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Housing for surf photography

Started Apr 27, 2021 | Questions
Sergiorlph New Member • Posts: 1
Housing for surf photography

Hello everyone! I own an Ikelite housing for my Nikon D750, I just use it for my underwater photography work and I really want to use it for surf photography but before go into the water I want to make sure if that's a good idea. If there's any experienced surf photographer here with the knowledge who can help me I'll be more than grateful!

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Nikon D750
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kelpdiver Veteran Member • Posts: 5,564
Re: Housing for surf photography

Sergiorlph wrote:

Hello everyone! I own an Ikelite housing for my Nikon D750, I just use it for my underwater photography work and I really want to use it for surf photography but before go into the water I want to make sure if that's a good idea. If there's any experienced surf photographer here with the knowledge who can help me I'll be more than grateful!

we've seen a couple here over the years, but not a lot of surf photogs, so may be a bit of a wait for proper expertise to comment.

Your ikelite housing is rated for 5 atmospheres, so getting smacked around the surface should not pose a big threat, but for the fact that it could be a pretty abrupt change in pressure.   I also wonder if there is risk if you get in a wipeout and the housing goes into the washing machine.   A floaty housing could get thrown by a wave, hit the water, deaccelerate rapidly.   If the camera doesn't fit firmly in the housing, that could be bad.   But a sinky housing would disappear to the bottom right below the wave action, get tossed around whatever is there....bad if it is a reef break.

my gut say it's all fine, but would try to set up best success where you can protect it from such a swim.

Chris Kippax
Chris Kippax Regular Member • Posts: 480
Re: Housing for surf photography
1

Dont do it.

There is a large chance of a flood.

Is it a FL housing or a DL housing?

Buy an Aquatech or Salty surf housing. I would not dream of taking my Ike housing in decent surf. Hunt around for a used one they come up quite often.

I am only a beginner surf photogrpaher but have a lot more experience with scuba/freedive underwater photography.

I use an aquatech housing I modified to have an ikelite vacuum valve  the same as my ikelite 5ds FL hoiusing.

The best thing about the surf housing is you get ports to use long lenses like the 135 or 70-200 which are a no go in scuba housings.

If you have any question please let me know as I am happy to help if I can.

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