Question for Gates Housing Owners

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guamrider

guamrider

Contributor
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Location
Guam
# of dives
Hello,
I'm considering either the new Canon hfs-10 or Sony SR520 and a housing with either an external monitor -or- use the built in lcd window and look through the view port to see it in the housing.

I have some serious eye problems resulting from an encounter with a sperm whale, believe it or not. Anyway, I've lost my ability to focus on anything small, like a camera flip out lcd, and even an external monitor.

So, here's my questions for those that have any camera and Gates housing that use the view port to see the lcd:

1. How close is the flip out monitor to the actual viewing port?

2. Do you get any reflections that interfere with seeing inside?

3. If you were to take a magnifying glass can you see the images clearer? Sorry, I gotta ask this as this is the only way I can see the focus clearly.

:)Thanks in advance.
 
guamrider:
Hello,
I'm considering either the new Canon hfs-10 or Sony SR520 and a housing with either an external monitor -or- use the built in lcd window and look through the view port to see it in the housing.

I have some serious eye problems resulting from an encounter with a sperm whale, believe it or not. Anyway, I've lost my ability to focus on anything small, like a camera flip out lcd, and even an external monitor.

So, here's my questions for those that have any camera and Gates housing that use the view port to see the lcd:


:)Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

1. How close is the flip out monitor to the actual viewing port?

It depends on the model...I'd say that the LCD viewer is approximately a 2.5 inches away from the acrylic. I can see it well enough and even better when I look through the optically ground lenses inside my mask. I have not used an external monitor in any of my dive housings.

2. Do you get any reflections that interfere with seeing inside?

Never a problem to date. It's pretty dark inside the housing.

3. If you were to take a magnifying glass can you see the images clearer? Sorry, I gotta ask this as this is the only way I can see the focus clearly.

I'd say get a really good mask with lenses that let you do what you need to do. Sometimes I prefer using the small magnifying eyepiece inside the housing. However, this tends to make you have to shoot with the camera to the face. This is not so great when the action is happening all around you.


Cheers,

X
 
X,
Thanks very much for the info. I really appreciate it.

A mask with custom lenses won't work as once I get a lens that's similar to the magnifying glass for only very close up looking at the lcd, everything else would really be out of focus.

I'm used to using the magnifier anyway. Looks kinda weird, but it works well.

By the way, I got hit by a sperm whale while filming a pod teaching a new born baby how to breath. Some of it is here: YouTube - Sperm Whales and Baby at Guam
 
Cheers GuamRider,

Nice video. Remarkable shots of the baby Sperm Whale.

I've used LCD monitors but gave up because they'd always go a tad funny after a while. These were on early L & M units. I'm sure they're better made these days. But, they were a bit on the expensive side and required a lot of repair.

I also use an Ikelite housing which has those mirrors attached to the side. They are sort of odd, but just another way of using the existing LCD screen in the camera.


X
 
I run a Gates Z1U housing and EM-43 monitor. (probably one of the first ones out the door) The monitor seems to have gotten a little darker in the two years I've had it, so reflection can be a problem sometimes. But getting deeper, and out of bright sun, and it works great.
 
One thing you might consider is getting the Gates external monitor for the housing. It helps A LOT and has adjustable positioning.
 
There is always the Light & Motion housings! I recently got my HF-S10 Light & Motion Housing and love it. The external monitor is nice, clear and bright. Its OLED which makes it a great screen. Its also mounted right to the back of the housing. As far as the Gates housing for either of those cameras, I think its not going to be easy if you have focus problems with your eyes. I use a 35mm Depth of Field adapter on my HF-S10 when shooting topside, and I have problems focusing with that out of water. Let alone look at a small screen underwater, 2 - 3" inside a housing. And having the controls right at your finger tips, versus moving around the housing to make adjustments mechanically. I would think you might be better off with an external monitor type housing. But its a tuff call not knowing much about the focus problem with your eyes. Hope you find what works, because the UW video is so fun.
 
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