how do you make a water proof case

06-27-2006, 3:05 PM

hey guys i was wondering how do you make a water proof case that will fit just one cam. I would like it so I can flip out the little screen on the side but it does not have to. Thank you guy.

(cwbrider16) · (cwbrider16) **Join Date: May 2004** 06-27-2006, 5:30 PM

I also want to make one because my camera is too large and they dont make one for it. My friend had one that he bought for his and instead of flipping out the lcd screen, it has a mirror that flips out so it reflects the lcd screen when it is placed back into the camera (screen side out)

(smackus) · (smackus) **Join Date: Apr 2004** 06-27-2006, 6:54 PM

PVC pipe and plexiglass with an o-ring and screw on ring adapter to hold it in place. Turn camera on using the remote and jump in. Be carefull I swamped a $1500 camcorder on my first try. Salt water and circuits don't mix. Had a grain of sand in the seal. Looked at the housing at about 80 feet of water and it was half full.

(wakeworld) · (wakeworld) **Join Date: Jan 1997** 06-27-2006, 7:01 PM

Low Income Housing Project: http://www.wakeworld.com/articles/2003/housing.asp

(Walt) · (Walt) **Join Date: Jan 2003** 06-27-2006, 7:03 PM

If I remember right there was a link on Mike Isler's web sight to a place that made custom housings.

(Walt) · (Walt) **Join Date: Jan 2003** 06-27-2006, 7:05 PM

http://www.waterhousings.com/

(solo) · (solo) **Join Date: Oct 2001** 06-27-2006, 7:41 PM

Islers got a DV3 with a ton of extras:

http://www.aquatech.com.au/

(caskimmer) · (caskimmer) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 06-28-2006, 8:09 AM

Aquatech is way overpriced IMO.

this is what 80-90% of all surf photogs/video guys use http://www.splwaterhousings.com

video housings run around $1000

(nils_lars) · (nils_lars) **Join Date: Jun 2006** 06-28-2006, 8:05 PM

I decided to build my own because they are so expencive and was able to buy all the parts at Orchard Supply except the acrylic tube,disc,and glue I got from Tap plastics.

I think I spent about $50 on all the parts and took like 2 hours.

Here is the pics of parts and fully assembled

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Nils_Lars/MVC-891F.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Nils_Lars/MVC-892F.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Nils_Lars/MVC-894F.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Nils_Lars/MVC-895F.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Nils_Lars/MVC-896F.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Nils_Lars/MVC-897F.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/Nils_Lars/MVC-898F.jpg

I then glued the 2 strips on the inside where the red lines are and made a tray that slides under them that screws to the camera base.

I glued a rubber block to the inside of the back that lines up with the record button and I could add a hinged mirror to the side easily to see the LCD.

I plan on tying this to an anchor and droping it 20 feet into the lake this weekend before putting my camera inside just in case but im sure itll be fine I used lots of glue and reinforced the joints.

(Message edited by nils_lars on June 28, 2006)

(mattyboyr6) · (mattyboyr6) **Join Date: Jul 2003** 06-29-2006, 5:32 PM

Not my site so don't blame me if something goes wrong. But it looks simple enough it could work

http://web.media.mit.edu/~tim/pix/waterproofcamera.html

(dcervenka) · (dcervenka) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 06-30-2006, 2:13 AM

Don't forget to add the alkaseltzer ...

"Subject: Put alka-seltzer in your water camera bag
When I made a hacked underwater camera housing to take video of the stingrays in the Caymans, I put two alka-seltzer in the bag with a weight and the camera. In case of a leak, the seltzer foams, blowing up the bag and making it more positively buoyant (probably also tends to expel the water). It worked too! You certainly notice when you get a leak ..."

(bailey) · (bailey) **Join Date: May 2001** 06-30-2006, 1:21 PM

The cost of those professional bags are insane. I made one myself with one of those bags to keep your stuff dry on river rating trips and a clear piece of plexiglass. I wouldn't dive with it but it is great for the tube even if you happen to get thrown out.
I also looked into the epic housings. They look pretty cool and are somewhat reasonably priced.

(nils_lars) · (nils_lars) **Join Date: Jun 2006** 07-05-2006, 5:42 PM

Well I put some finishing touches on the housing I made and tied it to the anchor droped it 20 feet and let it sit for an hour and it was bone dry on the inside so I put the camera in it and thrashed it in the water and it works great.

You are limited to only hitting record unless I buy a Ewa marine cell phone bag for the remote then I can do anything.

Ill post up some more pics and a description of how to build if anyone wants.

(dcervenka) · (dcervenka) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 07-11-2006, 12:53 AM

Probably one of the more solid DIY designs I've seen.. Great instructions too!

http://www.instructables.com/id/EKU3DUKR8WEPA8KXRG/