Leica M8 - Underwater Shooting - Anyone?

[wstotler]

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OK. Has anyone used their M8 for shooting underwater in a housing or special case. . . . Details?

 

* Yes, I know it's not practical.

* Yes, I already know about the $8000 underwater housing.

* Yes, I already know there are cheap waterproof point and shoots that can do this.

* No, I'm not looking for advice about shooting at the aquarium, below water line on the lower levels of a ship, etc. I'm talking underwater, like you know I mean.

 

But, I'm interested in knowing more! If you've done it, can you share your thoughts about it?

 

Cheers!

Will

[pgk]

Will

 

I've been shooting underwater for nearly 30 years. Its simply making life extremely difficult for yourself trying to use an M8 underwater. Its not impossible, but for the cost and, given that the only lenses viable would be the ultra-wides, there's an awful lot of very sophisticated and superbly effective options on the market.

 

That said, if anyone has been daft enough to use an M8 underwater I'd be interested to hear about it too:).

[squarenegs]

Paul

 

I just visited your website. On the subject of underwater photography, or photography in any other environment for that matter, you are a man to be listened to.

...Lovely colour and light in all your work on display. Thanks for the chance to

see it!

May I ask what kind of kit you tend to work with on land?

 

Regards

 

Sam

[pgk]

Hi Sam

 

Glad you like the pix:). My above water work is shot on Leica M8s currently with 28/2 asph, 35/1.4 asph and 50/1.4 asph lenses.

 

The rest (both underwater and above) is currently being shot on Canon 5DMkII with lenses ranging from 15mm Canon Fisheye to 280mm f/2.8 Apo-Telyt (with 2x Apo extender).

[wstotler]

Looked into this a bit more--seems like this would work for work that's not too challenging:

Ewa-Marine U-F Underwater Housing EM U-F - B&H Photo Video

 

Has anyone used one of these bags for their M8, specifically?

 

Thanks!

Will

 

P.S. If it works, my M8-in-the-rain problems will be solved.

P.P.S. Come on, guys. SOMEBODY has to have tried this. Share share! Not excited to be the forum's M8 beta tester for this kit. <ugh>

P.P.P.S. Yes, yes, conceptually, square peg in round hole.

[LeicaBraz]

Maybe it's the best excuse for having to buy an M9 afterwards.

[pgk]

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Will

 

The last time I used a Ewa-Marine housing was over 25 years ago. It fitted a (then current) Nikon F801 with flash, and had the waterproof glove built into the bag to hold the camera and adjust settings with. At 10m down the pressure welded it onto my hand and I spent a dive with a camera well and truly stuck on my hand sa I couldn't get it off - the photos turned out rubbish as well! Never again.

 

But as waterproof rain bags they may work. Be aware that with some models the glass 'port' glass screws onto the filter thread of lens (to ensure that it remains correctly positioned) and that using the rangefinder may be very difficult if not impossible. Also such bags keep water out and also trap humidity in and so condensation can be a problem. As you may have gathered, I haven't used one for a long time. They may be better now, though at best they are likely to be a somewhat unwieldy compromise.

 

Also take a look at: Cameras Underwater: ewa-marine housings for digital stills cameras. where there are quite a few models displayed. I think that Aquapac may make something similar but for surface/splash zone usage rather than in-water.

[wstotler]

Paul,

 

Thanks kindly for the tips. I won't be going any deeper than 2m (mostly 0.5 to 1m) so I should be OK regarding glove pressure. 10m would be 5 times deeper than I've ever personally been. Outside of an aquarium. Thanks for the note about the RF focuing problem (potentially)--I was unsure about this. That will have to be a "we'll see." If I read correctly they have an adjustable clamp thing that should work to keep the glass port up against the front of the lens rather than a screw-in piece, so here's hoping. I hear you about the awful photos--I guess since nobody has done this yet, I'm beta testing.

 

The M8 has done fine in both medium-to-heavy rain and snowfall, with care but not "babying," but shallow underwater work would be cool to try and waterproof operation in downpours would be great.

 

E.g., for worry-free shooting in potentially very wet situations like these:

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Cheers!

Will

 

I might need one of these. . . .

Dryer Box Towels Off Soaked Phones

[pgk]

Or even like this (not shot on a Leica M):

 

Paul Kay Photography People

 

The only other point to bear in mind is that droplets on the 'port' glass can be a problem - it is possible to use something like Rain X to help prevent droplets forming, but only on glass - never on plastic ports as it can damage them.

[rob_x2004]

... and waterproof operation in downpours would be great.

 

You still cant focus it. Theres no left hand glove.

Paul is also probably glossing over how much a rigid case is called upon to protect from knocks entering in and exiting the drink.

Take the bag for a swim or two without the camera to make sure you are sealing it up right.

The original post had all the right answers.

Ps ... Is it really rated down to 33 inches or is that a typo? I guess you are insured.

[wstotler]

You still cant focus it. Theres no left hand glove.

Paul is also probably glossing over how much a rigid case is called upon to protect from knocks entering in and exiting the drink.

 

I focus with the right so I should be OK. But thanks.

 

Take the bag for a swim or two without the camera to make sure you are sealing it up right. The original post had all the right answers.

 

The original post--by me--was quite clear: "Yes, I know it's not practical." And so on. My follow ups clarified the position.

 

This is where I digress--and this is directed more toward the forum in general than you--if I had a nickle for every "camera X is better than the M8 for that" in this forum I'd be a using my M8 only to shoot birthday parties for my kids, landscapes (although, clearly, there are "better" tools for that), and travel snapshots. Perfectly fine for that. But I want it to do MORE. Oh, and it CAN. So, here's where I say: OK. Whatever.

 

"Camera X is better for macro." OK. Whatever.

"Camera X is better for long-distance shooting." OK. Whatever. (And I haven't tried sports shooting yet, so I can't say for sure.)

"Camera X is better for fashion shooting." Double OK. Whatever.

"Camera X is . . . <insert thing you could do with your M8 here.>" OK. Whatever.

 

I absolutely know a variety of underwater rigs are "better." That's wasn't what I was asking.

 

Apparently, NOBODY has any experience working this way with the M8, which is fine. It does not mean it is a bad idea. It just means that NOBODY has any experience here working this way with an M8. Or, if they do, they aren't posting.

 

 

Ps ... Is it really rated down to 33 inches or is that a typo? I guess you are insured.

 

It's rated to 33 feet. 10m

 

Glad you took the time to think about my insurance situation. I'm willing to risk it to see what I can get that MIGHT be interesting for me. Thanks for your concern.

 

Cheers!

Will

[pgk]

Will

 

Actually, although this was taken on a 5D2 it was shot on A using a 16mm fisheye lens and I post it because as you can see its an extremely low angle shot from water surface level(ish) but through a dome port. I see no reason why the M8 should not take similar types of shot (ie extreme wet conditions) using a Ewa bag even with a flat port - providing that you can use an appropriate lens and of course actually focus it, which is going to be the real problem that you face.

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[wstotler]

Will

 

Actually, although this was taken on a 5D2 it was shot on A using a 16mm fisheye lens and I post it because as you can see its an extremely low angle shot from water surface level(ish) but through a dome port. I see no reason why the M8 should not take similar types of shot (ie extreme wet conditions) using a Ewa bag even with a flat port - providing that you can use an appropriate lens and of course actually focus it, which is going to be the real problem that you face.

 

Thanks again, Paul. That's the kind of shot I'm thinking about. The possibilities of doing some shooting like that. But NOT in open water! <yikes!> Kudos to you for the diving/photo expertise. And, it's a very cool shot, too.

 

In terms of the focusing, I'm going to play with it until I get it and I expect trial-and-error. Thanks for the heads up. I expect a challenge.

 

For lenses, the Super Elmar-M 18mm (effective 24ish on the M8) will be a candidate, followed up with the CV15mm (effective 19ish on the M8). I'll end up trying the 35mm and 50mm as a matter of course. I don't have to make a living at it--but I do want to play with it

 

Cheers!

Will

[pgk]

For lenses, the Super Elmar-M 18mm (effective 24ish on the M8) will be a candidate, followed up with the CV15mm (effective 19ish on the M8). I'll end up trying the 35mm and 50mm as a matter of course.

You may find optical problems if using lenses wider than a 35mm field of view behind the thickish port (filter glass) on the housing, be prepared to deal with the resulting chroma in software. I'll be interested to see any results!

[wstotler]

You may find optical problems if using lenses wider than a 35mm field of view behind the thickish port (filter glass) on the housing, be prepared to deal with the resulting chroma in software. I'll be interested to see any results!

 

Paul--thanks for your comments and advice. I'll follow up in this thread when I have something to show.

 

Cheers!

Will

[Wiggi]

ELCAN constructed an underwater housing with built-in Elcan-M 1:2,8/28mm lens for the Leica M in 1965.

 

More on Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Pages.

[Gerard]

Saw this and thought of you...

 

UNDERWATER LENS BY LEITZ SN 571 202 on eBay (end time 23-Aug-10 16:03:56 BST)

[jaapv]

Some shoot their M8 underwater without protection....

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/59332-waterproof-m8s.html

[wstotler]

I've always joked about Tina Manley's camera, and I've shot in snow, sleet, and light to heavy rain (keeping the M8 semi-protected), so no worries there. It does OK. I do have the ewa-marine item on special order, though, and will report more here when I have it. I could have used it yesterday for shooting in pouring rain.

 

Cheers!

Will

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[pgk]

Having just had a housing flood with both a 5D2 and 100 macro (fortunately both survived despite water reaching the front element with the housing held port downwards) I'm being ultra careful about housing preparation at the moment - it was of course entirely my fault. Be very, very cautious and double check everything before taking the camera in the Ewa bag into a very wet environment or even submerging it - I'd actually suggest trying the bag with something else in first just to check integrity.