Question Insta360 Ace Pro

[dflaher]

Chiming in with interest in hearing more; thanks. Also curious about taking or extracting the occasional still; how good, how easy to switch modes in-water, etc.

Ditto...would also like to know whether having a U/W video cam requires also having a laptop.

 

[scubaozy]

Ditto...would also like to know whether having a U/W video cam requires also having a laptop.

I do not think necessarily you need a laptop. It would help especially for storing large amount of data as well as editing but it essentially boils down to what editing sw do you use. If you are fine with the provided app which seems sufficient for non professional use, you should be ok.
Housing has 2 buttons, and one of them meant to switch modes underwater. You have to set several shooting modes including photo and easily switch between them. There is also gesture recognition functionality, at least on land it is useful with selfies, doing a V-sign will trigger a countdown photo and showing inside of your palm will trigger video recording.

 

[lairdb]

@SaltwaterNomad Any further thoughts?

 

[BubblesBubblesBelow]

Which dive case are people using for their Ace Pro? Is it worth getting the insta360 brand case?

 

[dflaher]

I wasn't aware that there are 3rd-party housings. I haven't purchased the camera yet, but if I were to I would buy the Insta360 brand to ensure compatibility.

 

[VsubT]

I'm using the Insta360 housing (rated to 200'), but would love to see something rated to 300' for this action cam similar to the better 3rd party GoPro housings. I looked at the available 3rd party housings on Amazon and tried the usual suspects for underwater photo/video supplies, but didn't see anything that looked more robust than the Insta360 dive housing.

If anyone finds a good option, please post it here.

Lance

 

[dflaher]

I'm using the Insta360 housing (rated to 200')

How do you like the AcePro? Trying to decide between that and the DJI.

 

[VsubT]

Pretty happy with it overall, and still playing with the modes, settings, & features. Been experimenting with Dive mode vs. Standard mode video in ambient light, and leaning toward standard for general use at 40' and deeper. Dive mode seems better for shallow water with lots of natural light, but you'll get some very pink/red footage for a moment when transitioning from underwater to above water. Makes sense, since the onboard processor is reacting to a huge change in white balance, but I wasn't expecting so much red the first time I saw it.

Low light video is great, I've gotten ambient shots (my lights off, only light from the downline and other divers) on blackwater dives that my Sony a6600 rig has a hard time capturing well. With video lights, it's great, very true color render with no correction. I let it roll while shooting stills with a focus light if the situation permits, and have gotten some nice stuff that way.

Our cruise director on a Banda Sea liveaboard late last year had the latest DJI action cam and it did really well with stabilization and underwater color too. It was a tough call between the two. I'd say they're pretty equal overall with slight advantages for each. Neither is a bad choice.

Lance

 

[dflaher]

Thanks for the response Lance!

With video lights, it's great, very true color render with no correction.

Does this mean that you use video lights when filming during the day (not a blackwater/night dive situation?) And at what depth do you turn the lights on, or do you always use the lights while underwater?

 

[VsubT]

Does this mean that you use video lights when filming during the day (not a blackwater/night dive situation?) And at what depth do you turn the lights on, or do you always use the lights while underwater?

I've tried both lights / no lights in daytime ambient light, and generally use video lights for smaller subjects when I have them along. For wider shots like reefscapes, lights aren't very effective, so I just stick with ambient most of the time. Hard to beat the colors with good lighting, even at 10' in clear water.

When I'm just fun diving / lobster hunting / doing deco dives on deeper wrecks where I don't want to bring lights, I'll bring the Ace Pro clipped on with a bungeed boltsnap. It does a respectable job with no video lights, even down past 150'. Stable video, good low light resolution, and the colors are surprisingly well balanced for the depth.

Lance