Video camera advice

[smfcpacfp]

I am just about to walk out the door for a two week trip to Tucson (non diving) but am still having a dilemma about what video camera and housing to purchase.

I have been reading posts here for a while and formulated some parameters -

The camera does not have to be high definition


- I do not intend to sell my work. It is the family video type of shooting that I prefer to do

- I dive mostly ocean diving at dive resorts (last 3 trips Fiji, Grand Turk, Cabo San Lucas, next trip South Africa) where the ambient light is pretty good.

- I would like to have one that works well without artificial light.

- Small is better than big.

- say $2 grand more or less.

I have done about 80 hours of diving as described above without a camera. I remember when I was in Fiji, a divemaster said he preferred non photographer divers, because the photographers would get mad, if they didn't get good shots. I hope to still be happy and feel fortunate if I get something good.

[balls]

Hello!

You sound like you're looking for exactly what I have been using for the past year.

I bought (about three years ago) a Sony DCR-HC1000. It is only available through eBay now. It is a 3 CCD Mini DV system. The pictures are awesome IMHO. It also has 3 CCDs which are used to record the light in the three main colors and electronically "re-assemble" them to the tape. Colors are wonderful.

For the past year, I've been using an Amphibico Invader VHIS 1000 housing. It's no longer in production (Amphibico is good about supporting discontinued products). There is a review here:

Amphibico Invader Video Housing Review - digideep.com :: list of all underwater housings suitable for digital photography and videography...

You might find one on eBay.

Retail the camera was 1200 and the housing last sold for 1500.

I started out with lights (2) and, like you, I wanted to film in mostly shallow waters 40-60 feet. So I've quit using the lights and have had good results. The interface with the camera is an electrical (LAN C) connection. You have control of all the important functions - ESPECIALLY white balance! The housing also has a flip down internal "red" filter if you choose not to white balance. It also has a 120 degree wide angle dome port which is great for most shots. If you are wanting to do macro (little critters), you'd need to get a different port.

I absolutely love my setup. It's small and takes great images. I've not run into any issues with low light. I have very little desire to upgrade to HD. I've been interested in doing that, but after reading many threads here, I really don't see the benefit especially versus the COST$$$$$.

Just my very biased opinion.

Good luck.

Kent

[smfcpacfp]

Sounds like a nice setup, but it sounds pretty iffy if I could actually get the components. I want something that is readily available.

Doesn't look very much like anyone on this forum actually provides such advice.

[BubbleBlower07]

Originally Posted by balls

Hello!
You have control of all the important functions - ESPECIALLY white balance! The housing also has a flip down internal "red" filter if you choose not to white balance.

FWIW you can also WB with the Red Filter on and get nice results

[paulpost]

Originally Posted by smfcpacfp

I am just about to walk out the door for a two week trip to Tucson (non diving) but am still having a dilemma about what video camera and housing to purchase.

I have been reading posts here for a while and formulated some parameters -

The camera does not have to be high definition


- I do not intend to sell my work. It is the family video type of shooting that I prefer to do

- I dive mostly ocean diving at dive resorts (last 3 trips Fiji, Grand Turk, Cabo San Lucas, next trip South Africa) where the ambient light is pretty good.

- I would like to have one that works well without artificial light.

- Small is better than big.

- say $2 grand more or less.

I have done about 80 hours of diving as described above without a camera. I remember when I was in Fiji, a divemaster said he preferred non photographer divers, because the photographers would get mad, if they didn't get good shots. I hope to still be happy and feel fortunate if I get something good.

If you do not care about high def go for a top dog howing (aprox. $900) and any SONY camcorder with LANC and you'll be happy.

[sjspeck]

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...