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DIY - the cheap yet shamefull underwater camera housing
It is reported that Navy SEALS commonly use two condoms to seal firing assemblies for their underwater explosives, having thus coined the term: "Dual Waterproof Firing Assemblies". This article is a tribute to their ingenuity, and it expands on the concept of the waterproof condom, in order to make a waterproof housing for my digital camera (and other consumer electronics).
(OK, OK, the original title was "Dual Waterproof Consumer Electronics - the condom housing")
It starts with a humoristic video, detailing how I bought the condoms (not as simple as it sounds!), and showing the building process, as well as some of the uses for the housings.
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Buying the condoms!
Sounds simple right?
However, the main dilemma lies here: you will need condoms that are very clear, so as to give a clear picture, and you also need them unlubricated, so the lube would not cover your camera (or prevent the glue to adhere).
My local chemist's were not much use in giving me advice (as you can see from the vid), but in the end, they did not have unlubricated condoms, so I purchased some normal ones.
I also ordered some Trojan unlubricated condoms online, but the problem with them is that they are coated in some sort of talcum powder, which makes them a bit blurry (as you can see from the pics and the vid). The obvious answer is to wash this lube or powder, but the condom is then unrolled, which makes it much harder to slip on the camera...
Speak of problems, huh!
Protect the objective (ie camera)
If you do not want to strip the gears in the zoom motor, protect the objective with a roll of cardboard (here I used two rolls, one inside the other, for strength: a piece of loo roll, and a piece of kitchen towel roll).
Place a dessicant bag...
... one the camera to prevent condensation forming in the housing.
By the way, these tend to absorb ambient humidity, so if it has been sitting in the house for a while, it's unlikely to work well...
Put it in the microwave for a minute before use, and make sure not to burn yourself when you get it out.
Slip the condom on...
... tie a knot ; and seal with a glop of wetsuit glue
Slip on a second condom...
... tie a knot, and apply glue again.
And there you have it...
A dual waterproof housing for all your consumer electronics. Works great on car key remote controls, for surfers who are fed up with leaving their keys under a wheel, and having all their clothes nicked...
This article was contributed by Sam Noyoun a member of the DIYPhotography.net instructibles group (check his other instructibles, and videos - this guy ROCKS!)
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Comments
Funny
I must say this is pretty funny and seems that the sky is the limit!!!
".. sky is the limit... "
Not even the sky, I would say :-)
www.bigairparagliding.com
thanks!
Thanks, Sam! Next time my girlfriend finds used condoms in my apartment, I'll just show her your article. Now I just need a camera.
Condom wp
How about posting some pics taken with the device?
see the video in the pool
I was taken with the camera's built in video
Old Joke ..
Thee Women discuss discovering condoms and confronting there husbands
First Woman: Is Bla Bla and I hit , Bla Bla , and I hit Him
Second Woman " ..... So I punched them full of tiny holes ..
Third Woman FAINTS
Cover
Yea but can you get codoms big enough to fit a NIKON ? With a LONG lens ???
(That's got to be the punchline of some joke.)
alanofsac
I'd try the good ol Magnum
I'd try the good ol Magnum condoms. You can usually find them in the sock droor of your local basket ball player's dresser.
I tried to wash off the lube
I tried to wash off the lube and reroll the condom, but ive been having trouble getting it over my junk. Every time I get it halfway, the damn thing breaks. Do you have any suggestions to help me overcome this setback? I really want to take my gizmos underwater to play.
Thanks
ps...that was a serious post
Try using either Lifestyles
Try using either Lifestyles or Beyond Seven brand condoms. In my experience as a female (not as a photographer) I've never used a Trojan that hasn't broken. Lifestyles and Beyond Seven don't break.
ps: your camera will appreciate the ribbed ones, lol
Yeah, put both your hands
Yeah, put both your hands inside the condom, and stretch it wide (it will strtch a lot). Then simply get someone to drop your camera in between your hands.
ah, tricky tricky ill give
ah, tricky tricky
ill give that one a try
A tip I always advise.
I always carry atleast 3xUnlubricated in my camera bag.
For those um, wet and slippery moments, I can chuck my camera in one, video camera in another and wallet, phone etc in the third.
I'm glad someone else has gone through the shame of ordering the non-lubricated versions.
My story goes.... Walk into pharmacy, don't find them, order them, receive phone call on mobile phone, placing it on speaker phone as I am driving.... with my boss, and a customer in the car and excite the both of them with the conversation I have the the girl whos telling me (and my passengers!) that my non-lubricated condoms have arrived!
I had to open my camera bag to prove it!! then show them how to use them....
:)
Anyway, great for putting this tip out there!
Not so good for diving
Great for waterproofing but this technique won't work for scuba diving. The problem is that at depths greater than a couple of metres the water pressure presses in buttons on electronic equipment causing malfunction. Proper camera housings have spring-loaded buttons that resist pressure and allow the user to operate the camera buttons inside the housing.
What about Zip lock bags?
Why struggle with a condom? Why not just use a zip lock bag? Easy to find, they are un-lubricated and always crystal clear!
Zip locks are not water-proof...
Try it, with some paper, for 10minutes or so, under water (the kitchen sink should be enough). Or just fill a zip lock with air, close it and leave a book on top it. It will deflate.
Nuno Pedrosa.
Zip locks are not water-proof...
Do they have to be?
Seems to me that as long as there are air in the bag and it is being forced out by the surrounding water pressure, then how can water leak in? Don't make sense to me, think I will try it out.
Dude, best technique
Dude, best technique ever!!i'm gonna try it, hope it is 100% watherproof otherwise my Coolpix will taste some wather...;))Thx!!!
Ziplok
The air-filled ziplok is the basis for the popular EWA Marine underwater housings. The secret is to have enough trapped air in the bag. They use large sponges and weights to create the air space.
disposable gloves
A cheaper technique for sealing car keys, cellphones etc. is to use disposable latex gloves (the type paramedics use). They cost ~10-20$ for a case of 100 - a lot cheaper than condoms.
Condom for SLR
Where can I find a condom for my SLR with 18-135mm lens :)
What would the seller react when you tell her the size ? :))
you can go into "spencers"
you can go into "spencers" they have gag gift condoms that are huge. they would fit around your arm.
she would ask you on a date
she would ask you on a date :D
Seems to Me.....
I loved the video, but it seems to me he could have just reached through the OPEN WINDOW of his car to unlock the door.....
skeptical
So I went and bought a trojan,non-lubricated condom. washed it off, put it on my camera. After one condom you can barely see a thing. How did they get a crystal clear video, underwater? bait and switch?
under water condoms
Clark,
Did you use the cardboard tubing? it is important to keep the condom stretched (I cant believe I said that in public).
there is not much bait&switch since I am not selling anything on this site. If you post some sample images and an image of the housing, maybe we can figure it out.
Zip Lock Bag works !!!
I just came back from a snorkelling trip and use a branded Zip Lock sandwich bag for my Ixus 850IS. It works. I took photos and short videos from it. Do this at your own risk, I took a gamble due to last minute I could not get a better underwater housing.
using zip-lock bags as an u/w camera housing
Zip lock bags and marine grade cement glue/sealant do work.On our web-site we made a movie to prove it.We where diving at 1+ atmospheres in 42 degree ocean water in Gleason's cove MAine! If that is not a true testing ground...You can go to the gadgets and gizmos section and click on "watch our movie" The proof is in the pudding.We constantly invent cheap and low tech ways to have fun in the water.Dive safe.
Wow, i'm interested!
Hello,
I wanted to know if you actually tried to take pictures with this modified camera. I wondered when one exceeds a depth of 30 feet if the unequalized air space above the lens suffers a pressure caused collapse of the condom. Does the pressure of the water cause the condom to push into the cavity created by the paper towel roll? Thus causing undue strain and possible tearing?
Underwater Camera
Uh ya, 3 pack of condoms is generally $4, for $7 I can buy a disposable underwater camera good to 30 feet or so. Since most underwater photography is only good to about 4 to 6 feet (due to light loss) this is more than plenty, better pics to.
I'll try this.
Just ordered 10 non lubricated condoms from dealextreme, $1.99 shipped, to give this a try.
I think I would need some
I think I would need some really big condoms for my D700 - lol!
Condoms are big
You'd be surprised at how big condoms get. Now I won't trust my EOS to one, but I'm pretty sure you need an extreme camera for it to be too large for a regular sized condom. Blow air into one. They are required by law to be able to contain 20 Litres of air without failing. Also, during production, every condom is tested for this. Pressure also doesn't sound like a problem, since you won't be putting 20 liters of camera in it by a long shot.
Now that's a good way to
Now that's a good way to record lovemaking underwater! But of course, you've got to have two to spare. :)
Not really great
Well I tested this out in my sink before heading off to the beach, and man... I either got some crap Trojans or the size was too small. I got a few pictures under the water in my sink and then it popped. Now the camera's power button doesn't full work and the lense is stuck in the open position. Not sure I trust condoms anymore...
Anyway, I'm still determined to make something work, might try shrink wrap next. Thanks for the DIY info, but what brand condoms fud you end up using?
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