Review of the submarine-bag Aquapac 455

Features of the Aquapac waterproof bag 455 (valid also for the 458)
Parameters	Values
maximum depth	5m depth for 1 hour (IPX8)
Diameter and length of the lens section	Ø80mm ; 100mm
Dimensions of the body	160mm long x 150mm large x 90mm high
Weight	~250g
Construction	TPU (Thermoplastics PolyUrethane) for the body, Acrylic for the front (lens) and rubber for the gasket

As noted in the specifications, this waterproof case allows down to 5m deep for one hour. It is obviously that it can stay longer if the depth is less (with my experience: at least 4 hours to 50 cm depth).
Above all, he should know that receiving the bag, an important thing to do is to test it, because, despite the care taken in its production, zero risk does not exist. An object of little value (roll of toilet paper by example, it will give some volume to the bag) put inside the bag securely closed by three locks and hop in the tub for a bath (it must of course, that this little test works, that the bag is completely under water). There will be some bubbles to escape, this is normal, they come from closing, then you can press a little on the bag to make sure that nothing comes and nothing goes. I speak of ''some'' bubbles, if you see water back into the bag is that there is a concern (ie 3 locks are properly secured (they must be the same in all 3 meaning) or something should get caught in the closure or there is a leak in the bag (there is a concern for fabriquation) and you need to remove the bag on.
If the toilet paper was unhurt, it is the turn of your photo / video camera. The test bath works too.
However, it should add some information:
- ALWAYS put a bag of Silica gel (or desiccant sachet) in the bag, because of condensation. With a new one every time the bag is opened additional security.
- Pay attention to the wheels and rings zoom / focus that can damage the bag in some cases (use as raw). The paroie do not like to be rubbed and grated against the harsh elements and / or pungent, abrasive. This is its strength and survives your hardware aquatic environments.
- In the (common) of a smaller than 80mm diameter lens, it must tackle the acrylic front of the bag with the objective to have no deformation or see the edges of the front.
- The use of the eyepiece may be complicated once under water, it is better to use the rear screen (LiveView).
- Due to the fact that the light decreases with depth (we lose 60% of light to 20m, in pure water, so imagine in the ocean ...). It is better to focus on a bright lens, ISO value high enough without adding too much noise and prefer a sunny day with the sun at its highest. Why I'm not talking about flash? but for the simple reason that the flash will bring out the suspended particles. (In the video however, the use of a torch is recommended, even if the problem is still present particles, the result is less annoying.)

With strap and flotation in all circumstances (in normal use, the bag is not made of lead or carry poru gold ...), the material is not likely to end the bottom of the water (except if you have not closed the bag... but there is that there is a concern on the side of the user, not the hardware ...). However, buoyancy may annoy some, in fact, the material has a strong tendency to rise to the surface, then we would like it remains under water with nosu to photos of this beautiful shoe colonized by fish ... To avoid it, or at least reduce this effect, no need to fill the bag, just to clear the air (to be BEFORE the water course ...) in pressing with hands.
Once the photos taken and that we leave the water to enjoy the sun to dry ... it is also dry the bag, but no matter how ... as with everything, it requires a minimum of maintenance: rinse with clear water and dried properly (with a soft cloth to avoid damaging the plastic). Do not store in direct sunlight, the UV rays of the latter damaging the plastic. It must also be careful not to let sand in the locking system. Maintenance and storage options to keep clean and you can use this bag for years (the mine is 5 years old now and no worries, just pay attention). The bag can of course also be used to protect the equipment during a heavy rain or during other weather complicated.


So ... in the end, what about this bag? The way I talk, she seems perfect ... except not. The front, even if the plastic is of good quality, a plastic layer remains increasingly on the light path to the sensor, the use of rings zoom / focus of the wheels and is not that there are more practical, you can not use the eyepiece (and the development via the LiveView is far less reactive than taking direct view), the limit 5m depth may be sufficient for some but not for more expériementés divers and last that the bag is enough ''small'' the final (no big lens, tilt-shift or big boxes).

For good sides (some have already said in the summer test) we can count the price (about € 120), ease of implementation (it opens, we put the camera and silica, is closed), a rather simple maintenance, most of the input material and media as well as some high-end to fit easily without having to change anything (whereas with a waterproof case, each case and each objective has its own box ... it which quickly returns very expensive). Finally, the fact that the bag does a very good job even after 5 years of non-intensive use.


If I had to say something, it is: if you want to do some basic underwater pictures and / or shallow, treat yourself, it's convenient and inexpensive. However, if you are a professional underwater photography and / or deep ... it is worth taking a box.

I hope you enjoyed this test and you will have been worthwhile.