Best videocam for dive video

[olphart]

I've about given up on my G12 for dive videos. There's no way it can come close to the stuff my HV30/Equinox does. The problem is that in my Equinox housing the HV30 is a bugger to travel with. Plus the airport security guys always think it looks too much like a bomb for comfort.
I've tried to find an Ikelite housing for a reasonable price, but that's not happening since Ikelite stopped making them.
Soooo, I'm looking for an HD videocam plus housing combo that is compact like my G12, yet does video of equal HV30. The Heros, Gopros and the like just don't make it either.
Any thoughts about one that doesn't require mortgaging the house??

This is the best G12 video I've done
[video=facebook;10150286256418161]http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150286256418161[/video]

 

[diversteve]

The smallest/lightest housings I've seen are the Fisheye (Japan)/Seatool(US) line. I've held one, they're so tiny I had difficulty hitting the buttons - might be an issue if you dive with gloves. They're practically molded around the camera and are available for recent (not the most recent) Sony cameras. The Sony CX-550 (if you can still get one) will give better results than your HV-30. Seatool used to be distributed by Reef Photo in FL - maybe they still are.

Fisheye - Video Housings
Welcome to Seatool USA! - doesn't look like it's been recently updated.
Video : Reef Photo & Video!, The Underwater Photo Pros

Try flying with an aluminum housing like my Amphibico...I'm pretty sure they can't see through it. And there's all those wires going into it..

I always get stopped/sniffed outbound.

 

[ronscuba]

Unfortunately you can't always get what you want. If you think your HV30 Equinox is big, you should see my Sony FX7 gates combo. Technology is amazing but something still has to give when you decrease the size of a video camera so drastically.

I've come to the decision, to use a GoPro for fun casual stuff and the big boy is only for dedicated dive trips to locations with unique video opportunities. Fortunately for me, I've been to many very good top places and recorded amazing video with my FX7/Gates. I only take it for special trips. It's not worth the hassle to bring it to shoot average common sealife.

 

[jcpiota]

Ron, I've been looking at the FX7 with the Gates vs DSLRs. Are you pleased with low light performance, auto gain, and are there any issues for you in that it does not shoot 24p if looking at broadcast concerns? Thanks

Unfortunately you can't always get what you want. If you think your HV30 Equinox is big, you should see my Sony FX7 gates combo. Technology is amazing but something still has to give when you decrease the size of a video camera so drastically.

I've come to the decision, to use a GoPro for fun casual stuff and the big boy is only for dedicated dive trips to locations with unique video opportunities. Fortunately for me, I've been to many very good top places and recorded amazing video with my FX7/Gates. I only take it for special trips. It's not worth the hassle to bring it to shoot average common sealife.

 

[sharksdelight]

I have a L & M housing with the Sony A1-U that I no longer need and is in beautiful condition should you be interested. Also have new, never used housing for Canon HFS10
Steve

 

[drmark920]

If you or others are still looking I have a couple of thoughts to contribute. I have used the Ikelite housing with the Kodak Zi8. It was very compact. However, this and similar units in their price-point are fixed focus. I upgraded to the Canon line with the WP-V2. It houses the Canon Vixia HF M30. The housing is clear so it attracts less TSA concern. It is formed to the the camera size so it is smaller and lighter than my older units. Of course adding on a wide angle lens increases size and weight. I am very pleased with the HD quality and ease of operation. It has a built in red-filter mode. The only down side of the Canon WP line is Canon does NOT warranty their camera inside of their camera case. If the Canon case were to fail you would be out a camera. However, I found and purchased the Mack Diamond Warranty for about $40 and they cover my Canon Camera if the Case floods. A great peace of mind investment I hope I never use. Canon now has a similar WP-V3 (waterproof version 3) housing compatible with the HF-M40 line.

 

[sharksdelight]

I agree, I have always used the Mack Diamond extended warranties which I purchase from Brad of Berger Brothers Photo in N.Y. I have had nothing but good experiences both with Berger Brothers as well as the Mack Warranties when I needed to use them.
Steve