26 replies to this topic

[NWDiver]

Came across this at another site. Possibly a decent "universal" DSLR housing. It would be nice not to have to get a new housing every time a new body comes out. Anyone heard of this outfit?

http://www.easydive.eu/eng/leo.html

Edited by NWDiver, 30 January 2010 - 07:53 AM.

[Paul Kay]

Well they mention port compatibility with 'Igloo' ports. I DO remember Igloo housings back in the days of Nikon F100s and F90s. Perhaps there is a link with Igloo?

[jcclink]

Do you really want electronic controls on your DSLR housing? I'll stay with my mechanical housing I think - much more reliable long term.

[Balrog]

It has to be said that, although somewhat more remote from the water interface, all DSLRs use electronic controls on the camera. The limited number of control penetrations may even result in a more reliable housing.

I think this is a good way forward although I would want to see more system maturity and features before personally investing.

Edited by Balrog, 31 January 2010 - 03:27 AM.

[scorpio_fish]

No one can guarantee forward compatibility, only backward compatibility.

[NWDiver]

Have always chosen Mechanical over Electronic and agree the controls look a little cheesy. But again love the idea of one housing that could take different cameras and not having to drop big cash every few yrs.

[Undertow]

the biggest problem is the lack of a magnifying viewfinder. the pictures show just a plastic window on the back. to me this is a deal breaker: try to look through your camera's viewfinder from 3-4 inches away, can't see squat.

[NWDiver]

Agree, but reading I think there assumption is everyone is going to "live-view"

[tdpriest]

One strobe bulkhead and no optical bulkhead suggests that this is aimed at the lower end of the market, as well as the caginess about ports and the absence of a magnifying viewfinder: a pity, really, as the construction looks quite impressive in the photographs.

Tim

[Udo van Dongen]

I had one of these in my hands last week at the BOOT show in Duesseldorf. I really like the idea of a universal housing and as long the camera physically fits and if can be remote controlled and it can be used in this housing.
The housing felt quit rigid and it's less bulky than an Ikelite, although the finishing is IMO somewhat shabby; for example, the electronics in the housing are cased in plastic and mounted with velcro. The maximum amount of controls will be 6 buttons on each side (12 total), which could be just sufficient.
Indeed a magnifying viewfinder is missing and i'm affraid you'll have to make your composition with live view. But maybe that works, i have no experience with that on a dSLR.
But i see a future for this type of housing: if it's finished better and with a replacable rear window that holds a viewfinder, two strobe sockets instead of one and some port adapters so you can use your own ports, it could be an interesting option and save you a lot of money in the future. Off course it needs to be reliable and usable and that will be a matter of time i guess. I could sacrifice 'some' ergonomics if i'd never had to buy a new housing anymore...
I realise that most uw shooters do not want to change what they're used to and neither do i, but on the other hand i think it's quit ridiculous that you have to spend 1000s of bucks with each new camera body that you buy although physical differences can be very small.

Udo

Edited by Udo van Dongen, 03 February 2010 - 01:24 PM.

[aczyzyk]

I have seen one of them last year. The concept is interesting but I am not 100% convinced.

I could get 2 brand new Ikelite housings or 2 seceond hand Sea&Sea for the same price. Also there is some fee when you change camera model (you need to send it back to be reprogrammed).

I'm not sure it will last forever. I mean, maybe 3/4 type cameras will get good enough to be an option (in very light tiny housing great for travel) or something completely new comes along.

For the moment I will stick with my current strategy to get second hand housings. That means I always stay one generation behind, but that is good enough for an amateur.

[dzwiad]

I have tried one of them before my aquatica purchase.

3 problems:

1. You cant feel the camera trigger, it is ok with video camera but not with dslr
2. Only les than dozen controls can be programmed so you cant change the curtain sync or white balance underwater if you want exposition compensation etc
3. it is more bulky and heavier than my ad700 (so try to air travel with it now)

Pros
it is well built, lens ports are good,
you buy it once then it lasts for longer, at least 2 camera changes,
with some luck you can use 2 different cameras

Edited by dzwiad, 05 February 2010 - 02:25 AM.

[cristiansub]

Well they mention port compatibility with 'Igloo' ports. I DO remember Igloo housings back in the days of Nikon F100s and F90s. Perhaps there is a link with Igloo?

The site of the old company "Underwave" is off line.
I Have an Igloo housinge with some ports, and the italian company "Isotecnic" www.isotecnic.it make a modify for use the housinge with Nikon D80, D90, D200, D300, D700.
The modify housing work very well.

For the Easydive housing I have see and test in air the electronic control but I don't like it, you don't feel the shot button and there is a button for AF and an other for the shot.


Hello,
Cristian.

[tamas970]

Sorry for reviving this old topic, has anyone gathered more recent experience? The company is apparently doing well, I am looking to enter the full-frame world but without the horrific costs of a housing change every 2-3 years. Besides, the cost of their housing is cheaper than any offering on the market for the Sony A7 I am eying at!

[dbriccolani]

hi to everyone, i'm a happy user of easydive "universal dslr housing"..i've a "Leo 3"...and before the "leo2"...i'm not a photographer, i'm a videomaker and i'm using this housing with 3 differnt body..canon 5d MKII, Canon 5D MKIII, and Canon 60D...you need only a firmware upgrade and dedicated mounting bracket fo add any kind of body of Canon and Nikon reflex...total i think less of 150 € ..Why electronic control for your DSLR?..because the button position is the same for all bodies!!!..because you can use this housin at -150 meters depth!!..because you dont need to buy one housing for each body camera...a lot of money saved!!!

Two of my recent films are now at Marsiglia underwater film festival...and yuo can see some of my "light" work on my youtube channel..Davide Briccolani.

If anyone wants to contact Easydive for more information you can contat the live chat at the costumer web site...

http://www.easydive.it...

 

[izanbar]

I am user of Leo Easydive since 2010. I changed 5 cameras (from Nikon d300 to d810) and still use the same housing. I am very happy with it and the new software is rialable and incredible fast. I am using now the new Leo 3 for sea lion shooting here in Mexico and the improved version is superb. I raccoon and it, I used other housing but this is the professional one and the cheapest one, considering that you use it for several different cameras.
I am user of Leo Easydive since 2010. I changed 5 cameras (from Nikon d300 to d810) and still use the same housing. I am very happy with it and the new software is rialable and incredible fast. I am using now the new Leo 3 for sea lion shooting here in Mexico and the improved version is superb. I raccomand it, I used other housing but this is the professional one and the cheapest one, considering that you use it for several different cameras.

Edited by izanbar, 25 October 2015 - 10:27 AM.

[Ruggero]

I started using the Easydive Leo II in 2012  , when started my adventure as underwater photographer ; last year left the old one and purchased the new

Leo 3 that I used for about 70 shooting sessions both macro and wide angle both with my old 600d and with the new 7d mark II .

The first clear advantage is the huge money saving.....considering that the price of the Leo 3 is a little cheaper compared to the competitors and (most

important) that the housing fits most part of the cameras (past , present , future)

Another important thing to be considered is that even if you turn from one camera to another one you do not have to change your 'way of shooting'

because the buttons are always in the same place , this is really useful if you for example have two different camera brand .

 

The housing is really well designed , two orings on the back guarrantee the perfect closure and there are obviously less holes than a mechanical housing

(this means there is less risk of flooding) and 100% of the orings are made of NBR rubber (the black one to be clear) and are commercial dimensions  , so you 

do not have to use particular greases or to get crazy finding a spare part . 

The shape of the handles is really well designed so you have a good grip and it is easy to change position between horizontal and vertical ; furthermore the

big volume of air inside allows you to have a good buoyancy even without floating arms.

 

Elecronic buttons together with the newest firmware allows a great speed in shooting and changing the various parameters (maybe faster than mechanical buttons) ; batteries used to 'feed' the electric parts are AAA (both disposable and rechargable) so you do not need any particular charger or battery pack.

 

An other important thing is that the manufacturer gives you a lifetime warranty , and in case you need is able to cusomize the housing following your needs 

[tamas970]

@dbriccolani, izanbar, Ruggero: Thanks for all the feedback! I see they have a range of ports available, while they offer converters as well.

Is it recommended to use their ports or rather go for the adapter and get "more traditional" alternatives, like Ikelite, Zen & co? I have a cost efficient

source for Ikelite ports...

I'll ask them if they see any possibility to mount Nikonos lenses (like Nauticam does it in their NA-A7II). This would be a dealmaker for me!

 

I am thorn between the basic (Leo3 wi) and the mid-model (Leo3):

+The Leo3 has 105mm port opening - definitely plus for larger optics, more chance to mount nikonos lenses.

+Compatible with FF DSLR-s - "just in case".

+maybe enough room for external battery/grip for the camera if it is a smaller piece?

-heavier (+1kg)

-more expensive (+800EUR)

 

I think the deciding factor will be the port opening size, I have to do some research if the lenses I collect in the 4-5 years future (including maybe a

nikonos 13mm if I get lucky) will fit.

 

BTW the "camera upgrade" option got quite pricey, is it possible that one can get away with a simple (and free if the USB-dongle is available) FW update

in case the new camera doesn't need a higher/lower "stand"? I guess the sensor/bayonet position of a Sony A7 and the A7rII is not much different,

same goes for control commands within a brand.

Edited by tamas970, 25 October 2015 - 03:59 PM.

[dreifish]

Hmm... three new members chime in to laud the housing, all from Italy, all within hours of each other, and all three with just one single post? Does noone else find that a little.. suspicious?

[tamas970]

Anyway, the company isn't without history, here is a review on the predecessor LEO2: http://wetpixel.com/...-leo-ii-housing

Longer term (couple of months) use with stability, corrosion etc still need an answer.