Another "Help me build my GoPro rig" thread

[unwantedsn]

The OP seems delighted. Glad I could help him.

Indeed, thanks @BDSC

--SNIP
In no particular order:
1) is it a case of you diving occasionally or do you think you are going to do it seriously now (bucket lists around the world etc)
2) do you own any form of mirrorless or dslr camera as well as your GoPro?
3) how much of a perfectionist (obsessive) are you? Seriously... this is a very important question
4) are you ever honestly going to drop over $1000 on camera equipment? Think about this one..

1) I'm not really looking into getting into it seriously. It would be more or less something to show friends/family.
2) I own a Canon t6s that I enjoy. I was into photography for a few years, but never got the urge to go full frame or dump a ton of cash into it. I did buy other lenses and flash, but nothing that I would consider pro grade.
3) This is a double edged sward. Somethings that I should care about, i don't, and others that I shouldn't I do. I do have a strong sense of "you knew what you were getting into when you bought it". I love to research stuff to death and then make an informed decision. It's when I don't research / make impulse decisions that I feel foolish.
4) I don't think I would spend that much. But looking back I'm about there already..

I did purchase lights and a proper tray so we should be good there now. Can someone share some setting that I should be using for underwater? Seems like protune and flat are what some are recommending, but what about white balance? Since the lights are rated at 6500k should I force the gopro to that?

Sorry for the long winded post.

 

[tep]

Well, for my sins, I'm joining the GoPro cult Our company had a one-time 25% off GoPro so there's a Hero7 Black coming next week.

It seems that the GoPro SuperSuit is the most common housing at least for starters? Are there any others I should look at? Like the OP, I'm planning on very casual usage, mostly to show friends and family what I see diving, not anything remotely serious.

 

[Mike1967]

SuperSuit

The only thing I don't like about it is that you have to remove the GoPro lens cover to use it, which removes the waterproofness. Therefore, even a small flood of the SuperSuit at a shallow depth borks the GoPro.

 

[tep]

The only thing I don't like about it is that you have to remove the GoPro lens cover to use it, which removes the waterproofness. Therefore, even a small flood of the SuperSuit at a shallow depth borks the GoPro.

Are there other options that don't have this problem? I have a week or more to decide what housing to buy.

 

[Mike1967]

Are there other options that don't have this problem? I have a week or more to decide what housing to buy.

Yes but it's either a cheap knock off or an aluminium one(can't remember the name) that's like $500

I think the Supersuit is good enough that if looked after and maintained properly, it'll never flood. Touch wood!

Edit: this is the one I was talking about, of course there could be others.
Isotta GoPro 7 Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO5, HERO6 & HERO7 Black Cameras

 

[Pyrolancer]

Could you spend around $420 in total. That would get you a killer system.

Can you please PM me too thanks!

 

[DesertEagle]

Filter or lights? Both! Hergen Spalink has an excellent article about settings to get consistent color with the GoPro and video lights. He used a red filter and preset the white balance to 3000k. Granted his video lights were massive Keldan 8000 lumens.

Raja Ampat on a GoPro Hero 4 - Got Muck

Last week I was in Komodo and set up my GoPro at 3400k, sharpening low, wise view, exposure -1 and 4K60. I used the Backscatter Flip dive filter. Blue water looks blue. I don’t have the massive Keldan lights but my Light & Motion 3600 lumens lights did well.

 

[DesertEagle]

Has a little trouble uploading an image of my rig. Hopefully a short clip I took will embed.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Now using a Hero 7 w/Supersuit, INON Wide-Lens, twin INON 3100 lights and an INON tray/arm system. Love it! Fantastic results in low vis as the lens focus/depth of field is .4 in. to infinity. Color is amazing and clarity at 4K, 60fps is unbelievable. (Can you tell I kinda like my system?) M

 

[BDSC]

Just to let folks know, I’ll have no internet for the next 10 days or so. I’ll be on the Bilikiki in the Solomon Islands.

I’ve now helped several folks with rigs but will have to put that on hold for a couple of weeks. Will be glad to do it again when I return.