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Aquapac and M8? (halfunderwater or rain)


maccaco

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I am interested in taking pictures halfunderwater in the river areas (no photos underwater) or when it rains, it snows or is foggy and I do not know if this bag is usable on the M8 ... Someone has been used? If so, you can focus sufientes right? is easy to handle?

 

http://www.aquapac.net/usastore/water-photo-large-859-0.html

 

Actually is that for the price, I think I can take risks. What do you think about?

Greetings to all

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4950705939_5ed7ddea88.jpg

Leica M8 Underwater Test - The Dive by willstotler, on Flickr

 

Go read this thread:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/134153-leica-m8-underwater-shooting-anyone.html

 

My solution to underwater shooting (and this INCLUDES "halfunderwater shooting" and "wet environment shooting" like you describe) appears a little over halfway down the thread.

 

Read my follow ups and experience with the bag, too.

 

I find the shooting challenging, but doable. If you are not really "on it old school" with your M8, the bag is going to make your life very difficult.

 

Cheers!

Will

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Thanks Will. The photos are great under water. Honestly.

 

So maybe I do not buy the Aquapac bag? I understand that the leica manual handling in the bag is complicated but, to use the rain will be enough? ie can I focus and I select an appropriate aperture -summicron 35mm-?.

 

Best Regards.

David

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Thanks. You can select an aperture. You cannot focus using the rangefinder--zone focusing only. Framing is possible but difficult. The bags use a filter adapter to keep the bag's glass port pulled against the lens. There wasn't an adapter for 39mm although I'm sure you could dig around and cobble one together. See here:

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/134153-leica-m8-underwater-shooting-anyone.html#post1434691

 

In other words, save your money unless you really know your M8 and can make it work street-shooting style, which is zone-focused, all-manual settings, camera held in front of you away from your eye. E.g., you have to imagine your plane of focus and know by eye what's being framed. Eh, not ideal. But works.

 

I can say that I've shot the M8 in driving rain and snow. I asked about this question before doing that and I believe Jaime Roberts commented at the time not too worry too much about it--he'd shot in really awful weather with the M8. (Note that I keep a soft release screwed in to the shutter release to keep water out.) When shooting this way I keep a small towel with me--to pat down the top plate--and keep the camera in a jacket between shots. I remove the case and air dry the camera very well when I get home. Battery out.

 

I did a forum search and couldn't find it (if somebody wants to help out, thanks), but there was a forum poster who had made a triangular plastic shield that slips in the hotshoe. The shield, which was using plastic like from a U.S. gallon milk jug--sits over the top plate and lens, like a triangular wedge-shaped umbrella, about 6 inches above the camera. Looked a bit awkward--which is why I never made one--but he reported that it worked well to protect the top plate and lens top from rain.

 

Cheers!

Will

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Using a M8 in rain all day is not a problem, except keeping the filter/front element dry which is difficult. If it really p@sses down then I usually cover the camera with the sleeve of my coat to avoid getting it completely drenched. But water does not get in as far as I can tell (also not in the shutter switch).

 

Still the underwater experiment is fun.

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