HC7 with TopDawg II

[pmattb]

I've got an older Canon ZR65, but looking to get a UW package.

I'm probably going to get the HC7, but I'm thinking about getting a more universal housing (TopDawg II) but I dont want a mechanical after what I've been reading on here. Any loss of function with the HC7 with the TopDawg II?

Thanks for your input!!

 

[diversteve]

I'm sure he'll respond here, but you could PM drbill here as he has that exact setup.

You can't Manual White Balance since the TopDawg's electronics don't support it with the HC-series cameras. Someone once posted that the viewfinder is hard to see mounted in the TD II so you might consider the lcd back.

 

[OceanObsessed]

Someone once posted that the viewfinder is hard to see mounted in the TD II so you might consider the lcd back.

I just started shooting with a Top Dawg II and an HC3. I find the viewfinder very difficult to see inside the housing. I purchased a Monitorback (wet digital display on the rear of housing) from a fellow scubaboarder and that makes the system pretty easy to use.

I remember reading on scubaboard that someone else with a Top Dawg and HC series camera mounted an external video display inside the housing and positioned it against the rear viewport. This may be a cheaper and better option than the Monitorback. The Monitorback does not display whether you are in record or standby mode... at least this is the case with my setup. To determine which mode it is in... I just look into the front port and verify that the red record light is on.

 

[Empty V]

There's benefit of both mechanical and electronic controls. I think everyone using u/w video should read "Underwater Digital Video Made Easy" it's an easy read that more than worth it's weight.

Billy

 

[drbill]

I use essentially the same set-up. As Steve said, the manual WB can't be accessed currently by the Top Dawgs. IMHO the HC-7 does not do a very good job of auto WB.

As for the viewfinder being too far forward in the housing to see clearly, this is true (although I've used it to film on occasion). I simply took a JVC LT-V18U LCD monitor, connect it to the camcorder's RCA output and can successfulyy use that for composing shots. However, it is a small (1.8") NTSC monitor that does not give good enough resolution to always ensure good focus. Still, as a $70 solution it is much more within my budget than a $600-700 monitor back.

 

[NAIBdiver1]

After doing a lot of reading on the Internet (reviews), I decided to buy the Sony HC3 instead of the HC5 or HC7. I too had a Canon zr65 & zr70 (good cameras), but wanted to move "up".

I have my HC3 in an Ikelite housing (mechanical w/reverse circuitry). I'm able to access WB, manual focus and many other functions from the touch screen. I'm more than happy with what I've decided.

Leaving for LaPaz tomorrow morning to put it all to the test

NAIBDiver1

 

[pmattb]

Thats a great solution. I read all the above with excitement, then saw that the monitorback isnt cheap. Should know better by now....

but I like the small secondary LCD option. Sounds like it'll work for framing which is the most important thing from my very limited experience....

Since that JVC LT-V18U LCD seems to be an out of stock/production item -whats the clearance in there, will a 2" LCD be too big?

Thanks all

 

[drbill]

2" LCD could be fine, but it really depends on the dimensions of the LCD's case.

 

[pmattb]

Just putting it all together tonight (too late to keep on) but the thought struck me - has anyone flipped the screen out and used a mirror angled backwards to get a peek at the screen? Not convinced it'll work (steady, not knocking around), but offhand seems like a workable interim solution before the ebay 2" LCD gets here......

 

[diversteve]

Don't see why not but I think it'll pan backwards the way older Ikelite's do.