This is a special order item and is non-cancelable and non-returnable. Est. arrival at B&H is 7-14 business days (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at time of shipment.
International Orders*This Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50 is designed for the Sony HDR-CX550 and HXR-MC50 video cameras. The housing is compact and has mechanical controls, and it is molded in clear polycarbonate. The housing includes an optical glass lens port with removable UR pro filter. The housing's port has 67mm threads, allowing the use of optional macro lenses.
External wide angle lenses do not have an advantage with the Sony CX550 due to severe vignetting. Special ports are available for use with the Raynox DCR-730 high resolution wide angle lens. Optional ports sold separately include dome port #9306 or flat lens port #9306.1. The 37mm-52mm thread adapter ring is required to attach the DCR-730 lens to the CX550 camera. Using a wide angle lens will increase image quality because you are able to move in close and reduce the amount of water between your lens and subject.
The camera's LCD monitor can be viewed from the rear of the housing using the external mirror. The external mirror is hinged so it can be opened to reflect the image from the camera's LCD monitor. This housing includes (IRC) Image Reversing Circuitry. The circuit reverses (flips) the image and text on the LCD screen so that when the image is reflected in the external mirror, it appears correct left-to-right. The camera's microphone is disabled when Reversing Circuitry is turned on.
Another viewing option is to use the magnified Super-Eye Viewfinder for viewing the camera's optical viewfinder through a diving mask. The camera requires that the LCD monitor be closed to use the optical viewfinder. This is a limitation caused by the camera, not the housing.
The base removes instantly with a unique toggle clamp for traveling or attaching the optional Pro Video Lite 3 battery pack. The handle assembly detaches from the housing by removal of 2 nuts. The housing is easy to use and will allow you to capture the moment underwater in video or digital stills. Other features and controls include: power on/off, record-start/stop, zoom, snapshot, mode button and LCD touch screen (3 controls). The LCD screen touch pad provides full access to setting white balance and white balance shift. The housing is rated to a depth of up to 200'.
| Construction | Clear injection-molded polycarbonate |
| Control Type | Mechanical |
| Controls | Power On/Off, Record Start/Stop, Zoom, Snapshot, Mode button, LCD touch screen (3 controls), LCD reversing circuit On/Off (microphone disabled when on) |
| Depth Rating | 200' (60m) |
| Buoyancy | Slightly negative |
| Port | Flat, with 67 mm thread |
| Filter | External filter |
| Wide Angle Lens | Optional Raynox DCR-730 high resolution wide-angle lens with dome port #9306 or flat lens port #9306.1 |
| Microphone | No |
| Moisture Alarm | No |
| Camcorder Mounting | Plate |
| Pluggable Underwater Connector | Optional |
| Color | Clear, black |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 8.25 x 11 x 8" (210 x 270 x 200mm) with handles and base |
| Weight (without Camcorder) | 7.4 lbs (3.3kg) |
| Other |
Hinged mirror is used to view LCD screen. (IRC) Image Reversing Circuitry reverses (flips) image and text on LCD screen Sony FV50, FV60, FV70 and FV100 batteries are accommodated |
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 3 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-3
Pros
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Comments about Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50:
I work as a marine scientist and use this equipment during our commercial dives to record fish and other cool stuff under that silky film covering 70% of our planet.
The housing is clear which gives full access to controls and viewing screens. It is robust and durable.
It comes neutrally buoyant so I have added a very small float to the housing handle so that if I do lose it underwater, I will find it again on the surface.
Great gear!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50:
I've been shopping around for few months and for the budget this is the best I could afford.
Works well underwater mirror does not offer perfect view but its OK once you get used to it. I fund viewfinder useless as is too small even with magnifying lens to be used underwater. Housing fogs heavily so several packs of desiccant are needed inside before each dive. Put the camera inside on a dry place (AC), keep it at low temperature as much as possible, even put it in water for 1-2 hours before dive. Mine fogged for 3 dives the 4th was OK but I had inside 8 small packs of desiccant. Another thing is camera may move inside for some reason so it may offer you a small cut on one or all corners as lens is not centered. Play with it and find the right position and even mark it inside, lock it well using housing knob once in the right place. Next best things is almost $1,000 so I would say it is a good buy... just need a bit of practice.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50:
I've been shopping around for few months and for my budget this is the best I could afford. works like a charm, the only thing I would change is use the mirror, viewfinder is too small even with magnifying lens to be used underwater.
Displaying reviews 1-3
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 3 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-3
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50:
I work as a marine scientist and use this equipment during our commercial dives to record fish and other cool stuff under that silky film covering 70% of our planet.
The housing is clear which gives full access to controls and viewing screens. It is robust and durable.
It comes neutrally buoyant so I have added a very small float to the housing handle so that if I do lose it underwater, I will find it again on the surface.
Great gear!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50:
I've been shopping around for few months and for the budget this is the best I could afford.
Works well underwater mirror does not offer perfect view but its OK once you get used to it. I fund viewfinder useless as is too small even with magnifying lens to be used underwater. Housing fogs heavily so several packs of desiccant are needed inside before each dive. Put the camera inside on a dry place (AC), keep it at low temperature as much as possible, even put it in water for 1-2 hours before dive. Mine fogged for 3 dives the 4th was OK but I had inside 8 small packs of desiccant. Another thing is camera may move inside for some reason so it may offer you a small cut on one or all corners as lens is not centered. Play with it and find the right position and even mark it inside, lock it well using housing knob once in the right place. Next best things is almost $1,000 so I would say it is a good buy... just need a bit of practice.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50:
I've been shopping around for few months and for my budget this is the best I could afford. works like a charm, the only thing I would change is use the mirror, viewfinder is too small even with magnifying lens to be used underwater.
Displaying reviews 1-3