Review on Ewa Marine EM U BXP100 Underwater Housing by David Banks

Ewa-Marine U-BXP100 underwater housing is a must for this all-weather shooter! There was no review here so I bought this handy case based on the company's good reputation and a desire to save money without risking my gear. Since 1980 I have sailed the world's oceans using almost every type of underwater photography gear. This bag is handy and takes up very little storage space. Nikon D700 with MB-D10 attached for extra battery life. For the flash I attached a Nikon SB-800 with a dome diffuser and it fit with enough room. I see no problem installing it on the SB-900 (but avoided using this unit as I didn't want the high heat cutoff to leave me stuck at a critical moment). **I recommend that you always put a diffuser on top of any flash in this bag as it acts as a spacer between the flash head and the material of the bag** Knowing it is a high humidity environment, silica gel bags will do supplied with the system. I already have cases with silicone pouches, and if you don't have them, buy them. Not only do they remove moisture while your gear is on standby, but they also prevent fogging when the flash gets hot inside and the water temperature is cold. For the lens I've attached, of all my lenses, the NIKKOR AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED has the largest diameter front element and fits snugly into the protective glass lens mount. ** A smaller lens leaves room for movement (which you don't want) and the possibility of the lens cap detaching from your lens during the dive. The wide angle was the perfect choice for underwater portraits (which is the purpose of my setup). The long straps are adjustable and will dangle in the path of the viewfinder when left at full height. They are well constructed and support the internal hardware in a balanced way. While diving I recommend pulling the straps down and to the side. You can also attach a tether to it when you need to release the camera to keep your hands free. My first dive with the device was a bit annoying. Strong positive buoyancy was a problem on the surface. Of course, as you descend, the bag shrinks and the buoyancy levels off and then becomes negative. I recommend holding the device slightly positive so at least the case and your prized camera gear just float to the surface if you lose control, where the bright yellow base and straps will help you locate them. A bag that I found a bit odd as it could easily become a leak path, but soon realized it had value as a method of removing air (and positive reserve buoyancy) from the bag. **When loading gear I slide the straw through the vent/sink and leave it there until the main seal is secured, then use the straw to remove most of the remaining air. This method brings the bag closer to the camera body and allows me to maneuver the D700 through the bag without restrictions. One thing I didn't like at all is the little built-in pocket that you can use to activate the shutter button (I blocked the shutter button on the MB-D10 so it wouldn't fire). The bag looks stiff and so hard that pressing the trigger is difficult at best. I just learned how to push the trigger through the bag's material and avoid the small pocket. On the back of the case there is a round insert that makes it easier to see through the viewfinder. Alignment was a bit tricky, I used foam inserts (included) and other padding to take up the slack around the body to keep it in the optimal position. Again, evacuating excess air helps keep the camera and lens barrel in place. For the scuba mask, I switched to a tight-fitting, low-volume split-face system that allows me to face the camera directly. viewfinder. A normal face mask can present such a strong obstacle that looking through the viewfinder can be uncomfortable. Swimming with the bag was easy as it is very streamlined. You need to protect it from sand and other rough surfaces when out of the water as it will easily get scratched and affect visibility through the bag. The lens insert looks nice and solid and is easy to clean. So bottom line. costs money? Absolutely functional. fast learning curve, easy to get used to. A place for equipment? Too much for my D700, D3s or D4 or connected to SB-800 or SB-900 Leaks? NO Always submerge it in the water and make sure that bubbles escape before you start the descent. If even tiny bubbles escape, bring it back to the surface! The sealing mechanism is good and the screws are secure so you can't lose them. The thread is made of brass, so no rust. I would definitely buy it again and would definitely recommend it to other members of the photography and diving community.