Meikon Housings for NEX-5, 6 & 7

[007wilk]

I have found some discussions about cheap Chinese housings on this form as well as on other web sites. I have read stories of flooded housings, which were actually quite scary. At the same time, what can be seen on ebay now, seems to be a next generation of those housings. There are generally three types of the Meikon-like housings currently on ebay:

(1) The old translucent style with a clamp on top
(2) A newer model with what looks to be a 67mm lens port
(3) Another newer black version similar to the above except with rectangular window.

Any first hand experience with #2 or #3 ? I am looking for a housing for Sony NEX-6. It is either one of these or a $1,700 Nauticam, which is out of the question for me... There seems to be nothing else out there at the moment.

#1
#2
#3

 

[alien]

Number 3 seems odd why would they go for a rectangular front port? Do they have changeable ports otherwise not much point housing an ILC.

 

[tboydva]

I have used the #1 version with an NEX-5 - then upgraded to a similar housing for NEX-5N. Three housings and about 20 dives later, I have had no real issues. I had a sticky button which gave some issues on one dive. No leaks. The gen 3 housing looks appealing to me... I have an NEX-7 as my "main" camera and they make a housing for it. On DPReview, there have been several threads on these housings. The most common plan of attack is to get the case and test it in the sink or tub first (I tried this). If there's a manufacturing defect, you might save your camera.

All I can say is that I'm 3 for 3 good cases with style 1.

 

[007wilk]

@alien - perhaps the rectangular shape reduces/eliminates vignetting with some lens combinations on the inside? Note, #2 is intended for a 16-50mm lens and #3 for a 18-55mm, which I did not even know was a standard with NEX-6


@tboydva - Thx. This is actually encouraging How deep did you take them? I am hoping to shoot wrecks up to 35 m deep.

 

[tboydva]

007 - I had my housing down to just under 100 feet (33 m roughly). Most dives were in the 20 m range. I load up the housing with moisture munchers just in case, but have not had any signs of leaking. I was always in a position where I could abort the dive if I really had to (and surface). I suspect a shore dive in rough conditions would really put one of these cases to the test! I have my gear insured too, so I've been less worried should a leak occur...

 

[007wilk]

Upon extensive "digging" I found this review: Meikon Underwater Housing for Sony DSC-RX100 Review: Digital Photography Review
Thx to the author!

 

[danmarshell]

I prefer Nauticam Na-NEX7 but it's really expensive, then ordered Meikon underwater housing NEX7 . Tested at 60ft depth underwater and work it fine, just little difficult to focus when you put lens in macro mode.

 

[DesertEagle]

Nauticam housings are a work of art and command a hefty price.

I posted this on the regular U/W Photo forum. It appears that Meikon now makes 67mm wide angle wet lenses for the housings. They cost $230 on Amazon.

 

[endurodog]

I know you were asking about 2 and 3 but thought I would throw in that I had #1 for a NEX-5n and found that it didn't work very well but no leaks either. Only a few dives on it when I decided to invest in a 10Bar housing and am very happy I spent the money on a higher end housing. By the way still have the 1 if someone is looking.

 

[markkmarkk]

I have a roll of five housings made by Mekon.....for nex 5/5n. Not really working under 19m because of the buttons started to dance