bf4medic
New
I recently purchased a Sony SR-11 HD Camcorder. There are so many different camera housings out there. Does anyone have a recommendation on which one would be reliable and good? Ikelite and Equinox are the ones I hear the most.
Confused?!?
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robint
Contributor
Hi,
Welcome to Scubaboard. You should fill in your profile so when you ask questions we can give you the most information possible.
Where are you diving? Cold water, warm water? Tropical vis or lakes and quarries?
Are you planning to buy lights also?
How often do you dive? All year long diving or once a year trip?
How much do you want to spend on a housing? Is this a minor hobby or something where you want to make videos to show all your friends, post on web...?
Since you have purchased an HD camcorder, do you have a computer capable of editing your videos?
Do you want mechanical or electronic housing? (big price difference)
Ikelite and Equinox are good reliable housings and there are fans of both here on SB. They are mechanical housings and on the lower end of price for that reason. Being mechanical though, that means if you get a flood the only loss is the camcorder.
Electronic housings may be a total loss if flooded. So think about insurance and how much you can afford to lose if you have an oops. (having just had my first oops this past November, this is fresh on my mind! :shocked2
Some housings are generic and fit multiple camcorders, some are specific to the camcorder. Keep that in mind also.
I am sure others will chime in here...... for now you need to answer all the questions above and think about exactly what you want and need.
robin
Welcome to Scubaboard. You should fill in your profile so when you ask questions we can give you the most information possible.
Where are you diving? Cold water, warm water? Tropical vis or lakes and quarries?
Are you planning to buy lights also?
How often do you dive? All year long diving or once a year trip?
How much do you want to spend on a housing? Is this a minor hobby or something where you want to make videos to show all your friends, post on web...?
Since you have purchased an HD camcorder, do you have a computer capable of editing your videos?
Do you want mechanical or electronic housing? (big price difference)
Ikelite and Equinox are good reliable housings and there are fans of both here on SB. They are mechanical housings and on the lower end of price for that reason. Being mechanical though, that means if you get a flood the only loss is the camcorder.
Electronic housings may be a total loss if flooded. So think about insurance and how much you can afford to lose if you have an oops. (having just had my first oops this past November, this is fresh on my mind! :shocked2 Some housings are generic and fit multiple camcorders, some are specific to the camcorder. Keep that in mind also.I am sure others will chime in here...... for now you need to answer all the questions above and think about exactly what you want and need.
robin
Thank you, I will update my profile. I dive anywhere from 5-10 times a year and am going to use it for underwater filming of my daughters swim team also. I dive primarily in warm water (if at all possible). I believe that the mechanical housing should be sufficient.?. The computer editing will be on an ameture level. Thank you very much and any further advice is greatly appreciated!
robint
Contributor
as far as the computer goes, you need to realize that your files are going to be HUGE so in order to run any software, you need a fast system with lots of memory. You can get decent software for around $100, but the computer needs to be able to handle those BIG HD files. There is lots of discusssion about this issue here on SB so you can do a "search" and read about it.
robin
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Other lower cost options would be the Ocean Images HC-series housing and the TopDawg. Both have electronic controls. The TopDawg is a cost-reduced version of the L&M StingrayHD, primary differences being depth rating, lower-resolution monitor (I think...) and that it has a flat port.
For AVCHD editing, look at Pinnacle Studio 12 or Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum. Both are sub-$100 and have a lot of features. AVCHD editing has pretty steep system requirements, you can see them on either program's website, but you can get around that somewhat since your camera will output in SD as well. Any computer built in the last 5 years can edit SD video.
For AVCHD editing, look at Pinnacle Studio 12 or Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum. Both are sub-$100 and have a lot of features. AVCHD editing has pretty steep system requirements, you can see them on either program's website, but you can get around that somewhat since your camera will output in SD as well. Any computer built in the last 5 years can edit SD video.
BDSC
Contributor
I have no idea what your budget is but diversteve mentioned the Stingray by L&M. I don't own one but am very much considering it for my next housing. I think one great advantage it has is that it will hold like 9 or 10 different Sony HD cameras. So you should always be able to find a camera for it.
A guy just had one that was used only for one trip with the case and all for like $1700. He sold it but you should be able to find similar deals. One dealer had a brand new one on e-bay for $1500, much less than the MSRP.
A guy just had one that was used only for one trip with the case and all for like $1700. He sold it but you should be able to find similar deals. One dealer had a brand new one on e-bay for $1500, much less than the MSRP.
Hi! I,m new diver.Would like to buy some housing for professional sooting.My speciality is cameraman and i would like to merge both specially.What kind housing became for pro.video? I,m stop on Equinox and Endeavor.I,ll be glad to dive me directional!
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Some questions:
Do you already own the camera? Which one?
What do you mean by professional shooting? Broadcast/documentary work? Or dive related shooting at dive resorts etc.?
There's a huge range in price between the Equinox and the Endeavor - especially when you add in the cost of additional, better ports. So please give us some sort of idea of your budget.
Current wisdom seems to suggest that a lot of "Pro" videographers are using/considering the XDCAM EX (Sony PMW-EX1) in the Gates housing. Sealux makes one for it also.
Another pro option would be the Red line of HD cameras. Gates houses it also.
There are a lot of industry professionals currently posting in the video section of Wetpixel.com also.
Thank you for your interest! I would like to use the housing like hobby and professional,for different broadcasting(reality show),document film and clips.My budget is 4000$ approximately.Like me Amphibico Endeavor housing for HDV Z1,but they not produce anymore.Would you give me your opinion about Sealux,Edneavor,Gate!
Thank you!
Thank you!
mobula
Contributor
I had Gates, Nimar, Bruder/Mediasub/Fradotec and now Sealux.
Gates: I had corrosion in a thread
Nimar: The polycarbonate started to break after a while
Bruder...: 10x Leakage and other quality issues, still waiting for the money,
Of course Gates has very good housings and I like them but I found my perfect housing at Sealux. For some housings they will 120° fully zoomable lenses as well in the near future, for EX1 it is already available. They will have a distributor in the US very soon, so maintainance shouldn't be a big problem. I wrote a review on wetpixel. The housings are very solid and I like the mixture of mechanical and electronic controls. Maybe read the review.
Gates: I had corrosion in a thread
Nimar: The polycarbonate started to break after a while
Bruder...: 10x Leakage and other quality issues, still waiting for the money,
Of course Gates has very good housings and I like them but I found my perfect housing at Sealux. For some housings they will 120° fully zoomable lenses as well in the near future, for EX1 it is already available. They will have a distributor in the US very soon, so maintainance shouldn't be a big problem. I wrote a review on wetpixel. The housings are very solid and I like the mixture of mechanical and electronic controls. Maybe read the review.
