Has anyone ever made one of these (http://www.instructables.com/id/ESAN0HCF2FRVIUV/?ALLSTEPS)?

I saw this on Camcorder Info Blog and was wondering if anyone has ever made it or something like it. I was thinking at-least if not used for underwater, it can be used to protect your camera when near the water. So that the sprays and stuff wont harm it.
I have a really small camera. Its a Canon Elura 100. So I was thinking something like this would work perfectly..

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!
~Gabriel

It's certainly an imaginative and inexpensive design. It's suitability really depends on what you want to do.

If you want to use it as an underwater housing for SCUBA diving, I wouldn't go anywhere near it. The primary reasons:

1. You can't see inside which means you can't see if it is leaking
2. No handles to hold it by - makes stable shots difficult
3. No means to operate the camcorder - you have to start it recording before you close the lid
4. No means to see what the camcorder is shooting
5. Using velcro to hold down the camcorder will probably lead to wobbling of the camcorder - a tripod mount is preferable
6. If your camcorder has autofocus with a lock feature, you can't access it - either you will have to set the focus beforehand or it will hunt.

On the plus side:

1. Inexpensive
2. Can accommodate a wide range of camcorders
3. Great for plopping in a swimming pool and leaving it

However, for the shallow application/protection from splashes etc, it is somewhat overkill. A couple of extra thick ziploc freezer bags can do that - I'm sure that someone has already come up with instructions for adding a simple lens port. The advantages include accessible controls, a way to see what the camcorder is doing, you can start and stop recording. If you wanted to get really fancy, you could put the remote control in a separate bag and control the camcorder with that!

You can get commercial versions of the camcorder-in-a-bag concept:

e.g., http://www.ewa-marine.com/english/index.htm

(These can go to 33ft, as well as provide lightweight protection against mud, sand, dust, rain, humidity etc).

Thanks for the info John!
I tried using ziplocs before, but it was way to foggy to see anything...

Any other thoughts about this setup?

~Gabriel

I like the ammo box concept. I think with a few tweeks it could be even more useful.

Here's my (untried, untested) idea:

1. add a plexi viewing window to the one side (the side with your lcd if you have one)

2. add a plexi viewing window to the back (so you can use your remote)

3. all plexi windows should be double-pane to prevent leaks caused by pressure difference inside/outside

4. before taking it undewater, line it with paper towels or TP on the bottom, this way if there is even a very small leak, you'll be able to detect the change via the paper and get out of the water asap.

5. add a PVC frame for gripping

Hey Lisa!!! Thanks for the ideas!

I was hoping maybe I could use this for the current UWOL challenge.. :D

To be honest, I can't even swim... So I wont be going deep with it, thats for sure! I would be happy if it worked for some simple surface work in a river...

Thanks for the ideas, I'll keep them in mind.

Please let me know if anyone gives this a try!
~Gabriel

I tell you what I used. I found one of those pasta containers like these http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13572526&RN=204

The bottom was quite clear, but I cut a large circle out of the bottom, then cut a circular piece of glass and used silicon sealant to glue it to the bottom from the inside. The top seals with a soft rubber seal, I put a very light coat of petroleum jelly on it. My trv900 LCD flips all the way around so I slid the camera in with the lcd facing out and sealed it up. I used the remote to turn on and off record and then taped under water. (I tested it first.) Worked pretty well for what it was. And it was cheap. Had it at least 4 feet deep.

Duane

Thats a good idea Duane!

Thanks for that idea! I'll consider using this...

~Gabriel

Gabriel,

You might check out this Home Depot model:
http://www.wakeworld.com/articles/2003/housing.asp

Or this one which boasts "This one has been down to 92 feet salt water and has made a total of 6 repeat dives with open/close cycles in between." (same site you linked to but a different housing):
http://www.instructables.com/id/EKU3DUKR8WEPA8KXRG/?ALLSTEPS

Hey John, thanks!

That looks incredible. But I am afraid they are out of my price range...
Thanks for it anyways!! Its a great idea for those who have that much. But I am on a really tight budget.

~Gabriel

What is your price range?

What is your price range?

Under $20 us dollars would be ideal... it would not be used all that much.. Just for protection when on something like a small Canoe. So if it was to go over, it would be safe.

Thank you for your interest!
~Gabriel

If you don't want to spend a lot of money try one of these.

http://www.epiccam.com/

I bought one for my Panasonic GS75 for shallow diving, I've taken it to 19M with no problems, apart from the fact it ain't guaranteed at those depths.

Again no handles but it has thick webbing straps around the outside that make it quite comfortable to hold, you can also strap lights to them.

Very simply, very cheap, considering.

Only thing is you must buy them from America and have them shipped over.

Hi Lisa. Some questions about your mods.


3. all plexi windows should be double-pane to prevent leaks caused by pressure difference inside/outside


I would use polycarbonate for greater resilience. When you mean double pane, do you mean that it should be stuck inside and outside for each window i.e. 2 sheets per window ?

actually a couple pretty good sites on how to make a housing using pvc pipe and some o rings..you can buy sealed controlers from ikelite as well..expensive but will work the on/off switch

If you're just looking for "dunk" protection or short periods just under the surface of water this is a very cheap and easy option. It's just a 6 volt waterproof torch housing that small cameras like the Canon HF 100 will fit into and has the original glass replaced with a piece of low iron glass and silicon-ed in place. The bottom picture has had an on/off switch built in as well. The remote control will work if pointed into the case from the front (works on the Canon HF 100, other cams may work as well)

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/ian-newland-albums-fig-rig-picture168-wheel7.jpg

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/ian-newland-albums-fig-rig-picture167-wheel6.jpg

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/members/ian-newland-albums-fig-rig-picture170-wheel9.jpg

More info here
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/under-water-over-land/141278-shooting-steady-footage-jet-ski.html

Cheers Ian

The ammunition box is a great idea! Then after you destroy your expensive videocam, you can always use it to hold rounds and go off and shoot yourself! lol ;)

Gotta vote with Dave here - really cheap underwater housings lead to really expensive, electronic paperweights.

Hi,

I also made the underwater cheap box. I will not take my camera underwater with it, but I use my Wall Mart Sport Utility Box ($8.00) for keeping the camera dry in a boat. Inside I use pool noodles to brace the sides of the camera. I should have used this in my hike in the rain forest in Central America. Good luck, and do not go underwater with this thing!!!


Ken...... the $900 repair bill dude.........

Cheap disposable and light weight waterproofing under 20 $
Years back when I was playing with super 8 film surfing and sailing, we made a disposable housing that worked great. The small cameras of today with wide angle lenses and the availability of plexi glass that can be formed easily leads to a number of modifications to this simple waterproofing system.
You require
Latex glove
Round or oval tempered glass or plexi for a lens port, must be bigger than the hand hole of the glove.
Silicon rubber glue
Tape to secure all in place
Method:
Pressure tests the glove, first blow the glove up makes sure it has no leaks or pin holes.
Make sure that the camera has fresh batteries and tape inside and is ready to go, take the strap off and anything else removable that is not required.
Stretch the glove, and place the camera inside.
Make sure your glass port is clean, stretch the glove again and fit in the lens port make sure it goes well in and you have a good overlap to glue down to the port.
Glue the glove overlap to the lens and press down firmly and trim when dry
Use the tape to secure the camera in position, make a tape on a handle if required..
Mark

This would be a one time housing wouldn't it ? Once you use it you have to destroy the glove to use it again..

Cheap disposable and light weight waterproofing under 20 $
Years back when I was playing with super 8 film surfing and sailing, we made a disposable housing that worked great. The small cameras of today with wide angle lenses and the availability of plexi glass that can be formed easily leads to a number of modifications to this simple waterproofing system.
You require
Latex glove
Round or oval tempered glass or plexi for a lens port, must be bigger than the hand hole of the glove.
Silicon rubber glue
Tape to secure all in place
Method:
Pressure tests the glove, first blow the glove up makes sure it has no leaks or pin holes.
Make sure that the camera has fresh batteries and tape inside and is ready to go, take the strap off and anything else removable that is not required.
Stretch the glove, and place the camera inside.
Make sure your glass port is clean, stretch the glove again and fit in the lens port make sure it goes well in and you have a good overlap to glue down to the port.
Glue the glove overlap to the lens and press down firmly and trim when dry
Use the tape to secure the camera in position, make a tape on a handle if required..
Mark

Yes one time use, light weight and simple to rig, and easy to carry, and a once you have a glass port the gloves and silicon glue can be brought nearly anywhere.
Mark

Here's the direction I went. I know it's not $20, but for $170 you can reuse it, protect your camera, see the LCD, and have full control (if you have LANC):

Amazon.com: Sony SPK-HCD Waterproof Sports Pack for underwater use with DCR-SR220, 45, 55, 65 Camcorders: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SPK-HCD-Waterproof-underwater-Camcorders/dp/B0012G990I/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232336056&sr=8-3)

Its designed specifically for the Sony mini HDV's such as HDR-HC3, but has a zillion adapters and I've read it will work with Canon HV20/30 as well. There are similar housings for point and shoot cameras as well (cheaper also).