Fuji WP-FXF30 Underwater Housing for Fuji F30 & F31fd Digital Cameras

by Fuji

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 5.9 x 3.9 inches ; 11.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000G644IM
• Item model number: 15694040
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 22, 2006

Product Description

Go deep for that unique shot with this underwater housing designed exclusively for the FinePix F30 & F31fd digital cameras. With a polycarbonate shell body and tempered glass lens window, this underwater housing is designed for depths of up to 130 feet (40 meters). The internal flash can be used underwater (removable diffuser included).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rated to 40 meters..., October 12, 2006

By 

PKube (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fuji WP-FXF30 Underwater Housing for Fuji F30 & F31fd Digital Cameras (Electronics)

The prior reviewer was very wrong with his "15-feet" depth-rating conclusion. Several places (including the web site) state 40 meters.

Additionally, you can generally tell from the photos whether the housings are rated for snorkeling (e.g. 5-20 ft) or scuba diving (80-150 ft) by the beefiness of the seals and plastic. Pricing for the lightweight snorkeling cases are under $100, too. This housing is pretty clearly rated for scuba.

It appears equivalent to the Canon underwater housings both in build and price (which I have used), but you get the added advantage of the superb low-light performance of the F30 inside!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent housing, December 12, 2006

By 

NJP (Ohio) (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fuji WP-FXF30 Underwater Housing for Fuji F30 & F31fd Digital Cameras (Electronics)

First let me say that the "reviewer" Mark is very wrong. This case is rated at 40M and works excellently. I don't understand how people can write such negative reviews when they haven't even used the equipment - much less owned it.

I purchased this for a trip to the Carribean and used it both for underwater use (scuba and snorkeling) as well as for a protective case on the beach and for general use. It works flawlessly. The only *negative* is that when you use it above water in bright sunlight you must remember that the front lens element is not anti-reflective so you can get a lot of lens flare if you're not careful. Underwater this is of course no problem.

The flash diffuser is also very nice and provides good coverage while removing the housing shadow that is apparent when you use the flash without the diffuser.

Really there's nothing to complain about here. The housing allowed me to get photos I'd never have otherwise.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great underwater housing..., January 11, 2008

By 

Ken Walsh (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fuji WP-FXF30 Underwater Housing for Fuji F30 & F31fd Digital Cameras (Electronics)

Perhaps the best thing about the advent of small digital compacts has been the introduction of relatively inexpensive underwater housings for them. I have little to add to what others have said, this is an excellent housing that allows for full control of the camera. I'd add just a few notes to make sure you have the right expectations for underwater photography:

- Underwater photography is pretty hard. You typically have very low light levels and severe color casts. The F30/F31 are excellent cameras to start with since they handle low light well and they have a halfway decent underwater mode. That said, still be prepared for far, far fewer good shots underwater than you get on land.

- Video is easier and more satisfying than stills often. If you find your results frustrating with the still shots, turn on the video mode and give it a try.

- Focusing and tracking is hard. These compacts are all a bit slow in focusing and shutter release and fish are very fast. This makes things quite a challenge. You'll probably want to start with pictures where both you and the subject are not moving.

- People who've done underwater photography will tell you it is not "if" your housing floods but rather "when" will it flood. Follow the directions religously. Minimize the number of times you open the housing, the F30 has amazing battery life and the 1GB cards hold a lot of pictures. If you are going back in the water and don't need a battery charge and still have space on the card then don't open the housing! Just rinse it with fresh water and take in down on your next dive. Everytime you open and reseal a housing (any housing, even one costing thousands of dollars) there is a risk of leak. Always test the seal before going on a dive!

So, with all that in mind, a F30 with this housing is a wonderful way to begin underwater photography, but remember it is much more difficult than shore based photography so be patient and look for articles on the web to help you out.