Won Sony Handycam....need housing and help!!

[wetvet]

Hi Pictogurus:

I won a Sony DCR-SR47 Handycam ths weekend. Now, I want to take it diving...Ive done some poor underwater photography in the past with various Canon point and shoots, and I like it....I had planned on replacing my camera, but now had this video cam fall in my lap. Questions: 1) is there any way of housing this thing while spending less than $800 on an Equinox, or $1100 for an Ikelite housing? ie. are there compatible knockoffs, or a source of used housings that I havent been able to find?
2) how important are external lights for decent video?
3) how available are the controls to the camera when it is in the housing? with the still camera, all the buttons were accessable.....is it the same in video?

Thanks in advance for your help....
Wetvet

 

[robint]

looks like Ikelite makes a housing for it, but that is the only one I found on a search on B&H: sony sr47

maybe one of the Top Dawg housings??: Top Dawg Underwater Video Housing, Top Dawg Mini Housing, Top Dawg II Housing

you don't really have much choices available.

 

[Rogersea]

WetVet,
Congrats on winning the camera, I just recently(5 months) got into UW Videography. I had many of my basic questions answered by a video "Your Guide to Creating Underwater Video". I have also learned a great deal reading through the forums both here and on wetpixel:
Wetpixel.com :: Underwater Photography and Videography . Good luck!!!