DiCAPac WPS10 Waterproof Case for SLR/DSLR Cameras 230 x 270 x 190mm

by DiCAPac

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 11 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00169HXW2
• Item model number: WPS10
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #9 in Electronics > Camera & Photo > Underwater Photography > Housings
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 21, 2008

Product Description

The DICAPac WP-S10 Waterproof Case will protect your SLR camera when you are using it at the beach, swimming, kayaking, skiing, fishing, sailing, snorkeling or diving. This is a PVC vinyl housing with a polycarbonate lens. It can be used with SLR cameras. The housing meets JIS IPX8 requirements for underwater usage.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for the occasional underwater shooter, January 8, 2009

By 

Gary Jean (Alexandria, Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: DiCAPac WPS10 Waterproof Case for SLR/DSLR Cameras 230 x 270 x 190mm (Electronics)

This case was a birthday gift and I must admit to some trepidation when submerging a Canon 5D body and 24-105 lens for the first time. Of course, the instructions advise testing the case first, which I did in the bathtub. It was bone dry inside, so I took the plunge with my camera inside. Here are my first underwater shots taken while snorkeling in the Crystal River of Florida: http://garyjean.zenfolio.com/p644207162

I set the camera up for "dummy mode" so that I wouldn't have to fiddle with controls. The shutter release was easy to operate. I could not get the zoom ring to turn, but it didn't really matter because wide angle was best for underwater shots anyway. A zoom lens left at wide angle, or a wide angle prime lens would be best.

The case seals at two points. A UV coated polycarbonate lens screws on to the case over the camera lens. At the top, you seal the case like a zip-lock baggie, then fold a flap over several times like a dry bag. This seals with velcro. Finally, a large velcro flap folds over the smaller flap. I would say that the case is more likely to leak from a puncture than from the seals.

It was difficult to see through the viewfinder with a dive mask on, so I mainly just pointed the camera at my subjects. Another reason why wide angle is the way to go.

I had no issues with the lens fogging, but some small packs of silica gel in the case to absorb humidity might be worth a try.

I think this case works about as well as one could hope at this low price point. I will test it before every use. Long term durability remains to be seen, but it seems as well made as any dry bag.

A separate flash would be nice, but that would require a big bucks case. In clear water, plenty of light transmits to the 10 feet depth I was shooting in.

In addition to underwater shooting, I will use this case to protect my camera while shooting from my kayak in rough water conditions. Of course, you could also use it in the rain. The downside is very limited ability to set your camera controls.

Overall, I can recommend this case for the person who only wants to shoot under water occasionally and who can't justify the expense of a dedicated hard case. I have no experience with waterproof point and shoot cameras, so that might also be a way to go.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You get what you pay for..., September 2, 2008

By 

Bart Willems (Elmwood Park, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: DiCAPac WPS10 Waterproof Case for SLR/DSLR Cameras 230 x 270 x 190mm (Electronics)

Hard shell cases cost thousands of dollars but give you full control. This bag is a little more than a Benjamin, and gives you almost no control over the camera.
It is hard to look through the viewfinder and virtually impossible to change any settings. So you'll have to set the camera to P-mode (or "automatic") and hope for the best. Even then you'll have to press the glass window against the lens to prevent vignetting. Dicapac is suggesting the existence of lens adapter rings (which would fix the position of the glass window against the front element) but I have not seen those yet.

So, despite all the shortcomings, four stars? Yes, because for a very small amount this bag WILL allow you to use your SLR under water. Although rated for something like 20' I would not try it out that deep, but I felt perfectly safe using it in a pool. Once the sealing is properly closed the camera is perfectly safe and I sense that the recommendation in the manual to test the bag in a bathtub (with a tissue inside the bag instead of a camera) is more to test the user's ability to close the bag properly (it is a bit tricky) than anything else.

Do not expect a perfect product - you will start to appreciate the specialized hard shells when using this. But it is still a great opportunity to use an SLR under water and for that I think it offers great value.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this!!!, September 23, 2008

By 

J. McMahon - See all my reviews
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This review is from: DiCAPac WPS10 Waterproof Case for SLR/DSLR Cameras 230 x 270 x 190mm (Electronics)

I bought one of these to take on a snorkelling trip. Despite having tested it repeatedly, it developed a leak around the lens ring the first time I used it in salt water, ruining my brand new $2000 camera. I would recommend either a $500 digital point and shoot, or a $1500 hard case underwater housing. This item simply isn't worth the risk. It may ruin your camera and your trip.