Sea & Sea clearly now !!!

Hi all,

I was looking at the S&S website at the housing for the HC1 / A1E and was quite impressed until I noticed it was made out of plastic.

Now don't get me wrong I am not a plastic facist but I have only ever used Amphibico and L&M which as we know are metal.. One obvious advantage i can see is the weight factor when travelling. But I'm still sceptical. <_<

Any points of view.. Also the main one..Lenses, how do they compare to the others and can you get different makes to fit, i.e Fathom Imaging.etc..

Cheers for any help guys & girls

Dive safe

DeanB

SUCKER!! You're easy to sway dude!LOL

The only problem I see with the S&S build is the tossability of it. With aluminium, I could treat the gear with a little less respect knowing they could take it. The plastic isn't as sturdy, but corrosion is a non-issue.

With a flat port lens, there isn't much difference to any other flat port housing. Ok glass port vs polycarbonate blah blah. But minimal difference. What makes the big difference for ME (since I have 1 of 2 SWA100 comissioned by me with Fathoms for S&S) is that I can use the lens on the housing with a step up ring. I'm waiting for the optical analysis from Fathom on what distance will be optimal and if the housing will work within that. But then I get an automatic upgrade and extension of life on my lens. Plus I can use the super thick achromatic diopters from Century Optics with the flat port and step ring for super macro. Only 2 peeves... no flip filter and a crappy and small monitor that costs 1k. Sigh...there is no sign of perfection.

Cheers Drew,

Still not convinced..Looks like the S&S hit the dust..I'll now try Gates.

I'm running out of options..Come on Amphibico !!!

No bugger wants to rent housings these days..

Dive safe

DeanB

Dean, buy the freakin Z1U!!!!! (or FX)

Ha ha ha

stop dragging your feet and shell it out. Thats what credit cards are for!!

Hey Dean,

NEVER SAY NEVER....

How many days do you want to rent one for ???

AAAARRRGGHHH !!! My head

I've been on the phone most of today talking cameras, housings. lights, hiring, compatibility, blah blah..

Mike: Yes i would love to if I was in your neck of the woods. But as I said to costly to lug around. I might end up hiring the Z1 + Phenom, still deciding.?? Costs the same as a PD170 + housing In day rate..

Pmooney: Could be week, could be three, could be two or three days here and there ??? Depends on the water temp, light and the shagging prowess of the fish..Were you going to send me yours from OZ

As my old mate gloria said "I will survive, hey, hey"

Friendly cameraman said I could borrow his temperature controlled aquarium to film the hatching stuff. So thats sorted.

Anyway, lets keep pressing on.

I'll keep you informed.

Dive safe

Dean (please god, why me WHY ME !!!) B

LOL well you're pickier than me. I suggest you go look at the housings in London. I think the S&S is already available at a few shops. I'd check it out. S&S has many things going for it including serviceability internationally. Something not many manufacturers can claim. Amphibico is picking up but still not there.

Also there is a shipping WA lens from them... it sucks but still very wide. And it's better priced than the gates. It's got very wide options for macro and wide angle (well that's just for me). Everything is a compromise.

If you want the Z/FX1 package with housing... carry it as hand luggage. I know 2 guys who do it and no airline will question if you act like it weighs 6 kg. I use to carry my S&S VX2k as hand luggage all the time. Never had a problem except in Australia, the biggest PITA airport staff in the world.

Btw the plastic housing weighs about the same as the aluminium ones. Balance handling and all that.

The Sea & Sea housing does not access telemacro mode, as is indicated on their site.

Other than this niggly, I'm very impressed with the housing.

No flip filter, crappy monitor, wide angle lens that sucks, no telemacro access.

I'm buying two !!!

Dive safe

DeanB

P.s sorry guys my heads swimming. may have found a company that hires the "EVO" and Kowalski HID's as a package.?? (fingers crossed)

Ryan

the site does say something telephoto/macro access. And I think I remember seeing the button, I'll check it out again tomorrow at my friend's.

I have a housing here. Expanded focus and manual exposure are accessed, but no telemacro...

There is plenty of room for the button.

That's odd. It looks like from the photo's on S&S's site that there are 3 buttons.

Very discouraging....

Yes, there are three controls. The backlight button is also accessed, but no telemacro.

I like the control positions; better than the Ikelite but there are less of them so I don't regret my purchase. I've only had plastic housings on my last two still cameras so I have nothing to compare it to except my Nikonos II and IV. I'm a plastic kind of guy.

So Dean, you know my answer don't you?

Get rid of the real job and become a tropical dive bum just like me!! Then you can get the big camera and spend more time UW B)

Scabadru said:

"If you want the Z/FX1 package with housing... carry it as hand luggage. I know 2 guys who do it and no airline will question if you act like it weighs 6 kg. I use to carry my S&S VX2k as hand luggage all the time. Never had a problem except in Australia, the biggest PITA airport staff in the world."

Non-sequitor: How the heck does one carry on a z/fx1 package with housing on a plane. I have the phenom with FX1. If this is possible (can't imagine) i would really love some concrete details on how to do this.

shawn

Scabadru said:

Non-sequitor: How the heck does one carry on a z/fx1 package with housing on a plane. I have the phenom with FX1. If this is possible (can't imagine) i would really love some concrete details on how to do this.

 

shawn

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just hand carry it with a port cover on the plane. No pelican or anything. If you are strong, put the camera in it. That's if you can lift 16kg like it's 6kg. Also wear a long sleeve shirt to cover the veins bursting, I was caught in Sydney because of that. Been to 4 continents like that. Nobody bugs you because:

A. It looks darn expensive

B. It's smaller than the allowed dimensions

C. In all probability you are a working pro

Pros:

If you're a guy, chicks will dig the profession. If you're a girl, guys will dig the housing and gear so you're attracting the wrong guys all over again.

Cons:

You get caught and there'll be lots of arguing to be done. Extra hours at the gym to be able to do this.

Hey Mike, You offering me a job..Well are ya..

"One day over the rainbow"

Dive safe

DeanB

I like that scubadru...hey what about pumping in some helium to make the housing lighter as well.

You are right, I have walked on with a full size BetaSP Camera as hand luggage a few times, and in Australia. Might give it ago with the Phenom in a few weeks as we plan a trip over to Queensland.

Wags

That is seriously funny! Well, based on scubadru's story, I am going to give it a shot today with my Phenom (camcorder inside). will be flying form Singapore to Phuket en route to Phi Phi. I really hope this works out...what the hell do I do if they say no, you can't bring this on?...pray!