DIY Look Down Box, Photo Help

[katyttt]

I am trying to find some plans/ideas for building an underwater housing to take better pics of our corals in our Display and Frag tanks.
Does anyone have any great ideas here?
Thanks,
Chris

 

[truthdesigns]

http://www.melevsreef.com/topdown.html

 

[davidk]

I bought one of these for $17.00:

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=22450579&itemIndex=6&CATID=74526&PRODID=74332

I have the camera on a tripod with macro lens, I handhold the acrylic box to break the water surface, and shoot away. Simple and cheap.

Here's a couple with this setup:

 

[bmwardo]

What kind of camera are you using?

 

[davidk]

This was shot with a Nikon D2x.

 

[katyttt]

Unfortunately, I keep spending any of our extra money ( which has not been much for a long time) on stuff we need, and the camera upgrade has not been one of them.
We are stuck using our (Don't laugh too loud) Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS.
Chris

 

[bmwardo]

Chris, we all have our starting points. I am afraid that the melevs box might be slightly deeper that you would like or need for your Kodak since Melevs box is designed more for an SLR with physically larger and longer lenses. It is hard to say, have you tried using a simple 5 sided acrylic box with a clear bottom and black sides (like you see at the LFSs)? It would be like using a wide and shallow version of melevs box without a tripod mount. I like using them with black sides (and even a black cloth over my head) to minimize reflections.
Are you going to the MASC meeting at Cris Capp's house? He might have a photo box laying around or one from his accounts that you could try out while you are there.