XM2 Video Housing

[ootini]

Right! I've decided I have got to bite the bullet and get one.

However, to buy a Gates I'd need to sell a kidney, and possibly even a testicle. Does anyone know where I might still be able to get one of these.CANON VIDEO HOUSING

Thanks

[ChristianG]

Right! I've decided I have got to bite the bullet and get one.

You could try one of these - but I wouldn't advise it.

Have you checked with Ikelite whether they might be able to find one? That seems silly but it often works.

[ootini]

Yeah Ikelite got back to me and advised me to buy a newer camera... Which would be nice.

EWA-Marine housings are basically jumped up zip lock bags and not really up to the job of what I'm after.

Will keep scouring ebay.

[Chriz]

I'm looking at the Seapro range at the moment?

Welcome Greenaway Marine

Chris

[ootini]

Looking at them too, they seem a lot larger than the ikelite.

Does anyone have any experience of using these housings? Any advice etc...

[GarethC]

Yep I've got a SeaPro housing for my Sony HDR-7E. My main reason for choosing SeaPro was the fact each housing is man-made to fit your camera. The HDR-7E had just come onto the market and there weren't any other housings available.

Pros:

• Fairly indestructible. I've used mine on a number of UK RHIB trips and apart from a few scratches to the aluminium tube I've not had any problems. Unlike my Ikelite digital still housing which has been damaged on a number of UK trips
• Very personal service. The owner, Gerald was his name I think, was very helpful and I got to meet the chap who makes the housings and was given a tour of their workshop.
• Housing Lens allows camera to focus above and below water to give those split water air shots. Works with my wide-angle sony lens.
• Neutrally buoyant in the water without any lights

Cons

• Is fairly large and bulky compared to the camera size
• Is fairly heavy for use above water on boats. My arms get tired holding it after a while

[ChristianG]

\[*]Is fairly heavy for use above water on boats. My arms get tired holding it after a while[/LIST]

Gee, you kids today are fair wimps, Try a Nikonos RS AF above or below water, that'll sort out the he-men from the lads, or whatever.

Good post.

[ootini]

• Is fairly heavy for use above water on boats. My arms get tired holding it after a while

To be honest I'm amazed at how heavy an XM2 on it's own can feel after a few minutes of trying to hold it dead level. I fly it on a Steadicam Merlin now and again and can honestly only hold it for about ten minutes maximum.

I guess my main issue with buying a housing is that in essence it's a thousand quid for a box or tube depending on which version you buy. It just seems wrong...

[ChristianG]

To be honest I'm amazed at how heavy an XM2 on it's own can feel after a few minutes of trying to hold it dead level. I fly it on a Steadicam Merlin now and again and can honestly only hold it for about ten minutes maximum.

I guess my main issue with buying a housing is that in essence it's a thousand quid for a box or tube depending on which version you buy. It just seems wrong...

Now I know nothing of video, but I have sources that will provide lift for your dead-heavy rig - provided it's unnawata. The better news is that it's fairly cheap - let me know if interested.

[Pen Simon]

Seapro made by Greenaway Marine are good solid housings and are reliable because they use mechanical controls as opposed to electronics - very useful if you happen to flood the housing!

I had a housing custom made for me from them in November 1999 to house a three chip mini dv cam and recently went back to them for it to be modified to take a Hi-Definition camera - another plus with them!

I will be doing a video article on this next year on a site under construction at present.

But, yes, they are heavy on land, but great in the water - you also have the advantage of their Optolite port which keeps things in focus above and below the water-line at the same time.