I believe the tap is just a 1/2" NPT tap, nothing really special. You should be able to find it at a local tool store.
DIY Video Housing a success...
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It sure is not at Home Depot. I'll have to try other stores.
I found a knob to add to the SS rod but shipping probably will be exorbitant. Scott, I noticed you had a threaded SS rod and knob.. Were these specially made items or readily purchasable? I figured I'd have to substitute with a solid rod with knob that has set screw.
I found a knob to add to the SS rod but shipping probably will be exorbitant. Scott, I noticed you had a threaded SS rod and knob.. Were these specially made items or readily purchasable? I figured I'd have to substitute with a solid rod with knob that has set screw.
Bobby_M
Contributor
It looks like he used a die to make the threads in the rod cuz they don't look factory clean. It seems like once you factor in hunting down all the parts and buying a 1/2" tap (if you don't have one already), the $30 shipped Ikelite replacement from B&H is not such a bad idea.
Paul,
Really nice job on the housing. I like the idea of the slip joint for the handle attachment using a pin to lock. You could even drill a few holes in the female part to make the handles adjustable.
Did you verify that your hood doesn't obscure the view of your cam? I guess it depends on where your lense sits and how wide angle your cam can go.
Let us know how the pressure test goes. If you have any leak problems, the first thing I'd recommend is taking out the inner O-ring.
Bobby
Paul,
Really nice job on the housing. I like the idea of the slip joint for the handle attachment using a pin to lock. You could even drill a few holes in the female part to make the handles adjustable.
Did you verify that your hood doesn't obscure the view of your cam? I guess it depends on where your lense sits and how wide angle your cam can go.
Let us know how the pressure test goes. If you have any leak problems, the first thing I'd recommend is taking out the inner O-ring.
Bobby
paulthenurse
Contributor
To be honest, Bobby, I never even considered that it would be an issue. And I can't give you a good reason why I did it, other than that I've seen hoods like that on what I consider to be "professional" lenses. I don't know what they are for, I'm not a photographer. But I figured that the time to add it was in the beginning, so I did. Perhaps as I get a bit more experience and a bit further up on the learning curve of photography in general and video in particular, I'll understand what it's for.Bobby_M:
Paul
It could be to prevent stray light from flashing on your video.
It may indeed be a good idea to have added it. I would consider painting the underside of the hood black so it won't be reflective of so much visible light. Kind of like the football players who put black lines under thsir eyes- though I suspect it is really ritual warpaint for them anyway. mk
It may indeed be a good idea to have added it. I would consider painting the underside of the hood black so it won't be reflective of so much visible light. Kind of like the football players who put black lines under thsir eyes- though I suspect it is really ritual warpaint for them anyway. mk
Bobby_M
Contributor
I would guess it does have something to do with sunlight coming into the lense at an extreme angle or something like that. I would think it to be less of an issue underwater but I don't think it will hurt anything to have the hood. My Panasonic FZ-20 digital camera came with a big hood too. What I was actually concerned about was whether you can actually see the hood in the frame of your video which is something you don't want. How soon can we expect a depth test?
Bobby
Bobby
MATTKINZ:
Matt's right, I used a die to add the threads to the rod. It's not easy threading stainless steel so the threads aren't that clean but they're clean enough for the knob to screw on tight.
Guba
Contributor
I've shot professionally (topside...not underwater) and yes, the purpose of a lens hood is to prevent ambient light from striking the lens surface. This sometimes creates a condition known as "flare" in which bright streaks appear on the image.
While it is unlikely that flare will occur at anything but very shallow depths with the underwater housing, there is another reason it could be a good idea. If the camera is positioned some distance from the front plate, under some conditions it could record a "ghost" image of the camera itself, reflected from the inside surface of the plate. A lens hood positioned from the lens and extending until it touches the plate will avoid these ghost images.
While it is unlikely that flare will occur at anything but very shallow depths with the underwater housing, there is another reason it could be a good idea. If the camera is positioned some distance from the front plate, under some conditions it could record a "ghost" image of the camera itself, reflected from the inside surface of the plate. A lens hood positioned from the lens and extending until it touches the plate will avoid these ghost images.
paulthenurse
Contributor
Disapointment reigns supreme.
I took the housing on a shallow, (15 foot) beach dive and all was well. So on Friday we took it with us to the Isle of Shoals. It leaked on the first dive. We went to 65 feet and there was a bout a 1/2 cup of water inside when we surfaced. After mI dried it out, I just left if alone for the remainder of the day. Just as well, we didn't see any seals anyways, seems they were too busy playing with the rest of the guys/girls on the boat. Very disapointing.
I haven't had a chance to play with it since, when we got back to the dock, I had recieved a call from Beer and Wine Hobby that my order of 350 pounds of grapes were waiting for me to come pick them up and turn them into vino. Busy weekend. Man, am I sore!
I took the housing on a shallow, (15 foot) beach dive and all was well. So on Friday we took it with us to the Isle of Shoals. It leaked on the first dive. We went to 65 feet and there was a bout a 1/2 cup of water inside when we surfaced. After mI dried it out, I just left if alone for the remainder of the day. Just as well, we didn't see any seals anyways, seems they were too busy playing with the rest of the guys/girls on the boat. Very disapointing.
I haven't had a chance to play with it since, when we got back to the dock, I had recieved a call from Beer and Wine Hobby that my order of 350 pounds of grapes were waiting for me to come pick them up and turn them into vino. Busy weekend. Man, am I sore!
Bobby_M
Contributor
Paul,
Don't be too disappointed, mine leaked at 25ft the first time. Remove the inner O-ring and use a piece of wet 400-600 grit sandpaper and lightly buff the outer O-ring surfaces. Of course, it is possible that water is making it in at one of the glue joints as well. Have a very close look to see if the pressure put any pinholes at those locations. If you find any, try some crazy glue or 2 part epoxy delivered into the hole with a hypo.
Interesting... I'm a home brewer too.
Bobby
Don't be too disappointed, mine leaked at 25ft the first time. Remove the inner O-ring and use a piece of wet 400-600 grit sandpaper and lightly buff the outer O-ring surfaces. Of course, it is possible that water is making it in at one of the glue joints as well. Have a very close look to see if the pressure put any pinholes at those locations. If you find any, try some crazy glue or 2 part epoxy delivered into the hole with a hypo.
Interesting... I'm a home brewer too.
Bobby
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