How to Build Underwater Video Camera Housings
The ability to take underwater video allows SCUBA enthusiasts the opportunity to explain their dives to friends and family as well as share some of the experience visually. Underwater video camera housing tends to be expensive, starting around $200 for the most basic models and running up to more than $1,000 for more expensive ones, according to B&H Photo. However, for the diver on a budget, or the low-budget movie maker with a desire to shoot an underwater scene, building an underwater housing might prove a more affordable alternative.
Things You'll Need
- Waterproof storage container (such as a plastic bag or tube made of clear plastic sheeting)
- Clear plastic sheeting (such as Plexiglass)
- Rubber O-Ring
- Pen
- Fine-toothed saw
- Sandpaper
- Glue gun or fast-acting adhesive (such as SuperGlue)
- Hook and loop fastener straps (such as Velcro)
- Soft cloth or padding
Instructions
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Waterproof Video
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1
Choose a container. It is essential that the container is transparent, waterproof and durable. This limits the choices mostly to plastics. One option is to use a flexible plastic like urethane and build a sort of bag as the container. This will give you the advantage of being able to manipulate the camera controls underwater. Another option is to use a harder container, such as a plastic pipe large enough for you to fit the camera into. You could even use a large plastic storage container. This provides a possibly longer-lasting container that is easier to seal.
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2
Create a lens from clear plastic sheeting, such as Plexiglass. If you choose the pipe container, you may be able to find a round Plexiglass cap that can act as the lens. If not, draw a circle on a Plexiglass sheet (using an O-Ring as a stencil) and cut a circle out of the Plexiglass using a fine-toothed saw. You can smooth the edges with sandpaper if necessary.
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3
Attach the O-Ring to the clear plastic lens using the glue. This O-Ring will act as a seal to keep water from entering the crack, for as the pressure increases, the lens will push more tightly against the container opening.
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4
Attach the lens to the container. If you are using a pipe, you should be able to just glue the lens onto the end. If you choose the bag model, you will need to cut a circular hole in the bag and then attach another round piece of plastic to which to affix the lens. In either case, glue should be sufficient for the job. If you are using sealable plastic container, you can skip to Step 7, as the other steps involve creating an entrance for the camera.
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5
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to create the other seal. This will be the entrance for the camera.
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6
Affix the entrance cap so that it may be removed easily. A simple option is to use the hook and loop fastener straps, such as Velcro, along the outside of the container, allowing you to pull and affix tightly with an O-Ring seal.
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7
Secure the camera inside the container with Velcro straps. You should place soft cloth underneath the camera so that it doesn't get scratched by the plastic. You can place Velcro in the appropriate areas so that the camera will be held flush against the lens.
Then, strap in the camera, seal the entrance and have fun shooting.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are diving more than 10 feet with the camera, test the housing to make sure it can withstand the increased water pressure. Be aware that if you do not have hard housing, the camera itself may not be able to withstand the pressure.
