Hi all;
I just wanted to share my experience with building my underwater housings. I have posted in the past but would like to pass on some information.
Here is what I have learned from doing this for the last few years.
First, a wide angle lens is a must! Without it your video will be jerky hard to view. Diving in surge presents issues to camera work. Learn to go with the flow. Station keeping with a housing is tough. Looking at the viewscreen is just an approximation. With the Wideangle you will pretty much be point and shoot.
Second, Get the red filter! This makes so much difference. Replacing the reds opens up a whole new arena and makes the video presentable.
For the housing that I have been working on I have pictures of the housing modified with the red lens and the Ikelite controls. They are at
http://www.empirescuba.com/seaviewhousing/
This site has the original pictures of the housing before the change. I really must get it updated.
http://www.markwilson.com/SEAVIEW/seaview.html
There is also a link from that to some of the video I shot with it in Belize.
Ok, now here is the punch list of things to fix.
1. I use 6 lbs of soft weights inside the housing under the mount plate. They slide around. This is annoying. It is an easy fix, but necessary.
2. I am going to go with the Ikelite part#6441.43 ....... 4.2" dia port red filter. I get a bit of the ring when zoomed all the way out. Bigger is better in this case!
3. Quick releases for the handles. It packs much better without them. I packed the wrench and the phillips screwdriver in checked baggage, but TSA took it out anyway.
(I am convinced TSA has a mission to see how much of a persons equipment they can break :shakehead .)
4. A case for the endcap lens. TSA again managed to put a chip in it. (This stuff is tough, I don't know what they must do to this)
I hope this helps anyone building their own. I am very happy with the way this housing is working and I am laughing at those who told me I was crazy. This has been a 5 year thing off and on and I have about $300.00 into it.
Ciao... safe diving.. Mark.
www.empirescuba.com
I just wanted to share my experience with building my underwater housings. I have posted in the past but would like to pass on some information.
Here is what I have learned from doing this for the last few years.
First, a wide angle lens is a must! Without it your video will be jerky hard to view. Diving in surge presents issues to camera work. Learn to go with the flow. Station keeping with a housing is tough. Looking at the viewscreen is just an approximation. With the Wideangle you will pretty much be point and shoot.
Second, Get the red filter! This makes so much difference. Replacing the reds opens up a whole new arena and makes the video presentable.
For the housing that I have been working on I have pictures of the housing modified with the red lens and the Ikelite controls. They are at
http://www.empirescuba.com/seaviewhousing/
This site has the original pictures of the housing before the change. I really must get it updated.
http://www.markwilson.com/SEAVIEW/seaview.html
There is also a link from that to some of the video I shot with it in Belize.
Ok, now here is the punch list of things to fix.
1. I use 6 lbs of soft weights inside the housing under the mount plate. They slide around. This is annoying. It is an easy fix, but necessary.
2. I am going to go with the Ikelite part#6441.43 ....... 4.2" dia port red filter. I get a bit of the ring when zoomed all the way out. Bigger is better in this case!
3. Quick releases for the handles. It packs much better without them. I packed the wrench and the phillips screwdriver in checked baggage, but TSA took it out anyway.
(I am convinced TSA has a mission to see how much of a persons equipment they can break :shakehead .)
4. A case for the endcap lens. TSA again managed to put a chip in it. (This stuff is tough, I don't know what they must do to this)
I hope this helps anyone building their own. I am very happy with the way this housing is working and I am laughing at those who told me I was crazy. This has been a 5 year thing off and on and I have about $300.00 into it.
Ciao... safe diving.. Mark.
www.empirescuba.com