This guide outlines how to construct a DIY underwater housing for a camcorder using an insulated water jug, acrylic plastic, and common hardware, along with tips for underwater photography.
Capturing images underwater is definitely one of the more interesting challenges in photography and videography. Specialized equipment is typically necessary to undertake this activity, but you can also improvise and save money.
- Acquire everything needed for the project. Purchase an insulated water jug large enough to accommodate a camcorder. It is highly important that you bring your camcorder with you when purchasing this item to make sure it is the correct size. Next, acquire a 24x48 sheet of clear, break-resistant and weather-resistant acrylic plastic such as Plexiglas. Have a tube of hybrid marine sealant, a roll of Teflon tape, a 2 flare PVC plumbing fitting with a threaded end, Velcro, two stainless steel door handles, a pair of 5 metal hose clamps, and something heavy and flexible that can be easily molded, such as ankle weights, to serve as ballast weights to keep the camcorder housing from floating. Meanwhile, several tools are needed for the project: clamps, a power drill and various sizes of bits, a cap from an empty spray paint can, and a hole saw.
- Ensure the jug is leak-proof. Test the water jug to see if it will leak. Tightly replace its cap and submerge it in a pool or a large enough bucket while holding it down with something heavy. Leave it for about an hour to check for seepage. If the sides leak, seal the threaded part of the jug with Teflon tape.
- Cut the clear plastic. Cut the acrylic plastic into a circle. Use the cap from a spent spray paint can as a guide. Make sure you do not scratch the acrylic plastic.
- Mark the water jug before cutting. Insert the camcorder lens-first into the water jug and mark the inner bottom of the jug where the camcorder's edges are. Cut through the water jug's base markings using a hole saw. Put the camcorder inside the water jug once more to check if the hole you made is sufficient for the lens. Once certain, position the PVC plumbing fitting into the water jug by gently screwing it into the hole.
- Apply the hybrid marine sealant. First, apply the hybrid marine sealant to the insides of the PVC plumbing fitting. Repeat the process for the outer part of the PVC fitting. Next, attach the lens made of acrylic glass onto the contraption. It would be a good idea to put something heavy on the acrylic plastic to serve as a weight for a better sealant setting. Make sure you carefully spread the sealant to avoid smearing it on other areas. Leave the whole thing for at least a day to dry completely.
- Check for leaks. Once you're certain that the sealant is thoroughly dried, check to see if the contraption you made won't leak. Repeat Step 2 for this purpose.
- Make the camcorder housing handles. Secure the two stainless steel door handles onto the outside part of the water jug using the metal hose clamps.
- Place the camcorder inside. With the hook side facing up, position the Velcro into the water jug with some adhesive. This will help secure the camcorder in place. Next, wrap the camcorder with Velcro, but this time with the fuzzy side facing outwards. Place the camcorder inside the newly-made camcorder housing. Put in some ballast weights so that the whole contraption does not float to the surface during use. Ballast weights also help keep the camera from wobbling inside, making it more stable and secure.
With your camcorder safe in its housing, you can now take it underwater to shoot marine life or landscapes. Note, however, that water blocks most above-ground natural light, which may leave your images grayish. Underwater photographers usually solve this by getting very close to their subject.
Build housing for an underwater camcorder
This guide outlines how to construct a DIY underwater housing for a camcorder using an insulated water jug, acrylic plastic, and common hardware, along with tips for underwater photography.
Capturing images underwater is definitely one of the more interesting challenges in photography and videography. Specialized equipment is typically necessary to undertake this activity, but you can also improvise and save money.
- Acquire everything needed for the project. Purchase an insulated water jug large enough to accommodate a camcorder. It is highly important that you bring your camcorder with you when purchasing this item to make sure it is the correct size. Next, acquire a 24x48 sheet of clear, break-resistant and weather-resistant acrylic plastic such as Plexiglas. Have a tube of hybrid marine sealant, a roll of Teflon tape, a 2 flare PVC plumbing fitting with a threaded end, Velcro, two stainless steel door handles, a pair of 5 metal hose clamps, and something heavy and flexible that can be easily molded, such as ankle weights, to serve as ballast weights to keep the camcorder housing from floating. Meanwhile, several tools are needed for the project: clamps, a power drill and various sizes of bits, a cap from an empty spray paint can, and a hole saw.
- Ensure the jug is leak-proof. Test the water jug to see if it will leak. Tightly replace its cap and submerge it in a pool or a large enough bucket while holding it down with something heavy. Leave it for about an hour to check for seepage. If the sides leak, seal the threaded part of the jug with Teflon tape.
- Cut the clear plastic. Cut the acrylic plastic into a circle. Use the cap from a spent spray paint can as a guide. Make sure you do not scratch the acrylic plastic.
- Mark the water jug before cutting. Insert the camcorder lens-first into the water jug and mark the inner bottom of the jug where the camcorder's edges are. Cut through the water jug's base markings using a hole saw. Put the camcorder inside the water jug once more to check if the hole you made is sufficient for the lens. Once certain, position the PVC plumbing fitting into the water jug by gently screwing it into the hole.
- Apply the hybrid marine sealant. First, apply the hybrid marine sealant to the insides of the PVC plumbing fitting. Repeat the process for the outer part of the PVC fitting. Next, attach the lens made of acrylic glass onto the contraption. It would be a good idea to put something heavy on the acrylic plastic to serve as a weight for a better sealant setting. Make sure you carefully spread the sealant to avoid smearing it on other areas. Leave the whole thing for at least a day to dry completely.
- Check for leaks. Once you're certain that the sealant is thoroughly dried, check to see if the contraption you made won't leak. Repeat Step 2 for this purpose.
- Make the camcorder housing handles. Secure the two stainless steel door handles onto the outside part of the water jug using the metal hose clamps.
- Place the camcorder inside. With the hook side facing up, position the Velcro into the water jug with some adhesive. This will help secure the camcorder in place. Next, wrap the camcorder with Velcro, but this time with the fuzzy side facing outwards. Place the camcorder inside the newly-made camcorder housing. Put in some ballast weights so that the whole contraption does not float to the surface during use. Ballast weights also help keep the camera from wobbling inside, making it more stable and secure.
With your camcorder safe in its housing, you can now take it underwater to shoot marine life or landscapes. Note, however, that water blocks most above-ground natural light, which may leave your images grayish. Underwater photographers usually solve this by getting very close to their subject.
Build housing for an underwater camcorder
By Howtodotips
This guide outlines how to construct a DIY underwater housing for a camcorder using an insulated water jug, acrylic plastic, and common hardware, along with tips for underwater photography.