Dealing with underwater housing - simple or not so

[jmq]

Jen - think I've seen your UW pix before and if I havent already given you the props you deserve, I am saying now WELL DONE!
I would need more patience, a presciption mask or contacts, and probably a weight belt to get those kind of results.

[CariBert]

d00d, read the message, straight KY is n0 g00d. Besides, its sticky. You have to use the good stuff, like Wet Platinum or Pjur.

Cheers, RickG

Oh.....do those come in 3 oz tubes? You know the restrictions for carry on.....LOL!

-Bert

[parafins]

I must add that I didn't have much of a problem with my camera fogging up,it was the Sony Handycam in it's underwater case that proved to be a big problem for me.Parafins....

[JC]

Pickle...a couple other things that I should mention! I have had much better luck when using the flash diffuser that comes with the housing...vs. not. It helps to prevent the light from the flash from directly reflecting off any particles that may be in the water!

Also...use the underwater setting programmed into your camera...it really does work!

[Pickle]

Thank you very much everyone for your great tips. I am taking notes and I'll take them with me to St. John.

I'm going to see if a silicon gel pack will fit inside the housing I got, but it does seem tight as liamsaunt said.

As you all know, an underwater housing is not cheap. I hesitated for a long while but finally went for it (I got it from amazon.com). Before my initial posting here, I couldn't help wondering if I would enjoy it more than being frustrated by it, but after reading all your encouraging comments, I am now officially excited and eager to try it. That will be in May/June. Hopefully, I can write some trip reports with a few decent photos.

Jen (aka JC),
Your underwater photos look great! Very patient and observant, indeed. Can't wait to see new ones taken by the same camera that I got.
By the way, the shark in your photo is not a Nurse but a Lemon - I can tell even without the head

[JJShaw]

I must add that I didn't have much of a problem with my camera fogging up,it was the Sony Handycam in it's underwater case that proved to be a big problem for me.Parafins....

I had no idea they made those for the Handy Cam..I guess I never thought about it..
Parafins, in your opinion, are they worth the trouble and costs? Any input would be appreciated...

[Dave-a-roni]

This is a good thread, VERY USEFULL info since just bought one for my camera for our next trip. I want to work out all the bugs before I get to STJ.

Dave