Ikelite housing

[mdmbike to scuba]

Hey guys anybody use the Ikelite housing with the mirror for viewing. Do you like it or is it better to find something else? I'm looking for a housing under $900.00 with controls and some kind of nice viewfinder. I have a Sony DCR-HC32 with lanc...Thanks Mark

 

[ronrosa]

I think "ronbint" has that exact setup and is very happy with it. Give her a shout.

 

[diversteve]

Since you did mention "lanc" there's a couple of electronic options for around $900. But I don't think you can open your LCD screen in either of them, so it would require more $$ for an external monitor. But the upside is they have an extended control set beyond what the Ikelite offers on their base model.

http://www.oceanimagesinc.com/products/housings/dolphin_pro/dolphin_pro.htm
http://www.topdawgvideo.com/housings.htm

I think Robin also had Ike install reversing circuitry on her setup. Otherwise the panning is backward using the mirror.

You should join us on AZScuba:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=458

 

[Padipro]

What about building a housing yourself? I just finished putting the final touches on mine a few weeks ago. I took it on a test dive to 126 FSW without a single drop of water in it and have shot several videos with it as well. They're not that hard to build and compared to the cost of one from Ikelite it's one heck of a lot cheaper. The mirror does take a little getting used to as everything is backwards but you get used to it.

You can take a look at some pictures I posted on my DIY site. The hyper link button doesn't seem to be working so just cut and past this address to go to the site.

http://groups.msn.com/Divelight/newcamerahousing.msnw

 

[dougaldiver]

I use the Ikelite housing and have the mirror. You can get reversing circuitry fitted (I think only for Sony camcorders) by Ikelite which puts the reflected image back the right way round. I was going to go for this but to be honest I tend to use the view finder most of the time so didn't bother in the end

 

[NAIBdiver1]

I use an Ikelite housing and like it just fine. I was thinking of some time ago of buying the mirror, but I've found looking through the view finder is more than enough. Sometime, especially on closeups, I just "point and shoot". I've used the housing enough to know where it's pointing.

 

[mdmbike to scuba]

Thanks guys for all your help. Now if you had the choice which would use the Mirror or an LCD screen. I'm looking at one more case that would require me to buy a LCD screen. "I dont have to but its just nice to see it better with an LCD" If I'm putting up the big bucks is it worth it???? What to do what to do?????? Mark

 

[mdmbike to scuba]

Nice case Scott great work. I wish I could do that......Mark

 

[diversteve]

I had an older housing (poly, similar to O/I's) for about 2 yrs. It had room for a monitor in the back of the case but somehow I never got around to it. But I had sort of an instinctive feel for what I was filming. My buddy otoh, cut the tops off of everything he filmed one trip.

I now have an Amphibico housing, their monitor is a $1400 option so I'm looking for a cheaper alternative, mostly because I would like to film small critters in macro and I can't see well enough through the camera's viewfinder to do so.

Most of the time, you'll likely be filming at a very wide angle setting so having a monitor is less of an issue. I've not found it particularly difficult with either housing I've owned to see the viewfinder at least well enough to frame shots. And I do alot of point & shoot with surprisingly good results.

 

[mdmbike to scuba]

Hey Steve I found a LCD screen for my Sony that is about $219.00 and has a 2.5 screen on it. "Now if I go with it what case to get"? I like the look and weight of the Ikelite, but if I want to change Cam down the road go bigger or maybe smaller that case may not work. With the these housing costing so much I need to make a good choice. Again any ideas will be great......??? Mark