First time video camera reccommendation
- Thread starter karyn
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RichLockyer
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No matter what, you're going to be into it for close to $1000 minimum, so base your decision off of that... go cheap and (relatively) "disposable" as I did with the Sony TRV308, or spend more for a true DV with a firewire output and go ahead and buy insurance for it (flooding is always a "when", not "if").
The cheapest housing I've seen is the basic Ikelite. They're good to 130ft and start at around $600 from Leisurepro. You can go over $3000 on aluminum housings with remote mic's and larger screens. The basic $600 housing forces you to use the camera's viewfinder.
The cheapest housing I've seen is the basic Ikelite. They're good to 130ft and start at around $600 from Leisurepro. You can go over $3000 on aluminum housings with remote mic's and larger screens. The basic $600 housing forces you to use the camera's viewfinder.
karyn:
Underwater video can be a very expensive hobby. The housing often costs as much or more than the camcorder.
For camcorders, I suggest a Sony mini dv. They appear to offer the most housing options.
I would buy the camcorder 1st, play around shooting land stuff. Edit a little on your computer. Then decide if you really want to get into underwater video. If so, plan on spending anywhere from $800 to $1500 on a housing.
I'm totally an amateur, but IMHO I still make nice videos with amateur over the counter equipment. If I can do it, you can too.
You can take a look at some of my videos on my website.
http://www.ronrosa.com/ron/scuba.htm
I got a video housing off ebay for $100 that works fine. I'm using it with an old Sony Hi8 camcorder that cost me big bucks when new but is almost worthless now (tr81). This is a great way to get started - especially if you're handy or inventive. For example, my housing had only one twist/push lever to turn the camcorder on/off. I rigged the remote control so that I can use the lever for on/off and zoom in/out. Even without this mod, $100 is a cheap investment in underwater video! Ikelite sells levers....
JVC makes housings for their mini-DV cams that house the flip-out viewer so you can really see what you're filming. These housings start at $300-$350 and are typically good to 30M (100feet). Add a mini-DV from Ebay and you should have an excellent system for ~$700.
Of course you can go the more traditional route that others have posted here, but your question said you don't want to spend a lot and I think $1000 is a lot!
JVC makes housings for their mini-DV cams that house the flip-out viewer so you can really see what you're filming. These housings start at $300-$350 and are typically good to 30M (100feet). Add a mini-DV from Ebay and you should have an excellent system for ~$700.
Of course you can go the more traditional route that others have posted here, but your question said you don't want to spend a lot and I think $1000 is a lot!
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