First video of where I've been training.

[CuzzA]

Yeah... Lol... I had good intentions. I basically was improvising on Mako's rig as I had all the parts readily available. Which would be fine without lights as a one handed rig, but not for high quality stable video. Back to the garage shop I go...

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Buy one more handle and a piece of flat stock aluminum and you should be good.

 

[CuzzA]

Nah, I like your rig better. I like the idea of being able to stick it in the sand with the spikes. My only concern with the commercial product is it appears to not be wide enough to accommodate the flip dive filter.

 

[CuzzA]

Ok, here's my plan for the new rig. Anyone see any issues before I build it?

 

[JohnnyC]

Give it a shot and see what happens!

 

[macado]

This is basically what I've been using. The tray is a Snake River Prototyping tray but you can just easily make it out of PVC or even stock aluminum. I put my 2nd row of lines on the bottom with longer arms but I suppose they would work well using a locline tee/splitter too.

You can always change it in future if you don't get best results, I still need to experiment on mine with light placement. I bought all my locline arms and adapters at ModularHose.com - Loc-Line Modular Hose System

I wrote a little article comparing the Archon D11V and DGX Max Videos lights here if you're interested.
Adding additional video lights to your GoPro tray - wrecklessdiver.com

My advice on GoPro videos especially content that you're going to upload on YouTube. Less is more, seriously. Most people do not have the attention spans to watch 10-15 minute YouTube videos unless the content is award winning National Geographic

I've basically enacted a ~5 minute rule for my YouTube videos and even then that is too long sometimes. I shoot at 1080p/60fps and slow most of my footage down to 75% so it's not as jumpy.

 

[CuzzA]

Mike, nice write up on the lights. I like Dumpsters rig because the spikes allow you to stick it in the sand or position/sit the rig flat for higher stability on close ups of stationary objects. So that's why I went with the tee, otherwise the over under arms seem like they would work great.

I'm hoping with this design I can spead the light out for the whole shot so there aren't any dim areas around the center of the image.

As for video length, I agree. I will make it a priority to keep my videos around 5 minutes.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'm going to go forward with this design. I'll post the results when I get finished.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

An idea... If you are concerned about clearance with the flip up filter hitting the upper cross bar.... You may be able to make the rig more compact and with a lower cross bar (i.e., shorter handles) if you simply make a very short extension plate which protrudes just 2 inches forward. Mount the camera on that.. and the filters will flip up forward of the cross bar.

 

[PeterNBiddle]

Generally speaking when you are starting out in video editing everything is too long and you include WAY too much. This is a universal truth for all kinds of video, not just scuba.

You should cut video down until you think you just can't cut anymore...

...and then cut the length in half.

 

[CuzzA]

An idea... If you are concerned about clearance with the flip up filter hitting the upper cross bar.... You may be able to make the rig more compact and with a lower cross bar (i.e., shorter handles) if you simply make a very short extension plate which protrudes just 2 inches forward. Mount the camera on that.. and the filters will flip up forward of the cross bar.

Yes, having enough room is a consideration I've made. I especially want this to be large enough to accommodate bigger DSLR's in the future. I know it's not clear in the illustration but the section of aluminum stock the camera sits on will protrude 4 inches forward. I would almost like to leave the top cross bar off to give myself a better field of view, but I'm concerned it won't be rigid enough and could possibly bend the bottom bar if it were hit with enough force.

Generally speaking when you are starting out in video editing everything is too long and you include WAY too much. This is a universal truth for all kinds of video, not just scuba.

You should cut video down until you think you just can't cut anymore...

...and then cut the length in half.

Indeed. Thank you. I gotta keep the short highlight reel mentality. Perhaps if I ever get really good and shoot some impressive video, maybe with some rare encounter or event I could extend it, but I will keep them short and sweet from now on.



Any thoughts on sealing the pvc handles to hold air? Perhaps to counter the negative buoyancy of everything else. Or should I drill holes and just let it flood and drain?