JVC MiniDV and Ikelite housing

[scubaratt]

Hey all. I just joined SB and thought I would hit this forum first. I have been diving for a few years now and want to start shooting UW video. As you might have been able to tell I have a JVC DV camcorder and Ikelite housing. I dive off the south shore of Long Island, NY. Where the water is dark and vis is sometimes non-existant (I have been out there in 75+ft as well). I have no lights for my system (I haven't used it yet) and wanted to get some opinions on what my best options might be and any suggestions on my system - good and bad. I have heard some bad things about Ikelite housings but figure until I go pro I have nothing to worry about.

 

[ronrosa]

Hey, I live in Bayside Queens, but I am a warm water wimp and only dive while on vacation in the tropics where the water is clear and blue.

With the visability in NY/Long Island, I imagine you will need lights or maybe a green water filter instead of the blue water filter that comes with most housings. Do you have a budget for what you want to spend on lights ?

I am surprised about your comment on Ikelite. I've heard nothing but good things about their housings.

 

[dougaldiver]

I've got an Ikelite housing for a Sony mini DV and I'm very pleased with it. I.m sure there are better housings out there (more features etc.) but for what I want the Ikelite is fine.
I also have the Ikelite SPA light system although I now run 2 50w lamps instead of a single 100w.
Running both of the lamps together you only get 25 minutes from the battery but I tend to use the small 20w 'modelling' light on the light head until I actually want to shoot video and then turn on the floods.

I have also used a UK light cannon with a video diffuser, this may be a cheaper option but is not as good in my opinion.

I have also considered going for a Salvo HID with video reflector but at the moment I'm sticking to the Ikelite

 

[scubaratt]

Hey, I live in Bayside Queens, but I am a warm water wimp and only dive while on vacation in the tropics where the water is clear and blue.

With the visability in NY/Long Island, I imagine you will need lights or maybe a green water filter instead of the blue water filter that comes with most housings. Do you have a budget for what you want to spend on lights ?

I am surprised about your comment on Ikelite. I've heard nothing but good things about their housings.

Ronrosa - I should have been more specific wrt Ikelite housings. I heard very good things about them which is why I went that route. I have read about issues with the housing being clear and causing glare in the video itself. Again, I have not used my system yet and don't believe a little glare will cause me any pain when watching my home videos.

Thanks for the feedback. Any video of St. Thomas / St. Johns. I am going there in November and would like to know of any sites that would make for great video.

 

[HowardE]

I switched to an Ikelite housing from the SONY TRB housing. I love the ikelite, and have had NO glare problems at all. The quality of my video has drastically improved. I post a lot of the edited footage, with no frills like music or anything...

But if you click on my gallery, there's about a dozen or more videos on there, all shot with my Sony HC-30 (a relatively inexpensive MiniDV cam).

 

[ronrosa]

Thanks for the feedback. Any video of St. Thomas / St. Johns. I am going there in November and would like to know of any sites that would make for great video.

Sorry, never dove St. Thomas or St. Johns, but you should do fine down there without lights using just the filter. You might want to experiment with the buoyancy before your trip. Try to get the housing/camcorder as neutral as possible. It will help a lot with keeping things still.

You can see my videos my clicking on the link just below.:14:

 

[meekal]

I have read about issues with the housing being clear and causing glare in the video itself.

that'd be me.... i had an ikelite for my JVC drv90m.... the housing is absolutely awesome but there were times when the sun was 'just right' (just wrong?) i would get glare on the video.... not very often, but more than i wanted. wasn't a deal breaker, but it DID make it easier to rationalize the purchase of my 'next' camera.it was suggested that put a wrap of duct tape across the top...... oy vay!

 

[scubaratt]

Meekal - What lighting system do you use? Ikelite has the "Pro Video-lite II" - just wondering what your thoughts are on the subject since you have an Ikelite and JVC setup.

 

[meekal]

never did use lights while i was using the JVC/Ikelite combo..... i have since tried using UK HID's on my sony pc100 / gates baja combo..... withOut a lot of success (see thread http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=132630)

 

[OceanShark]

Hey there fellow Long Islander, I live in Ridge. I do some south shore diving myself, and every once in a while venture out to Montauk. I have been using a setup that consists of a canon zr45mc camcorder and Ike-lite housing, and have had no problems with it to this day. Needless to say I take very good care of it and make sure it gets a full cleaning once I am done using it. I also have the Ikelite 45 video light. I have used the light around here when the water does get stained, and let me say, sometimes its not enough unless your close, but then again sometimes its hard to see your hand in front of your face. Nonetheless, it works great for the price.

Dave

This is the light I picked up for 110 dollars shipped 2 years ago.

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/v45lite.html