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Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50

  • Price: $1,149.95
  • Free Shipping (USA)
  • Usually ships in 7-14 business days

    Availability Details

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    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*
    For international orders, credit cards will be charged at time you place your order.
  • B&H # IK603853
  • Mfr# 6038.53

Product Highlights

  • Mechanical Controls
  • 67mm Threaded Optical Glass Lens Port
  • Wide Angle Dome & Flat Ports Available
  • External Mirror
  • Image Reversing Circuitry (IRC)
  • Magnified Super-Eye Viewfinder
  • Base Removable for Travel
  • LCD Touch Pad accesses White Balance
  • Rated Down to 200'
 

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Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50
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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
Built from strong, corrosion-resistant, clear injection-molded polycarbonate, allowing visual inspection of the camcorder, control functions, and all sealing surfaces
Controls
Dependable mechanical controls are sealed with Quad-Ring seal glands
Controls Include:
  • Power on/off
  • Record-start/stop
  • Zoom
  • Snapshot
  • Mode Button
  • LCD touch screen (3 controls)
  • LCD reversing circuit on/off (microphone disabled when on)
  • LCD
    The camera's LCD monitor can be viewed from the rear of the housing, using the external mirror featured on the side of the housing
    (IRC) Image Reversing Circuitry
    Image and text on the LCD screen are reversed (flipped), so that when the image is reflected in the external mirror, it appears correctly left-to-right
    Color Corrector Filter
    The included UR/Pro color-correcting filter enhances the warm reds and oranges that are lost underwater
    Quick-Release Base
    The quick release base removes instantly for traveling
    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
    Ikelite 6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50
  • Color Correction Filter
  • Port Cover
  • O-Ring
  • Silicon Lubrication Tube
  • 1-Year Warranty
  • REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

    by PowerReviews
    Ikelite6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50
     
    4.7

    (based on 3 reviews)

    Ratings Distribution

    • 5 Stars

       

      (2)

    • 4 Stars

       

      (1)

    • 3 Stars

       

      (0)

    • 2 Stars

       

      (0)

    • 1 Stars

       

      (0)

    Pros

    • Easy to use (3)

    Cons

      Best Uses

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No (3)

        Reviewed by 3 customers

        Sort by

        Displaying reviews 1-3

        Back to top

         
        5.0

        Great Housing

        By Sambozo

        from Doha, Qatar

        About Me Casual Photographer

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Easy To Use
        • Functional
        • Good Depth Range
        • Water-tight Seals

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Diving

          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!

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

           
          4.0

          Very nice product, highly recommend

          By Robert

          from Toronto, Ontario

          About Me Semi-pro Videographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Can see camera inside
          • Easy to Use
          • Good handle

          Cons

          • Camera may move inside
          • Fogs heavily
          • Heavy on land
          • No External Mic Input
          • Quick release not easy
          • Vignette effect

          Best Uses

          • Documentaries
          • HD Shooting
          • Indoors/Low Light
          • Travel

          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.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

           
          5.0

          Very nice product, highly recommend

          By robert

          from Toronto, Ontario

          About Me Semi-pro Videographer

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Easy to Use
          • Good Image Stabilization
          • Good in Low Light
          • Great Zoom

          Cons

          • Heavy on land
          • No External Mic Input
          • Quick release for base

          Best Uses

          • Documentaries
          • HD Shooting
          • Home Movies
          • Movies/Short Films
          • Travel

          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.

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

          Share this review

          Displaying reviews 1-3

          Back to top

          REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

          by PowerReviews
          Ikelite6038.53 Underwater Video Housing For Sony HDR-CX550 / HXR-MC50
           
          4.7

          (based on 3 reviews)

          Ratings Distribution

          • 5 Stars

             

            (2)

          • 4 Stars

             

            (1)

          • 3 Stars

             

            (0)

          • 2 Stars

             

            (0)

          • 1 Stars

             

            (0)

          Pros

          • Easy to use (3)

          Cons

            Best Uses

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No (3)

              Reviewed by 3 customers

              Sort by

              Displaying reviews 1-3

              Back to top

               
              5.0

              Great Housing

              By Sambozo

              from Doha, Qatar

              About Me Casual Photographer

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Easy To Use
              • Functional
              • Good Depth Range
              • Water-tight Seals

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Diving

                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!

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                 
                4.0

                Very nice product, highly recommend

                By Robert

                from Toronto, Ontario

                About Me Semi-pro Videographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Can see camera inside
                • Easy to Use
                • Good handle

                Cons

                • Camera may move inside
                • Fogs heavily
                • Heavy on land
                • No External Mic Input
                • Quick release not easy
                • Vignette effect

                Best Uses

                • Documentaries
                • HD Shooting
                • Indoors/Low Light
                • Travel

                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.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                 
                5.0

                Very nice product, highly recommend

                By robert

                from Toronto, Ontario

                About Me Semi-pro Videographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Easy to Use
                • Good Image Stabilization
                • Good in Low Light
                • Great Zoom

                Cons

                • Heavy on land
                • No External Mic Input
                • Quick release for base

                Best Uses

                • Documentaries
                • HD Shooting
                • Home Movies
                • Movies/Short Films
                • Travel

                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.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

                Share this review

                Displaying reviews 1-3

                Back to top

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