Video camera housings

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S

stanw

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I have both small handheld HD and large HD cameras. Is there a way to use them underwater without buying the custom made expensive housings?

Thanks!
 
stanw:
I have both small handheld HD and large HD cameras. Is there a way to use them underwater without buying the custom made expensive housings?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Well....if you are going to be diving with a camcorder you need to have a housing that is water tight/leak proof, can withstand the pressure, and that gives you access to the buttons to turn it on and off. How fancy you get with that is up to you. Prices range from $600-$12,000.

A good place to research prices and buy housings is B&H Photo.
B&H Photo Video | Digital Cameras, Camcorders
go to the underwater section and start searching for housings to match your particular camcorders. Some models are generic and fit multiple camcorders, others are specific to a model. Some are mechanical and some are electronic. Depends what you want to do and how much you want to spend.

robin:D
 
I would recommend against buying from B&H. I buy most of my camera and video gear from them and they are great for generic stuff like that, but when it comes to something as specialized as a housing, I would strongly recommend buying from a dedicated shop such as Marine Visions. I'm getting ready for a trip and spent a good bit of time on the phone last night with Joe Holley from Marine Visions getting answers to some very technical questions regarding the Gates HC9/Fathom SPW25B setup I bought from him. He even called/emailed the owner of Gates and got an answer for me and got right back to me. If you called B&H with the questions I had there is no way they would have answers or go to the trouble of getting the answer. B&H doesn't even stock most of the stuff, they just get it drop-shipped to you.
 
a good underwater housing is a must. just look through SB past postings regarding flooded cameras. even with a dedicated housing, great care must be made to protect your equipment. I strongly recommend that you spend a little (relative term) money now in order to not have to replace your camera. Ikelite makes some great housings IKELITE Underwater Systems

hope this helps :)
 
Eric S:
I would recommend against buying from B&H. I buy most of my camera and video gear from them and they are great for generic stuff like that, but when it comes to something as specialized as a housing, I would strongly recommend buying from a dedicated shop such as Marine Visions. I'm getting ready for a trip and spent a good bit of time on the phone last night with Joe Holley from Marine Visions getting answers to some very technical questions regarding the Gates HC9/Fathom SPW25B setup I bought from him. He even called/emailed the owner of Gates and got an answer for me and got right back to me. If you called B&H with the questions I had there is no way they would have answers or go to the trouble of getting the answer. B&H doesn't even stock most of the stuff, they just get it drop-shipped to you.
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I agree 100%. I live in NYC and frequently shop at B&H, but I buy UW video housings and accessories from Marine Visions or a specialty shop.
 
ronscuba:
I agree 100%. I live in NYC and frequently shop at B&H, but I buy UW video housings and accessories from Marine Visions or a specialty shop.
Click to expand...

I have bought things from B&H for over 20 yrs with no problems (back when it was just a catalog and mail order!). I don't call and ask questions though, I do all my own research and know what I want before ordering.

If you have questions about equipment, you should talk to Ryan at Reef Photo & Video!, The Underwater Photo Pros and you will get all your answers. We have bought various items from them over the past several years and done a group photo trip with them (to Bonaire in 2007). My only complaint is that they don't sell as big a variety as B&H. I use B&H website for research, checking what is on the market and prices and compare with other websites, info I have read, etc.

robin:D
 
Hi Robin. I love B & H. It's a photo/video geeks dream. I try to stay away from it though because if I go in, I always end up buying something whether I need it or not.

I know tourists that come to NY and have a visit to B & H as one of their stops along with the Empire State Bldg, Statue of Liberty, etc.. LOL !
 
Last edited:
stanw:
I have both small handheld HD and large HD cameras. Is there a way to use them underwater without buying the custom made expensive housings?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Define small and large - as in mfr./model #'s. There are a few generic Sony only housings but most are based on camera size.

If you have a 1-chip and a 3-chip camera, the answer is almost definitely no.
 
ronscuba:
I know tourists that come to NY and have a visit to B & H as one of their stops along with the Empire State Bldg, Stature of Liberty, etc.. LOL !
Click to expand...
It would be on my list. :D

Sorry I spaced out on sending you an AWB clip earlier this week. But maybe it's a good thing, that computer currently has the Virtuomondo Redirector (virus) doing strange things to it. Going to have to re-format to get rid of it - gives me a good excuse to build a new machine. :cool2:

Steve
 
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