Panasonic GF1 is ready to take the plunge Big Daddy style with the INON X-2 waterproof housing

It takes a special suit to stand up to the worst that Rapture can throw at you, and for the Panasonic DMC-GF1 that suit is the INON X-2. It's an aluminum alloy case available in white or black that looks beefy enough to survive far deeper than the 75 meters it's rated for. It also seems capable of standing up to being driven over by a car or being thrown down a flight of stairs. Add on two optional M1 grips plus underwater lights and you have yourself the diving rig pictured above, absolutely dwarfing the tiny GF1 cowering inside. Its cost does too, with the case alone going for 186,900 yen, about $2,200, and each grip costing 10,000 yen (about $115). That seems like an awful lot to spend to protect a $650 camera, but don't let such words dissuade your capitalistic instincts.

[TheRealCJ Posted Aug 10th 2010 10:48AM]

If your're going to fork out that kind of cash for an underwater rig, surely you'd be better off with a full-framed camera. Even with those lights, slightly murky water will make for horrible shots.

[southern78 Posted Aug 10th 2010 10:49AM]

Hmmm, I'll have to stick with my water proof fun saver for that many yen....

[grub Posted Aug 10th 2010 10:50AM]

Woot! Buying this for the nudist lake!

[max3000 Posted Aug 10th 2010 11:02AM]

For a second there I thought this camera comes with it's own drum kit.

[chris2 Posted Aug 10th 2010 11:10AM]

also useful for making bukkake films.

[shengkunya Posted Aug 10th 2010 11:18AM]

Perfect for exploring Rapture...

[Philosinfinity Posted Aug 10th 2010 11:36AM]

Just as an FYI - The purpose of this housing is not merely to protect a $650 camera, but also to facilitate the ability to use that camera at 100 FSW. That said, this underwater camera housing is not out of line in price with many offerings from other manufacturers such as Ikelite. For the serious underwater photographer, this isn't even that big of an investment when you look at the cost of a full face mask, rebreather, and dry suit system. Sadly, scuba is a pretty expensive hobby to get into.

[grub Posted Aug 10th 2010 11:44AM]

@Philosinfinity
"Sadly, scuba is a pretty expensive hobby to get into."

If you don't mind stab holes in the chest of the suit, I can get you into scuba cheap!

[whiskers Posted Aug 10th 2010 2:56PM]

@grub
Are there blood stains on the suit?

[hansolo669 Posted Aug 10th 2010 11:44AM]

You know..I think lord vader needs one of these

[LegoGuy23 Posted Aug 10th 2010 11:57AM]

As a diver, I could see myself using one of these. (Except for its price of course)

[taciturnforsale Posted Aug 10th 2010 1:27PM]

@LegoGuy23 As a diver myself I would agree, plus I've got a GF1. Wonder if they ever drop prices on underwater housings.

[finishhim27 Posted Aug 10th 2010 12:25PM]

Can it blend???

[Felix Fdot Posted Aug 10th 2010 1:18PM]

There's one from 10Bar for less than half the price (eg 833 USD at http://www.aditech-uw.com/product_info.php?currency=USD&products_id=1038 ) - though you can only dive 60m with this one and as I heard it's buttons aren't as nicely placed...

[Ahmed Alzayani Posted Aug 10th 2010 1:34PM]

Go Go Panasonic.

[Jak Crow Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:07PM]

Unfortunately, this is pretty much par for the course when it comes to underwater enclosures for consumer cameras. The enclosure I want to get for my Canon sx210is is itself $400, so what are you going to do?