epic vs. ewa waterproof camera housings

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

anyone have info on these 2 housings? i'm looking to get one for my cam (sony dcr-trv8) but wanted to see which of the 2 is better. i'm not looking to spend a lot of money (i'm cheap), but i don't want to spend money on something that's going to suck.

thanks for the info.

brinks · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 566 City: Orlando

The EWA housing is basicly a zip lock bag. The epic housing is a hard case housing and works great.

Josh R · Posted: Nov 08, 2004 9:10 pm Post subject:

I'm not keen on trusting an EWA baggie again after it split with my camera in it.

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

oh damn! i don't think i want to consider ewa after hearing that!

thanks a ton for the help, fellas!

pyrocasto · Posted: Nov 08, 2004 11:02 pm Post subject:

hahah, I talked to a guy who took the EWA housing like 60ft under water for scuba diving. I dont think the camera works anymore. Laughing

garveyj · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 877 City: Savage, MN

Josh R, what was the official result with your camera after that incident? Did it total your camera, or was it repairable?

Josh R · Posted: Nov 09, 2004 5:15 am Post subject:

Somehow it survived, although it's never been the same. The grip was totalled though. I was really lucky I picked it so soon, the water was only up to the grip and splashing over the rest of it.

89comp · Posted: Nov 09, 2004 10:29 am Post subject:

did that happen to your GL-1 Josh R?!

Josh R · Posted: Nov 09, 2004 2:55 pm Post subject:

No, my 10D. My GL-1 was bobbing around safely in an Epic housing at the time. Very Happy

BillJ · Posted: Nov 09, 2004 6:55 pm Post subject:

I have the epic housing also and it works well for what it is. The lack of controls can be a bit of an issue and also not being able to see what you're shooting. The housing is also heavy and bulky which makes it difficult to use if you try to ride doubles and shoot. But it's solid and reliable, and the bulk isn't much of an issue shooting from a tube.

You can check out some of the footage I shot on the epic website http://www.epiccam.com/video.htm under promotional videos.

Garrett Cortese · Moderator Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 300 City: Orlando

I know Josh R has a bad experience with Ewa, but I have to add my 2 cents. I've had my Ewa Marine UXP bag for my Canon 1D for over two years and have never had a single problem. I've been bucked out of tubes, underwater, in swimming pools, and all kinds of other crap. Aaron Aubrey almost ran me over once. But my camera and bag are just dandy.

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

Garrett Cortese, thanks for your input. but after further consideration, i've ruled out ewa marine's housings. as much as i'd like to spend less, i'm just not too comfortable after hearing a couple horror stories.

dpc films has an awesome page comparing various housings. i've narrowed my choices to epic and the sony housings.

BillJ · Posted: Nov 10, 2004 3:35 pm Post subject:

Joe, what are you planning to use it for? If you shoot from a tube it's very difficult to get good shots without a wide angle lens. Plus a wide angle or fisheye lets you get closer to the rider which makes the rider appear to be going bigger. It's really too bad that Sony doesn't make a housing that will accomodate a wide angle lens, and that the Sony housings are so hard to find.

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

wouldn't it help to have a much shorter/longer line than the rider?

RD · Addict Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 626 City: Discovery Bay

JamesWatts · Addict Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 685 City: Santa Monica

Hey. i got a vx2000 ewa ill sell for 200 bucks email me if anyone wants it

Jameswatts03@hotmail.com

-James

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

for a second there, i thought you were selling the vx2000 for 200 bucks. i was gonna jump on that right freakin' now! Laughing

BillJ · Posted: Nov 11, 2004 9:07 pm Post subject:

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

my setup's complete! kind of a beginner setup, but what the hell...i'm stoked!

sony dcr-trv8
sony spk-dvf5 underwater video housing
4hr battery
wide angle lens

BillJ i put everything together, and it looks like i can use the cam w/ the wide angle lens inside the housing! i'm stoked!

jumalian · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 7625 City: san diego

here it is, w/ the cam and wide angle lens in the housing...used it friday, and everything works great!