Quote:
Originally Posted by smfcpacfp
Doesn't look very much like anyone on this forum actually provides such advice.
|
Sorry, I was on vacation last week...
Admittedly I'm biased (and own an HDTV
) but for my $$ I can't see buying anything other than an HDV or AVCHD-based HDD system. I've shot mine in the BVI's, Curacao and Roatan(last week) w/o lights with very good results. In extreme low-light conditions (deep, shooting way under a ledge, overhead obstructed) it will fall apart a little but bright, sun lit reefs are no problem. And you can down-convert to SD video for editing/playback if you don't have HD/Blu-Ray gear yet.
$2K is doable
new in HD. With some trade-offs. One would be a housing with less universality. Either a camera specific mechanical model from Ikelite/Equinox or a more generic electronic controls model from Ocean Images/TopDawg. They'll still allow you to shoot some excellent HDV video. The TopDawg in particular will work with a wide variety of SD/HDV cameras but the trade-off is no MWB functionality. fwiw, my $3500 EVO/HDR setup doesn't have it either but like you I'm producing video for myself/friends, not Discovery Channel. With a red-filter at depths above 80', I'm
very satisfied with the results.
B&H offers some mechanical housing/HD camera "kits' for under $2K on this page:
Underwater Video Housing & Camera Kits | B&H Photo Video
I recently bought a Canon HG-10. (for surface use) The thing is tiny. Housed it might be a good option since you could probably shoot a couple of days without having to open your housing. $600..
Another factor to consider is the computer power required to edit HD. You need a pretty fast computer with a lot of processor, memory and disk space. Check out some of the s/w packages (Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere etc.) system requirements before you decide on an HD workspace.
hth, if you can settle on either a camera or a housing I'm sure someone here has more specific experience/suggestions. I'm personally a very satisfied Amphibico customer, the thing is built like a tank. But you'd have to find one used to be under $2K.
Also check out the WetPixel
video forum for other options/advice.
Nice ride...