DIY UW housing for Canon t2i - advice appreciated

[_marin]

Hi everyone,
I'm thinking of building a simple housing for my t2i and would appreciate any advice you may have on my initial drawings and plans. The image I attach is just a drawing for main part, but I will design handles with remote controls for the camera using momentary toggle switches and sealing boots. But before I begin, I'd like to hear what you think about this drawing and maybe discuss potential problems before I start the production.
Thank you.

 

[lucca brassi]

Or just buy aluminium housing for SLR for low price on eBay. You have to rework mostly back .

for instance USED IKELITE CAMERA CASE & SIDE ATTACHMENT | eBay

Check also that producer in Slovenia Vivid Housings - affordable underwater housings, vacuum leak detector, underwater photo accessories (parts )

 

[_marin]

Thank you, mr. Brassi Vivid housings look nice but are above my budget, but this thing on eBay looks interesting.
However, I ordered some parts for the housing I'm planning to build so I think I'm gonna try and do it. I just visited a small company that deals with custom projects and they said they'll be happy to do it so now I gotta figure out the potential problems with this design and try to solve it. Basic concept is the same as this ClearCam Housings. but I plan on adding remote controls in the handles for controlling focus, aperture, exposure, ISO and start/stop recording. I'm thinking of putting Ikelite 6" dome port in front which means most of the front part will be drilled through. If not 6" maybe smaller one. If I understand correctly the dome port must be centered with the lens center axis?

 

[lucca brassi]

GLASS(PLEXI ) DOME IS LENS !

Dome Port Optics and Best Ports for Wide-Angle Lenses|Underwater Photography Guide ( and pretty complicated - it must includes also sensor size ) something else is flat port) On Vivid site was excellent aricle about dome sizes ( radius ) relative to CCD sensor / obejctives and it was a pretty big table ).

 

[_marin]

Yes, I am aware of that. I checked on Ikelite's site the proper dome and port for my lens. It's 6" dome with 5503 port so I will be ordering that and making the housing in a way that it can be properly installed.
I left you a message on candlepowerforum in dive lightning library post but I guess I can ask that here too:
Could you please tell me if this momentary toggle switch would work underwater properly without need for additional protection? http://www.apem.com/pdf/MT.pdf
it's from one of the links you posted but I still haven't got an answer from manufacturer...
Thanks.

 

[lucca brassi]

Hmm should be fine to see cross section on that switch -how is switch assembled. (Deprecated Browser Error have same ) At general if you use remote controll ( I have same idea ; I made (2) similar housing like Halcyon- apollo - but I never finished them :blinking: ) you need momentary button type switch .

I have idea to made a PCB in dimensions of my grip with inserted hall switches , and then whole thing mould in liquid acryl ( including remote - of course with battery cables out and IR diode out ).
In pleces where would be placed hall switches , I would made holes with threads where I put assembly kit including (spring , small piston (button) with south pole magnet on end and limiting nut which hold all thing together) .

There is also very elegant and simple solution as always for that and there are inustrial modular buttons and parts from them

like : small piston for accutating hall
106MG10 - HONEYWELL S&C - Magnet | Farnell Republika Slovenija

switch assembly Pushbutton | Farnell Republika Slovenija | Results=
(In our company uses these components at machine building and I think it is possible to made out very robust and sure command console.

In that case you can be pretty sure that will nothing go wrong with these switches )

 

[_marin]

Just got a reply from a guy who made electronics for remote control - said this type of switch won't work because the switch needs to have 3 positions where first pos is shorting A-COM, second pos should be open (no connection between A-COM-B and third pos should short COM-B. The switch I posted above has only A, COM or B options, no A-COM and B-COM
I was also thinking of using simple push button switches but I cannot find small ones that I could somehow make water resistant... Do you think Hexseal boots for pushbutton switches would be enough protection to take it underwater 30m? this boot Full Pushbutton Boots Switch & Potentiometer Boots from APM and this bushing seal Bushing Seals for use with Sealed Switches Switch & Potentiometer Boots from APM

 

[lucca brassi]

I have thought that you want that switch for some zoom-in / zoom out or some dial function

At momentary switches is problem that pressure close contact because of air behind some membrane /sealing. Switch mechanism should be floded to equlize pressure ( but not contacts of course ) - thats why proximity switches (reed ,hall or clasic toggle , could be also piezo but they are expensive )

 

[_marin]

I need switches that will perform focus +/-, aperture +/-, exposure+/- and simple start recording.
Do you know what kind of switches are these?
Light & Motion Bluefin OLED for Canon Cameras lmi-852-0145_8.jpg

 

[lucca brassi]

no idea