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Bonaire Photography & Videography: Underwater Housings -- Olympus C-5050
Bonaire Talk: Bonaire Photography & Videography: Archives: Archives 2006- 2007: Archives 2006-08-01 to 2007-12-31: Underwater Housings -- Olympus C-5050
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (BonaireTalker - Post #28) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 10:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I am planning a trip to Bonaire the first week of May 2007.

I am looking at the Olympus PT 015 and the Ikelite 6130.55 Housings for my Oly C-5050 camera.

I only snorkel and do not expect to utilize the TTL capability of the Ikelite case.

I believe that both cases are double O-ring seals?

As both appear to have been discontinued it looks like I will have to buy one of them used.

Does anyone have experience with the seals of the Ikelite case versus the Olympus case.
Ease of use closure and reliability.

Also, I found a replacement O-ring for one of the PT-015 O-rings [didn’t say which one] but I have not found a source for the Ikelite O-ring(s). Any suggestions.

Have any of you had leakage problems [minor or major?] with either case?
I would probably give up both snorkeling and underwater photography if I end up damaging my old reliable C-5050. Any thoughts on how to minimize my risk of doing so [other than staying home] would be appreciated.

I do plan to test the housing in a bucket of water and then overnight at the bottom of a swimming pool before putting the camera in it.

Also, when flying do you lock it tight or leave it unlatched ?

Bill

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Myers (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #338) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 12:59 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have an Ike case for my Oly C4040 and have never had a problem with leakage. It uses a single O ring. The clear housing makes it very simple to check the quality of the O ring seal before entering the water. IMHO Ike housings are more robust (read stronger and better built) than the Oly housings. I fly with my housing unlatched, no problems with pressure differences that way. My wife has an Oly housing for her Oly point and shoot. she has not had any problems with it. O ring maintenance is key to no leaks. And by the way, I will be there the same time as you.

(Message edited by grunt on November 17, 2006)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1758) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 3:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

My husband has the Oly PT-015 for his 5050. It's quite rugged, and the double o-rings make for a pretty reliable seal. There's plenty of room in it to place a few silica packs, too.

It's very sturdy and is much better made than my Canon housing (for my A95), which ended up getting cracked on the clasp, granted my own stupidity for hanging it down on a rope tied to a piling when there was a bit of surge.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #472) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 6:36 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Have had a pt 015 for my c5050 for several years. I've never had a problem with it. At least at the time I priced both housings (new) the cost of the Ikelite housing over the Oly housing wasn't worth it, as it was almost enough to replace the camera if there was a leak.

BTW, there are 4 Oly housings on ebay at the moment. There's also an ikelite with TTL connection (current high bid $152). For that price I'd have gotten the Ikelite (it was $600 new).

-David

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gord Alder (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 6:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

If you decide on the Olympus housing check ebay, Olympus has their own store.
http://stores.ebay.ca/Olympus-Auctions_Underwater-Housings_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ19QQftidZ2QQtZkm

Very cheap shipping, and you might find a new housing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #473) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 6:46 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I just re-read your post. For snorkeling depths and without a strobe the Oly housing would be more than adequate. The ikelite is rated to 200 feet, the Oly only 130. It takes me maybe 5 minutes to set up my housing before a dive. I have a 6-pack size Coleman plastic cooler with a tight fitting lid that I fill with water and use as a camera bucket for shore dives (yes, I leave the cooler in the truck, and it has never been touched). When I fly the camera goes in the housing, the housing goes in the cooler and I carry it on the plane with me as my "small personal item" in addition to my carry-on bag.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #474) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 6:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Both o-rings are identical on the oly housing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Meredith Lynch (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #171) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 8:22 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi William,

I too have the OLY housing and have used it for my 5050 for 4 years and never a problem

Susan at Pasa bon Pizza has a friend that has this housing that she wants to sell....I talked to her at length one evening last month because she noticed my camera setup. Maybe someone on this board knows how to get in touch with her?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Becky (back to PADI spy) Hauser (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #934) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 10:10 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

To contact Susan, do a search for "Susan (BSDME)"
when you find a post with her name in it... click on her name to bring up her profile and then contact her via a private message through the board.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Becky (back to PADI spy) Hauser (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #935) on Friday, November 17, 2006 - 10:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Ok, I just tried my own advice... it didn't work very well. I'll contact Susan and direct her to this thread. Much easier that way.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (BonaireTalker - Post #29) on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 2:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks for the inputs. So far all seem positive with no one bemoaning that their "camera flooded"

I was already, and will continue, to watch the bids on E-bay. The Ikelite housing is now at $202 with 23 hours left. Looks like a small bidding war is in process. I will probably pass on the Ikelite case and concentrate on the PT-015. The Ikelite may be a bit of overkill for snorkeling

No one has mentioned "replacing the O-ring[s] with new ones although there were references to housing being 3 or 4 years old.
I believe Olympus recommends once a year replacement whether the housing is used or not. What prep and what post dive procedures do you use to maximize the life of the O-rings? Do you remove and store them separately from the camera?

Bill


 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #475) on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 3:25 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill,

I replace the O-rings yearly. I remove them check and lube them with silicone grease before each day of diving (I don't do it if I just open the housing to change the batteries between dives). A dab of grease inside a ziplock bag spread to form a thin film is the ideal tool for applying O-ring grease. The housing should be stored with O rings in place.

David

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Susan - "BSDME" (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #351) on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 5:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

William,
You have mail,
Susan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #624) on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 10:43 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have the PT-15 as well. It's done nicely for me. I would HIGHLY suggest that any housing you buy, used or other wise should be tested before putting your camera in it. The best way is to have a dive shop pressure test it or have a diving friend to take it to depth WITHOUT the camera, working the controls to make sure it does not leak. Most all floods are caused by the user, not seal failure. Any small object can and will cause a flood. Sand and hair are two of the worst offenders. I replace the O-rings about once a year and both of them are the same. The grease is to lubricate them so they slide and not roll into place, they should be lightly coated. Globs of grease will increase the chances of a flood by holding bits of sand or hair. I never open the housing on the beach or boat. The best place to open it is in your room to avoid wind blown trash on the O-rings. Inspecting the entire O-ring and seating surface with a magnifying glass before shutting the case is a good idea. It may be excessive but I don't want to lose my 5050.
Don't allow the housing to dry out with saltwater on it. If it does, be sure to soak it well before moving any controls because the dry salt crystals can cut the control O-rings. I carry a large plastic bag with t-shirt soaked in cool water to place the housing in after a dive. Do not allow the housing to set in the sun...ever. The housing should be soaked in warm clean water for a good while before opening it.
Hope these tips help.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Nader (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - 9:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill,

We just returned for our trip to Bonaire and I have to sadly report that my Ikelite case did spring a leak, and total my camera. I have used this case on several dives and this was only the second dive on this trip. On the previous day I took the case and camera on a nice dive to 60+ feet with no problems and all went. The next day on the first dive I was recording at the start of the dive and all was fine until we got to 72 feet and I could see the case starting to take on water. I went up to 60 feet and the leak stopped, but it was too late for the camera as it was now in about 2 inches of water in the case.

After careful investigation it appears that on of retaining bolts that hold the handle and weight on the case was the source of the leak. I can clearly see a hairline crack around this bolt. In addition it seems that the leak is pressure sensitive as the leak immediately stopped at around 60 feet, otherwise the case should have been completely full by the time I surfaced and swam to shore. The O-ring seal was properly maintained as other users have suggested. So, you may want to be sure that you inspect very, very carefully any parts of the case that have controls and components going thru, as this along with the O-ring seal are the most likely source of problems.

In closing I would think as you will not be stressing your case as much as one would see on a dive your risks of this kind of problem are greatly reduced.

Happy diving,

George

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By William Gates (BonaireTalker - Post #33) on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 9:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

George:

Wow! What a miserable way to start your trip! It would be depressing enough if the case had leaked on the last dive of the trip [at least you would have had some expensive pictures] but at the beginning of the trip is really the pits. As you noted, I am a snorkeler and thus much less likely to incur stress induced cracks. O-rings and latch are my main concerns. The Olympus case [I purchased one used] has a rather puny little peg to lock the latch and the little peg on mine is bent {I?m embarrassed to admit that I am the one who bent it.] .
On my tests in water [empty] the latch handle opens about an eight-of-an --inch [1/3rd of a centimeter] with resultant leakage. If the camera had been in the case, I would have damaged it. I plan to improvise a fix and test it again [empty] on an upcoming trip to Hawaii before my May trip to Bonaire. I am very fond of my Oly-5050 [The manual controls, remote shutter and the slave flash capabilities especially] and I can?t imagine a week on Bonaire without it. I guess I will bring a cheap backup just in case . I have the Oly D-560 with none of the features that I just mentioned . Again, sorry to hear of your loss.

Bill

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Nader (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 12:08 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Bill,

thanks for the kind words. I hope you are able to seal your case so as you can enjoy your trips.

George

 


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