Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/11/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 1:05 PM -0800 11/30/99, Mark Rabiner wrote: >Xavier Logean wrote: >> >> Hi, >><Snip> >> How do they work : is there a plastic or glass lens on the bag to fix >> on the lens of the camera ? >> >> Thanx >> >> Xavier > >Would condensation again be the issue? >Your camera needs to BREED! >Mark Rabiner >I can't BREED! Nothing to do with breeding (I've left a number of Leicas together for long periods of time, also 2 at a time in various combinations, and the number never increases - maybe it takes more than 6 together to breed??) but I do know about the 'plastic bags'. Apart from the basic plastic umbrella type of devices, or those that are left open at the bottom to stick your hands into, there are the Ewa-marine heavy vinyl bags, with glass ports and methods to align these ports with the lens. They have a 'glove' going into the bag with which you operate the controls. A sturdy clamping bar is used to seal the bag. I don't recall to what depth they are good for, but it's more than I normally snorkel, so probably at least 6 meters. Various shapes and sizes are made to accomodate everything from P&S to SLR's with 20-35 zooms and large flashes on top, or various camcorders. I have one that I've used for about 20 years, and last time I checked (about 2 years ago) it was still OK. I test them very thoroughly before going underwater, obviously. I tend to use an SLR with motor and autoexposure for the most part, and a lens in the 20 to 28mm range. Manual wind is sometimes difficult, especially at greater depths, as is measuing light. Results are OK, considering my relative lack of experience in underwater photography. They are also very useful when taking pictures on a boat, especially when it's windy and there is lots of spray, or canoeing, etc. You can usually determine the bouancy by varying the amount of air you enclose before tightening the clamping bar. For 'normal' winter weather here in Vancouver they are overkill, as they do make operating a camera more clumsy, so a plastic bag with opeinings for the viewfinder and the lens (held in place with rubber bands) is more suitable when the camera has to be out in the rain for extended periods. With Leica M's that's not necessay for me, as I carry the camera over my shoulder under the jacket, and only lift it out for the picture, but a big SLR with large lens doesn't always fit, so I have used the plastic bag on occasion. * Henning J. Wulff /|\ Wulff Photography & Design /###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com |[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com