38 replies to this topic

[adamhanlon]

Hi Roger,

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but Amphibico's owner has shut the housing manufacture operation down, and is not seeking to sell it.

I quote from an email from him:

....because we are closing up Amphibico now. The market has changed so severely, new camera technology in the video camcorders has not kept pace with the DSLR's, spending in the market has decreased hugely and I would have to invest very heavily in new R&D to see returns only in 3 or 4 years. I just turned 64 so I'm not interested in doing that.

There is still a ready second hand market though-I would suggest posting ads here on Wetpixel and on other underwater videography oriented sites.

Sorry again.

Adam

[jonny shaw]

That really is crappy news,

I feel for you Roger.

[jackpolanen]

Very sad for the brand. I bought my first housing DiveBuddy II in 1995. After that in 2006 I bought the Evo for my HDR-HC1. Specs on their website said 'manual focus'. Housing arrives, no manual focus, just 'Focus lock'. A long discussion, but they were not willing to take back the housing of do some sort of compensation. A few days later they changed the txt in to 'focus lock'. I guess they thought I had a point!

April 19 I mailed JC and told about my lensport problem. Without any hesitation he said, "just send it in and I'll send you a new one for free". Wow... that's great I thought. But 'if an offer looks to good to be true, it ...is!! I send in my lens and from that moment, no more contact with Amphibico. Old lens gone, no new one.
JC just send a mail that he was no longer employed by Amphibico since April 21... Wait a minute, April 19 - April 21? Mmmm...

I think it's very sad they are out of business, but things like this don't happen just like that. Also the generosity about the new lens? They guy who ordered for 6K and didn't receive his order? I've got a bad taste in my mouth.
Light & Motion / Gates... see you soon.

To all who lost their gear and money. That's life, shit happens. Let's all just buy gear and dive!

It's much better down there... It's a better place! (Enzo, Le Grand Blue.)

[CDMM]

What a bummer, just gone and dinged by 94 degree port in the Red Sea and the UK supplier cannot even get spares for their own rental Phenoms. Still have the flat port but will have to hope nothing goes wrong with the rest of my housing!!!

Here is hoping someone takes over the company.

Roger

I am at five hours drive from Montreal and I have the same probleme.
I am diving four time a week for a live interpretation activity.
I am just hoping that my housing will be OK for the end of the season.

Stéphane

[chilbal]

I think it's very sad they are out of business, but things like this don't happen just like that. Also the generosity about the new lens? They guy who ordered for 6K and didn't receive his order? I've got a bad taste in my mouth.
Light & Motion / Gates... see you soon.

To all who lost their gear and money. That's life, shit happens. Let's all just buy gear and dive!

It's much better down there... It's a better place! (Enzo, Le Grand Blue.)

Just have to tell, that Paypall did a great job and I got my 6 K back, because I made a made a claim to Paypal.
After a few weeks, I got my money back, and today I have a Gates house for my Panasonic POV – great house

Edited by chilbal, 31 August 2011 - 12:34 AM.

[Steve Douglas]

Glad you were able to get your money back and that Pay Pal came through. Too bad that others who lost money with H20 Photo weren't as successful. You made the right choice on your new housing as well. Congrats
Steve

[Viz'art]

Good news for Amphibico owners: Aquatica has finalized the last detail in the acquisition of Amphibico, for more info you can contact usat info@aquatica.ca
 Aquatica_AMPH_Release_v1.pdf   443.79K   145 downloads

[Poliwog]

Congratulations to Aquatica on the acquisition. It looks like the perfect fit for the two companies involved.

[scorpio_fish]

Deja Vu all over again. About 10-12 years ago if I recall, there was this camera housing company.....

I figured there was value there for someone already in the business.

Good news for Amphibico owners: Aquatica has finalized the last detail in the acquisition of Amphibico, for more info you can contact usat info@aquatica.ca
 Aquatica_AMPH_Release_v1.pdf   443.79K   145 downloads

[manatee19]

A loooong time ago, Aquatica people founded Amphibico....

Who said that the earth was round..?

Congrats guys....

Michel

PS: My spy in Orlando tells me Jean is coming to DEMA in an Amphibico/Aquatica coloured private jet...

[Viz'art]

A loooong time ago, Aquatica people founded Amphibico....

Who said that the earth was round..?

Congrats guys....

Michel

PS: My spy in Orlando tells me Jean is coming to DEMA in an Amphibico/Aquatica coloured private jet...

It will be a jet, but economy class (the cargo flight was full already).

[Steve Williams]

Congrats to your team Jean, I'm thinking this is a big win for the Amphibico owners.

Cheers,
Steve

[wagsy]

Great to hear, hope it all goes well.
More years left in the Phenom yet then..

[Steve Douglas]

Just emailed the URL to some Amphibico enthusiasts who will be overjoyed with this news.
Steve

[Harry Remmington]

Val Rannikin had a vision for the Company but Ron Hand was only on a fat cat ego trip....you only had to read between the lines on his self awarded S.O.L.O. project.

Edited by Harry Remmington, 01 October 2011 - 05:17 AM.

[Drew]

Harry, your first post on shouldn't be about insulting someone. That's bordering on a personal attack, which is not allowed on Wetpixel.

[Harry Remmington]

Harry, your first post on shouldn't be about insulting someone. That's bordering on a personal attack, which is not allowed on Wetpixel.

Sorry Drew please pull it as I don't seem able to edit it

[jackpolanen]

That really is crappy news,

I feel for you Roger.

And the good news is... Aquatica does a very good job! I send a mail to Joe about the problems I had in the last few days Amphibico was 'on air'. Joe replyed that he would see if he could solve it for me. To be honest..., after what happened, I didn't expect much of it. Last week though Joe mailed me that he had a lens for me.
Today I received my Fedex parcel with the lens so I'm very very happy! 2morrow dive dive dive ...!
Thnx Joe!

[TheRealDrew]

And the good news is... Aquatica does a very good job! I send a mail to Joe about the problems I had in the last few days Amphibico was 'on air'. Joe replyed that he would see if he could solve it for me. To be honest..., after what happened, I didn't expect much of it. Last week though Joe mailed me that he had a lens for me.
Today I received my Fedex parcel with the lens so I'm very very happy! 2morrow dive dive dive ...!
Thnx Joe!

I am not someone who was Amphibico (Been Gates on video and Aquatica on stills) and bought my equipment from both companies all along. All I can I say is that when I have spent my money on UW items, both companies have treated me very well and I would not think twice about buying the products of either of them. And I was buying before I was a mod here or did anything else. Actually come to think of it, maybe I should hit them up for some things

Kidding aside, as a shooter, they really work hard to make customers happy.