Going Video from Nikonos RS

[drgchapman]

First of all, this is my first post to this board. So forgive me if my etiquette is not quite proper.
I've been diving for ~30 years. I got hooked on underwater photoraphy 12 years ago and purchased a Nikonos RS with all the lenses and bells and whistles. Great camera, Great pictures. I'm now in the market for a video rig. I'm looking real hard a the Sony HDR-SR7, their newest HD camcorder, due out in July. It seems the housing market has settled on sony Camcorders for the most part.

Housings:
My questions begin with the housings available. I have researched the list of manufacturers on the board and like the Seatool housing for this camera. It is small and light, very imprtant for traveling (the Nikonos RS rig was very heavy). But, I have no idea about the reliability and functional issues with this brand. Gates and Amphibico have their proponants, I have some experience with Amphibico and likely won't get one. Gates seem bullet proof and heavy. Looking for expierences with these brands as well as customer service experiences.

Lights:
I've been looking at Niterider and Nocturnal video lighting systems. Questions are battery life, ease of use, reliability, customer service. What else is out there?

We have a 10 day dive trip on the Naia in Fiji next February that will be this rigs first trip. I have time to research more.

Thanks in advance for your opinions and input.

Gary

 

[Harley1962]

Gary,
I just bought the Seatool for the Sony HC7 I have, and will (eventually) post a full report of it's capabilities and results. As I also travel a great deal, I bought the Seatool for it's weight (amazingly light) and it's reputation for quality--which is not yet known in the US, but as a semi-permanent resident of Asia (and experiencing many of the fantastic sites there) I can tell you that there are MANY wonderful products and brands that simply don't make it over to the USA--but that does NOT mean that they are inferior to what is here!

Certainly the brands you mention are also excellent, and I considered the Gates myself--but the fact that I wanted electronic controls, and that the Gates is built like a "ton of bricks" (can be a good OR bad thing, depending...) I chose the Seatool.

I would personally be VERY careful about buying an HD camcorder--there are MANY threads on why this might be a bad idea, especially when it comes to editing your footage....believe it or not, tapes are still the easiest/best way to work with video, from a storage and an editing standpoint. There are others here that may give you other reasons.

Good luck.
HB

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

Gary:

All of the manufacturers make excellent products and to be honest, you could not go wrong with any of the big players (Gates, Amphibico, Seatool, Light & Motion, Ikelite, Top Dawg). However, each offers their own advantages and disadvantages.

The biggest decision first is whether to go manual or electronic...that will definitely narrow your search. If size is the most important feature, than the new Seatool is your best option! We just got our first shipment of these beauties in yesterday and they are extremely compact and very well engineered. That and the Gates are my personal favorites! Feel free to send me a PM or email with any specific questions or for more details.