seansrs36
Contributor
Anyone have any suggestions on what a good video camera is to start out with? Guess a rig will cost around $3k with the lights, camera, and housing. Look forward to any suggestions anyone can give.
First UW Video Camera
- Thread starter seansrs36
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So I don't have to quote everything, I'll point you to some recent posts of mine (and others) on this subject:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/254746-first-camcorder-input-please.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/254583-questions-non-videographer.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/254704-newbie-finally-chasing-dream.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/245551-thinking-about-getting-started.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/254746-first-camcorder-input-please.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/254583-questions-non-videographer.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/254704-newbie-finally-chasing-dream.html
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/underwater-videography/245551-thinking-about-getting-started.html
Last edited:
dittohead
Contributor
What type of video are you planning on? Do you need lights? If this is your first rig, you may want to skip lights and learn the basics first, lights will help if used properly, but they add a huge amount of cost and complexity to an already expensive and complex hobby.
If you are able to squeeze out just a tad more (few hundred dollars) you can get yourself into a nice Top Dawg System with lights and a Sony HC7 or HC9 camcorder. The cameras are easy to find used to save you money. In fact we have an HC7 camera in excellent condition available for a killer price.
bfisher
Contributor
Although I'm relatively new at underwtarer video I can attest that the Sony HC series do a decent job. I own a HC7 w/ a Seatool housing and get very good results. I can't do MWB but have to do AWB in my editing program. The results are absolutely amazing as almost all the blue disappears. Not bragging but my videos are extremely good for a person that has only three videos behind me and am completely self taught. Prior to this I had never even own or turned on a camcorder.
As I have learned, the hard way, so much of doing video is in the editing.
As for housings? I can make no comparisons. I did a lot of research before choosing the Seatool. I wanted electronis controls and not manual. Size and weight were major considerations as all my diving is tropical so I have to consider airline restrictions. The housing with camcorder inside is about 6 lbs.
I'm now taking a look at the L&M housing for this camcorder as it has MWB provisions and an external monitor, which would make things a lot easier on these old eyes. That being said I make no recommendations about housings. I'll leave that for the more experienced. You have to consider your budget.
As for needing lights? This is a good one. I have taken really good video in Bonaire of the Hilma Hooker, 100' deep with no lights. You know, sometimes the lack of lights shows with a noisy (snowy) picture. Sometimes this isn't all that bad. Kind of shows that you are "down ther a ways". I'm hoping to do the Truk Oddyssey next year and see how things look at 160'.
My last Bonaire trip in September I did a night dive without lights (I don't own lights). I had some assistance from cohorts using their dive lights, but most of the time I used my own 8 C-cell LED hand-held. Trying to operate both the light and the camera was not always easy and there were shadows. The end result, though, was very cool as it actually showed that this was a night dive. Sometimes lights remove the eeriness of night diving. IMO they come into their own when inside a wreck. In other words, you don't necessarily have to get lights right away.
Some other hints I might ad are, if you go video. are: Every time you open the housing be sure and clean the O-ring and it's groove very carefully. Add a little slica pac to absorb condensation. Before every dive be sure and check for leaks---every time.
Be ready for a big learning curve if you've never done video before. The editing takes a lot of time and patience. Getting the right music for the scenes you have takes as much or more time than the actual editing itself, but this is where the average and good videos are a world apart. Something I learned about music----vocals just don't work.
Whatever you decide you keep coming back and let us know. I for one am interested in what people pick, and being a newbie myself I can help youwith the editing.
As I have learned, the hard way, so much of doing video is in the editing.
As for housings? I can make no comparisons. I did a lot of research before choosing the Seatool. I wanted electronis controls and not manual. Size and weight were major considerations as all my diving is tropical so I have to consider airline restrictions. The housing with camcorder inside is about 6 lbs.
I'm now taking a look at the L&M housing for this camcorder as it has MWB provisions and an external monitor, which would make things a lot easier on these old eyes. That being said I make no recommendations about housings. I'll leave that for the more experienced. You have to consider your budget.
As for needing lights? This is a good one. I have taken really good video in Bonaire of the Hilma Hooker, 100' deep with no lights. You know, sometimes the lack of lights shows with a noisy (snowy) picture. Sometimes this isn't all that bad. Kind of shows that you are "down ther a ways". I'm hoping to do the Truk Oddyssey next year and see how things look at 160'.
My last Bonaire trip in September I did a night dive without lights (I don't own lights). I had some assistance from cohorts using their dive lights, but most of the time I used my own 8 C-cell LED hand-held. Trying to operate both the light and the camera was not always easy and there were shadows. The end result, though, was very cool as it actually showed that this was a night dive. Sometimes lights remove the eeriness of night diving. IMO they come into their own when inside a wreck. In other words, you don't necessarily have to get lights right away.
Some other hints I might ad are, if you go video. are: Every time you open the housing be sure and clean the O-ring and it's groove very carefully. Add a little slica pac to absorb condensation. Before every dive be sure and check for leaks---every time.
Be ready for a big learning curve if you've never done video before. The editing takes a lot of time and patience. Getting the right music for the scenes you have takes as much or more time than the actual editing itself, but this is where the average and good videos are a world apart. Something I learned about music----vocals just don't work.
Whatever you decide you keep coming back and let us know. I for one am interested in what people pick, and being a newbie myself I can help youwith the editing.
Video rookie
Guest
bfisher
Contributor
lemon
Guest
vimeo.com seems to give decent results and i believe they accept large files.
Vimeo is a terrific site to post HD. I've posted High Quality video to Youtube. While, HQ o Youtube is never really that terrific, there is noticeable difference from normal quality. Also, you get a fair amount of traffic from folks wanting to see video. Plus, you an get all these crazy, snarky comments from viewers!
I have the settings for HQ video on Youtube if you'd like...however they are for Mac.Perhaps there are commonalities in the settings between Mac and your PC?
Cheers,
X
Video rookie
Guest
I also think Vimeo is probably a much better place to post, because You Tube does kill the quality. Vimeo does have a size limit also, and a weekly limit too. I tried to make a post once and it did not work, but still it would not allow me to try again for a week since my allowance for the week had been used..., and I have not gone back to try again. For posting a video, try to keep the length under 5 minutes, or you will most likely lose the attention of your viewer (also it makes it easier to sneak a peek when the boss is not looking...
). Keep the clips short in most cases to keep the viewers interest, and just make more videos. Most important, is to have fun with it.... RonScuba has some great videos on Vimeo, here is a link:RonScuba's videos on Vimeo
Vic
