Getting into video

[asiders9]

Hi all,
While I was looking for a housing for my D70s I decided why not just take a peek and see how much video housing are. I was surprised to see that they were a lot less than DSLR housings. I have been considering getting into video for quite a while but always thought it would be a lot more than DSLR so I have stayed away from it.

Anyway I have no experience with underwater photography but am wondering now could I get a quality video camera and housing for under $2000? I have been looking at ikelite housings for my D70s for many years now but I just never had the money for that and a port which would be around $1500 so I'm wondering if it would just make more sense to get into video? Is lighting for video a lot more than still or is it about the same? If you guys think video would be a better route for me can anyone point me in the right direction as far as quality cameras and housings?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

I think B&H has some packages without lights for around 2k. Lights are 500 and up. It all depends how you define quality. It seems you can go from reasonable prices to super high pro gear prices.
That's the eternal debate... what's good enough? I have an Ikelite video housing and it doesn't seem very balanced... Maybe with some different arms it would be better.. I have no lights...
Video is fun... I think super macro video is really fun.. you need lights for that... Doing ambient light stuff you'd probably want a Wide Angle lens... but it's still fun without it...

I hope this helps!

Sean

 

[bottomfeeder22]

I just saw a special on ikelite's site for a jvc HD camera and housing for $1600, might want to look into that.

 

[robint]

Hi all,
While I was looking for a housing for my D70s I decided why not just take a peek and see how much video housing are. I was surprised to see that they were a lot less than DSLR housings. I have been considering getting into video for quite a while but always thought it would be a lot more than DSLR so I have stayed away from it.

Anyway I have no experience with underwater photography but am wondering now could I get a quality video camera and housing for under $2000? I have been looking at ikelite housings for my D70s for many years now but I just never had the money for that and a port which would be around $1500 so I'm wondering if it would just make more sense to get into video? Is lighting for video a lot more than still or is it about the same? If you guys think video would be a better route for me can anyone point me in the right direction as far as quality cameras and housings?

Thanks,

Adam

Hi Adam,
To me, video is much more fun than shooting still. I was shooting still for 5 yrs and when my husband decided he wanted to start shooting 3yrs ago I gladly surrendered my camera rig to him, and bought a camcorder and Ikelite housing. I love it! I find I am enjoying my dives more as I am not concentrating on setting up shots, what setting to use, etc. With video you basically turn it on when you want to record, put it is standby when you don't. Much less complicated. Most of your time is spent back home editing the videos though, and you do need a fast computer with lots of memory in order to drive the editing programs. That is a consideration, for sure.

So... can you do it for under $2000???. Absolutely! If you are going to do it, be sure to go HD and if you are looking at Ikelite housings, be sure that the LCD can be viewed thru the housing (I think there is one Canon and 2-3 JVC camcorders where this works) or that the Sony camcorder has the LANC plugin and reverse circuitry available. Confusing, I know, but basically what I am telling you is that you want to be able to see what you are shooting correctly and not reversed in a mirror. You can get the side mounted mirror on any housing but without the reverse circuitry the image will be backwards. You don't need to get lights right away, the housing comes with a red filter which works great in normal light down to about 80' depth.

I am probably upgrading my rig very soon and getting the Sony HC-9. The camcorder itself is around $800 right now, the housing is around $1200. I want to stick with tapes for now as I save every tape I use and have them archived for anytime I want to reload and re-edit anything. They aren't expensive so I like that option. With the hard-drive models you never have that option which bothers me a bit.

I have also been looking at the Sony HC-5 and HC-7 on ebay, lots of good deals on new ones there. I prefer to stay with Sony as I already have the batteries and chargers.

B&H Photo video is a great place to get the housing and accessories. That is where I have gotten almost all of my photo stuff for many years.

this was all discussion about Ikelite compatible systems as that is what you gave as an example and that is what I have been using for 3 years. I am sure others here will have different opinions. Check out some of my videos if you want - they were all shot with a low-end Sony HC-42. When I got it I wasn't sure I would even like video so I didn't want to spend too much. Personally, now I am sure that if I wasn't shooting video, I wouldn't go back to still camera. I like it that much!

robin

 

[diversteve]

I just saw a special on ikelite's site for a jvc HD camera and housing for $1600, might want to look into that.

You're going to want to be careful with that special since the camera doesn't shoot true 1080P HD. True 1080P HD is 1920x1080, that camera only shoots 1440x1080. My guess is that their software interpolates the extra resolution. It's also got a 1/4.5" sensor compared to most everyone else's 1/3" sensor. Notice that the stated resolution is 1.84MP, some of the newer Sony's now do 4.1MP. And some Canon's are 3.3MP. btw, that "special" is $1519 at B&H with a $100 gift card added in. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/589292-REG/Ikelite_6016_11_6016_11_VIDEO_HOUSING_w_JVC.html

And it only shoots at 17MBPS AVCHD in the best resolution, some of the Canon's now record at up to 24MBPS which is equivalent to HDV (tape).

The two better models in the JVC line do true 1920x1080 but still only at 17MBPS. HD Everio Hybrid - GZ-HD10 - Specifications

Ikelite also sells housings for the new Canon's. And Sony. But as Robin mentioned, only the Sony's will pan correctly in the mirror. Otherwise look at one of the Canon HF series since the Ikelite housing allows you to open the LCD screen inside.

There's also several Sony/TopDawg combinations that will come in under $2K. Tradeoffs being that you get electronic controls but a flat port. But they have an external monitor option also. You might also be able to do a Sony/Equinox (or Canon) package for around $2k, not sure if that would include the monitor. B&H has several for around $1500 but I didn't look at the details.

 

[asiders9]

Thanks for all of the advice. I love bh photo, I buy all of my gear from them. I was wondering if basically any of these packages here

Underwater Video Housing & Camera Kits Page/2 | B&H Photo Video

in the $1500-$2000 range would allow me to do what your describing above? I will research everything before I buy but I really have no background in video. What I am basically wanting to know is if I will be able to get a nice entry rig that I won't have to upgrade for a while for this price range because I don't get my hopes up and research everything for nothing?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

Adam, I think you can get an entry level rig at that price. Another thing to consider which may add to the cost would be an editing system. You'd need to have a big drive, fast computer, and some video editing software...Something to consider!

Sean