Pushing the depth rating

In another thread, the topic of the depth rating of the housing (PT-015) came up, and it got me thinking about how deep people dive with camera gear.

What I'd really like to know is how deep people generally dive on average, what's the deepest you've taken a camera, and how deep would you consider taking a camera? Also, any stories about diving deep with or without photo gear would be cool as well.

This really shouldn't be turn into a macho "I can dive deeper than you can" discussion. There are definitely different issues at depth than at 30 feet, and I think it would be good to share them. I'm sure between all of us there'll be some interesting stories...

The two trips I took with my camera were to Truk Lagoon, and to Hatteras, NC. On both of these, I was travelling with a bunch of tech divers from NJ who don't do a whole lot of shallow reef diving.

My average depth was somewhere around 100-110 on both trips, which was definitely challenging. In Truk, my deepest dive with the camera was to about 135 ft, and narcosis definitely hit hard. Made it really challenging to do anything with the camera for sure. I opted not to take the camera on my deepest dive to the San Francisco Maru at 165 feet because we were diving with stage bottles (first time for me). Next time (May), I will bring the camera though, because that was one of the most amazing wrecks I've ever seen.

I'd share some "wisdom", but really I was right at the beginning of my learning curve and most of my pictures were a waste of digital media.

Anyone else?

Tom

Your housing should be rated 2 twice as deep as you actually go. This is the standard the US Navy uses. If it isn't you are likely to have a leak sooner or later. Nikonos Vs are rated to 165 ft. I've heard lots of stories about people taking them deeper. They always say that they had no problems, but then they always mention how they had a leak later on. They then blame it on the camera.

Your housing should be rated 2 twice as deep as you actually go. This is the standard the US Navy uses. If it isn't you are likely to have a leak sooner or later. Nikonos Vs are rated to 165 ft. I've heard lots of stories about people taking them deeper. They always say that they had no problems, but then they always mention how they had a leak later on. They then blame it on the camera.

There are a bunch of questions in this poll. Which one are we supposed to answer?

The majority of my shots are from <130' but I have dove deeper w/ my camera - but I answere 100-130

Cheers

James

Regarding Nikonos depth rating - Nikon state 50m but they are tested to well over 100m, whilst vibrated at 10 hertz.

A case we static tested to death in UK a few years ago collapsed at 175m - before the seals went.

If a Nikonos leaks after a deep dive then it was not serviced properly prior to the trip. Mine are stripped and checked before every trip and put back together with proper grease.

The only leak I have had in recent years was caused at the surface, however it was repaired on location and was bringing home the bacon the very next day.

Regarding the original question: Deep diving -

Normally I like to dive between 20 & 40m but on occasions I dive twice this depth - why because I can do it safely, and have faith in my well serviced Posiedon regs. Always with me is the Nikonos 20mm lens and my S & S YS120.

There are a bunch of questions in this poll. Which one are we supposed to answer?

Sorry guys, the primary question is how deep have you taken camera gear. Answer the other questions as a reply to the thread if you want..

Tom

I know 4 people who violated the Nikonos recommended max depth by 10 ft or so and then soon afterwards had leaks in their Nikonos. I also know people who have taken them below 200 more than once without problems. I would recommend staying above the recommended 165 ft max depth.

I once had a minor leak in a housed camera. I came up when the leak detector went off at approx 100 ft. Test showed nothing wrong with the housing but that their was a tiny nick in the O ring that would apparently start to dribble small amounts of water below 80 ft. The housing is rated to below 200 ft. Another time I was in Komodo and around 100 ft my dome port developed a stress fracture. Once again the leak detector saved me. We later figured out that the stress fracture came from being shipped in checked luggage. I had used this dome port for years, much deeper, without problems. It was about the 15 th dive of the trip as well.

I learned 3 things from the above story. First my dome port always travels in it's own small pelican case which is inside a hard sided suitcase. Second, leak detectors are worth their weight in gold. Lastly, though your housing may have a deep depth rating and has performed at such depths for years, any small defect may cause you trouble. These troubles will be magnified, the deep your go. :ph34r:

As the greatest pressure difference lies between the surface and 10m should a camera be inclined to leak it will surely be within this zone.

You are right about that. I always do a check in the rinse tank and then another around 5 to 10 ft down. But as I mentioned above any tiny defect can cause a leak and the deeper you go the more likely it is to be a problem. In both the cases mentioned above I had done a number of dives to 60 or so feet without a problem. It was when I went deeper that the leaks showed up. :ph34r:

You are right about that. I always do a check in the rinse tank and then another around 5 to 10 ft down. But as I mentioned above any tiny defect can cause a leak and the deeper you go the more likely it is to be a problem. In both the cases mentioned above I had done a number of dives to 60 or so feet without a problem. It was when I went deeper that the leaks showed up. :ph34r:

Wow there's an echo!

I take my camera on any dive except for one where I am testing or using new equipment. For example, yesterday I was diving with my drysuit for the first time in awhile using different undergarmets - no idea what my weighting should be. No camera the first dive.

Once I had that down, camera went on the other dives I did.

I have had my camera with me below 200fsw on severla occasions. When a company rates something for a particlar depth, they are likely being conservative. If you maintain your equipment correctly, you should have no issues.

M