Attaching single video light to housing question

[JamesD]

Okay, so currently this is my plan.

I own a Epoque housing for the Sanyo VPC-C5, which so far I've LOVED when diving (being able to take 5MP pictures or 640x480x30fps video with one camera is fantastic for someone who is an amateur photographer/videographer).

I also own a UK HID Light Cannon which seems to be able to be used as a video light (at least as a cheap starting point since I already own it).

The question, is how to attach it and allow for future upgrade (when I get either more/better lights).

I guess I don't know where is a good place to look for arms/trays, I know of the attachment to put a ball joint onto a Light Cannon, but I'm just totaly lost at which stores I should look at (and how expensive this should be) for getting a tray and one arm? (or should I got for a hot-shoe arm attachment without bothering with a tray).

 

[diversteve]

I can't help with the tray since most video housings have attachment points on the control handles so I've never researched them, but here are two possible sources for arms: Ultralight Control Systems - www.ulcs.com - looks like they have trays also - and Modular Hose - www.modularhose.com - I think this is the same stuff used by Gates/Niterider.

 

[JamesD]

Okay, sounds like Ultralight then, since the Modular Hose is a bit too DIY for my needs (while I enjoy doing the DIY stuff, I invariably end up buying a "real" version because my DIY version doesn't quite work how it should).

So Next question, anyone able to explain the difference between all the types of arms, seems to be a bunch of various types and I really can't tell (other than price) what the main differences really are.

 

[thereefgeek]

Since you're going with the UK Light Cannon, and ULCS is your choice of arms/trays, etc., you'll need the adaptor to replace the removable handle (part #AD-UK):
http://www.ulcs.com/strobes.html
Next thing you'd need is a tray to fit your housing and the ball adaptor to fit the ULCS arms. I've never seen the Epoque housing you have, but most every housing has a threaded insert in the bottom similar to a tripod mount. You'll need a tray that's wide enough to clear the side of the housing. ULCS also makes handles that bolt onto the tray and provide a mounting point for the arm segments:
http://www.ulcs.com/gstrays.html
The UK HID is a very heavy light, so you may consider the ULCS buoyancy arms to offset some of that weight underwater. Heavy lights make for shakey video clips and you don't want your friends and family to get seasick sitting on your couch watching your videos:
http://www.ulcs.com/armclamp.html
You'll also need clamps to connect it all together. Since they're wholesale only, check out their website dealer's page for one near the Bay Area. Backscatter is in Monterey and they can probably help you out with fine tuning your setup to fit your needs.
http://www.ulcs.com/dealers2.html
http://www.backscatter.com/HostedSt...eArms&s6=Used&s6op=neq&sf=Price&so=Descending