UW Video

[Rick Huggins]

OK, had a bash on holiday and now I'm hooked!

Soooo, a question to the guru's out there....

Can I untilise my Sony TRV22 and buy a decent housing/port or should I look for a full setup?

Cheers

Rick

[johnkendall]

Originally Posted by Rick Huggins

OK, had a bash on holiday and now I'm hooked!

Soooo, a question to the guru's out there....

Can I untilise my Sony TRV22 and buy a decent housing/port or should I look for a full setup?

Cheers

Rick

Depends what you want to try and achieve with it. A bit failing (IMHO) of the TRV22 is the lack of external controls. For most underwater stuff you want to have set the camera to manual, and ideally want to be able to control White Balance from underwater, I'm not sure if you can do this with that camera. It is also a single CCD camera, and so will not have the same quality as a 3CCD camera.

Most of the time the camera is the cheap bit of the system. If you want to do stuff in caves/deep wrecks you NEED big lights, you NEED a camera that has good low light capability, and I think that you need to have underwater control of white balance.

Prob not the most helpful response out there, sorry dude.

J

[dreading]

you could try a Top dawg housing, they are made by light & motion and can fit a range of video cameras in. the white balance is adjustable using LANC controls so provided the TRV22 has them you should be sorted. you can also get lights for the top dawg if you dive caves. i've been predominently using a sony vx1000 which is a 3 chip (3CCD) but also use some single chip camera's and find they do well in low light sony drc-sc100e. because the top dawg housing has the capability of working with a number of video cameras i would consider it as the future is High Definition and i know that a Sony HDR-HC1e works in a top dawg. i'm not 100% on what filters you could use on a top dawg....i guess the only downfall of the top dawg is that you can't put on external lenses unless they fit on the camera in the housing.

[GLOC]

You also can't white balance on the TD housings either but I just managed to pick up this bunch for just over a grand from Ebay in the US. just need to get it across from my mate in Maryland where it was delivered. Inside it will go the HC42 I have at the moment. However, powering on and off, does conduct an 'auto' white balance so that might be an option I could use.

Top Dawg II Video housing

A very flexible camera housing with no mechanical penetrations.This housing will work with most Sony DV video cameras as well as some Cannon models, see Top Dawg website for compatibility.

Top Dawg Underwater Video Compatibility

I have used the Sony TRV30, Sony TRV900, Sony HDR HC3 HDV camera in this housing and they all have worked perfectly.

All controls are magnetic and allow access to Power on/off, Zoom in/out, toggle between manual focus and auto, toggle between video mode and picture mode,

Housing comes with two back plates, A standard back and a Monitor back that is powered by 4 AA batteries. The Monitor back makes it very easy to veiw your subject while shooting.

Housing comes with a UR Pro Cyan Filter that covers the entire window port, this will allow you to change the filter on the outside of the housing while diving.

Housing comes with extra orings/oring lube/pelican travel case.

Housing comes with 2 Mini 40watt lights, 2 chargers and two brand new batteries.

I have used this housing on about 40 dives over the last 1.5 years and it has performed flawlessly.It is in excellent condition and will perform for years to come.

All this brand new would cost over $2400 dollars.

$2400 in the USD maybe, shed loads more than that in the UK

[Mick F]

Manual white balance is an absolute must. Trust me! Either carry a white slate or paint your fins.

If you're going to get into uw video, then be prepared to spend big time. My camera (Panasonic 3CCD anamorphic widescreen) cost about €1200. The housing & lights added about €4K to the bill...

You can get cheap or you can get good. The cheap setups will end up frustrating you as you don't get the control you need for trickier shots. Remember that current DV technology doesn't allow the flexibility that RAW stills do. You need to get it right & tight in camera.

It only becomes worthwhile when you get that perfectly captured magic sequence, and then it all begins to make sense (but only aesthetically, never financially )

[johnkendall]

And for the ultimate in flexibility, Image quality etc

RED Digital Cinema

Mind you, I've heard that they are a bit pricey.

J

[Debs]

Hi Rick

I've been looking into getting an U/W video set up, unfortunately everyone is right in saying it won't be cheap. The 'bargain' system I'm considering is the Sony HDV HDR-HC3 (high def is a must as it will be the format of the future - all those new LCD tellies on sale now are high def and this camcorder takes cracking video see:
Sony HDR-HC3 Camcorder Review - Sony HDV Camcorders - Sony Camcorders - Camcorder Reviews - Consumer Camcorders - Camcorderinfo.com
an Ikelite housing (can set WB)
Wide angle lens (apparently a must)
Red filter
Lights
Total cost £2,300

Though next year the big thing will be camcorders which are high def and Hard Disk Drive - no sound from a tape drive.

[Rick Huggins]

Thanks folkes, much appreciated!

I knew there would be no simple/cheap answer but am trying to avoid costly errors.

Cheers

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Rick Huggins

I knew there would be no simple/cheap answer but am trying to avoid costly errors.

Cheers

You could always flog one of your scooters Rick

[Tim Ingmire]

Originally Posted by Rick Huggins

Thanks folkes, much appreciated!

I knew there would be no simple/cheap answer but am trying to avoid costly errors.

Cheers

Hi Rick,

Can't offer any technical advice I'm afraid - being a advocate of the higher arts of stills - but the sagest advice I can offer is: buy cheap, buy twice. I guess you already know that but I think it's worth front of mind as you see some the prices involved and being tempted to make comprimises.

Having said all that, what are you going to capture? Open blue water in sunny conditions or dark water in caves etc? The answer should drive your purchases and the amount of equipment. I can't advise on the details but eg are lights really necessary - could you get away with a filter etc etc etc.

Anyway, look forward to seeing your results what ever you decide.

Cheers,

Tim