Customer Reviews

Canon WP-DC21 Underwater housing for Canon G9 Digital Cameras

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I loved being able to take my camera snorkeling and diving with me and having all my controls available to me! Three things of note before using this device: 1-get the weights that attach to it (it floats and is difficult to control without them), 2-create some kind of easy-on, easy-off system for the camera's neckstrap as you have to remove it each time you place in the housing, and 3-go online and find out how to white balance your camera for underwater (far better results than just using the default underwater setting).

This is a nice, compact, functional housing that works very well for still photography. I've used mine to 150' without any mechanical or leak problems. However, users should be aware that when using the video capabilities of the G9 camera, there is a fair amount of audio "creaking" resulting from case compression that gets recorded along with the video.

I am an avid Photographer and own a few Canon cameras, so I am very familiar with the quality of most of their products. Still, I was surprised at the superior quality of this housing for the relative low cost. It fits my Canon G9 perfectly and most of the controls can be accessed easily. The flash diffuser works amazingly well. If you shoot a flash photo without it, you'll see a pronounced shadow on the lower right of the photo, caused buy the lens part of the housing being in the way. Add the diffuser and problem solved! Only 2 negatives; there should be a protective rubber lens cover to protect the lens window when carrying or storing. (I would even be willing to buy one if Canon decides to make it) Also you can't control the thumb wheel on the back of the G9 while it's in the housing. This only restricts the use of manual focus and manual exposure compensation while in the housing.
With all that said, I have used the housing while kayaking, tested it for leaks, but have not yet used it underwater. I'll update this review after I do.
The photos I've taken with it are only slighly inferior to those taken without. I am very pleased.

Update: I took some underwater shots in the pool, they look great!

After one thousand underwater photos in Read Sea and Maldives Islands, I am still very happy.
The light of the flash of the camera is very well distributed (even if it works as far as 1.5 meters/4 feet), and no artifacts come to the G9 lens even against sun light.
All the commands of the G9 are usable, even if sometime I had to study the 273 pages of the G9 manual for a "backdoor" solution.
For the best result, apply the old "Nikonos" techniques: manual exposure, 1/60, flash (when subject is less then 4 feet from you) and play with the aperture and ISO.
Most I used 100ASA/f5.6. Try also other combinations (light condition varies from place to place) until you will be satisfied then apply your best guess before to start the diving - underwater there are a lot of think to care, and usually there is no time for changing settings. Use the Underwater filter of the G9 also with the flash.
I am so satisfied that I did not use my Nikonos anymore.

The housing is very effective for the price. Only complain is that macro shots are near impossible with a flash from the size of the tube when using the internal flash even with the diffuser. Need an external flash for macro shots.

We were going down the Colorado river thru the Grand Canyon in 6-person, full-paddle rafts over the 4th of July holiday. My friends' cameras were being slaughtered left & right. Many due to "supposedly waterproof" platic pouches. Some due to wind-storms. Some due to damage on rocks.

Basically, I watched 7 cameras die (out of 12)... including another guy's Canon G9. I wanted to cry.

Thanks to this case, I never, ever had a worry. I took it underneathe waterfalls... it videotaped the rapids... it spent the night in a sandstorm. Perfect picture. No distortion.

If you care about your camera and are going near the water, BUY THIS CASE.

If you don't care enough to spend the extra $75 for this case (versus a generic product)... you don't deserve a G9!

This case is awesome! That's all there is to it. You get access to all the controls on the camera except for the thumb-wheel control on the back, but you can still do everything since you have the directional buttons to navigate the menu. It of course makes the whole camera bigger and heavier, but it doesn't really effect the usability or handling of the camera at all. I got this for taking diving and snorkeling, but after touching and handling it, I'm going to even use it on the beach too!

Surprisingly, the case doesn't noticeably effect the image quality, as long as you use the included flash diffuser. Without it, the glare from the flash naturally goes everywhere, and looks horrible.

One thing Canon could have done better is the icons on the back for the various buttons. They are made from slight raised icons, but they are not colored in any way, making them VERY hard to read. They used yellow markings to identify the case at the top, I would have thought they could have colored the icons.

Canon doesn't sell silicone grease, or silica gel packets to toss in the case, but you really should. The silica gel packets will absorb any moisture inside the case that may occur due to temperature shifts and condensation. The silicone grease is a necessity for keeping the o-ring in good condition. Olympus sells both of these, and it's worth the $10.

finished 2 weeks in cayman. little and grand. housing and the G9 worked very well. no problems with the housing or camera. do get the weight kit that goes w/ it.

Took this case diving the other day, takes fantastic pictures and worked great to 100 feet. Didn't try any deeper. One big flaw. Because the housing extends forward around the barrel of the camera, the bottom right hand one third of your picture does not get exposed to the flash. Not a real big deal because the camera takes pretty good pictures without the flash even at 70 feet, but if you're looking to do any serious underwater flash photography, I'd recommend an external strobe.
Bottom line, though, it kept the camera dry and almost all the controls are accessible. I was pleased.

I purchased this underwater housing two weeks ago, and traveled to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico last week. I had the fun of being able to snorkel right on the beach at our resort where I could test this new little gadget. I must say I loved it!!!! I have always taken cameras on vacations as most of us do, but been very hesitant to take my camera near pools or ocean beaches because of water and sand. Not anymore!!!! This little jewel performed lovely! One of my friends said I had an "aquarium" for my camera. It is a "cute" and colorful addition to my G-9.
It was fun to be able to carry my camera into the ocean and take photos of my kids IN the ocean with me, rather than me being on the beach away from them.
All the of the turquoise green buttons allow you to use almost every button and dial on the camera itself.
Though I have a couple of negatives, I will say upfront, they are not reason not to buy it!! If you want to take photos with your G-9 near or in water...BUY IT!!!!
Now negatives
It was difficult seeing the viewfinder while snorkeling. In shallow water the sunlight reflects on the housing making it somewhat difficult to see the viewfinder. I found myself many times just pointing at a fish and snapping photos without seeing exactly what I was shooting.
I had as many blurry underwater pics as I had in-focus pics, but in the digital age, thats what the erase button is for.
Be sure and purchase the weights that go with the camera as others have stated. It does make it heavier out of water but easier while in water.
I do wish that Canon made a lens cap for the housing lens, I found myself smudging it often with suntan lotioned fingers.
I got many looks from beach goers as I carried my little "aquarium" with me. BUY IT!!!! you will not regret it!!