DEEP-rated camera housing

[Hammerhead]

Dear all,

Some friends of mine are planning a National Geographic-covered Trimix deep dive to a Philippine wreck (I believe WWII), Topside is at 110m, bottom at 150m. Whilst this is to be filmed by NG, there is a lot of interest in obtaining an SLR / digital housing capable of withstanding the pressure.

All suggestions would be very welcome. Loans, purchases etc. As a result of the coverage, recognition to any assisting party can probably be arranged in the credits.

Personally this is quite a way out of my league and experience, so I'm unable to help myself. By putting it out to the wider SB audience, I'm hoping that someone out there might have had similar experience and/or might be able to point me in the right direction.

Thanks for your time,

 

[Otto]

Ask your question at www.thedecostop.com and tell your friends to brace their bill fold. The one I looked at was about $2500 US for just the housing. I assume you or they know that at that depth they will need serious lights and or strobes. Did I mention that this was going to be expensive?

 

[padiscubapro]

the deepest rated housings are from gates and they are not cheap.. they are rated to 138m, a few of the housings can go deeper but are only guarenteed to 138m..

for the deeper stuff you need the smallest camera/housings available.. the bigger the surface area the harder it is to geep it intact deep.. for stills there ar no strobes that I am aware of that will work that deep (unless you get the special dedicated strobe from gates) .. there are video lights that work to those depths...

http://www.gateshousings.com/


for deep video I recommend using the sony pc350 camera/ housing combo

 

[Florabama]

Can't speak for digital, but I've taken my Nikonos V to 160ish with no apparent water intrusion. Problem for an average set up is that, no matter the water clarity, the strobe at that depth is just not enough.

 

[SwimJim]

Can't speak for digital, but I've taken my Nikonos V to 160ish with no apparent water intrusion. Problem for an average set up is that, no matter the water clarity, the strobe at that depth is just not enough.

He's talkin' down to 150M, thats meters, so were talking close to 500 fow. 487 if you want to get right to it. The Nikonos is a great camera, but I'm sure it would cash in the chips on a dive like that. Thats ROV country.

Jim

 

[Tom Winters]

On a trimix dive trip to 150 meters in the PI with National Geo underwriting, $10,000 camera rigs should be one of the minor items in the budget.