Make a waterproof video camera housing

[RFNK]

I have an Ikelite housing for my EOS 5D and another for my Sony Handycam but these are strictly underwater housings; unsuitable for use on the boat etc. as they're way to cumbersome and fragile (Ikelite housings are fantastic UW housings though). I've used the plastic bag type housings and they do work but they're .... well, yuk! So, I'm planning to make a simple waterproof housing for the video camera. It doesn't need to handle any real depth although I would like to take it into the surf and use it on the boat when conditions are pretty rough. It won't need much access to controls except I'd like to be able to turn the `record' switch on and off (my camera doesn't have a general On/Off switch ..... grrrr).

I'm thinking of using perspex tube or solid pvc tube for the body but I need ideas on the ends (type of plastic or glass etc.) and ideas, suppliers etc. for the clips to hold the back on. A threaded fitting with an o-ring may be enough although I've had torches fail with that arrangement. Any ideas welcome! I've done a few searches already and I'll add info. to this thread as I find it.

By the way - anyone interested in UW video photography should get the Blue Ray version of the BBC's South Pacific DVD. If you have HD TV, it's worth forking out for a Blue Ray player and the South Pacific BR DVD. Within 10 minutes you'll be glad you did.

Rick

[ramillett]

You can buy the little water prof cameras for less than the cost of parts for a case , good to 30 feet , simple , HD videos , no case needed , fits in a small pocket



This shot was taken with one , and got wet

[RFNK]

That's a very nice shot! but I want to use the camera I have. I can take hours of footage, the batteries last for hours, I can do quite a bit of editing, it's true HD etc.

Rick

[sailnstink]

GoPro is the answer. Brilliant little cameras that do a great job. Also at a price point where you can put the cameras at risk to get shots you might not otherwise attempt.

[RFNK]

This is a bit like when you go looking for plans for a wooden kayak and people say, no, what you need is a plastic one. Much cheaper, no fuss - just what you need. Go Pro etc. are great little cameras but, sorry, if you want the quality and versatility of a mid-range video camera, Go Pro ain't it.
Rick

[stromborg]

Pelican makes rugged and waterproof cases in a whole bunch of sizes, including some that are clear that might work as your base housing. I wonder if you could retro-fit a small glass window into one for the camera to look through? I've got a picture in my head of a waterproof push-button switch cover with a linkage to activate the on/off buttons that I'm struggling to articulate. Sounds like a nifty project.

Steve

[ramillett]

Rick I've help friend made a water prof case , the only good seals were in solid blocks of acrylic with machined and polished grooves for the o-ring . Tried vacuum-forming but would not keep a good seal . We found the smaller the case , the easer . good luck , at least the cameras are smaller then when I was playing with this

[RFNK]

I'm thinking along those lines. Ideally, I'd like a clear tube of perspex with a clear end, of appropriate material, to serve as the lens port. The other end will be as you suggest, machined lips for the tube and cap, sealed with an o-ring. Clipping the back on is probably the best way to go so I need to find out where I can get good clips. I'd also like to set up a way of controlling the recording switch without removing the cap. I'll probably see if I can replicate the through controls typically used in UW housings. The housing mainly needs to be robust, it doesn't need to withstand the pressures of a true UW housing. And yes, it's a much simpler prospect than was the case when these cameras were so much bigger!

There's a plastics supplier near my work so I'll call in there and see what materials they'd suggest.

Rick

[sailnstink]

Sometimes a plastic kayak is the right answer.

This is a bit like when you go looking for plans for a wooden kayak and people say, no, what you need is a plastic one. Much cheaper, no fuss - just what you need. Go Pro etc. are great little cameras but, sorry, if you want the quality and versatility of a mid-range video camera, Go Pro ain't it.
Rick

[ramillett]

Try to keep you're opening parts round , and your fussy shaped joints glued . The advantages of acrylic over polycarbonate are easier to finish clear by sanding to 600 then flame polish , glues better , and less problems with hydrocarbons attacking it . I have a good example of how good acrylic is , right next to me is a 100 gallon acrylic salt water tank , that is 18 years old . Now thats a good glue joint

[RFNK]

Sometimes a plastic kayak is the right answer.

Indeed but not to the question asked. I do appreciate the suggestions, I'm not ungrateful but it's not what I'm looking for.

Rick

[RFNK]

Try to keep you're opening parts round , and your fussy shaped joints glued . The advantages of acrylic over polycarbonate are easier to finish clear by sanding to 600 then flame polish , glues better , and less problems with hydrocarbons attacking it . I have a good example of how good acrylic is , right next to me is a 100 gallon acrylic salt water tank , that is 18 years old . Now thats a good glue joint

Thanks. I tend to just call it all perspex but I'll ask for acrylic. The place I go to supplies a range of industries so they should know their stuff. I'll take your suggestions along.

Rick

[RFNK]

Pelican makes rugged and waterproof cases in a whole bunch of sizes, including some that are clear that might work as your base housing. I wonder if you could retro-fit a small glass window into one for the camera to look through? I've got a picture in my head of a waterproof push-button switch cover with a linkage to activate the on/off buttons that I'm struggling to articulate. Sounds like a nifty project.

Steve

I keep my camera gear in Pelican cases - they are very good. I'd like the housing to be clear, at least at the back, so that I can see what's going on. I can also leave the screen alongside the camera body to view through the side.

Rick

[Wavewacker]

My Sony Hadicam requires folding out the viewer, selecting record, operating the zoom and other functions. How are you going to do that in any hard container without considerable engineering. gaskets, waterproof rubber seals, etc. ?

You and I have the wrong camera to take in the surf.....unless,

you keep it simple and just use a clear waterproof bag, used by kayakers. If you press the bag against the lens and it is dry on the outside at that spot, the picture isn't that bad, don't notice it much at all. If you need a better pic, maybe you could cut out a hole and seal some glass or plexi stock in a small area to shoot out of. The bag is thick and not really easy to press the function keys, but you can.

I did this once at the lake, it worked, it was a hassel, but worked. I also use a sandwich bag over it and that was OK, keeps the splash off, wouldn't call it waater proof. You have to keep the lens area dry in any case.

I'd rather get another camera if I am going to be in or on the water.

[RFNK]

My Sony Hadicam requires folding out the viewer, selecting record, operating the zoom and other functions. How are you going to do that in any hard container without considerable engineering. gaskets, waterproof rubber seals, etc. ?

You and I have the wrong camera to take in the surf.....unless,

you keep it simple and just use a clear waterproof bag, used by kayakers. If you press the bag against the lens and it is dry on the outside at that spot, the picture isn't that bad, don't notice it much at all. If you need a better pic, maybe you could cut out a hole and seal some glass or plexi stock in a small area to shoot out of. The bag is thick and not really easy to press the function keys, but you can.

I did this once at the lake, it worked, it was a hassel, but worked. I also use a sandwich bag over it and that was OK, keeps the splash off, wouldn't call it waater proof. You have to keep the lens area dry in any case.

I'd rather get another camera if I am going to be in or on the water.

Yep, that's all about right but a plastic bag's not going to stand up to the surf. You don't need all the functionality for what I want to do. Leaving the camera on doesn't use much power so, I'll be happy if I can operate the record switch and the zoom. Even just the record switch will do. With my camera, I can leave the screen folded in - pulling the viewfinder out switches the camera on.

Rick

[Wavewacker]

Then a box with an external power source would work and just flip a waterproof switch on the box.

Also, I have used external cameras to record to the Sony. I use pin holes, cannon type and even small security cameras to a transmitter, all of which could be in a box. The receiver could go in the boat or ashore with the camera recording.

You can find cheap cameras and remotes at several sites, as I did some investigative work,,,,so another option may not be as costly as you might think, less than a hundred bucks I'd bet.