Hi guys,
Looking for an underwater housing for a Sony V1 camcorder.
I know nothing about underwater shooting at all, but need to shoot some water-level footage with some shots that are about 24" under ocean water near a reef. My subject will be landing in water from a helicopter jump; I don't expect they'll go too deep.
suggestions, guys?
any where we can rent a couple housings?

Hi!

Am I right, that the V1 is the professional version of the Z1!?
I so, you might want to have a look at this site:

http://www.digideep.com/english/digital/video/camcorder/Sony/HVR-Z1U/34/1925

Regards,

Oliver

Thanks for the reply, Oliver, but the V1 is the professional version of the FX7. The Z1 is the flagship of the Sony HDV line.
Unfortunately, that site doesn't list the V1/FX7

Thanks for the reply, Oliver, but the V1 is the professional version of the FX7. The Z1 is the flagship of the Sony HDV line.
Unfortunately, that site doesn't list the V1/FX7

OK - then these two cases might be interesting for you:

http://www.bskinetics.com/en/takla_makan.html

http://www.amphibico.com/amphibico/product.jsp?ctid=1000001&pdid=1000189

Regards, Oliver

Douglas, you might contact Ikelite. They make underwater housings for Sony, Canon and JVC.
I couldn't find any specific for the Sony V1 listed on their website though.

www.ikelite.com

Ewa-marine in Germany also make underwater housings (for up to 10meter dept).
They have one for the Sony V1.

www.ewa-marine.com

That bskinetics model says it works for the FX7, but not specifically for the V1. The V1 has a protruding module for the audio input, so it needs a slightly different fit. I would make sure it has that ability before shelling out serious money.

There are also a few Equinox models listed at B&H that specify both the FX7 and V1. I have used none of these, but noticed them there looking at V1 accessories one day.

Hi Douglas, at the top end you've got Amphibico (electronic controls) as has already been mentioned, plus Gates (mechanical controls, see http://www.gateshousings.com/FX7.html). You may well be able to rent from either of the manufacturers themselves. Certainly I've heard of Gates renting their housings. The mechanical controls of the Gates may be more reliable than the electronic ones of the Amphibico, plus you can get some really excellent lens/port options on the Gates. But either housing should be top notch.

FX7/V1 housings are discussed extensively on the Wetpixel video forum at http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showforum=13 If you post this question on there you might discover other renting options in your area.

Nick

At the surface a full housing is going to get heavy, especially if the cameraman is waiting around quite a long time. I'm thinking actually that the "glorified plastic bag" from EWA Marine might be a better bet. It will be lighter and you can see all the normal camera controls so there's no learning curve in working out how to operate a proper housing's controls.

They have a V1 "housing" available "2nd half of May". It's called the VF7. See http://www.ewa-marine.com/english/index.htm

Hey Douglas, I too am looking for a water housing for a V1U. I plan to buy as I live in San Diego and plan to do a lot of Surf Video. As mentioned the dive housing can be heavy. I have been looking at the Equinox and wondering if I remove the ballast if I can shoot at water surface level. Im thinking it will be too heavy. The EWA bag and this

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475884-REG/Epic_EPH0001_Pro_HD_Mechanical_Video.html

are the other two options Im thinking about. I realize the above link is for an FX-1 but if you call the people at epic I think they may be able to help. Looks like their stuff is made for surf video. My worry is that the plastic bag may be good for calm water but for me Im sure I will be taking a few trips "over the falls" and Im not sure what type of pressure a large wave breaking on your head may do to the seals of the bag.

Douglas here is the epic page with the V1U housing

http://www.epiccam.com/news/latest/sony-hvr-v1u.html

Thanks guys, Marcus and a couple others have recommended the Ewa bag, and for the 2 feet under shots, I think that should do just fine.

Above water to keep the camera protected they're OK.
Underwater is another story.
I have an old canon GL-1 and an Ewa Marine bag. The bag has many flaws. As you dive the bag collapses with the water pressure ( it doesn't take much depth for this to happen, 3-5 feet ) and the bag pushes on the Zoom button . Maybe this is just a problem with the canon GL models, but this really screws the shot-it's totally out of focus. I have chased sea turtles and thought I had a great shot only to find a total blurry out of focus mistake. How can you miss a turtle from three feet away? I contacted the company and tried keeping as much air in the bag as possible...their solution.
Didn't work. Also the metal air lock strip on the bag jabs you in the forehead if you attempt to see what you're shooting through the viewfinder. If you are in choppy waves it could cause injury .
I don't klnow what buttons it would push on a V-1 ,maybe none, but ...a hard case pushes the buttons you push.
hope this info is of help.
Aloha,
Wayne Z

p.s. you may think you'll just use the bag in 2 feet of water but...you know how that goes.

I have the FX7 and a Gates housing. I recently posted links to underwater videos I made scubadiving. The camcorder housing combination rocks for underwater video.

The Gates housing has full access to most if not all the manual controls. You can rent the housings directly from Gates or Marinevisions.

Even if you are only going down 2 feet, having access to the manual controls is a huge plus. You mention there is a reef close by. It would be nice to get good footage of that and if you are filming people jumping in from a helicopter you'll want to go deeper than 2 feet to get the undwerwater shot on them entering the water. Go down to around 6-10 feet, angle the camera up, get the silhouette of the helicopter in the frame and film the jump entry.