Aquatix Basic Housing Review

[jviehe]

Based on some links in this forum, I decided to purchase a Aquatix Basic Housing for my Sony TRV128 camera. I was going for cheap, and it worked out very well. The camera I purchased used on Ebay for $150 a few years ago. This is a basic hi8 camera, nothing special. Rather than go with the $800 Ikelite housing, I decided to look for a basic canister type housing, and found Aquatix. For $350, I got a canister with handles, and this was perfect. They emailed me right away to make sure I got the right length for my camera, and then ship it off to me within a few days. You get a mounting plate with it, which allows for many different positions, screw this on to tripod mount for you camera, start the camera recording, put it in the can, and seal it.

Its good to 200m, and seals real well. I have had it down to 100ft so far, and had no problems. You can add manual controls for $100 more, or digital controls for $200 more, and it fits most cameras. Its not very big, and so needs maybe 2-3 pds of weight to make it neutral. Anyway, great housing so far!

My first ocean video taken is this - http://northfloridadiver.net/video/micavid.wmv

 

[MarkN7]

That's great! I have a similar camera, a Sony TRV-330 (Digital8) and I've been wondering if it is worth trying out underwater, but I didn't want to spend $1000's just to try.

I dive out of PCB quite a bit and that's where I had planned on using it. Your video makes me think that I really don't need a light set right off the bat either. Maybe a red filter though to bring the colors back though.

What do you think about the electronic controls? My Sony has the LANC interface but you look like your doing ok without them.

Is it difficult to get your shots framed in just by looking over the case?

 

[jviehe]

Controls are a convinience thing. I had no problem framing wide shots, and I can see a little through the eyepiece, but some small cameras can have the lcd opened to 45deg angle.