect and they are durable and repairable and serviceable. I imagine that Marelux is similar in those regards as perhaps Isotta and Aquatica. I just have familiarity with Nauticam. IMO, especially as you move up in camera class and photographic interest, something like Nauticam is worth the $.

Ikelite is out there and they stand behind their products 100%. Goofy and behind the times perhaps, perhaps not, but solid and workable and again they do stand behind their products and their stuff just works.

My previous experience with seafrogs was that while the quality was **** and I experienced a few inconveniences, but I didn't feel unsafe with my camera. Pretty simple design, not saying it's impossible to flood but I see a lot of people who got leaks because they messed up themselves. For my A6500, I don't think the extra money would've been worth it if I got a Nauticam.

But the crap they sent me for my A7 IV was way worse and definitely not worth the money. I'm sure they'll reply and I'll end up sorting out the issue and do a lot of dives on it (touch wood) but it's incredibly frustrating. But if it doesn't get sorted, I know that Nauticam will be good, despite the crazy price tag.

 

[sea_ledford]

Bummer the easy fix didn't work.

For what it's worth, I have the Marelux housing for my A7iv and have had zero problems with it. Also the nauticam bayonet for their wet lenses fits perfectly on the Marelux flat port (can't remember the size off the top of my head) even if people say it doesn't.

 

[Pyndle]

I'm looking at Marelux's website, on the photos it looks like you don't have a button for C1 / AF-ON / AEL / Pressing the cursor?

 

[Nemrod]

. For my A6500, I don't think the extra money would've been worth it if I got a Nauticam.

Only you can decide how much functionality is worth to you. Five years, going on six and hundreds of dives and thousands of photos my NA-6400 is going strong, looks good, functions perfectly as new. If the SeaFrog housing does not fit and does not work then it has zero functionality. Every additional housing you buy for the camera now that you will not be satisfied with the functionality just makes the inevitable more expensive.

I have seen a Marelux housing up close, looked it over, inside and out and I would say, if it has the control functions and features you want, it is certainly on equal with Nauticam quality.

 

[Pyndle]

So... their support replied (they're quite responsive and always trying to help I have to admit):

Regarding the C1 button, we would like to inform you that there is a solution to this problem. We will send you a new rubber band that will fix it.

Which is annoying because I will be travelling for 3 months so handling a delivery won't be easy, if even possible.
And that is also very odd. I wonder if they forgot that piece from the start, or if they are poorly manufactured and it happens a lot so they designed a quick fix for when cameras don't fit well. I've asked them but I doubt I'll get an honnest answer, because they also said this regarding another complaint:

Regarding the ON/OFF markings on the port mechanism — these indicate the locking system:

• OFF means the port is locked/closed,
• ON means the port is unlocked/open.

On my A6500 housing, it's the opposite. It makes no sense, OFF should mean the port is ready to be taken off. Oh well, not a big deal, but says a lot about their QA.

Only you can decide how much functionality is worth to you. Five years, going on six and hundreds of dives and thousands of photos my NA-6400 is going strong, looks good, functions perfectly as new. If the SeaFrog housing does not fit and does not work then it has zero functionality. Every additional housing you buy for the camera now that you will not be satisfied with the functionality just makes the inevitable more expensive.

I have seen a Marelux housing up close, looked it over, inside and out and I would say, if it has the control functions and features you want, it is certainly on equal with Nauticam quality.

Same here on my Seafrogs A6500, hundreds of dives. Some rust, some frustration because the focus ring wheel sometimes gets stuck, but I don't remember missing an important shot because of it. It's in that sense that I said the extra 3,000$ wasn't worth it for me. But of course I might have been lucky - if my case flooded on the first week I wouldn't say the same