Video Housings

[Sue]

<font color='#000080'>The other thing is I can't afford to buy lights yet, so am going to get a couple of filters.
Daz, how deep have you shot stuff on just filters?

[Phoenix]

Diving Doc,

Just make sure you use the biggest battery you can fit with the monitor back (can't remember the model number offhand) as you will find the life reduced by about 50%.

It certainly makes the unit very easy to use but I don't like having to open the housing on the boat if I can help it and with the monitor back I can't do 3 dives on one charge.

Ian

[Tim Ingmire]

Sue, &nbsp;there is a HID light for sale in the Personal Ads section. &nbsp;It's being sold by Frogman. &nbsp;These make excellent vid lights.

[daz]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Timing @ Mar. 16 2004,11:03)]Sue, &nbsp;there is a HID light for sale in the Personal Ads section. &nbsp;It's being sold by Frogman. &nbsp;These make excellent vid lights.

Only if you get a reasonable spread from the beam. &nbsp;I switched from a narrow beam to a flood HID to avoid the problem with just the centre of the shot being bathed in light.

Daz

[daz]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Sue @ Mar. 16 2004,10:46)]The other thing is I can't afford to buy lights yet, so am going to get a couple of filters.
Daz, how deep have you shot stuff on just filters?

Filters are only really useful down to about 20m in excellent conditions. &nbsp;

As a rule of thumb, &nbsp;on bright sunny days with excellent conditions you will probably not need a filter between 0m and 8m, &nbsp;Red filter between 8m and 20m. &nbsp;(This is one of the reasons a removable or flip up inwater filter is a good idea).

Deeper than this and really lights are needed, &nbsp;but in all honesty, if lights are not available then a red filter at 30m will still be better than no filter at all.

This does really depend on ideal conditions though and as conditions are poorer or it is overcast the results will not be as good.

Daz

[Tim Ingmire]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (daz @ Mar. 16 2004,18:45)]

Only if you get a reasonable spread from the beam.  I switched from a narrow beam to a flood HID to avoid the problem with just the centre of the shot being bathed in light.

Daz

Its a UK Light Cannon. &nbsp;You can stick a diffuser into it and you don't get hotspots. &nbsp;I've seen a number of set-ups with 2 of these on. &nbsp;You can buy arms and adapters especially for this torch for video.

[daz]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Timing @ Mar. 16 2004,19:12)]

Its a UK Light Cannon. &nbsp;You can stick a diffuser into it and you don't get hotspots. &nbsp;I've seen a number of set-ups with 2 of these on. &nbsp;You can buy arms and adapters especially for this torch for video.

I don't know what the beam spread is like on the light cannons Tim, but it is quite common with narrower spread patterns to use 2 lights, one either side diverging with diffusers just like you mention.

Daz

[Tim Ingmire]

I never used them with the diffuser but I wouldn't call the beam narrow cf other HID torches. &nbsp;The trick then will be to find another one at a good price. &nbsp;Maybe a Gates supplier could do a deal price inc lights?

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (Timing @ Mar. 15 2004,16:00)]If you want a cheap first housing to see if you like the whole thing you could try Birchley in Gloucester - They're basic but functional.

I've been in discussions with Tony Birchley as I wanted a housing for the Fuji S7000 I just bought. (I bought it because it's 12megapixel, and will take a CompactFlash 1Gb Microdive which means 450 shots at 12 megapixel)
I've sent him down the camera and he's going to make me a housing specifically to fit it, plus I'll have a video light to go with it too as he's recommended a video light over a strobe.

I think Julia C's stumbled upon that advantage with the beautiful photos posted recently by using a torch as a scatter light?

When I get it back I'll write a review on here and post some photos if anyone's interested?

mark.

[Tim Ingmire]

Here's a tip if you like microdrive.

Buy a Creative Muvo2 4Gb model.  Take it apart and voila, you have a 4Gb Microdrive that you can format and use in the more modern digi-cams.

Why? &nbsp;cos you'll save yourself shedloads on just buying the microdrive.