New to video

[mikerox123]

Ok, well lets start off by saying that i have been taking still photos for about 3 years now, and i would like to get into video. i have a setup in mind, and i would like to save all of the money that I can. I can get the housing at cost, my friend owns a die shop. HEHE! and I can get the lights pretty cheap too. Now here is my question, since I want to save money, i was planning on getting the UK HID lights. Now, i saw in a picture that the handle can slide out. So, i was thinking that I could make an insert that would slide into the socket and would aslo have the ball that would fit onto th ultralight arm that I laready ahve saving me hundreds of dollars. Would this work, i mean the socket idea. im not 100% sure if they do have these, so someone with expernce in these lights please tell me if im right or wrong. Thnaks.

 

[Padipro]

Mike,

I'm not sure if anyone makes the fittings that you're talking about but I'd say that it's a good bet that someone does. Have you checked with Ultralight? I've looked at their stuff before and it seems that they just about every kind of abapter you could think of.

If you're looking at saving all the money you can, I was when I got into UWvideo, have you thought about building your own housing? It's not to difficult and you don't need an entire machine shop to do it. Take a look at the housing I built and if you're interested let me know and I can help you out.

Scott

Video Housing

 

[OglalaDiver]

Mike,
Like the DIY housing you built. Curious....what did it run you to build...cost wise? And what would you charge to build another?
Marty

 

[Padipro]

The most expensive parts on the housing were the controls, $25 each from Ikelite, and the latches, $10 each from a company called MSC. Other then that the rest of the thing is made of PVC tubing and 3/4 inch thich Plexiglas. The camera tray is just 1/8 inch Plexiglas. PVC tubing gets very soft, almost like rubber when it's heated in the oven for about 5 minutes at 400 degrees so you can mold it into almost any shape you like including a flat sheet. I made the wings that the handles are mounted to by heating a section of tubing and then laying flat on the floor with some weight on it until it cooled. I made a mold that the housing tube set in and then reheated the flat sheet and then pressed and clamped it around the tube until it cooled in the shape I wanted. Then I just used PVC glue and glued it together.

In order to make one for your camera, sense they are custome made, I would need your camera and several weeks time to do it but I don't really have the time right now, my honey do list is long. LOL You see I don't have a machine shop, just some power tools and a table saw so everything is hand made. I could check with a friend of mine that was making and selling them to see if he has any available. He lives in Conyers, GA so that would be alot closer to you then I am. I'll email him and see what he says and PM you with an answer.

Scott

 

[OglalaDiver]

Doesnt sound like there is much to it. From the looks of it, you did a bang up job. Appreciate the e-mail to your buddy in Conyers.....yes, that is much closer LOL
Thanks a ton!
Marty

 

[mikerox123]

well, by saving all the money i can i didnt mean building my own housing. i would, but i would feel safer with a housing that is made by someone that is a professional. Great idea though. I just dont want it to flood. So, ill leave it up to the people at ikelite to make one. the dive shop should be getting some of the HID lights in somethime this week, so, i guess ill just look then. Ill let all or u know my findings.