Underwater Video Camera / Camcorder Housing for less than $50

Step 14 Your mileage may vary....a few addenda, some quid pro quos....

If you haven't guessed by now, I'm a stickler for testing, especially when something expensive like my video camera is on the line.

After completing the housing and playing with it, I read up on the fancy new $500 waterproof video cameras (no housing needed), and saw that they are rated based on depth and time at depth, e.g. 1 hour at 5 feet.

I took my housing (minus the camera) into the pool and kept my foot on it for 30 minutes at a depth of 5 feet. I chose 30 minutes because that is the maximum length of time to record on a mini-DVD at best quality, so I know the camera wouldnt be actively used at that depth longer than that. I also know I can't hold my breath for 30 minutes at any depth. :-)

When I brought the housing up and checked it, there was some slight leakage - enough for me to know that I wouldn't want to keep the camera underwater at 5 feet for half an hour.

So, while I would never take this scuba-diving, I would take it to the beach, in the pool, and snorkeling. Perhaps you are a better craftsman than I am, perhaps not. Weigh the risks versus rewards for yourself and have at it.