Don't laugh - I'm using a Casio EX-S600

[StanleyCup]

OK everyone, be gentle with me. I'm using a Casio Exilim EX-S600 when underwater, with the UW housing. Amazon Casio Exilim EX-S600 description and Amazon Casio Housing Desc - I use it mostly for video.

You are probably rolling on the floor with laughter now. What I like about the camera is that that it is small, both inside and outside the UW case. And white balance is quick to adjust. And I have gotten a lot better at using white balance and getting videos without tons of green. I try to adjust the white balance when I change depth./ I know that my videos are still not that great. I do the videos just for fun, put an .mp3 music track behind and I throw them up on the web for friends to look at. So I am far from a professional. Obviously, the camera is low end.

For your further amusement :shocked2: I have posted links to a couple of my videos below. I am open to upgrading but I do not want to spend a fortune, and I want to keep it compact. My trips are usually not only for diving, I'm on the move so I don't want to bring large amounts of gear. I see some HD videos on the web that look great, but I have no idea if I can get it in a small package like I have with the Casio. Or if I should even try.

So I guess I am looking for opinions on this ...

- Looking at my videos, can I do better with this camera and housing? In other words, am I getting the most out of this cheap setup?

- Will an upgrade improve my video?

- What is the best *small* camera with housing, for UW video? Does something even exist?

OK, fire away at me. :depressed:

-SC


My Youtube links:

1. Nov 25, Sipadan part 1 - taken with fair viz - most shot 10-25 meter deep

2. Nov 25, Sipadan part 2 - taken with fair viz - most shot 7-20 meter deep - this one is the best of the 5 videos posted here

3. Nov 26, Sipadan part 1 - viz not very good

4. Nov 26, Sipadan part 2 - viz not very good

5. Nov 27, Kapalai and Mabul - viz not very good

 

[bfisher]

These aren't too bad if they are your first ones. A little jerky with the panning, but you'll get better with time. It's a pretty good learning curve. You learn by doing and then viewing. Not bad, and surprisingly decent for an el-cheapo outfit.

One thing you need in a bad way is a red filter. This would improve things greatly.

 

[StanleyCup]

Thank you for the feedback, and the recommendation of a red filter. I don't believe that you can get a red filter for this camera, but there is a setting in the camera to simulate a red filter, wonder if that would improve things? I'll try it in the Simalans in February.

 

[bfisher]

The camera doesn't necessarily need a filter. The housing does. Is the port threaded by any chance? If so you might be able to get what is called a Magic Filter and two UV filters. What you do is cut the magic filter to fit the UV filters and sandwich the two filters. They usually are threaded and screw right together. Then just screw it in the port. This is just one option. Maybe you could just find a filter that fits, too. I don't know.

You use a red filter and you'll see a marked improvement in the colors and a whole lot less blue. It makes a huge difference.

 

[Gombessa]

SC, these are pretty good! Your camera seems to handle white balance and low light pretty well, and you have a good grasp of how to get some nice footage out of it. If you're looking for a small, compact upgrade, here's what I'd focus on:

1) 720p (or higher) HD recording - youtube allows videos up to 10min or 2GB, in 720 and 1080 resolution. Make sure any camera you buy today shoots HD.

2) optical image stabiliztion - I believe your Casio has software shake reduction; getting a camera with a true optical image stabilization/vibration reduction will help quite a bit.

3) Wide angle lens - Your camera has a 38mm equivalent wide. Because of the magnification effect in water, it's even more cropped underwater. Get something with a 24-28mm wide lens, or spend more for a wide converter lens. Also, one thing to check is to confirm that the camera allows for optical zoom while shooting a movie (some will lock the zoom because the motor noise would be audible through the microphone). Zoom doesn't really matter underwater, since visbility tends to be limited to several dozen feet anyways.

4) Fast lens - f/2.0-2.8 at wide will help as you get deeper. Support for higher ISOs should help for reduced light as well.

That's about it for now. There are a lot of options out there, and most are relatively cheap (~$200 for the camera, another $200 for the housing) but have great bang for the buck.

 

[StanleyCup]

bfisher, the port is not threaded. It is screwed. I'm going to try the red filter setting on the camera and we'll see what that does, and go from there

Thanks for all the advice, Gombessa, I appreciate it. I'm going to keep my eyes open for what you recommended.

 

[Georgiadaybreak]

I'm not laughing because I'm new too with underwater photography and like you, am doing it only recreationally for my own personal enjoyment. I received a JVC Picsio GM-FM1 pocket camcorder with an Ikelite housing for Christmas. I'm not familiar with this camera and wasn't too impressed with the pictures I took at Christmas, but I don't want to offend the giver, so I wanted to know if anyone has any experience with this camcorder/camera. I think I am pretty much in the same boat as you StanleyCup.

 

[bfisher]

I'm not laughing because I'm new too with underwater photography and like you, am doing it only recreationally for my own personal enjoyment. I received a JVC Picsio GM-FM1 pocket camcorder with an Ikelite housing for Christmas. I'm not familiar with this camera and wasn't too impressed with the pictures I took at Christmas, but I don't want to offend the giver, so I wanted to know if anyone has any experience with this camcorder/camera. I think I am pretty much in the same boat as you StanleyCup.

I'm not in the market for one, but looked at one at my LDS last weekend. If I recall right the price was, like, $439 or so. It has an external red filter, too. It sure doesn't look like state of the art, but might make a good entry-level outfit for some who are on a tight budget.

I am looking forward to seeing some footage shot by this little thing. I can sure vouch for one thing good about it. It won't overload your baggage and the airlines aren't getting any less stringent on weight allowances., which is one criteria when I look at housings.

 

[diversteve]

I am looking forward to seeing some footage shot by this little thing. I can sure vouch for one thing good about it. It won't overload your baggage and the airlines aren't getting any less stringent on weight allowances., which is one criteria when I look at housings.

Sample pics and video:
Ikelite Product Blog

 

[bfisher]

Sample pics and video:
Ikelite Product Blog

Thanks Steve, but I don't want to see footage or pics edited with equipment I can't even afford. Heck, I couldn't afford the editing program. Anybody can photoshop the hell out of things, but the pros know how to do it best.

I'd like to see some real world footage made by real people that would buy these video outfits.. and use them at various depths, less than aquarium type viz, etc.

Heck, better yet I'll just borrow one from my LDS and take it with me to Bonaire in six weeks. Take my own and compare to the outfit I already have.