Converting Regular Camera

[Morgan]

What do we need if we would want to convert a regular camera into an underwater camera? Is it good to do this or just buy an underwater camera?

[Lamebeaver]

You can get a waterproof case for some camera models, but in most cases you can't convert. A sealed underwater camera is a different animal.

[oldsarge]

Waterproof Sm/Med SLR Camera Case

[wvbreamfisherman]

When I was in college, (1976 :-O) A coupleof my budies were going on a dive trip to the Keys. We made a plexiglas case for a pocket camera, since waterproof cameras were hideously expensive at the time.

We cut and glued the plexiglas and sealed the removable door with silicone caulking which had to be replaced every time you changed film (remember film, kiddies?).

We used rubber washers on the levers which penetrated the case to advance the film and trip the shutter.

It actually worked pretty well down to about 20-30 feet, but it did leak a little, so you had to be careful not to let the camera get in the liquid. A dish sponge in the bottom helped keep it from sloshing.

I wouldn't go to that kind of trouble nowadays, but poor people had poor means LOL.

[Tony]

You are innovative to have created an underwater case from scratch. As someone said, necessity is the mother of invention and you wanted to capture pictures underwater but you don't have the means to have one so you made one.

Films? I never heard of those...

[ejdixon]

Originally Posted by wvbreamfisherman

We used rubber washers on the levers which penetrated the case to advance the film and trip the shutter.

OMG! It's been a long time since I've heard anyone talk about film cameras!

[Tubby]

I wouldn't even try. Talk about ruining a good SLR camera, that would do it. I would save up my money and buy a proper underwater SLR if you want to do a lot of underwater pics. You can also buy some good little digital cameras that are waterproof and disposable. I've seen them at bait shops.

[ejdixon]

I agree with Tubby. It would be better to save up for an underwater camera rather than just converting one. Even a bit of a leak is going to be enough to ruin a really good camera.