Aquatica 1Ds III Housing on the GBR

Hi All,

As part of the FISHBOL (Barcode of Life) team i had an opportunity to test my Aquatica Housing for the 1Ds III under serious working conditions at a research station on the Great Barrier Reef. The housing and camera were with me on more than 20 dives and collecting trips on the reef.

The housing did great, as did the camera. After more than 5000 images in freshwater it was my first time with the new housing and camera in a marine environment and i was thoroughly impressed. Especially the super dome made some great images possible (with the new Canon 14mm) - finally my over-unders are starting to look the way i want them to. Because i do a lot of shallow water images it is important that the housing can be used with one hand and i especially like the Aquatica grips with the deep groves. The housing is well balanced so i can shoot available light images one handed, walking in the water (the Epaulette shark is taken walking at low tide). The new changes to the wheel that grips the back wheel on the camera are amazing, since it is the first housing i use where this control does not slip occasionally(i have had Ikelite and Seacam housings in the past).

Two saltwater crocodiles made their way from the mainland to Lizard Island (30 miles!) in time to scare the tourists at the posh resort, but on our last day, when we were not allowed to dive. Bad luck but maybe next time!

Greetings,

Oliver

PS: I have no affiliation to Aquatica, other than living in Montreal, 15 minutes away.

Thanks for the report Oliver. I can't wait to give it a try too.

Did you shoot everything w/ the 17-40L?

Cheers

James

Thanks for the report Oliver. I can't wait to give it a try too.

 

Did you shoot everything w/ the 17-40L?

 

Cheers

James

The images under water are all with the new 14mm, i also shoot under water with the 100mm macro, and sometimes the 85mm 1.2 - the one from the plane is with a 20. I like the 14 since you do not have to worry about focus, and i occasionally find myself more comfortable with the camera in hand and my head well away from it.... with the 14 you can stick the housing close to the subject, and not worry about focus.

I do not have the 17-40, but i heard it does well. I have found that even the 20mm has trouble with the over-unders, so the 14 is what i use all the time.

Greetings from Canada,

O.