Re: [Paddlewise] camera housing

I would not trust the Pentax WP for significant water exposure. While  
it is probably fine for getting splashed, and maybe the occasional  
roll, I wouldn't trust it for many kayak scenarios. It is rated JIS-8  
(See below). Basically this is promising just slightly better than  
JIS-7. Note that 1 meter for 30 minutes says nothing about being  
splashed by a wave, which can be more severe. Also note the line in  
7d: "the water temperature does not differ from that of the equipment  
by more than 5 degrees Kelvin." A warm camera dropped in to cold  
water can suck water into the works. Also note that it says nothing  
about salt water. A lot of fresh water on electronics can be a minor  
problem, a little salt water can be a big problem.

I prefer the housing route as they are designed for indefinite  
immersion at deep depths, and any water that does get into the  
housing probably won't be hitting the camera under pressure.

from http://www.opticsplanet.net/water-proof.html :
Grade 8
Protected against the effects of continuous immersion in water.
Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be  
possible when the enclosure is continuously immersed in water under  
conditions which shall be agreed between manufacturer and user but  
which are more severe than for numeral 7.

Test conditions for Grade 8: continuous immersion subject to agreement
Unless there is a relevant product standard, the test conditions are  
subject to agreement between manufacturer and user, but they shall be  
more severe than those prescribed in 14.2.7 and they shall take  
account of the condition that the enclosure will be continuously  
immersed in actual use.

Summary of test conditions for Grade 8:
Test means: Immersion tank. Water level: by agreement.
Water flow rate: not applicable.
Duration of test: by agreement.

Grade 7
Protected against the effects of temporary immersion in water.
Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be  
possible when the enclosure is temporarily immersed in water under  
standardised conditions of pressure and time.

Test conditions for Grade 7: temporary immersion between 0.15m and 1m
The test is made by completely immersing the enclosure in water in  
its service position as specified by the manufacturer so that the  
following conditions are satisfied:

a) the lowest point of enclosures with a height less than 850mm is  
located 1000mm below the surface of the water;
b) the highest point of enclosures with a height equal to or greater  
than 850mm is located 150mm below the surface of the water;
c) the duration of the test is 30min;
d) the water temperature does not differ from that of the equipment  
by more than 5 degrees Kelvin. However, a modified requirement may be  
specified in the relevant product standard if the tests are to be  
made when the equipment is energised and/or its parts in motion.

Summary of test conditions for Grade 7:
Test means: Immersion tank. Water level on enclosure: 0.15m above  
top, 1m above bottom.
Water flow rate: not applicable.
Duration of test: 30 minutes.



On Jun 20, 2005, at 1:37 PM, Bob Denton wrote:


> I have a similar housing for my Olympus 6050 and have used it for  
> kayaking
> and scuba. It is bulky and a PIA on the surface.
>
> I just picked up a Pentax Optio WP which is rated waterproof for 1  
> meter for
> 30 minutes.
>
> http://www.ritzcamera.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay? 
> productId
> =13261111&storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001
>
> It does a great job and requires no bulky case or bag. I just keep  
> it in my
> PFD pocket.
>
>

Nick Schade

Guillemot Kayaks
824 Thompson St
Glastonbury, CT 06033
USA
Ph/Fx: (860) 659-8847
http://www.guillemot-kayaks.com/
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