I have been looking for the underwater housing for the XL1s for some time now and have been unable to find it. Can anyone direct in the direction to get a hold of it. I'd greatly appreciate it.

Mitch

We have three Gates Housings and are extremely happy with them. We didn't buy them for the XL because we need streamlined equipment for the type work we do underwater and the XL housing would have made the job more dificult.

The housings are exceptionally well made although they are a little pricey!

You can see our housings at http://www.rbravo.com/vsu_equipment.htm

The official Gates site is http://www.gateshousings.com/

Good luck, RB.

I cannot find any places online that actually sell it. Could you direct to someplace that it is sold so I can take a look. Also, how pricey is it? Could you give me an estimate for the XL1s. Thanks.

Mitch

Gates sell their housings through authorized dealers. You should be able to to find one on the website. Failing that, you can call Gates and speak to one of their people.

If I remember correctly, the XL housing was somewhere in the 3K-4K range depending on what accessories you order.

RB

I too have been looking into housing. The gates housing can be bought at BHPhoto, They range about 4-6k depending on the features.
As well Subal makes a housing running 4500.00, and equinox builds one that runs 2100.00. All of these looked like decent housing but I have issues with the weight. As a diver it works fine but shooting at the sutface makes these units to heavy for my applications

In the same line of questions has anyone used the Ewa-marine housings? I don't know if I trust a reinforced garbage bag but the price is right. My big concern is that I shoot surf video and don't think the ewa-marine product will provide protection against the waves or heaven forbid the reef. Although I'm toying with building an external protection case for the whole thing.

If any one has any ideas or suggestions please let me know

The EWA bag is more than enough protection from the waves, in fact, most are waterproof to 45 feet.

We use the EWAS for the XL-1s, VX-2000 and the TRV-950. They all work as advertised although the XL is very, very ungainly in the bag. I tend to use the other two cameras instead of the XL for surf shooting.

It will absolutley not protect it from hard contact with the reef, but, realistically, if the camera is in danger of being banged up by the reef, you porbably need more protection than it does. :)

RB

Thanks Rick
I'm glad to hear someone is using this for the same purpose as what I hope to use it for. To me however i don't think the case will provide protection against the impact of a wave. I tend to try and get the "stupid" shot as i call them as I'm usually the stupid idiot going over the falls as i try and put myself in odd positions to shoot from. Great shots but a lot of "Maytaging"
My main concern is having the eyepiece snaped off the camera by a wave. Do you think this is a possibility?
I was considering manufacturing a solid exterior to protect the camera and the ewa marine case I'll let you know how it turns out.
And yes I usualy wear protection when it gets bigger, gath helmet, and a Jet Pilot Attack vest. Or use a ski if it's getting really big.