Sony FX1/Z1U or FX7/V1U

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marjan041

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Location
Croatia
# of dives
500 - 999
Hi, I have plan to buy one of this camera for underwater.
What do You think, what is better to buy for underwater, and witch one is better for lowlight situation?
Tnx allot for help
Marjan
 
Marjan,
The first thing I would do is remove the FX7 from your list of possibilities. Sony discontinued that camera not long after it was released. (This pertains to the U.S. market, I am not sure if the camera was discontinued in other parts of the world)

The FX1/Z1U and the V1U are good choices and there are excellent housings available for them all.

I would lean towards the V1U. It is a smaller camera than the FX1/Z1, which means the housings are going to be smaller also.

Here's a couple questions that may help us give you some better advise.
1. Do you have a budget for camera/housing?
2. What do you plan on using the footage for?
3. Will you be traveling a lot?

As a side note: I have used the Gates housings for each of these cameras and have been very impressed. The V1U housing, as I stated above, is quite a bit smaller than the Z1U and would be easier/lighter to travel with.
 
Hi Joe,
tnx allot for Your quick replay. I have Sony HC-1, but in low light condition this camera is not good solution, and I have housing without white balance.

1. Do you have a budget for camera/housing?
Yes, my plan was to buy some new or used camera. Max dive will be on 50m, that means Ike housing is nice solution for V1u, also I have hosing for HC-1 BSKINETICS up to 100m
But there is some post on forum that Z1U is better in low light condition then V!U (???), and is easier to find used camera hosing (that means for almost same amount I can find better housing like Gates...)
If will be problem for traveling i have HC-1 with hosing.
What do you think?
 
You should definitely be able to find some used housings right now for the Z1U or FX1. A lot of people are upgrading to the EX1 right now.

We get quite a few customers that want to sell their current equipment before buying something new.

I would try to find a V1U. It is definitely comparable to the Z1 and you may find used housing for it too. We had a used V1U complete setup that we just sold, I can do some poking around and see if anyone else has one for sale.

The latest episode of Survivor has some underwater shots (not sure how much), which were all shot with the V1U and Gates housings. You can check that out, it might give you a good idea of what the camera/housing is capable of.
 
Hello Joe Holley, good to see/hear from you.

Although Sony discontinued the FX7, it's still a great camcorder and 99% identical to the V1U for UW uses. If you are considering a used FX1 then also consider a used FX7 if you come across one.

Links to some of my videos shot with a FX7 are in my sig below.
 
Hello Joe Holley, good to see/hear from you.

Although Sony discontinued the FX7, it's still a great camcorder and 99% identical to the V1U for UW uses. If you are considering a used FX1 then also consider a used FX7 if you come across one.

Links to some of my videos shot with a FX7 are in my sig below.

Great point ronscuba,
My initial idea of removing the FX7 from his list was an assumption that he was looking for new cameras/housings.

marjan - I would definitey recommend checking out ronscuba's videos. He's got some really good stuff posted.
 
Rumor is out that Sony will be bringing the FX7 back in a few months at a reduced price of $2k and a new cam to replace the FX1 at $3.5k that is very good at low light.
 
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