Filters for TopDawg housing?

Ok so I just got back from the Eluthera islands, trip was cut short due to Wilma. This was my first chance to use my new TopDawg 2 with my Sony DCR TRV 30, everything went very well, a few challenges with the lights but all in all it went very well.

My question? I know the Ikelite has external Red filters available for thier housings but they are specific to a particular camera. Is there similar filters for the TopDawg housings that will allow me to remove the filter from the outside?

If not where can I find red filters to fit the 37mm lens and my wide angle lens as well?

All my footage is really green/blue, I hope that thru my Imac I will be able to correct this issue, I have a trip to Thailand next month and I want to get it right from the begining.

Thanks everyone.

Coldwaterdude

You can buy them from URPro direct or try the Magic Filter from one of our own, Dr Mustard.

For the WA lens, I doubt you can put a filter in the front of the lens without risking vignetting since URPro doesn't make slim filters. Might be easier to put the filter on first then the WA lens. You may find some vignetting that way too.

When will you be in thailand? I have a set of 37mm URPro filters somewhere in my garage there. I could loan them to you to try. But I won't be in Thailand until Dec.

There are no external filters available for the Top Dawg.

For an internal filter, this is the one you want:

http://www.backscatter.com/HostedStore.Las...=filter&sop=AND

It's made to work underwater. Just leave your lights on-shore. You will not want want them. Also, shoot at a depth of between 20 and 60 feet. Above 20 everything will look pink. Blow 60 everything will look blue. Negatives aside, you will get better results using this filter than you will attempting to adjust colors in post.

I've considered making an external filter by buying the port cover Backscatter sells, cutting a hole, and mounting a polyester CC30Mfilter behind it. Filter:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...egoryNavigation

Note that this Lee filter is not as optically suited for underwater as the UR Pro screw on filter above.

If you build a custom filter as described, let me know how it works.

-Brad

Thanks ScubaDru and Brad.

I'll be Thailand 11/18 - 11/30, I will be in contact with Backscatter since they are only 1 hr away from me and will be doing some Montery diving before I go to Thailand.

I like the idea Brad has, I'll have to take a closer look and see what I can do.

Scubadru who are you diving with in Thailand?

Coldwaterdude

Try fitting a large ( 67mm or larger ) filter ring into a disc of lexan. Fix the disc on to the front port of the housing using sikaflex ( marine grade silicon ) or similar.

This gives you the abililty to remove the filter as required.

I have seen this method used to make a mount point for Inon or similar 67mm wetmount wide angle lenses also !

Peter

That actually sounds like a simple modification, does anyone have any pictures or links that would provide me more information?

Thanks again for everyones help.

Colwaterdude

Dude, you have a Topdawg right?

You can get a bigger piece of filter depending on the WA lens you are using to mount externally. Obviously you want to cover the entire frame + a bit. I have seen those big filters in use but they are fragile and scratch easily. They aren't that cheap to keep replacing either, even the cheaper plastic ones.

I don't have any one boat I use in Thailand. I just jump onto whichever ones have space when I feel like diving.

Dude ,

It is really simple modification.

The wide angle conversion lens needs to fitted to the camera BEFORE you put it in the housing.

Then turn the housing up and align your lexan disc - if you intend to use a wetmount lense centre alignment will be critical , otherwise near enough is good enough , (67mm filter ring already installed ) use the sikaflex or similar to fix the ring to the front port. ( directly )

This will give you a mount for the filter- allowing removal and replacement underwater. ( remember to " burp " the filter ) Not a flip filter but at least a solution.

Give the guys at Backscatter a call as they usually have a good stock of UR/Pro filters.

Peter

( Authorised Top Dawg Distributor - Australia & New Zealand )

www.topdawgvideo.com.au

Peter

Thanks for a cool method of making a removable filter. Will the Sikaflex adhesive damage the glass port? I ask because one of the best advantages of the Topdawg is the ability to use the TRV and HC series cameras, which change every year. Sony sometimes changes dimensions slightly so the alightment of the filter mount may be off for the next model iteration. Do you think a bigger piece of filter mounted by velcro strips or something not on the port surface would be a better solution (albeit more expensive in the short run)? I've seen that on a few Top Dawg housings and the cool thing is they velcroed the filter to the housing on top when not needed.

DRu , As far as I know - NO the sikaflex does not etch the port. It sure stick and there is a bit of work in removing a ring.

it is an option to do it your way - for sure it works no problems.

Most of my clients want a simple reliable method - if its pretty then fantastic - its all good !!!

We have been able to remove and relocate the discs without experienceing alot of damage to the ports. That said a new port runs $90.00 and takes less than 10 minutes to be new again..

They pay for the option of switching cameras and lens options - can't do that with any other housing on todays market.

TOPDAWGVIDEO housings are the singularly most versatile adaptable piece of kit available today IN THE MARKET PLACE. If you know how to use your particular camera - manual white balance in acheivable.

Further the low entry cost guarantees that more & more people will give them serious consideration.

THey are without doubt the most adaptable reliable video housing on the market today. Aluminium construction 200ft , No through the hull penetrations - what else can handle the type of abuse these units get ??????? n and take more than 1000 different types / models of cameras. wouldnt it be good if we could get one or two slr's into the same housing.

My 2 Cents

Peter

( Authorised Top Dawg Distributor - Australia & New Zealand )

www.topdawgvideo.com.au

Dru-Peter,

Great suggestions, I am imagining a horse shoe type lexan or machined aluminum slip that will allow me to slide the filter in and out externally. This is ideal as it provides much more flexibility while diving and allowing me to shoot at different depths. I am curious if the small amount of water between the filter-housing window will affect the image.

I have used Sika Flex in many applications and it is a proven quality adhesive that endures in many environments.

Coldwaterdude

Good luck with your mount.

The small water will not make any difference to the image as long as you keep itair bubble free.

Well not much new, I've emailed URPRO and left a Voice mail but still no reply. What I am trying to find out is-

The 37mm thread on the camera is common and there is a URPRO filter available, is there two sets of threads on the filter itself. Like a coupling. Reason why I ask is that if I were to put the fliter on the camera can I screw my WA lens to the filter? I could not locate the answer o thier site.

Or should I purchase a filter to fit the Sony VCL-SW04 WA lens I have, which is almost 4" in diameter.

Speaking of WA lens for my Sony, this lens is rather long and it does not allow me to use my larger battery or monitor back for the TOP DAWG housing. Can anyone recomend a smaller WA lens?

Thanks

Coldwaterdude

I use the URPRO filter on my old-ish Sony TRV-8 digicam. This camera takes a 30 mm filter, not 37 mm like yours. I am able to sandwich the filter between the camera and my Sony wide-angle lens. I get a bit of vignetting, which I need to zoom past. I hope I'm not fully defeating the need for the wide lens. Your results may be better given you will be using a larger diameter filter.

-Brad

Thanks Brad, (BTW I'm in Livemore)

The vignetting is one of my concerns, which is why I am considering building a outside slide/shoe mount for the filter.

I was at tap plastics yesterday looking at ABS, I have used it before for other projects and it is easily machinable and will work well with the Sikaflex adhesive. At this time it sounds like the best way to go.

<_<

Coldwaterdude

I may be a little late addressing this issue, but I have had three Sony cameras with my Top Dawg housing. I started with an 8mm camera, migrated to a Hi8 model which I used with an UR-PRO red filter (37mm lens filter). I then moved up to digital with a TRV-27 which uses a 30mm thread. I found an adapter which will allow connecting a 37mm filter (or lens - wide angle). My wide angle trick is to use the adapter to connect the red filter to the camera, then thread the lens onto the filter. Just be careful to mount the camera so the lens face is close enough to the front plate to avoid the situation you are referring to. I also use a Casio video monitor in the housing to see what I am shooting (sort of a poor man's video back). I believe the 30-37mm adapter is available from URPRO, too. Good luck.

Coincidently I just did a similar thing to hold my diopter when I'm not using it. I just glued a spare (dissassembled) ring to the housing.

http://67.122.16.97/lars/hc1/Hoya67mmMacroSetup.jpg