I custom built an underwater housing for a sony HC1 HDV camcorder for one simple reason. Nothing was available that would allow me to shoot with a .3x Century optics wide-angle conversion lens. It turned out that Century later sold a .5x (maybe .55x) conversion lens that is almost identical to the .3 in size. As a result either lens can be used in this housing. The housing has an ikelite dome port. If you have an HC1 camcorder the housing comes with two mounting trays. one to match the .3x and one to match the .5x. I am selling the housing with both conversion lenses but not the camcorder. These conversion lenses have 37mm threads. The housing is super heavy duty made of 3/4" and 1" acrylic. I will test it to 180 feet before selling but believe it can go much deeper. Controls allow shifting from auto to manual focus but not manual control. With wide angle you can auto focus then lock into manual to avoid losing focus when lighting changes etc. Other controls are on/off and record/standby. With enough lightthe .3x will capture a rectalinear image (not fisheye) with very little softness around the edges. A great white near the surface on a sunny day for example or mantas or dolphin will look great. Coral reefs in shallow water look great. Images with bright lights look great. Low light with the .3 is not good. for this use the .5x.
So, if you have the Sony HC1 or A1U this housing offers a great wide angle budget solution for you. You get the housing, the .3x century optics and the .5x cemtury optics for $850. The optics are perfect condition. I think the current prices are $375 for the .3 and $295 for the .5. so, the housing is crazy cheap (but not sold alone unless a decent offer is made).
If you have a different camcorder with 37 mm filter threads AND you are a handy dandy kind of person, you most likely can modify the controls and make this work for you.
Cheers,
Richard 310 314 2216 rbilow2@aol.com
