Underwater Cameras

The majority of the large camera manufacturers produce underwater housings for models in their range which will be dedicated to each camera, therefore giving you access to the camera's full range of functions such as zoom and shooting modes. Most of the housings are depth rated to 30 or 40 metres but there are some less expensive models which are rated to 3 metres which are fine for snorkelling.

Olympus are the only camera manufacturer to supply underwater housings for their digital SLR cameras, a full range of accessories are also available including lens ports and strobe systems. If you don't own an Olympus SLR then Ikelite or Fantasea is sure to have a housing to suit your model, again a full range of accessories are available.

An underwater housing usually allows the use of the camera's built in flash which is fine for subjects close to the lens but for better results and to help reduce backscatter an external flash or strobe is recommended. The can either fit using the housings external hot shoe or on a bracket and are fired either using a slave sensor on the flash or via a dedicated TTL cable.

The o-ring is the seal that keeps out water once the housing is closed and is an essential part to keep clean and proper maintained. Failure to do so results in the housing flooding and a very wet camera. It is vital to keep at least one spare o-ring in your camera bag because if the o-ring you are using breaks or deforms in any way you cannot use the housing.

This section includes all of the accessories that are available for your underwater camera / housing such as weights, close up and wide angle lens attachments, o-ring grease and more.