Ikelite Housing for Sony HC3 Camera

Is anybody using the Ikelite housing for the sony HC3 Camera?

I'm seriously considering buying one as It appears you can access everything on the touch screen, WB, Tele Macro Etc etc.

I've been using a Gates housing for the HC3, but without manual white balance adjustment I'm spending a lot of time in post production colour correcting.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

I've been using a Gates housing for the HC3, but without manual white balance adjustment I'm spending a lot of time in post production colour correcting.

 

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

You can get a modification to the HC3 to add manual WB now, contact Gates about $250

I used an Ikelite with my new SR1 (new housing, too - first one out for that camera). I found it quite nice, but the software on the camera was my only complaint. I thought it a little clumsy to get to some things. But then I read how others dealt with their housings and decided I wasn't so badly off. And I admit that after the first 2 dives it got easier. In any event it's pretty hard to blame software menus on housings.

I am quite happy with the Ikelite housing. I found the company to be very responsive. If you're not aware of it, you might take note of their W/A lens being a wet version. That doesn't bother me but it might others. I got their red filter for the W/A lens and found it an extremely tight fit - thought I might break the lens loose from the port getting the filter off in dry conditions! But I daubed a slight film of silicone on the rubber ring of the filter and although it's still a little stiff, after that I didn't have any problems.

One other thing I did was unscrew and remove the balance weight that came with the Ikelite housing. I found I liked it just fine without it. I suppose if I try some tripod-mounted-on-sea-floor shots I might find some problem, but even then I think I'd just drape an ankle weight on it to hold it in place or something like that. (I took an ankle weight with me on the first couple of dives in case I found the whole rig to be bouyant but then didn't bother after that as it felt quite comfortable.)

I can't think of any features on the camera that matter which the housing doesn't let me access. Maybe this input on a different model camera won't be much help, but FWIW...

You can get a modification to the HC3 to add manual WB now, contact Gates about $250

Thanks for the info

I looked at getting the upgrade but I'm led to believe can't reset the white balance to auto once you've selected one push white balance.

Thanks for the info

I looked at getting the upgrade but I'm led to believe can't reset the white balance to auto once you've selected one push white balance.

Yup, you would have to use Manual WB the whole dive. Also you may want to try 'Outdoor' instead of Auto - sometimes the Auto throws things off while Outdoor may be more consistent for post work.

Edit to Add (and just my thoughts)

I have not used an HC-3 Housing from Ikelite, but have used other Ikelite Housings in the past for video and stills.

Of course everyone will have a different take on the matter, but if I had a choice between a Gates and an Ikelite, even if the Gates does not access all the menu items the Ikelite can (especially now that the Gates support the Manual WB) I would go with the Gates due the construction, the design, the controls and the ports themselves. Yes it would be nice to be able to switch back to Auto or Daylight on a dive, but that is not enough for me to think Ikelite over a Gates. If it was a matter of cost since the Ikelites are alot less, then of course that can be the prime consideration. But since you have the Gates already

If you get a chance to try to test the Ikelite it would be probably a good idea before getting rid of the Gates and going with the Ikelite.

TheRealDrew.

Thanks for your further comments. As you suggested I have now managed to obtain a Ikelite to use and test before deciding to buy one. My collegue has also just purchased a Light&Motion for his HC3 which he also says I can use.

I'll compare each housing and let you know how I get on.

Thanks again

I have now managed to obtain a Ikelite to use and test before deciding to buy one. My collegue has also just purchased a Light&Motion for his HC3 which he also says I can use.

 

I'll compare each housing and let you know how I get on.

 

Thanks again

That is great that you can test them all like that, look forward to hearing out it works out for you.

Thanks for the info

I looked at getting the upgrade but I'm led to believe can't reset the white balance to auto once you've selected one push white balance.

I have the Ikelite housing for my A1 (prosumer version of the HC1) and like it a lot.

To address your question about white balance, I shoot everything that I can with manual white balance, and I rebalance with every shot (where there is any depth change). I do this by clipping a white card to a lanyard which I put around my left wrist. I can then just reach out with my left hand to hold the card and push the white balance button with my right hand.

In the cases where the camera won't white balance (with the A1, this happens at depth -- I'll post a different thread with my findings on this topic), I just record a few seconds of the card at the start of the clip. That way I have a white reference to do the balance at post.

If I already had the Gates housing and could get manual white balance for $250 (even with the requirement of doing all manual white balance), it would be a no-brainer for me to go that way. It just isn't that hard to do manual white balance, and you will get *much* better video than any auto mode.

--Mark