First Video with New HDR-HC7

[PerroneFord]

You said it brother.

I shoot with a DVX100, and the images I see now coming out of modern cameras costing what mine cost, is astounding. The DVX100 was a great buy for me because of the professional features like XLR Mic capabilities, quality glass, manual controls not on the menu, etc. Now, the $6k HDV cameras are doing the same thing (though they do require more light).

It's an exciting time to be in video. However, I do think as more people embrace it, they should take some time to educate themselves on what they really are buying. These are expensive cameras by most people's accounts, and it is wise to know what your camera will actually do. When I finally learned how to adjust pedastal, knee, shoot progressive, and make manual iris adjustments, along with light properly, my images went from amateurish to far closer to professional. Learning how to truly unlock the power of your cameras, even the less expensive models, is part of the great joy.

-P

You are correct, there is a gap between consumer and prosumer camcorders, and another gap between prosumer and true professional camcorders. But still, never before has the consumer had access to the kind of image quality that the new HD camcorders are putting out and unless you are getting paid to shoot video, you really don't need anything more.

 

[ronscuba]

WannaLaguna, those are some long arm segments. I wouldn't be surprised if you end up dropping the 2nd arm segment and just went with 1.

PerroneFord, I think what you mention while true, becomes a huge stepping stone for UW video hobbyists. I think the consumer level cams perform great in good conditions and a housing with the basic controls will be all you need as long as the water is clear and the lighting is good. Packages like this can be very affordable.

The less than ideal conditions is where the prosumer cams separate themselves from the consumer cams. Having easy access to the manual controls allows these challenging shots to look as good as in ideal conditions.

I still have plenty to learn about my FX7, but using MWB, manual focus and ND filter so far have stepped my videos way up from my auto everything days.

Of course all this has costs associated with it and the jump from consumer cam with basic housing to prosumer cam with advanced housing is huge in price and size/weight. I don't even want to think about the camcorders and housings the next level up from my FX7. Most people think I am crazy as it is. On my last trip, everyone, including the crew, asked if I was a pro. When I replied no, the next question was, how much my equipment cost. Er,.... no comment.

 

[PerroneFord]

LOL! No comment... Kinda like when recreational divers see us in our cave gear! Fortunately, the kids usually just ask it how much it weighs... Answer is often, "more than you".

You know if I had to give one piece of advice to folks shooting consumer cams and looking for better video, that advice would be "more light". Light solves so many issues. Even if the color balance of the lighting is wrong, as long as it has some red in it.. MORE LIGHT. What you are shooting at could look stark white to your naked eye, but the camera will LOVE IT as long as you make sure the iris is stopped down properly.

 

[WannaLaguna]

WannaLaguna, those are some long arm segments. I wouldn't be surprised if you end up dropping the 2nd arm segment and just went with 1.

Guilty as charged. I use both segments shooting photos... I have adapters for my aquatica D200 housing and just swap the arms out depending on what I'm shooting photo or video. I just got really excited when my shipment came in and threw them right on and snapped the pic.