Waterproof case needed

[xcgeek]

Does anyone know of a suitable waterproof (or at least semi-waterproof) casing that fits the hv20. I'm going on a sea kayaking trip this summer and would like to be on the safe side shooting from the boat. Guaranteed things get wet on the open water.

[Mal]

There's two good, major brands (in USA): Pelican and Storm; both have excellent products in similar sizes:

Pelican (http://www.pelican.com/)

Storm (http://www.stormcase.com/)

[xcgeek]

I need something I can shoot through. The http://www.aquapac.net pouches are an option, but I'm not sure how the see-through quality is (the videos on their site aren't promising. I'm hoping someone has found a HV20 version of the sony sportpack seen here: http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showthread.php?t=4816

[Mal]

Oh, hahaha, you mean an underwater housing.

Was going to suggest EWA Marine, but they don't list a housing/pouch for the Hv20...yet...

[Gene Latimer]

I'm hoping someone has found a HV20 version of the sony sportpack seen here: http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showthread.php?t=4816

The HV20 section of dvinfo.net site has an older thread on this subject and someone there was highly recommending the Sony SPK-HCB Sports Pack as working with the HV20.

that's what I intend to buy. B&H carries it for $149.95.

[hizbiz]

The HV20 section of dvinfo.net site has an older thread on this subject and someone there was highly recommending the Sony SPK-HCB Sports Pack as working with the HV20.

that's what I intend to buy. B&H carries it for $149.95.

Sony housing should work except the fact that the LANC controls will not work!:(
You have to put the remote in some protective pouch and control the cam with that.

[xcgeek]

That's a good idea to just use the remote through the front. You can easily put the remote in a tiny ziplock bag. I just think the optical quality is sure to be better than the aquapac, and the $120 aquapacs aren't cheap vs $150 for the full housing.

[tiloprobst]

No HV20 case there, yet.

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/videoone.html

[M700P]

Just a quick side question guys, do the underwater housings cause heat to build up and potentially cause problems? I wan't aware of any heat sinks on the housing I've seen. I know the waters nice and cool but the camera is basically isolated in plastic and air. Just curious.

[Erik Bien]

For a splash/surface housing, check out this one:

http://www.epiccam.com/products/housings/epic-sport.html

[SGI]

If you plan on taking a dive, you can try (a bit expensive) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/498916-REG/Equinox_PP6HV20_PRO_PAK_6_VIDEO_HOUSING.html I think the manufacturer's website said they can custom made the housing also so you can have additional custom control (let's say the focus wheel, etc)

-=SGI=-

[trigger]

I know you'd like the ability to control it, but if you were to put the remote in a water tight bag maybe... anyway, I was looking on instructables, and this came up. I think I'll try it in a couple of weeks.

http://www.instructables.com/id/EKU3DUKR8WEPA8KXRG/

[snobbel]

The HV20 section of dvinfo.net site has an older thread on this subject and someone there was highly recommending the Sony SPK-HCB Sports Pack as working with the HV20.

that's what I intend to buy. B&H carries it for $149.95.

Hello,

Does anyone know if the Sony SPK-HCC also works with the HV20? I don't need button control, I just keep it running. But I do want my camera to be steady and safe within the housing.

Also I can't find a place where I can order the SPK-HCB anymore... Please help need to order one soon :)

Budget is about 220 USD

[itsmejlaws]

for 220 dollars, i wouldn't ever trust my hv20 in the water. id just keep saving and buy something dependable. everyone i know that shoots in water has ikelite. their products are made very good. my buddy bought this and id didn't work so well http://www.epiccam.com/products/hous...pic-sport.html it leaked and just about ruined his camera. however ebay is very useful in getting ikelite equipment... ive seen housings for real cheap. cheers.

[snobbel]

for 220 dollars, i wouldn't ever trust my hv20 in the water. id just keep saving and buy something dependable. everyone i know that shoots in water has ikelite. their products are made very good. my buddy bought this and id didn't work so well http://www.epiccam.com/products/hous...pic-sport.html it leaked and just about ruined his camera. however ebay is very useful in getting ikelite equipment... ive seen housings for real cheap. cheers.

Thanks for your reply, ofcourse I agree with you that for 220USD you won't get top of the line. But I saw quite some movies dropping by from the HV20 in the Sony Sportskit housing..it's just a little bit tight inside but it's definately waterproof to 5 meters. I will only be using it with snorkeling no scuba diving or anything... By the way does anyone have a good place to shop for the Sony SPK-HCC or Sony SPK-HCB?

Thanks

[itsmejlaws]

http://www.newworldvideodirect.com/productdetail.asp?ProductID=2539&gclid=CLyOlJL1jZACFQIUPAodxGbMtA

id pay a few more bucks and buy from b&h i think, just cuz i heard they are fairly good

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479687-REG/Sony_SPKHCC_SPK_HCC_Marine_Pack.html

[snobbel]

http://www.newworldvideodirect.com/productdetail.asp?ProductID=2539&gclid=CLyOlJL1jZACFQIUPAodxGbMtA

id pay a few more bucks and buy from b&h i think, just cuz i heard they are fairly good

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479687-REG/Sony_SPKHCC_SPK_HCC_Marine_Pack.html


Hi, thank you really much for these sites. Both should be pretty good, the only thing I need to know now is..does the HV20 fit in both the SPK-HCB & HCC or only in the HCB?

[bwise863]

http://coolcameracases.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=49&osCsid=45e24ccedde76d94a254a0d3c7989f50

Does anyone venture to guess if this would work snorkeling with the HV20?

Thanks,
Byron

[PTravel]

http://coolcameracases.com/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=49&osCsid=45e24ccedde76d94a254a0d3c7989f50

Does anyone venture to guess if this would work snorkeling with the HV20?

Thanks,
ByronThis has a polycarbonate, i.e. plastic, lens. I once built an underwater housing for a camcorder and used polycarbonate. The stuff is tough, but can scratch. I'm currently looking for a rain cape -- I have a nice EwaMarine that fits my VX2000, but is like a tent on my HV-20. This DICAPAC would be nice, but for the lack of a glass lens.

[GlennG]

I'm planning on getting an underwater case and using it NEAR the water as well as in it. (For instance... on the beach, by the pool, etc.) I'm deciding between the aquapac (soft case) and the Sony SPK-HCC (hard case): http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/erol.html#1429x0&&http%3A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252Fsearch%3Fhl%3D en%26q%3Daquapac+camcorder%26btnG%3DGoogle+Search

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665061590&tab=Features

The way I see it, the benefits of the HCC include:
1) glass lens (picture quality won't be diminished too much)
2) slight impact/scratch protection for the camera
3) external tripod mount
4) general durability

but the HCC burdens include:
1) inability to easily change most of the camera controls (even with the remote)
2) inability to use a polarizing filter
3) set up might take a little while

I'd possibly be able to rewire the external mic on the HCC, and some other controls to work with the HV20, based on some other threads i'm reading... but this would take a fair amount of effort.

In contrast, the benefits of the Aquapac include:
1) ability to easily change all camera controls through flexible/soft case
2) ability to use polarizing filter
3) general ease of use

but the Aquapac burdens include:
1) diminished picture quality
2) not very durable
3) no tripod thread

I could possibly add my own tripod mount, without sacrificing the integrity of the Aquapac, but this would take some effort.

I figure I could get the HCC for ~$160 and I could get the Aquapac for ~$100.

Does anyone else have any pros or cons for either choice? Do you have experience with either one, which could validate my expectations?

[PTravel]

Hmmm. I don't like either.

The Aquapac has a couple of problems. First, there's nothing to hold the port against the lens. The guarantees both focusing and reflection problems. As a counterexample, look at how EwaMarine rain capes work (there is a collar that mates with a ring that screws into the camcorder lens and keeps the lens flush against the port). Second, the port does not appear to be glass. From the website: "Excellent visual quality through the optical-quality LENZFLEX material." Optical glass is optical glass. It's not "Lenzflex." Third, there is no room for opening up the LCD on the HV-20. If you've done any shooting at all with the camera, you know that one of its weak points (and something that marks it as an inexpensive, consumer camcorder) is the awkwardly situated and non-movable,non-extensible eye piece. EwaMarine capes have an extra pouch that allows using camcorders with the LCD open. I've done extensive rain shooting with a VX2000 using one of the EwaMarine products -- believe me, you don't want to be putting a camera to your eye when you and it are all wet. The easiest and best (and steadiest) way to shoot is with the camera held at waist-level and shots composed using the swing-out LCD. My opinion, only, but this product isn't suitable for anything but the most casual use, and it's expensive on top of it.

The Sony Sports Pac also has problem. First, it's for Sony cameras, meaning it controls them using the LANC connection. An HV-20 doesn't have a LANC connection, so you'd have to turn it on, stick it in the SportsPac and then let it run continuously. Second, there's no way to view and compose shots with the SportsPac. It is, literally, a Point (in the right general direction) and Shoot housing. That may be fine for casual underwater shots (and the housing is only good to a depth of 17 feet -- that's 1/2 an atmosphere, which isn't very much at all), but useless for properly-composed video.

I'd suggesting waiting -- get buy with a plastic bag and screw-in filter for the time being (description here: http://travelersvideo.com/weather.htm). Just be careful. Wait until Canon or EwaMarine makes an appropriate product for the HV-20. That's what I'm going to do.

[PTravel]

Ah, here we go . . . how about something like this:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/509038-REG/Ewa_Marine_VC_1S_VC_1S_Rain_Cape.html

The only thing it needs to work with the HV-20 is a 43-49mm step-up ring which you can get here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=43mm+49mm+step-up&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=product.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

The cape will cost you $108, the step-up ring another $20. It's flexible, so you'll have access to all controls. It has a flap that can be opened, so that you can use the swing-out LCD screen.

I've used a similar (but larger and far more expensive) cape on my VX2000 with excellent results -- you can see it at the URL I listed in my first post). I shot in pouring rain -- real major downpours -- in driving snow and next to pounding waves in gale force winds. My camera stayed nice and dry, and the video was dramatic.

[GlennG]

Thanks for the info PTravel!

[Shadow_7]

Is there an ewa marine rain cape specifically for the HG20 or HV30? Otherwise I may opt for the step up ring, UV filter, trash bag, a maybe some sort of lens hood to keep the droplets off the filter. The step up ring mainly to have/use a larger UV filter so the frayed ends of the bag don't make the shot. Sound sane / cheaper? I plan on having external audio, so I need at least one open end to feed the unit. And with a full sized trash bag, I could probably keep the audio unit attached below the cam. As long as the cables / mics are far enough away not to pickup to much rustling bag noise.

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but I was supposed to search first right?

[Erik Bien]

Hi James,

My HV20 fits quite nicely in a one gallon Ziploc baggie: I push the lens into the bottom corner, then begin to thread a filter on from outside — this marks the bag and I cut slightly inside the line, then mount the filter to the camera and stretch the opening around it. A little ghetto, but it works!

[Alsone]

Hi James,

My HV20 fits quite nicely in a one gallon Ziploc baggie: I push the lens into the bottom corner, then begin to thread a filter on from outside — this marks the bag and I cut slightly inside the line, then mount the filter to the camera and stretch the opening around it. A little ghetto, but it works!

Out of interest which bag is it you use Erik as there are lots of different bags for different uses?