Sony MPKAS3 Underwater Housing (Clear)

I did hundreds of hours of underwater video in the 90's. I spent up to $6,000 on basic equipment. It was difficult to use and transport. I drug all my gear around the world. Sitting with all that stuff in the cross roads of Asian access at the Guam airport at 4:00 am sucks. This little Sony unit works at less than a tenth the cost ad works much better. I have yet to investigate lights and filters but the basics are very reasonable. Filters and lights are important as water cuts color a wavelength at a time with red going out less than ten feet. Without support for lighting and filters one's shots look like black and white photos in blue. Even then it is very hard to get the light to the object and returned to the camera while also correcting background which is not lighted. This is a very limiting issue affecting all underwater photography. But this camera will get you going on video very nicely indeed. The underwater housing package is very small and is inexpensive and easy to use. My Hi8cameras used to require $1800 housings. This can be really important on a tough cold water dry suit dive.

Just did 6 dives in the Philippines. Housing functioned as described. I am starting to see strange salt water marks inside the square plastic part of the housing, but the O ring is working well. The camera is safe, so far. This housing encountered sand, bumps, high pressure seawater, and interested fish. I have a little uncertainty about this housing, though, because of these signs of salt water seepage outside of the O ring. Maybe in a year or so, there will be an even better housing developed for this nice Sony Action Cam.

I like the design of this case. My first underwater camera and case I had was for a normal point and shoot cannon. The case had ridges where a thin and flat type ring would push into a ridge on the case. I was always careful to make sure a grain of sand didn't finds it's way on the seal and I never had issues. I had a contour video camera and case as well that worked pretty much the same way.I used this camera and case, opened and closed it, sometimes floating in the water lets say like 40 times. I like how the o-ring basically fits INSIDE the case and doesn't just get sandwiched between two pieces of plastic. I guess it's a different type of "sandwich" I think it happening inside the case is key. After the 40 times, it became more difficult when the oring seemed to bloat, causing it to pop out of the seal and thus not work. I found a forum where someone bought some o-rings on ebay, which just fit inside the original O-ring, so I think a good size. http://www.ebay.com/itm/321062706839?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 If the link doesn't make it just search "10 40mm 44mm 2mm" and you should find it. 10 rings for $4.50 shipped. Should we have to buy rings? Nope, but it's cheap enough. I did one seal test so far and let it sit in water, we'll see how it works in 50 feet of water soon enough.

Bought this case because the included housing for my AS200V does not have a flat front which results in a blurry underwater image. While the flat front of this allows for great underwater image, the lack of side button controls really ruins this case. I don't see why they were left off when other Sony cases rated for the same depth have them. Know whether you want to do stills or video before putting your camera inside and going in the water. The separate remote and phone apps give you the ability to remotely switch modes but still isn't as handy as having access to the side buttons in the case.

It's perfect, very good quality, just you need to configure the action cam before go to water, because don't hae the buttons, but is perfect

DO NOT PURCHASE FOR SCUBA DIVING!!!I'm posting my review of the HDR-AS100V bundle that I bought on Amazon here because I also had to buy the MPK-AS3 in order to use the HDR-AS100V for SCUBA diving and wanted to be sure everybody is aware of the issues involved with preparing this housing for SCUBA diving while remaining compliant with the warranty. I had a Sony AS-10 action cam ruined when the housing flooded and Sony wouldn't do anything about the camera because it was the housing that flooded and because I didn't use grease on the o-ring (because it wasn't included and I didn't know any better since it was my first underwater camera of any kind). End result, the AS-10 was ruined due to a defective housing and I got absolutely no help from Sony even though the camera and housing were under warranty...or so I thought. Read on for the details.Why should you not purchase this housing?1. It’s next to impossible to buy the o-ring grease which is required to prepare the o-ring on the AKA-RD1 flat door or the flat door included with the MPK-AS3 underwater housing for use underwater (Grease cost - $38.40 + $6.95 S&H + tax)2. If you don’t use Sony’s grease the warranty is voided3. The SPK-AS1/AKA-RD1 is no longer recommended for diving by Sony and the new underwater housing, the MPK-AS3, is referred to in its manual as “water resistant”, not waterproof4. The serviceable life of the o-ring is approximately 1 year, so you’re going to have to buy a new MPK-AS3 every year at a cost of $48 (current price on Amazon) because Sony does not sell replacement o-ringsLet me recap my experience in tracking down this information today and you can decided for yourself if you want these problems.First of all, the included waterproof case (SPK-AS1) is no longer recommended by Sony for diving. Strange considering the packaging of the SPK-AS1 specifically states it is waterproof to 60m/197ft - maybe that's why the last one I had flooded and ruined my Sony AS-10 Action Cam. Sony now recommends you purchase the Sony MPK-AS3 Underwater Housing (Clear) which can be had on Amazon for an additional $48.00 if you want to dive with the action cam. Prior to the MPK-AS3 (when it was ok to use the SPK-AS1 housing), you had to purchase AKA-RD1, Replacement Door Pack, to get the flat door for use while diving which cost about the same, so I guess the additional cost is a wash. Just be aware that there’s an additional $48.00 cost (plus another cost – see below) if you want to dive with this action cam.Now, here's where it gets tricky. In order to use the MPK-AS3 housing underwater (its entire purpose in life), you must prepare it by coating the o-ring with grease.***** From the MPK-AS3 manual (Note that it states “water resistance” not waterproof – hmmm….water resistant doesn’t cut it for diving):Handling the O-ring O-ring (See illustration ) This unit uses an O-ring (-a) to maintain its water resistance. O-ring maintenance is very important. Failure to do O-ring maintenance according to the instructions may lead to water leaks and cause this unit to sink. Fit the O-ring (See illustration ) Avoid fitting the O-ring in dusty or sandy locations. 1 Remove the O-ring attached to this unit. (-1) - To remove the O-ring, press it and slide it in the direction of the arrow as illustrated. The O-ring has enough slack to be able to be removed easily. - Be careful not to scratch the O-ring with your fingernails. - Do not use a pointed or metal object to remove the O-ring. This kind of object may scratch or damage this unit groove or O-ring. 2 Inspect the O-ring. - Check the O-ring for cracks, skewing, distortion, fine splitting, scratches, embedded sand, etc. Replace the O-ring if you find any of these. - Inspect the O-ring contact surface on the case body in the same way. 3 Inspect the O-ring groove. - Carefully remove any grains of sand or hardened salt that get into the groove. 4 Coat the O-ring with specified grease. - Use your fingertips to thinly coat the entire surface of the O-ring with a small drop of grease. (-2) - Make sure there is always a thin coating of grease on the surface of the O-ring. Grease protects the O-ring and prevents wear. Grease Only use the grease specified. Other kinds of grease will damage the O-ring and cause water leaks.Anti-Fog Sheet and grease You can obtain the Anti-Fog Sheet and grease at the nearest Sony dealer. Anti-Fog Sheet (AKA-AF1) Grease (model No. 2-582-620-01) 5 Fit the O-ring into the groove of this unit. Fit the O-ring evenly into the groove paying attention to the following points: - Check for dirt on the O-ring. - Check that the O-ring is not twisted or protruding. (-3) - Do not pull hard on the O-ring.Final checkCheck the O-ring again for any dirt, scratches or twisting, etc. A loose or sandwiched O-ring, or sand or dirt on the O-ring may cause leaks underwater. Be sure to check the O-ring before use.How to check for water leaksBefore installing the camera, always close this unit and immerse it in water to make sure no water leaks in.O-ring serviceable lifeThe serviceable life of the O-ring varies with frequency of use of this unit and conditions. Generally, it is about one year.***** End of manual excerptThe grease is NOT included with the MPK-AS3 or the older AKA-RD1 for that matter. Furthermore, you cannot find the grease in Sony's online store even when using the model number from the manual. (Grease (model No. 2-582-620-01)) The first time I called the parts department, they said they didn't have it because it was discontinued and gave me numbers for three third party retailers that sold it. One number was disconnected (Fox - 440.725.7150), one said they had no idea why Sony would refer me to them (Andrew's - 661.257.7700) and one had the grease on "Factory Backorder" with no ETA (Encompass - 800.638.3328, http://www.encompassparts.com/item/6082039/Sony/2-582-620-01/Grease_(*)).After about 2 more hours on the phone with various Sony departments, Technical Support told me that Sony's grease is a silicone based grease. Great! Now I know what to buy. I thought, I'll just find a high quality silicone based grease from a camera shop that's made for an underwater housing. Not so fast... if you use anything other than Sony's grease, THE WARRANTY IS VOIDED. So, Technical Support then transferred me directly to the parts department. (Apparently Tech Support can send you to a more 'advanced' parts dept) After another half hour on the phone with Sony's 'advanced' parts department I was able to order Sony's official grease at the cost of $38.40 plus $6.95 shipping (Come on, Sony! The tiny tube of grease can’t weigh more than half an ounce!) and applicable sales tax which is incorrect in their system. (They were charging me 8.11% for PA when it's 6%.) The grease is on backorder and was scheduled to arrive in 3-4 weeks...but, Sony, I'm leaving on my dive trip in one week!!!Suddenly, my memory was jogged and I remembered seeing o-ring kits on Amazon that included a tube of Sony grease. The kits are listed as discontinued on Sony's site, but there were still a few left on Amazon:1. Sony ACCMP105 Marine Pack O-ring Kit - $17.982. Sony ACC-MP101 O-Ring Kit for Sony MPK-THG Marine Pack - $14.95I ordered both hoping one will get here before my trip. Since placing my order, both kits now show as "Currently unavailable" on Amazon, so either I got the very last one each place had or else the inventory was not updated and they’re no longer available. I guess if the orders cancel, I'll have to go to my "nearest Sony dealer" as the manual states and pick up a tube of Sony grease - yea, like that's even possible. The bottom line, you need Sony's grease to be compliant with their warranty, but the grease is next to impossible to buy. Moreover, Sony should just include the grease with the product.And, let me tell you, it really sucks when you’re at depth, push the button to record the beautiful eagle ray that’s gliding right above you and it won’t push because the case is flooded and your $200-$300 action cam is ruined. At least Sandisk micro SD cards are waterproof, so I didn’t lose the video that was already on the card.Come on Sony! If you're going to sell a camera that can be used for SCUBA diving and underwater housing rated for 197 ft., then stand behind it instead of making the grease impossible to get giving you a way to renege on the warranty.

Super underwater video . Solid seal and build .

Producto perfecto y de gran calidad, los vídeos bajo el agua se ven perfectos era de esperarse de la calidad sony

First things first, THIS IS A DIVE CASE. So there are no holes or openings for the built-in microphone or buttons to access the on-camera buttons. That being said, this is an incredible housing by Sony. It does what its designed to do well: It protects the camera underwater beyond the limits of its bundled waterproof housing. The fact that it has a flat lens is because this allows the camera to focus underwater. The O-rings in the seals provided with the housing were pre-lubricated which is a huge plus in ensuring longevity of its ability to withstand pressures of its advertised 60m depth. Regular lubrication of the O-rings is required if you want the seals to be intact. No way around this.The footage comes out crisp, the colours always pop out primarily because the camera is able to focus now. The only downside to this case is that it does not have any buttons to access the on-camera buttons. It only has one button and that is the 'Record' button which comes with its locking feature. Also, and this is quite a major issue here, if you use the camera continuously for more than an hour or so, the front panel starts to fog up from the sides. As the camera gets hotter and hotter, the panel starts to fog up more and more from the sides.I've attached a composited example. This was when it was shooting a time-lapse and the time difference between the two images is about 2.5 hours. And this is the only issue significant enough for me to deduct one star off its rating.