Which camcorder + housing

[Debs]

I'm going on a Red Sea Liveaboard next month and would like to take some underwater video - does anyone have a recommendation for a camcorder + housing.

[AquaPix]

do you want to buy a camera and housing?

[Debs]

Yes, but not sure what to get.

[Phud]

Hi Debs,

I use Gates housings, not the cheapest but I would say the best, I have a Sony PC110 and Canon XL1s, both housed in their Gates housings, who will ship from the USA, cheaper that way.

My advice would be to look at the camera you want and see how much the housing costs, make sure you have the filter for correcting the red spectrum with housing.

Sorry to say but not the cheapest thing to do, however great for memories

Phud

[AquaPix]

Hi Debs,

I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind me asking.

1. Have you used a camcorder before (if so what brand and model)?
2. Have you used a video housing before (again it would be important to know which one)?
3. Do you want just some consumer average quality or really good quality?
4. Do you want to go professional with it some time in the future?

I am just trying to find out at what level you are to give you a good recommendation.

Regards,

Andy

[Debs]

Hi Aquapix

The camcorder I use now is a JVC (GR-DVL357E) which I use for family/holidays etc and I've never used a camcorder housing before. I'll be happy with a consumer average quality as I have no intention on becoming a professional.

[Okeanos]

Unless you are after broadcast quality video then you needn't spend out on a 3CCD camera system.

I get very satisfactory results from my little Sony Handycam (£219 Dixons) and my old Amphibico housing (£255 ebay). For Blue water just get a blue water filter. Lighting is only needed if you go deeper than 20m (Red Sea), I use my torch here, which would not be good enough in brighter waters.

I also have an Undersea Video Housing with a Sony camera I bought off JohnK on YD. This is very good, it has a screen at the rear so you can sea what you are filming, and there are more controls on the housing.

Both these housings will take most cameras with a 'lanc' socket (most Sony's and some others).

Easy option, if your JVC has a 'lanc' socket find a housing that uses a lanc, you will have to make sure you lens will align with the aperture of the housing though. Otherwise buy a system off someone upgrading on here or ebay.

Sample video fro YD's Skye trip taken with the USVH system from JohnK, and my torch.

[AquaPix]

Hi Deb,

I had a quick look on the net and Ikelite has made a housing for your camcorder but unfortunately it is discontinued. If you are only after a little holiday footage to show family and friends then you really don't have to invest lots of money and you get away with your camcorder.
Have a look on ebay, maybe you can find a used Ikelite housing there.
They are good value and will do for the beginning.

I do sell my Gates housing and fathom imaging lens for a Sony DSR PD170, but I wouldn't recommend it to you as this product is actually very expensive and aimed for professionals that need broadcast quality.

In case that you can't find a housing for your camcorder just get on the phone to cameras underwater (+44 (0) 1404 812277) and tell them what price range you are looking for. They offer the widest spectrum of housings and camcordes on the UK market.

Just a view good hints.
As you descent you loose red as the first colour which makes video footage look green and blue. You can get red back to a certain extend with a red filter (also referred to as blue water filter). The tricky thing is that you would get too much red in your footage in shallow water and therefore you should look for a filter that can be removed underwater.
To get even better results you should look for a camcorder that will allow for a manual white balance. Preferrably by the touch of one button, without having to go through the entire menu, as you should white balance for every shot, to get consistency in your footage.
To white balance you have to hold a white slate in front of the camera and press the WB button (do that with the red filter attached). The camera then knows what spectrum of the colours to boost in order to give you all the
natural colours back.
You'd be surprised how good even a cheap cameras footage can look like if you get the white balance right.
This actually works quite well down to about 20m -30m.
Below that most cameras will struggle as there is not enough ambient light to white balance. If you go deeper to take the red filter off and use a light system (which you probably won't need for the beginning anyway).

I hope this is of help to you Debs.

Just keep the questions coming, I'd be happy to help you out finding the right camera and housing.

Andy

[Okeanos]

You'll be lucky to get a housing that allows access to the custom white balance feature, but if you do, grab it.

[Muddweller]

Don't know if your looking for a used one or not, but my mates selling his Sony Hi8 housing, it's a few year old Hi8mm but its a neat package. SEA&SEA VX55 housing and SC65 camera if I remember the model numbers correctly, the whole thing is not much bigger than an MX-10 stills cam and it's one handed operation

Appologies for the hijack.

Regards
Karl