Time to invest in a true UWV setup...Advice needed!

[H2O Photo Pros]

The Sony HC7 is definitely an excellent set up. With a variety of housings available for it, and cameras now down around the $1,000 mark from Authorized dealers, you can get into a nice set up for a reasonable price (if there is such a thing in this industry) haha.

Housings for the HC7 are available from all well known manufacturers such as Ikelite, Amphibico, Gates, Light & Motion, Seatool, Sea & Sea, and more. the housings will range anywhere from $1,250 to $3,100...plus lights and accessories

 

[PerroneFord]

If he's looking at a $300 camera, do you really think he's going to be interested in a $1200 housing and lights?

When he said production quality, and indicated interest in selling videos to people I had the impression of someone serious about video. Apparently, what he means is the equivalent of the guy who takes your Polaroid picture at the fair.

We all know that shooting good video, especially HD, costs real money. I wouldn't think of trying to do it for less than $3k-$4k. With more than half that allocated to lights and housing.

Going the cheapest route would probably put you into a $800 camera (shooting onto tape), something like an Ikelite housing for $600 or so, and a set of lights at about $600. So you're still north of $2k, and you haven't captured the footage yet.

 

[ronscuba]

Ouch, that was a little harsh. He clarified his target audience was not broadcast.

Plenty of people out there selling videos on the boat or to groups using lesser equipment. Stock footage with the days or weeks footage added in. A lot of beginner divers have bought 1 of these videos and been happy with it. Nice little vacation souvenir to show family, friends and relive the memory.

If he spends too much $ on equipment, he'll never sell enough videos/dvd's to recoup the costs.

 

[JiveMaster]

Ouch, that was a little harsh. He clarified his target audience was not broadcast.

Plenty of people out there selling videos on the boat or to groups using lesser equipment. Stock footage with the days or weeks footage added in. A lot of beginner divers have bought 1 of these videos and been happy with it. Nice little vacation souvenir to show family, friends and relive the memory.

If he spends too much $ on equipment, he'll never sell enough videos/dvd's to recoup the costs.

Thank you ronscuba, you just answered this for me...

No I'm not looking at spending $300, I'm looking at buying a setup I can make the money back on (eventually). THEN, I hope to move on to bigger and better things. I'm just trying to figure out what the best setup for this would be at this point....on an instructor's credit card.

 

[PerroneFord]

That came out harsher than I meant it to. I too wanted to get into UW video cheap. So I got a cheap miniDV cam (Canon) and an Ikelite housing for it. I don't have lights on my unit. Total cost was under $1k.

The issue for me was the initial comment, "I'm looking to put together a package that *could be production quality.."

and then this.. "in the future I'm able to turn it into something even more, I would like to have the ability to do so without a whole new setup..."

Honestly, if you look at this in just three pieces, the cam, the housing, and the lights, the only thing that could be reused later is the lights. So if the OP doesn't want to have to buy a whole new setup, it would seem that buying a decent camera up front would be the way to go.

So I certainly don't begrudge ANYONE who wants to get into this game on the cheap. I sure did it. Just set forth some realistic expectations and go from there.

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

Most budgets (pending they are realistic) can be met somehow. You might want to consider a slightly used system as well. I can tell you that we often times get customers who have to have the latest and greatest and are always looking to sell their cameras...i.e. HC3 to an HC7...etc.

We also have a lot of demo gear for sale year round. I personally like to get out to test out the new cameras, and I like my staff to do the same. That being said, once we get done testing out the systems, they generally only have 4-10 dives on them, and were maintained by professionals, so they are like new systems at great prices!

Just some other ideas to help suit your budget. We ALL know this hobby is requires us to spend much more than we make.

 

[JiveMaster]

I'm thinking slightly used is definitely the way to go for me...if anyone knows of any resources to start my search (besides EBAY and the boards on here) please advise!

 

[Annie Crawley]

Hey There,

I know many people have given you opinions. What I would do is call up one of the specialists in selling underwater video equipment like Mike from H2O photopros, Joe Holley from Marine Visions, Ryan from Reef Photo and Video and talk to them about housings and prices, camera packages, etc. They are knowledgeable and want to make their customers happy.

The one thing I would HIGHLY recommend is getting one that you can manually white balance uderwater and a lighting system! Those two elements are key to taking your video to the next level. You want to also get a tripod.

Hope this helps, I have been shooting underwater both photo and video for years and I have bought every system from an expert in the field after I have done preliminary research on my own on the manufacturer sites.

Good luck, it is a great tool when used properly!

Annie

 

[PerroneFord]

Annie,

You mentioned something here that I find quite curious. In your video work, do you often find use for a tripod? I know that shooting on land it's indispensable, but shooting under water, I'd think it much less so.

I tend to think of shooting underwater as more like steadicam work, than fixed camera work. Do you find it different?

 

[Doc Intrepid]

I'm thinking slightly used is definitely the way to go for me...if anyone knows of any resources to start my search (besides EBAY and the boards on here) please advise!

I've got a dive buddy who is interested in selling his video system. He has sunk major bucks into it, but will be selling it at a reasonable cost. He has produced videos edited with soundtracks for display to groups and DVDs, but as all the others have noted the definition of "production quality" can vary significantly. He's on this board, but rarely. PM me if you want contact info, etc., and I'll put you in touch with him.

Doc