Underwater Housing ... rentals?

[Kinetic]

I'm going to Kauai in a few weeks, and was looking into underwater housings for my D80. I'm fairly sure I'm only doing shallow snorkeling so I won't need a flash. I am either going to use a 10.5mm f/2.8 fisheye or a 12-24mm f/4 wide angle with my D80.

Problem is, a decent kit for that is about $1600.

Anywhere I can rent? Any recommendations on which housing?

 

[jeffbrig]

I think rentals would be a great idea, but I don't know anyone that supplies them.

I will toss out an alternate suggestion. Are you sure you want to take your D80 in the water? I know the chance of flooding the housing is remote, but are you sure you want to risk it?

Also, it can be a lot more cost effective to shoot with a cheaper p&s camera and underwater housing. I have a lot of money tied up in my canon and lenses, but I still drag out my old Olympus p&s with its housing when I want to go underwater.

Where are you staying in Kauai? I did some snorkeling there a couple of years ago, and took lots of photos.

 

[Rosseau]

I'm not sure if you have Henry's in the states (i'm pretty sure you don't) but they have rentals on lots of equipment.


I wonder if you could talk a store into letting you rent something... hm. Or... find on a forum someone in your area who would be willing to rent it to you..?

 

[Rosseau]

http://www.backscatter.com/shop/rental/

 

[Kinetic]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9607427#post9607427 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeffbrig
I think rentals would be a great idea, but I don't know anyone that supplies them.

I will toss out an alternate suggestion. Are you sure you want to take your D80 in the water? I know the chance of flooding the housing is remote, but are you sure you want to risk it?

Also, it can be a lot more cost effective to shoot with a cheaper p&s camera and underwater housing. I have a lot of money tied up in my canon and lenses, but I still drag out my old Olympus p&s with its housing when I want to go underwater.

Where are you staying in Kauai? I did some snorkeling there a couple of years ago, and took lots of photos.

It's true, it is slightly risky taking my camera underwater, but given a good housing, and the fact that I won't be diving, mostly snorkeling, I'm hoping it'll be ok. =X

And yes, I was planning on getting a housing for my P&S instead if I couldn't find one for my slr.

I'm staying in Kapa'a, but will be roaming all over the island.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9613289#post9613289 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rosseau
I'm not sure if you have Henry's in the states (i'm pretty sure you don't) but they have rentals on lots of equipment.


I wonder if you could talk a store into letting you rent something... hm. Or... find on a forum someone in your area who would be willing to rent it to you..?

Yeah can't find any, even backscatter doesn't have a d80 kit.

My local forum doesn't have much in terms of undewater photographers either, darn them! haha.

thanks for the help guys =)

 

[jeffbrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9614570#post9614570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kinetic

I'm staying in Kapa'a, but will be roaming all over the island.

I saw lots of fish at Tunnels beach, and would go there again - it's on the north end, near the end of the road. Ke'e at the very end is also supposed to have some good stuff, but the currents can be tricky when it's rough. The best snorkeling by far was a reef they called Nu'alolo Kai (I'm sure I butchered the name). It's off the shore of the Na Pali coast, in an area is only accessable by boat or multi-day hike. We took a trip with Na Pali riders - 8 people in a zodiac raft - around the Na Pali coastline, then had an hour or so to snorkel there. I highly recommend the trip, it was one of the coolest things we did the week we were there.

Othere spots that are supposed to be good - Poipu beach on the south side. Also, on the east side, a little south of kapa'a is a park with an enclosed swimming area that supposedly attracts lots of fish. I didn't make it to either of those, so I can't say firsthand.

 

[Static]

Are you sure you want to use such a wide angle lense for snorkling. You wont be able to get close enough to fish to fill all the frame. With a 10mm lense you will end up with a tiny fish and hell of a surrounding. The great white in my profile was taken with a f100 housed with a 20mm lense and i was on top of it. It was 14 ft long to.