dkCambridgeshire Posted March 9, 2019 Share #1 Posted March 9, 2019 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Firstly, I've no experience of scuba diving or underwater photography and if anyone wants to try the following they do so at their own risk. I have a use for an underwater camera for photographing local pond life but only intend using the camera at the pond edge i.e. holding the camera in its housing whilst I lay on the ground … I'll only be immersing my arms when photographing e.g. pond snails. A few weeks ago I bought a s/h Leica XU but was not happy with it because water continued to seep from the joins in its rubber armour for a considerable time after drying the exterior. The camera was returned to the dealer and full refund given. Thus decided to try the now seldom used Leica X1 in an underwater housing and discovered that EWA Marine offer the reasonably priced 3DL which has a 10m depth capability: http://www.hawksphotovideo.co.uk/marine-underwater-camera-housing-165x87x33mm-p-160956.html When the housing arrived there were no instructions and it seemed far too small to accommodate the X1 … but by removing the 'L' shaped foam insert, and also removing the X1's 'screw on' lens bezel, the camera will fit. Anyone who's used e.g. the KOOD X1 filter adapter will be familiar with unscrewing the X1 lens bezel. Following photos show how the X1 fits the housing. The extended lens telescopes into the housing's accessory annulus / adapter illustrated in the first photo … it's immediately in front of the X1. The adapter is a snug fit both around the lens and in the housing's lens tube. The housing's lens tube has a permanently fitted optical window. In the second photo, the adapter / annulus is shown fitted into the housing's lens tube. The X1 slides into the side of the housing and is sealed by means of the EWA Marine 'thumbscrewed' clamp as in the third photo. When used underwater, silicone grease will be applied to the seal. The housing has sufficient height to enable the X1's flash to be used - but I've not tried it yet thus not sure if the lens tube will vignette the flash beam. Ideally, I'd like to add a Leitz R Elpro supplementary close-up lens by placing same against the optical window. An Elpro will fit when shimmed with e.g. PTFE tape but requires spacers into which the extended lens will telescope. So far I have not found a suitable spacer but plan to order one soon. My existing spacers slightly nudge the lens as it extends - causing it to instantly retract. I have not used the combination in a pond yet because a finger injury sustained yesterday will take a week or so to heal. My index finger was caught in a California Sunbounce reflector frame 'ferrule', which 'ripped off' a section of skin. Care required when assembling the frame. Currently not safe for me to immerse a wounded finger into a pond. Photos of the combination in use and image results will be posted in due course. Regards dunk Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited March 9, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/295055-leica-x1-underwater-housing/?do=findComment&comment=3698995'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 9, 2019 Posted March 9, 2019 Hi dkCambridgeshire, Take a look here Leica X1 Underwater Housing. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mike_j Posted March 9, 2019 Share #2 Posted March 9, 2019 Having tried a similar idea, although only with a phone in a waterproof package on the end of a selfie stick I found the most practical implementation was to machine gun the images on automatic everything and hope for the best because you just can't see what the camera is taking. Actually I found video works much better and I got some interesting video sequences. I did get some recognisable still images though nothing really usable. Of course, if you want to do it in deeper water I will happily lend you a mask, snorkel and flippers! 😁 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted March 9, 2019 (edited) Michael, I'll use preset manual focus and will lay on the pond edge whilst guesstimating subject distances … It's a learning exercise and prepared to make mistakes. The Swaddy pond has clear water and there are lots of pond snails near the edge to practice with 🙃 Unfortunately the X1 does not have a video mode. dunk Edited March 9, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted March 9, 2019 Share #4 Posted March 9, 2019 Interesting project Dunk, well done. Maybe the X1 is "not" the camera to use. The telescoping lens may prove to be too hard perhaps? I fondly recall using my old Digilux 4.3 many years ago for afocal photography (lunar/solar shots, and had to work around the telescoping lens assembly. It worked, but it was a challenge that nearly pushed me too far. If there is enough room for the Elpro to fit without causing the lens to retract all well and good. Maybe a rudimentary form of "FOV and distance" frame much like the early attempts at close up photography with the Barnacks? Good for keeping the brain active anyway. Keep us up to date with the results. Gary 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share #5 Posted March 9, 2019 (edited) Gary, There is plenty of room for the Elpro. Spacers may not be necessary if more PTFE tape is wound around the Elpro mount to enable a semi-permanent friction fit in the housing's lens tube. Currently it's a 'loose-ish' fit hence experimented with spacers … which enable different diopter strength Elpro lenses to be used … but likely can make do with just one semi-permanent Elpro. Plan to take mainly c/u images. dunk Another photo Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited March 9, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/295055-leica-x1-underwater-housing/?do=findComment&comment=3699090'>More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted March 9, 2019 Share #6 Posted March 9, 2019 So the Elpro is mounted "off the lens" Dunk? In the housing, with the lens close behind? Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted March 9, 2019 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) Correct Gary … it's not screwed onto the usual Kood filter thread adapter tube because the Kood accessory will not fit inside the Ewa Marine housing's lens tube. So the Elpro's mount is wrapped in tape to increase its diameter slightly … enabling a push fit into the front of the housing's lens tube … but it's pushed in from behind. The X1 monitor's live view image appears less clear through the u/w housing because it's viewed through the housing's relatively thick double laminated layer of PVC … but it's good enough for composition. dunk Edited March 9, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 9, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted March 9, 2019 Contrary to my original post, instructions were supplied and the kit also includes a special sachet of silica gel to use inside the housing - to prevent the optical window misting. The silica gel turns pink when it requires 'regeneration' to its original 'blue' colour - which is achieved by use of a hair dryer or low oven heat 130º C. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted March 17, 2019 (edited) After modifying the Ewa Marine housing's camera adapter ring, the X1 now slides in and out easily … with the Elpro VIb's 4.92 diopter optical module (i.e. minus the Elpro mount) attached to the X1 lens bezel via three small pieces of double sided tape. The housing was tried underwater today for first time using my kitchen sink … but sink is barely wide enough to permit closest focus . However, underwater housing was immersed in the sink and managed a few images of the immersed tin of sardines and cup … now confident that in a proper pond will be possible to obtain some usable results. The double sided tape is easily removed and does not compromise the camera lens' view through the Elpro achromat. Imagine the second image is a pair of half submerged mating toads … but you might need to stretch your imagination a bit 😱 Rome was not built in a day dunk Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited March 17, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire typo 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/295055-leica-x1-underwater-housing/?do=findComment&comment=3704468'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted March 17, 2019 (edited) To illustrate how the bare Elpro VIb achromat group i.e. without its mount, is attached to the X1 lens bezel via double sided tape . The layered double sided tape also serves as a 'cushion' against the slightly raised anulus on the bezel. The Elpro pulls off easily and the tape has sufficient adhesion to enable safe attachment without it falling off inside the housing. Does not look very elegant but it works and enables close focus. Contrary to #5 above, trying too use the Elpro complete with its mount inside the housing's lens tube caused problems when the X1 lens was extended … any slight misalignment resulted in a collision whence the lens retracted back into the camera. The Elpro optical group can be removed from its mount by unscrewing the retaining ring. dunk Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited March 17, 2019 by dkCambridgeshire 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/295055-leica-x1-underwater-housing/?do=findComment&comment=3704537'>More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted March 17, 2019 Share #11 Posted March 17, 2019 Excellent Dunk, well done. Not too much stretching of the imagination either. Look forward to the real thing. Gary 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted March 17, 2019 Share #12 Posted March 17, 2019 On 9 March 2019 at 9:47 PM, dkCambridgeshire said: Contrary to my original post, instructions were supplied and the kit also includes a special sachet of silica gel to use inside the housing - to prevent the optical window misting. The silica gel turns pink when it requires 'regeneration' to its original 'blue' colour - which is achieved by use of a hair dryer or low oven heat 130º C. A word of warning. Silica Gel which changes from blue to pink does so by the inclusion of Cobalt Chloride as a hydration indicator. Its poisonous and should no longer be used in this role. Current silica gel goes from orange to green with a harmless indicator. The Blue/pink version should be disposed of carefully as it is environmentally unfriendly. I am surprised that it was supplied as it should no longer be! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 17, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted March 17, 2019 Thank you Paul … It's a learning process … Housing was supplied new in a Ewa Marine box. … but might be 'old stock' as item could be discontinued. If this project works out I may buy a 'proper' u/w housing … proceeding 'softly softly'. Regards dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 18, 2019 Share #14 Posted March 18, 2019 (edited) Every X1 is a gem imo and more so year after year. (The availability of batteries for the x and the M8/9 in the future worries me a bit, though.) Makes sad to see a beautiful X1 exposed to such risk. Maybe considering to continue with a D-Lux or Pana in the Eva Marin? For very occasional snorkeling (and mostly for planned shooting in the rain) my Nikonos is working up to now, it is more replaceable than a good X1 and i'd use an old phone in an Eva if I wanted digital. + the scuba folks I know all use almost exclusively super-wide, saying that most sub-aquatic close-ups are practically indistinguishable from the ones taken through an aquarium's glass. Different thing of cause and visible to other marine specialists when documenting something unique which is unreproductible. Edited March 18, 2019 by tri Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted March 18, 2019 Aquariums are useful … Heather Angel uses them 'on location' … but I prefer the challenge of taking a photo in a natural habitat. Regarding exposing the X1 to 'such risk' … it's a digital tool camera and being electronic likely has a more finite life than e.g. an M3 or a 1A. And I enjoy stretching a camera beyond its normal limits … especially if it's a cost effective project with potentially interesting results. D-Lux or Pana cameras are fine (I have a 4 years old Leica C) but for exhibition prints, APS-C and FF cameras have the edge - especially as regards dynamic range. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 18, 2019 Share #16 Posted March 18, 2019 More love for X1 please Kind regards, Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 18, 2019 Share #17 Posted March 18, 2019 (edited) Even if you, like all divers, prefer the natural habitat, an excellent aquarist (I know a retired one, who worked for the local zoo) might take the challenge to produce indistinguishable macro-shots. Zoo mamals have a different look in their eyes due to captivity, fishes don‘t. And you would be amazed to see what these gentle men construct in their water-filled glass boxes. Edited March 18, 2019 by tri Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted March 18, 2019 Author Share #18 Posted March 18, 2019 ^^^ I'm not a diver and only interested in photographing underwater fauna and flora visible from the pond side … and without using an aquarium … especially as plan to photograph protected species which could be harmed by transferring then to an aquarium. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted March 18, 2019 Share #19 Posted March 18, 2019 4 hours ago, tri said: Zoo mamals have a different look in their eyes due to captivity, fishes don‘t. Actually fishes do look different in aquaria. I've seen 'old' fish in aquaria which look 'old' - something very rarely seen in the wild because 'old' animals rarely survive. And octopus which normally have a life span of around two years can last for three in aquaria. So taking shots in aquaria can show quite anomalous creatures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 18, 2019 Share #20 Posted March 18, 2019 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Octopus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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