For all you videographers

[socaldiver]

I presently am the proud (?) owner of a Reefmaster RC camera. I have no complaints about it. Some pics are good others are a waste, but I think that is mainly of my own doing, not being patient enough and setting the pic up.

Lately I have been viewing some video that other divers have taken underwater, I have read some threads (and don't have the foggiest idea what people are talking about) about what they used, housing, lights and so on and so forth. On these videos that I viewed they seem to be quite short in length, maybe 20 seconds up to close to a minute.

I am curious, when you dive and are shooting "footage" how long is a video tape (or disc if it is digital), how often do you have to change or download what you shot, and more importantly I suppose, how long can you actually shoot underwater in a continuous "session".

I hope that question makes sense.

I am seriously contemplating purchasing a video camera and am just curious what a person should look for in a camera, what accessories would I need to also get for the camera. I understand the Olympus C 3040 is a digital 35 mm camera but that you can also use it for video as well. Can someone who owns one of these give me a little more insight in how that can be and how long the video would be?

 

[Dee]

I'm not a videographer but I know one! And a real one can correct anything I say....

I've helped edit some video tapes from a friend of mine. Can't tell you what kind of camera, etc. but the tapes were almost 2 hours long. How long you can video at one time depends on your battery charge and how long a tape you're using...kinda like the 30 and 60 min. VCR tapes. The tapes my friend used were about the size of two audio cassettes taped together. How's that for technical info?? He changed tapes about every other dive, depending on how much he 'shot' on each dive.

The video clips you see posted on the internet, such as those by Deja and others on Rodales, are just short edited clips from their main video tape.

Yes, you can use the Olympus 3040 in video mode but I think it's just a short 20-30 sec. clip. Someone on Rodales posted one from their Olympus camera earlier this week. I do know that the video function really eats your memory with the Olympus cameras. It can't be used as a true video camera.

Here's a good message board on all types of photography and cameras... http://www.steves-digicams.com/Forums/index.cfm

 

[herman]

Hello Socaldiver,

Sure can't call myself an expert but I did rent a video camera once. I got about 1 hr of unedited uw video, about 1/2 of the tape and almost all of the battery used up. All used on one dive...about a 80 minute, 35 ft dive in Bonaire. From what I understand from a friend that shoots a good bit of uw video, it's a lot like photography. You shoot a lot of film (tape) and just use the good parts, putting them together to get a nice video sequence. The tape Dee mentioned was a Hi-8 I would bet, same thing that went in the camera I rented. Unless you have $2000-3000 burning a hole in your pocket, I suggest you not rent a video camera......I made that mistake 2 years ago and still want one bad, the darn thing sure was addictive.
If you still want to look at video, I suggest that you look into one of the digital formats rather than the standard analog formats (VHS, VHS-C, Hi-8, ect). They cost more but you will want to edit the video and the digital formats do not loose quality when copied (digital to digital) as the analog formats do. You can also edit the digital formats on a PC a lot easier and better than the analog formats.

I did a lot of studying on the subject after I rented the camera but the cost vs how much I would use it finally "cured" me of wanting one (for now). Now if my friend would just stop showing me his new digital camera......


HI DEE, long time no type

 

[Dee]

Howdy Herman! Where the heck have you been? Glad to see you again.

...I did a lot of studying on the subject after I rented the camera but the cost vs how much I would use it finally "cured" me of wanting one (for now). Now if my friend would just stop showing me his new digital camera......

That's the reason I don't have a new digital camera! The one or two trips a year just can't justify the expense ;-0 BUT...I know EXACTLY the camera and housing and all the little goodies I want!

 

[herman]

I am usally lurking around the board and post once in a while. The board oldtimers like us kind of get watered down now a days with all the others on with us, it has not been that long ago that you, me and a dozen or so others were the board. Back to cameras, I think I may get a digital camera in a few years but I feel like they are still too new. I think they will go the way of the calculator and the pc, price will fall a lot and function will increase a lot. I sure did get hooked on the video, I had catalogs and web pages bookmarked and was about ready to buy but the realization that the setup was going to cost the price of a week trip for 2, I came back to reality.

 

[Dee]

Originally posted by herman
....I had catalogs and web pages bookmarked and was about ready to buy but the realization that the setup was going to cost the price of a week trip for 2, I came back to reality.

....Same here. I'll take a week at CoCo View over that new camera!

 

[socaldiver]

Dee and Herman, I appreciate the input.

I only got in 50 dives this year, but next year should be between 75 and 100 and I take my camera with me about 95% of the time. So, I would think (hope) that it would be put to good use.

Thanks Dee for clarifying the clips, yes they were the ones I was referring to. And I appreciate your response on the Olympus as well as the website.

I will probably pull the trigger on the video camera once I finish my research. Fortunately, I only have myself to "provide" for so it's not as bad of a bite.

 

[Gail_L]

socadiver, I have a sony 330 digital which also uses the 8mm tape, I've purchased an ikelite video housing for it, the past two times I've been in the water with it, as long as you leave it on wide angle the viewing is fantastic, usually will view better than what you remember. Any way, you can have that last you for as long as your dive. All of the controls are right on the out side of the housing to stop and start as you please. If you go to leasurepro.com they'll have what your looking for. Hope this helps.

 

[sactomags]

The tapes I have are 90 minute tapes, with also a memory stick to store up to 100 digital stills. I have two batteries -- one that lasts approximately 2 hours and one that will go 8. I fell in love with it after the very first dive. Easy to handle, slightly negative once in the water (only about 5 pounds above water, the camera itself weighs about 1.4 pounds). It is a digital video, so it has all the bells and whistles. I'm still learning all that I can do and hope to post some photos soon.

FYI: Our trip was St. Maarten, Saba and Key West. Got some good photos too (have a Reefmaster). Will write up full report once I catch up on the thing that helps pay for this treat -- work.

Margaret

 

[socaldiver]

sounds like a winner trip, anxious to see the pics and video.

Gail, I haven't decided which way I am going to go or what model. I am leaning towards Sony but will be taking my sweet time researching and hopefully getting my hands on a demo to ry it out.