DIY DSLR Housing in plexi in progress !

[lucca brassi]

I think that used material is more expensive than similar enclosure for OLYMPUS. PT-037 cost me 2 years ago 230€ + PP.
from japan 197€ nowPT-037

I know that you not have original enclosure for your camera (even I think It can go inside ), but enclosures for old analog cameras made from aluminium are on ebay very cheap with normal flat glass and litle more expensive with dome

On other hand is very difficult to handle with such case underwater. No matter if enclosure is neutral buoyant - problem is IMPULSE = weight x speed (what accelerate and what fade ) ..with such sharp edges you can wait for some bruising on ascent.

I wish you all luck ... but devil is in little things and details.

 

[mishko]

You need the dome only for wide angle photography. If you do not have wide angle lens, you are better off with flat window.
If you do have wide angle lens, you need to know some parameters of the lens and the dome, namely the exact position of the entrance pupil of your lens, and the radius of the sphere your dome is a segment of. For best results, The entrance pupil should be positioned in the center of this sphere, otherwise you'll end up with soft (blurry) corners in your images.
For more info, read:
Optics of Dome Ports
Entrance Pupil Database - PanoTools.org Wiki
The port on your link is cheap, but it is rather small. From what I see from Streamhawk's site, it is about 3" in diameter in the base (curved part only, without lip), which in combination with 1" height means that the sphere is 3.25" + 1/2 thickness (2mm) in diameter. If you can combine that with your lens, depends on the lens, camera position in relation to the housing front etc., so I'd suggest you make the sketch first before buying, no matter how cheap. I have a truckload of cheap and unusable stuff that just takes up space and makes me unhappy when I even think of it

 

[the_dragon_no1]

hmm ok, some guy at a photo store told me that i might need a dome port for regular images, and a flat for macro
and no, i don't have i wide angle lens (yet )

nice to know you have some stuff laying around :angel2:


anyways... have built the lens flange-to-flange together today, and given it som epoxy. looks like it will be good.
also drilled the bolt holes in the housing abit bigger(not all the way thru), and sanded around the holes. I will cast the bolts in place, with clear epoxy into the housing. i'll snap a picture of it soon
and got the O-ring cord today also, so im gonna get cracking on makeing the custom o-ring for the rear of the housing

 

[the_dragon_no1]

I think that used material is more expensive than similar enclosure for OLYMPUS. PT-037 cost me 2 years ago 230€ + PP.
from japan 197€ nowPT-037

I know that you not have original enclosure for your camera (even I think It can go inside ), but enclosures for old analog cameras made from aluminium are on ebay very cheap with normal flat glass and litle more expensive with dome

On other hand is very difficult to handle with such case underwater. No matter if enclosure is neutral buoyant - problem is IMPULSE = weight x speed (what accelerate and what fade ) ..with such sharp edges you can wait for some bruising on ascent.

I wish you all luck ... but devil is in little things and details.

well the one form ikelite i have found for sale cost 1000$ ++ even used..
Details on this housing comes in the end.. first i got to make it work
and, im prety shure i will make more than one housing since i already have learned alot!! Next will probably be for a hd movie camera

 

[the_dragon_no1]

ok, camera house "DONE"
had my first test photos in the tubb, with som extra light (led bikelight, i will make dive light

Looks good so far
Will post more photos of the houseing asap

 

[the_dragon_no1]

First sea photos

Then............. the case got a leak....
think it was thru the gland/shaft.. I might have been useing a shaft that was a few 10's of a mm to thin :depressed:
Hopefully, i can still save the camera tho

 

[tengsr]

I would have taken the housing for a dive without the camera first, just to be sure

 

[the_dragon_no1]

Well i saved the camera, by soaking it in fresh water , then air dry for some days
have made a new trigger button shaft, and no leaks now

Gonna make some more buttons soon aswell.

Some more pictures














And housing all done ( without the button tho)

 

[mishko]

Congratulations! I'm glad you finished the housing, and images look great, too. Sure you should try with empty housing first, but experience comes with trials, and I'm sure you won't forget this one next time you design a housing And considering your camera is still alive, you couldn't ask for more, I think

 

[the_dragon_no1]

thanks !
Found a better photo scene on my camera, soo i think i will get even more sharp pictures next time in the water.