Sp-350

[tc_rain]

I am a big fan of the SP-350 but my Ike housing is now toast and the SP-350 is all but obsolete. Just wondering what some of the old SP-350 users have gone to. I have searched high and low for a reasonably priced Ike housing to replace mine but they are just not out there anymore and can’t see paying for a brand new one when the cameras are few and far. So what did you go to and are you as happy with it as you were with the 350?

 

[DevonDiver]

I actually went to using a Sony Cybershot. This wasn't a careful consumer decision - I found the camera and housing at 38m on the seabed in Thailand

My next camera is likely to be a Canon G-11.

 

[jlyle]

How is your Ike housing "toast?"

 

[tc_rain]

I chipped the housing by the o-ring when it was open. Checked it without the camera afterwards and it leaks.

 

[slowhands]

I chipped the housing by the o-ring when it was open. Checked it without the camera afterwards and it leaks.

I am not sure I would consider the SP350 obsolete, just because it's old. It has the key features I need for underwater: Shoots RAW, has M, A, S modes, has hotshoe for external flash, has custom white balance. 8MP is not shabby for most purposes. What the new cameras have is faster response, better rear displays, video, GPS, and tons of features that get in my way. It's still a fine tool.

You might want to send it to Ikelite. They support everything very well. They can probably fix it, for a modest price. I'm guessing $75-100, but contact them. They might even do it as part of a routine service, which is typically $200 (that's for SLR housings, might be less for this - worth contacting them).

 

[tc_rain]

Already tried that. Nothing they can do to fix it, it has to be replaced. Ikelite doesn't carry that housing anymore. I can find them online at a couple places that have old stock but they are between 4 and $500. That is where the problem is. I cant see buying a brand new housing for a camera that is getting harder to come by as time goes on. If my camera goes belly up in 6 months or a year, then I am stuck trying to find a new camera for a new $500 housing. I have looked around for good used housings but they are just not out there anymore. I have looked everywhere. I think the only alternative I have is buying a newer camera and housing so it is easier to replace if a problem develops. Too bad because I loved the 350.

 

[fairybasslet]

Ouch. sorry about that. Have you tried eBay or Craig's list? Do you want another Ike housing for it or an Olympus housing? It sucks having to reconfigure everything. I know. BTDT

 

[tc_rain]

I considered going with the Olympus housing when I couldn't find a used Ike but I can't find any PT-030's out there. I have found a few advertised but when you try to buy one the store shows none in stock and discontinued item. I have also been keeping a close eye on EBay and Craigslist but no luck so far.

 

[slowhands]

Already tried that. Nothing they can do to fix it, it has to be replaced. Ikelite doesn't carry that housing anymore. I can find them online at a couple places that have old stock but they are between 4 and $500. That is where the problem is. I cant see buying a brand new housing for a camera that is getting harder to come by as time goes on. If my camera goes belly up in 6 months or a year, then I am stuck trying to find a new camera for a new $500 housing. I have looked around for good used housings but they are just not out there anymore. I have looked everywhere. I think the only alternative I have is buying a newer camera and housing so it is easier to replace if a problem develops. Too bad because I loved the 350.

It sounds like you chipped a corner? But otherwise everything is OK? Why not try some casting acrylic to patch it. Might look bad, but show it was a veteran.

The other option is to sell your working SP350 and put the proceeds in a new camera account.

I'll try not to drop my Ikelite housings, they have been so indestructible I take them for granted. Some have outlasted cameras I might think about getting backups for them. Your story is a good warning.

 

[chris196]

Isn't the canon s90/s95 or G11/G12 the most likely replacement?
I've never shot a 350, I was in the previous generation of olympus with C4000 and such.
I just purchased a S95 and will probably house it in the ikelite.