DIY Video Housing a success...

[MATTKINZ]

I have just used the load and go method. It is a good idea , though to decide where you need a control and mark the housing so you can retrofit a control.

Using Scott's method, you can make a control rod that can both rotate or push a button with one control . I have made one for my cam but haven't gotten it mounted. It is curved to turn on a sliding on /off switch , then with a reposition it can push the standby/record button as well.

Another option is to search ebay for Ikelite older housings with controls and you may be able to get a deal on control units and get the latches you need at the same time at a budget deal.

Whichever way, I wish you great success on your housing. mk

 

[The Horn]

Went for a filming test ( unmanned) just dropped over the side with film running. Now I know why my wife let me use the camera.......freaking battery craps about 10 minutes into the film test. New larger battery on order.........

Questions:

1. Camera has a dark or "cat-eye" feature. Does any one use this, if their camera has this feature.

2. What focus do you set up for? If in auto mode do you go for a wide or tight angle?

Asking the above questions as I will be running in on and go mode untill I can get some controls made.

 

[The Horn]

Pictures of the camera housing close to complettion. Still need handles....

Not working due to company firewall I should expect, will try and post from home, dial up just sucks...............:shakehead

 

[MATTKINZ]

I don't know what cat eye is , but my cam has an infrared night shot mode. I haven't tried underwater, however, since red is rapidly absorbed underwater, the infrared may be poor for night filming. As I said , however, I haven't tried.

This mode was really great one night at a large bat house located in one florida state park.

At sunset, I got video of a lot of bats inside the opening of the house jockeying for position to launch on bug eating forays. Their eyes glowed and you could see them moving about. It reminded me of an aircraft carrier with dozens of planes vying for takeoff at the same time. neat.

If you get to try cat-eye let the rest of us know how it worked. I will use my night shot on a night dive sometime. Octopi are often seen then and may video well.

I don't really have a video light but figured I could try my UK 1200 duct taped to the housing for a decent lighting system without extra cost. mk

 

[The Horn]

Reading the manual.......................don't tell my wife..................says that the "cat eye" function messes with the gain to allow more light in. This would be cool except that you need to turn it on when the camera freaks and says "light" in a flashing symbol in the corner. Hmmmmm more control buttons.

Anyway. Finished fabbing up nice stainless knurled handles and then had the idea of attaching my big old D8 to the housing. I have a PVC handle for carrying the unit in the infant stages of build, but figure I can dovetail the top of the handle so the UK D8 will slide on for a ride.

This probably means boring out the Stainless handles to lighten them as the D8 is rather negative.

Should be a few weeks and I'll let ya all know how it goes.

 

[jdvaughn]

I cant see your pictures....can you email me some? I wanna make a housing also. I want if for when I go to dry tortugas

 

[The Horn]

jdvaughn I cant see your pictures....can you email me some? I wanna make a housing also. I want if for when I go to dry tortugas

PM sent

If you get the pictures perhaps you would have some luck posting them on the board. I keep getting the boot from the office firewall.:light:

I am now making up a set of stainless handles out of solid 1" round stock. I weight tested the uhit with everything in it and with no added weight I'm just about neutral. Going to add mount for light later after I see how it all behaves underwater when I get to drice it vs the rope over the side method.

 

[allegfede]

Hi. I'm trying a new way to control cameras. I cannot use the rotating rod control because I have no space into the housing (too tight ), but not I need to discover how will react rubber/latex baloon material to the sea water.

Does someone know where to find silicon baloons ...... they have to be cheap

 

[jdvaughn]

This is a design im working on. let me know what u think. The black filled in area is an oring around the whole cap.

 

[jdvaughn]

Here is a design I am gonna try. It is going to be made out of lexan. It will have one end completely heat sealed, and the other is going to have a sort of plug with an oring (black shading) to make a seal with some latches to keep it on. Here are some pics if it works. What does anyone think? The schematic is in my gallery. Just a rough idea.