Bronica S2A Camera goes Underwater

Medium Format Underwater Photography Using Bronica S2a

Ikelite housing provides protection to medium format cameras such as this Bronica S2a down to 165 feet!

Large image view is provided by removing waist level finder and using magnifier lens. Full camera controls for focus, f-stop, and speed are provided, along with film winding and shutter triggering controls. A strobe connection is o-ring sealed, so underwater strobes can be connected or removed from the housing strobe connector underwater. Wide angle view ports are also available for a variety of lenses and wide angle adapters. An accessory handle-bar mounts under the housing, providing some lead weights to trim the buoyancy of the housing.

Ikelite also makes a variety of lens ports besides the standard flat port shown here. Dome-shaped bubble ports are especially popular when using wide angle lenses underwater. Wide angle lenses permit getting closer to large objects underwater, reducing the amount of water and light scattering particles between the camera and the object. Macrophotography ports are also popular, permitting the use of extension tubes behind the main lens.

A less expensive underwater housing alternative for those with limited budgets and a taste for more risk are various versions of the Ewa-Marine bags. These bags are thick plastic bags with a flat optical glass lens port bonded into the front of the bag. The bag is sealed with a locking metal strip (similar to a zip-lock bag). There is also a flexible glove bonded to the side of the bag.

In use, the camera and even a small strobe go into the bag and are sealed in with the locking metal strips at the top of the bag. The user puts their hand into the glove section, then goes underwater.

Hint: make sure the bag is pretty full of air when you start, as the air will compress as you go further underwater. Without enough air in the bag, you may find the controls harder to reach and use as the bag collapses around your hand. Even so, it can be practically impossible to get your hand out of the bag at depth, so plan your dives accordingly. You also may find more lead weight on your weight belt is handy, as these bags are buoyant! Once underwater, the user can use one hand to hold the bag (down) and the other hand in the glove to manipulate and fire the controls. At shallow depths, scenes are moderately well lighted by the sun, so underwater panorama shots are possible in very clear water. You can also mix strobe light from the bag to side-light a fish or reef critter, with sunlight over the reef in your shallow water shots.

How well does it work? I really liked this approach for shallow water photography (although I have taken 35mm Ewa-Marine bags to much more depth, beyond 65 and even 130 feet). These bags are not only low cost compared to housings (10+ times cheaper), but also pack flat in your suitcase. I often carried a 35mm version along during rain forest visits too, since even the worst downpour is not a problem with this setup. Unlike expensive plastic or metal housings, bags are not custom made to fit only a particular camera. So a medium format camera bag might easily fit a range of cameras, including Bronicas, Hasselblads, and Mamiya cameras.

Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998
From: David Swager SWAGDW@doe-md.gov
Subject: RE: EWA-Marine Housings

Aslan Motahedin gave a pretty good descriptions, but apparantly EWA has upgraded the bags in the last 10 years. Suggestions:

1. Do specify the camera and flash you intend to use when purchasing. I mention flash because you will most likely need/want flash if your diving below about 20 feet.

2. The bags now offer a screwdown to keep the camera in place so that the lens is viewing out the optical port and the flash out the flash port. This obviously a major improvement than having the camera sloshing around in the bag.

3. Always test the bag w/o the camera before each dive.

I've just recently been certified for diving and have with all my will power resisted the urge to buy underwater photographic equipment.

From: w.j.markerink@a1.nl (Willem-Jan Markerink)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: medium format underwater
Date: Mon, 08 Mar 99

rmonagha@news.smu.edu (Robert Monaghan) wrote:

>see http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/bronrollei.html (rolleimarin) and
>                                /bronuw.html  underwater housing for S2A
>
>few folks do med fmt underwater, as larger cameras and housings and
>limited amount of shots/roll generates less shots per dive than carrying
>several nikonos cameras etc. The risk of flooding is there, and given
>cost of cameras and lenses, this adds a lot to the long-term costs per shot.
>
>HTH - regards bobm

At one time in history, there even were swing-lens panorama cameras available for underwater use....now THAT'S interesting!....:-))

Btw, found an early-model Noblex 150.

How early?

Makes one wonder whether it has any additional collectors value....8-)) Only a few rolls went through, sat on the shelf ever since.

--
Bye,
Willem-Jan Markerink

From: w.j.markerink@a1.nl (Willem-Jan Markerink)
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Underwater Medium Format
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 99

"KO Hanlon" khanlon1@tampabay.rr.com wrote:

>Looking to purchase a underwater camera.  Don't like the 35mm pics I see all
>the time and would like to go to the medium format.  Anyone have any
>info/ideas on what systems/ cases are available?

I know someone who is trying to have a housing made for a Bronica ETRS with 70mm back....I guess such a bulk film back (70-80 shots or so) makes this a more efficient system than 120/220 or even 35mm....not even sure whether this Bronica can be fully 'autotransported'....only a Hassy 70mm or Rollei 600x 70mm have the same full automated potential. You might want to check my homepage for some info on 70mm, including an overview of systems offering a 70mm back/camera:

http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/mainpage.htm

Willem (pondering about a housing for his swing-lens panorama cameras) Jan

(posted & mailed)
--
Bye,
Willem-Jan Markerink

w.j.markerink@a1.nl
[note: 'a-one' & 'en-el'!]

[Ed.note: supplied for information only; probably long sold by the time you read this, but gives an idea of ewa marine bag features etc...]
rec.photo.marketplace.35mm
From: propix4u@aol.com (ProPix4u)
Date: Fri Jan 12 17:52:37 CST 2001
[1] FS: EWA MARINE Underwater housing f/ 35mm SLR's NEW $55.

here is a Brand New EWA MARINE UNDERWATER HOUSING for MOST slr's with motor or without.You can even add a flash on the side with a optional bracket if you like to use flash underwater. Strong and transparent double laminated PVC housing.Locked by 2 rails and screws.Saltwater proof.Permanently sealed optical glass window.weight is 14ozs. this is new and already has been tested at 33 feet.comes with strap and 49,52,55,58 and 62mm adaptor rings for your lens.shipping will cost $7 due to postage increase. I think its universal because i placed my nikon D1 EOS 1V and fits perfect with a lens that has upto 62mm diameter.MADE IN GERMANY. FOR MORE INFO CHECK THEIR WEBSITE. http://www.ewamarine.com .they are retailing for $149.95 new. any questions please email.have several left over.all im asking is $55.this is new .