Anyone Actually use a Sony HC7 Underwater Yet?

[H2O Photo Pros]

Sounds good Hortoni...we look forward to seeing some clips from your trip!!

 

[drbill]

Heh, heh... guess it was a bit too early... or late... for coffee to have been the cause for those jittery fingers on the post button!

 

[Otter]

Now that I deleted his 2 duplicate posts, everyone is going to wonder what you meant!

 

[JeffG]

The biggest problem I encountered with the amphibico was that the camera didn't always turn off when I hit the switch. I wouldn't call this a malfunction, it was just that you really need to make sure you press the button all the way down and verify shut-down on the LCD screen.

You need that extra stiffness in the springs for when the housing goes deeper.

 

[drbill]

Now that I deleted his 2 duplicate posts, everyone is going to wonder what you meant!

Hey, Otter... they already wonder that anyway!

Just tracked my HC-7. It's sitting in Cerritos ready to make the flight over to the island. I can't wait. Before diving with it, I intend to do something quite different... RTFM!

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

Hahah guys, I think that post was about me...my comp was giving me problems (I hate PCs) and was locking up, didnt look like it was going through at all, so I hit the post a couple more times..hahah it was late!! Thats why Macs are sooo much better, they dont lock up like PC's do!! (uh oh just opened a can of worms)

 

[drbill]

Hmmm... I've used Macs and PC's in my video editing over the years. I think the Macs locked up just as frequently as the PC's. However, now that Macs use the Intel chips and casn run a host of OS'es, I really think they are the way to go.

 

[drbill]

OK, I just signed for the package. I only opened the outer box to check for any obvious damage. There was none. I set the box with the camcorder in it on my table. I came back immediately to my computer to finish reading ScubaBoard's new posts. After that, I'm going to capture and edit all the footage from my trip out to the Navy submarine rescue diving boat. Then, tonight, I'll open the box. I'll read the manual. I won't go into the water with it until I have read the entire manual twice. I'm being SOOOO disciplined about this. Can I last?

 

[pakman]

LOL Drbill. I'd expect you to immediately slap that camera into your housing and be in the water for a nite dive!

BTW, did you get an extra battery? I'm wondering which backup battery to get. 70 or 100 model? I guess the 3rd party battery makers haven't been able to copy the new IC chips in these yet...

 

[drbill]

OK, I captured all the Navy diving footage and then tore the box open. Took a minute of topside video so I could see what it looks like. Then I put it in the housing and tried the controls topside. Everything seems to work just fine. However, I promised I was going to RTFM so that's my plan for tomorrow. Diving... possibly Thursday here in the dive park for a test run.

I got an extra model 70 battery. The two batteries should be plenty to film on my three dive days on the King Neptune.

I did find out a few things. Nothing serious. However, the door for the output ports and LANC connector doesn't seem to open when the camcorder is secured tightly to the housing carriage. I had to loosen it and open the door before tightening it down.

This camcorder is SOOOO tiny. My old TRV17 mini-DV model looks like an obese brother in comparison. Plenty of room in the housing for the LCD, etc.