Video Housing

[TiroAfila]

I have a Canon Elura 80 video camera that I want to get a housing for. I dont want to spent a HUGE amount. Probly will have to use something that requires me to turn the camera on before i decend. (i.e. no underwater controls) Does anyone have any suggestions for a good quality housing that is not going to set me back more then $300.00-$400.00 dollars? I know its maybe asking alot, but I just finished buying all my scuba gear, and I dont have lots of "play" money left. Thanks in advance for your ideas!

[PlatypusMan]

This is one of those times when I would recommend that you look into what's on Ebay. There is an outfit on there that sells exactly what you are describing; use the search term "Underwater Video" and they'll pop up.

[TiroAfila]

Cool. I have found 2 different items on ebay that match what I need. One is the Nemo, and the other is the ShelliCam. Does anyone have any experience or opinions on these two housings?

[diversteve]

Two others:

Aquatix makes one on the upper end of your budget with a basic on/off control.
Atmo-Seal has a similar model.

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by diversteve

Two others:

Aquatix makes one on the upper end of your budget with a basic on/off control.
Atmo-Seal has a similar model.

Good links! Atmo-Seal has an accessory that I may have to pick up in the future for one of my housings.

Thank you.

[TiroAfila]

OK, so now we have 4 housings. Still looking for someone with personal experience with these housings, and the service lvls they recieved from the different companies. I like the magnetic controls idea. Looks as if it will be what I need. Now just to choose between them.

[diversteve]

I don't but a couple points to consider:

To start/stop the camcorder on either the Shellicam or the Nemo, you can bring your remote onto the boat and start it pre-dive. Since you should seal it in a clean dry place prior to diving.

With the mech. control on the Aquatix or Atmoseal you're not wasting tape while riding out/descending to the divesite. To me that would be worth the extra $100+...

With the Shellicam you're shooting blind since it has no back viewport. So you won't be able to frame any of your shots. Also no tape remaining indication.

my .02

btw, I've just been involved in a pros/cons discussion with Shellicam's founder over on Scubaboard.

[Capt Hook]

Another option is Yellowjacket housing, if they are still around.
No controls, but we got one for $300. Have shot hours of video with no problems.

[FOUNDATIONER]

Hey how's it goin.
I have an actual personal experience for you for what its worth.
I actually purchased and have now used a Shellicam housing.
Yes it is a seal it up, start it up, edit later setup.
I use a Sony digital8 camera, zoom all the way open,
focus manually set to infinity. Just got back from Jamaica
a couple of days ago and first lighted the housing. A little
astronomy lingo there
I've got about 3 hours of video total from the trip.
It all turned out very well. Had no problems whatsoever
from the housing. Easy to plop cam in and fire it up.
No worries about leaking, theyve tested this thing to
in excess of 500 fsw. Yeah it runs while your kitting up, and while
your waiting to stride in, and while the boat captain is handing
you your cam, and while you descend and while you safety stop,
and while youre gettin outta the water. But let me tell ya, some of
the funniest stuff happens while all that is going on. Personally I'm not
worried about wasting tape or getting an Oscar.
Pros:
Cheap
Well built and rugged
Simple
Mulitple use, diving, boating, taping a thunderstorm, etc.
Polish any scratches you put in the lens yourself.
All questions and advice I asked for from the folks at
shellicam were answered quickly and thouroughly.
Cons:
You gotta find your own way to hang stuff on the housing,
i.e. weight, light, lanyard, whatever. I used a couple of
rubber coated worm drive hose clamps for 5 bucks to attach
2lbs of weight and a lanyard and it worked very well.
Yeah, there is no way to really sight the camera, but I
did not have a problem with that, every thing i pointed the
camera at is on my video, that eel, that turtle, that ray, that
mercury lower unit on the bottom.
No manual control in the water. I dont work for the discovery
channel, my videos are for me and mine so thats just fine.

All in all I am very satisfied with this housing, its tough, trouble free
and cheap. Kudos to the folks at shellicam for making the housing
I've been looking for.(no they are not paying me to say that,just credit where its due)
Next stop Belize and the Blue Hole in 2 months, cant wait to take it
to 130 fsw!


Hope this helps, please drive through