Amphibico vs Gates Monitors?

Well that's not Gates but Gate's representative which you dealt with. That doesn't mean that "Gates" the housing manufacturer failed you. I think there's a magna differentia .

Back in 2007 when I was using a Light and Motion A1 set up I wanted a larger top mount monitor than the 2.5” available via L&M. I contacted Gates UK distributor (Cameras under water) but they did not seem interested in making the gates monitor work with my L&M housing so after a few emails and phone calls I gave up and contacted Amphibico who were happy to give me wiring instructions to make their 3.5” monitor work with my set up, should I wish to buy one. About 6 months after that Amphibico built a custom housing for me at a very reasonable price and I have used them for the last 4 years. I am very sad at their demise.

I was not aware age of the post was important, this was the first time I came across the thread. The point I was making is that I thought Amphibico monitor better. Not frivolous just a point of view and I did point out that they are now out of business (deals may be made with outlets who still have Amphibico stock). The original answer I gave was also to warn against the use of housings with built in back monitors if you are going to get serious with U/W film making.

 

I had always found Amphibico great for back up until they closed in April this year. I am at the moment in contact with JC who was Amphibico's marketing manager re parts. I myself need a circuit board after a Jordanian Customs official dropped my monitor a couple of weeks ago. If I do not find the parts I need I will have only 2 choices for a large top mount monitor. Either Gates or Nimar and Nimar are not easy to get in contact with.

 

As soon as I get a line on parts I will let you know.

Hey if JC can manage to find a board let me know as I need one too :-)

Should of changed that 90 degree elbow when I was told too lol

The original answer I gave was also to warn against the use of housings with built in back monitors if you are going to get serious with U/W film making.

I am glad that someone pointed this out.

For the current DSLR housings I keep wondering how can you seriously, i.e. continuously, shoot video and be able to see the framing whilst in a proper horizontal trim. This is the main reason I am hesitating to put my 1DIV in a U/W housing.

As an interim solution I have been using a Sony MC50 in an Aquatica HW Wave housing. Here the built in LCD monitor is further in the front and pointing half upwards(!) giving a very ergonomic viewing angle for video shooting whilst swimming around in a horizontal trim. You might call me lazy, but I prefer to shoot the entire dive almost continous POV video and then edit it afterwards. My aim is to relive the dive, and perhaps, also share it with others. See e.g. http://vimeo.com/r4e/grotta-del-fico and you might understand my need for an ergonomic monitor whilst swimming through the restrictions.

I wonder if any manufacturer could supply an angled monitor and housing for the 1DIV?

Richard

What you want doesn't fit the current DSLR housing design paradigm that's been enshrined. Furthermore, if you look at the 1D4's AV out plug, it's on the side and the usual plugs stick out more than 10mm. Which means one has to design a bigger housing to accommodate such a plug just to fit a monitor.

Check with EasyDive in Italy. They built universal carbon fiber housings which are universal and tend to have loads of space. Be careful about the balance issues of having a monitor on the top of the housing. The DSLR form factor doesn't really fit your needs, camcorders do.

Jaime (Divertribe) is not talking about DSLR monitors. What Jaime is talking about are the camcorder housings that have built in monitors in the housing that is at the back of the housing, which actually suits your needs since you will be shooting horizontal. I don't know how you swim but I always swim with the housing in front of me when doing POV shots. The best POV is actually to have a camera strapped on your head... like a Go-Pro.