Hi folks

Anyone have or use the Ewa Marine VEX1?

ewa-marine*:*VEX1* (http://www.ewa-marine.de/index.php?id=549)

For occasional use underwater it looks very cost effective, so long as the quality is reasonable and it doesn't leak and wreck the camera. Any feedback from anyone who has used one?

Cheers, Nick

I've used it on the surface and just under. No problems. It was great. I sold my EX1 however for an EX3 and still have the housing. Interested in buying used? Email me.

I have one but haven't had a chance to use it yet. It seems like a lot of money for what it is in terms of material, but for what it does to protect your camera I guess it's the least expensive ready-made alternative. It seems like it'll do the job and I'm looking forward to getting mine out there in use. I got it for kayaking and some just-under-the-surface shots for backpacking while crossing rivers, etc. I'm also excited to trying it on my jib at the beach and having water crashing over my camera. You can't mount it with screws, so I'll have to get creative with bungie cords for jib and kayak.

where can you buy one and how much are they? the site didn't seem to have that info.


ETA: looks like B&H carries them for just under $900, but you also get a $50 B&H gift card with your purchase. Nice!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542895-REG/Ewa_Marine_EM_VEX_1_VEX_1_Underwater_Housing_for.html

Expensive, but they look cool. Any word on whether you can use the LCD with these or just the viewfinder?

Hi Trevor - I'm going to post mine in the classifieds here for $650 + shipping. I put my camera in it 3 times and used it in the water twice. I've sold my EX1 for an EX3, so it doesn't fit. It's EVF only - no LCD.

Cheers,
Zac

We've got a number of EWA Marine housings and they'e great as splash housings or for the very shallow dunk under the water where the seals don't go under. I'd worry a bit about the EXs overheating though even if just left on for a period of time in such a housing.

On the other hand we've also got an Amphibico housing for a HC7/9. That gives you full camera control and rear LCD viewfinder. Not suggesting that a HC9 is going to keep a serious bubble shooter happy however for the odd underwater shot it intercuts quite well with the above water shots from the EX and one does sleep better at night not worrying about an expensive camera getting waterlogged. We can confirm that any water in a camera means a new camera :(

Any word on whether you can use the LCD with these or just the viewfinder?

Yes, my EWA housing has a place for the LCD screen to be flipped out in the viewing position. As for overheating in the housing, I would definitely turn on the camera for the shots you need and turn it off in between. I would guess the surrounding cool water would help dissipate the heat as well. Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll be able to get some experience with it and provide some feedback.

Does anyone know of a place that rents these?