I’m trying to locate a “clear box”, so I can take pictures in less than perfect visibilty water. Does anyone have any information or can point me in the right direction?

what do you mean by clear box ?

I have heard of only one kind. It was described to me as a plexiglass box which you could fill with clean water. Then you could take pictures of stationary things that you would not normally be able to due to the water clarity. I am an underwater bridge inspector and trying to find a way to take better pictures of the bridge components.

Um I may be confused here ... but you are either describing an aquarium or a way to encase things that are already underwater in a HUGE box that you and the item both fit in .. you flush out the old water and put in clean water .. hence making the visibility perfect to take a photo ... if you could do this ... why wouldn’t you just take a photo with no water .. it would be easier ?

It very much sounds to me like a custom item you would have to have made by someone who makes stuff with plexi glass.

pswann - 25 July 2007 08:05 PM

I have heard of only one kind. It was described to me as a plexiglass box which you could fill with clean water. Then you could take pictures of stationary things that you would not normally be able to due to the water clarity. I am an underwater bridge inspector and trying to find a way to take better pictures of the bridge components.

I have what you are looking for.  we do underwater inspections in the Gulf and inter coastal waterways in the Houston, Texas area.
We are able to shoot full color video of underwater structures in all zero visibility water.  if you are interested let me know!

Hey SCI,

I’m still a bit confused. Could you post some pictures and/or maybe a bit
more extensive explanation about that clear box and how it is working.
thank you very much!

/lars

Hi, My name is Robert i own a commercial diving company in the Houston, Texas area.  We work in Dark water or Zero Vis. water on a daily basis and believe me i wish it wasn’t so!!
Years ago when we started doing underwater inspections in the Houston Ship channel we could only do them by feel or touch.  We had noway to video what we were inspecting to share with the clients so i built my first Clear water box for my underwater CCTV/DVD system 15 designs later i have a system capable of taken detailed full color pictures in Zero vis waters.  The Basic explanation for how it works is you have a box with one open end clean water is pumped into the box from the surface into the closed end opposite the open end the clear water fills up the box pushing out the dark water you can position the box in front of the object you are wanting to video and wait a few seconds the clear water will push around the object allowing it to be seen by the camera.  but believe me its not that simple there was a lot of trail and error before we developed a box that worked with the efficiency that was required for timely inspections.  I do custom builds on a limited basis for fellow divers each one is unique to the camera being used. Is this the info you was wanting, let me know!

Best Regards Robert SEMPER FI !!!!!!!!!

Wow ... so it is kinda like creating a false aquarium underwater ... very clever indeed.