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DEMA 2008: Watershot
Last Update: 25 October 2008 01:09 AM
1 comment(s)
Author: Eric Cheng ( echeng )
This Article's URL: http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/dema-2008-watershot/
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WATERSHOT
October 22, 2008 - 4:59 PM
Steve Philbrook showed me a prototype Watershot housing, a new brand he is developing that will be distributed through Blueline Products. The Watershot Canon Rebel XSi housing is made out of machined aluminum, and will come with a port, kit zoom gear (rubber), and strap for $1,995 retail (a great price for a machined housing bundle).
The Watershot housing has port adapters for INON ports (support for other ports is planned), 2 optical bulkheads (electrical bulkheads optional), an optional handle, and support for INON viewfinders. A special focus gear adapter and shutter lever extender come with the optional handle and augment those controls to make them more easily accessible from shooting position.
It’s nice to see new low(er)-priced housings coming out with build quality similar to housings that are much more expensive. However, housings also have to work well and be robust to succeed, and our market is relatively slow to accept new brands. If the Watershot works as advertised, it will compete very well against similarly priced housings.
The Watershot has been tested to 60m, but Steve has plans to test it at 100m, and thinks it will pass without problems. It ships in mid-December, and more models are planned.
 Steve Philbrook with Watershot housing for Canon XSi |
 Watershot housing for Canon XSi, with shutter lever extender and zoom knob extender |
 Watershot housing for Canon XSi |
 Watershot housing for Canon XSi |
 Watershot housing for XSi. Notice simple optical slave reflectors at the bulkhead. |
 Watershot mounting plate for Canon XSi |
 Watershot housing for Canon XSi |
I thought that this was an impressive little housing. It is keenly priced, very small and well made. The basic model is without the handles and it is easy to grip with one hand. With a single strobe this would be an ultra-compact DSLR rig.
Their Nikon ones won’t be so streamlined (on top) because of the need to accommodate a fully popped up flash for the fibre optic TTL.
Posted by Dr. Alex Mustard on 10/28 at 07:20 AM