Want to video w my camcorder on a boat... how do i watr proof my camera w/o buying expensive watr proof case?

Question

Does anyone know how to create a waterproof... case, i guess, for a camcorder?

I don't want to film underwater. I want to take it out with me on a motorboat and sailboat, but just in case it gets splashed or dropped in the water, is there anyway i can *make* a waterproof case?

The ones that are available are $119 at the cheapest!!

Thanks

Answer 1

I did made one  by using ziplock bag and used UV filter of larger size attached with step up ring to madke a lens window.It was splashproof.But we  will need to wipe filter often

Answer 2

If your camcorder is small enough, you can fit it into one or two large ziplock bags.  The best are the bags with the double zipper system - 2 parallel zippers on top of the bag.  The second best are the type with the plastic slide, but you can easily knock the slide open a if not taped.

Whichever bags you use, try to put the camcorder in a bag with another bag around that - a double bagged system.  You will need to test this idea to see if you can still hold and operate the camcorder and for video quality.  You may also want to test dropping the bag into a full bathtub to test flotation and leakage.  If the bag sinks, you might need a much bigger bag that holds more air but is lose enough for camera operation.

Go to a professional kitchen supplier to find the gargantuan ziploc bags, or you can try one of the new large storage zipper bags now sold at Wal-Mart

* The bags will probably make all the videos slightly hazy, and the plastic will be a constant sound in your audio.  If this does not work for you, you can try a single bag to minimize the problem.  You would have this same problem with the more expensive waterproof camera bags, but not as bad.

Regardless of how many bags you use, there are some additional steps you need to take.

1.  Be sure to wait until you are in the area you in wish to film before bagging your camera.  You want the same air in the bag as well as outside to match temperature, humidity, and pressure.  This will prevent prevent surface condensation and fogging  You can store and transport the camcorder in the bag as long as you reopen the bag and exchange the air at the film site.

2.  Find some silica packets.  These are the little white baggies marked with "Do Not Eat' that you find tucked away with a lot of your new toys.  Put them in with the camcorder to remove water vapor and help prevent condensation.

3.  Be sure to leave as much air as possible in the bag - but not so much that you can't safely hold and operate the camera.  This extra volume of air will help keep the camcorder floating close to the surface of the water.  The bigger the bag you can put around the camcorder, the better.

4.  Toss in something fairly large and bright and that floats with the camera - such as a big blaze orange or fluorescent green foam tube marker float.  This will help the camcorder float, but most importantly, it will help you visually sight the camcorder much faster if the bag goes overboard at full sail and you mush come about to recover it.

This is probably one of the simplest and most economical ideas, but there are other ideas around such as http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make...