Total video nOOb, have questions

[Eric Sedletzky]

I want to get a very simple video setup.
I'm not looking for anything ultra high end. Really what I want is something that doesn't need a housing, is compact, high def, and under $500 if possible.
That might be rediculous, but remember I'm in the dark on this. Someone please enlighten me.

I just want to record some underwater stuff for fun and to share on the web.

What's the latest "best bang for the buck" little setup ?

 

[gsk3]

I'm no video expert (far from it!), but you could probably get a Flip HD and a good housing for it for under that much. Lighting is another story altogether.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I'm no video expert (far from it!), but you could probably get a Flip HD and a good housing for it for under that much. Lighting is another story altogether.

I wouldn't be interested in lighting. I'm going to use ambient light. I want to capture wide angle panoramas and record dives.

 

[diversteve]

The Flip HD, JVC Picsio or Kodak Zi8 are all options. Ikelite houses them all affordably.

Underwater Housing for Flip Ultra Camcorders - housing is $260 + camera.
Underwater Housing for JVC Camcorder - $400 camera/housing package deal.
Underwater Housing for Kodak Camcorder - housing is $260 + camera.

There's several threads/reviews in this forum for each model - and video samples. There's also someone shooting one in either your area or SoCal that posts here often - IIRC he has both a Picsio and a Flip.

You might also look at the GoPro HD. It has some limitations I couldn't live with but if you can.... There's a thread about it here.
Eye of Mine sells a housing for it. There was an issue with it being blurry u/w (the camera not the housing) but there's a couple of fixes for that problem now.

And there's the GMSConcepts housing for the ContourHD.

A Canon Vixia HF_MF300 in their WP-V2 housing is a higher end but somewhat affordable option. It prices out online at about $850 - $460 for the camera and $390 for the housing.

Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : VIXIA HF M300
Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : WP-V2 Waterproof Case

 

[kanonfodr]

I'm currently using a Canon SD940 in an Ikelite Housing. You could easily purchase both items for about $500. If you're interested to see how the video looks, click the link in my sig.

The Canon SD980 is a little bit better camera, but not much more expensive and the housing costs the same as for the 940. The cool thing about my setup is that I have both a great still camera but it still captures 720p HD video. I've read some criticisms of the JVC and Panasonic setups that the video quality is amazing but the stills quality suffers.

I hope your computer is up to the task of editing HD video. I had to can my Alienware and buy a brand new Macbook Pro, the video was crashing my Alienware .

Peace,
Greg

 

[EastTNDiver]

I have the Flip UltraHD video camera with Ikelite housing, and I have been extremely happy with it. You can get the Flip at Walmart for $179...and, sometimes catch it on sale for less. The Ikelite housing is $260. That gets you into a basic setup for under $500. However, if you wish to get into wide angle stuff, that will cost you no matter what rig you get. The wide angle lens for the Ikelite housing is over $300 by itself. But, you could add that later.

Below is a youtube video I put together from clips I shot at a local quarry, using nothing but the Flip, housing, and wide angle lens...no filters or lights. Note that the editing of this video was done with the software that comes with the Flip camera. The software is kind of skinny on features, but really easy to use.

YouTube - Philadelphia Quarry

If you wish to see additional footage, just click the down arrow by my name at the top of the video at youtube, and it will show you my other videos.

 

[aquaspider]

If you want simple and inexpensive with good quality results, why not go standard def? Good standard def is better than poor Hi def. You can pick up a used rig on the cheap and add a wal. Any decent computer can edit the files and you don't need SDHC cards.

As for HD cameras, my wife uses a Canon SD940 in a Canon case. Though she usually shoots stills with it, I'd put it up against any of the HD compacts for video recording quality. I use a Canon HF200/WP-V1 with wal, which is somewhat more expensive and needs mods to make it handle well, but you get big league videos with it. Every choice has drawbacks.