Beginner Video Question

I posted this in another thread but nobody replied, I'm hoping someone will here!

I am lucky enough to have a HD camcorder, the Sony HDR SR11. This thing is great and I'm still learning how to use it on land.

I'm going to be going on a long vacation in 2 weeks and I would love to be able to bring it under with me. The problem is that I don't have enough info to purchase the right housing. For this camera, there is an Ikelite housing which costs ~1200 bucks. Then there is a couple of other housings that cost up to 5 times as much! Yikes!

Whats the problem with the Ikelite housing? Has anyone ever used one with this camera? I just can't understand how someone would pay 4-5 times as much if there is something available that works, unless there are certain advantages to using the nicer housings that I don't know about.

Thanks!

there is nothing wrong with IKE housings. i use an ike housing for my video and a sea and sea for my dslr.

the cost factor would be due to the other housings being made from aluminium and being machined. where as the ike is nothing more really than a bit of cleerex/perspex. i have ( touch wood ) had no problems with my ike in oover 150 dives. ( apart from user error that is )

what you do need to make sure with any housing though is that you can access all the parts of the menu screen that you require. White Balance is a must IMHO. If you cannot manual WB with it in the housing then do not buy it.

Whats the problem with the Ikelite housing? Has anyone ever used one with this camera? I just can't understand how someone would pay 4-5 times as much if there is something available that works, unless there are certain advantages to using the nicer housings that I don't know about.

Sort of a loaded question in general about why get other housings when less expensive ones are available, but you can ask the same thing why would someone want a Porsche instead of another car, they both get you from Point A to Point B And of course people will vary in opinions.

I do not have that camera/housing combination, but housings are different in terms of the material used to build them, how controls are designed and laid out, general ergonomics, depth ratings, ability to add accessories/change lenses and many other factors. It is not just the housing you are looking at but pretty much for every still and video camera out there.

Many people use Ikelite, but many people also use the other housings also because they have the features they prefer. For instance I much prefer aluminium/metal housings myself.

In general you want a housing that allows you to access certain controls in a housing. If you poke through the video forum you can find many discussions about what features are desired (and whether people prefer manual or electronics housings.)

Some basic features you should look for as a start (and many housings have them) are Manual Focus and Manual White Balance access.

Which other housings were you looking at? Take a look at the specs for those housings and you can see if there are any differences that are important to you (or ask if the things are important to have back here, I am sure people will jump in with thoughts.)

Thanks for the quick replies...awesome forum.

I see what you're saying about the 'loaded' question...but there are obvious differences with comparing Porsches to Hyundais, for example the known benefit being attention from ladies (I assume this benefit is not obtained by having a nice UW housing)

Good to know about the manual focus / white balance. That is the info I was looking for. For a beginner like me who doesn't know the difference between the different materials I think I'll opt for the cheaper one.

I guess I already knew the answers...but needed some prodding before dropping 4 digits!

FYI, the housing I'm looking at is the Ikelite 6038.94 for the Sony SR11/SR12. It seems like there are lights available for it so i guess I'll be OK until I know the difference between these things.

Sort of a loaded question in general about why get other housings when less expensive ones are available, but you can ask the same thing why would someone want a Porsche instead of another car, they both get you from Point A to Point B And of course people will vary in opinions.

 

I do not have that camera/housing combination, but housings are different in terms of the material used to build them, how controls are designed and laid out, general ergonomics, depth ratings, ability to add accessories/change lenses and many other factors. It is not just the housing you are looking at but pretty much for every still and video camera out there.

 

Many people use Ikelite, but many people also use the other housings also because they have the features they prefer. For instance I much prefer aluminium/metal housings myself.

 

In general you want a housing that allows you to access certain controls in a housing. If you poke through the video forum you can find many discussions about what features are desired (and whether people prefer manual or electronics housings.)

 

Some basic features you should look for as a start (and many housings have them) are Manual Focus and Manual White Balance access.

 

Which other housings were you looking at? Take a look at the specs for those housings and you can see if there are any differences that are important to you (or ask if the things are important to have back here, I am sure people will jump in with thoughts.)

I see what you're saying about the 'loaded' question...but there are obvious differences with comparing Porsches to Hyundais, for example the known benefit being attention from ladies (I assume this benefit is not obtained by having a nice UW housing)

Never underestimate the power of a Underwater Housing, being able to take video is ancillary to its prime purpose