Mini Digital Camcorder for U/W Video?

[arkstorm]

I am considering putting together an underwater video set-up around a mini digital HD camcroder such as the Flip Ultra HD or the JVC Picsio.

Benefits are price, price and price. I can put together a basic set-up, camera and housing, for under $500.

Question is: should I even bother? Is the video quality good enough to be passable or should I just save up to buy a more sophisticated camera and housing? Also, will I need to invest heavily in lighting and lenses to make such a system work?

What are your thoughts and experiences?

 

[Jax]

Personally, the real question is -- will [you] ever look at them?

We have an HD video camera, and frankly, we might look at the video once. Now, the pictures we pull out from time to time.

 

[ronscuba]

Very good point Jax. You can be much more casual with a camera and get use out of it. Video and underwater video for that matter is a bigger undertaking.

IMHO, the deciding point of a video hobby is the editing. If you don't enjoy the editing, your videos will be limited to clips that you and your audience will grow tired of quickly.

 

[Jax]

Agreed!

 

[cjfox]

If price is your deciding point, get some stuff from e-bay and have fun. All my stuff is less than state of the art, but I have fun. My videos are linked to my website. I did have previous editing experience, and musical experience.

 

[arkstorm]

I've never worked with video editing but I do realize that is part of the undertaking with u/w video.

I think the points raised are good. I have an u/w still set-up that I can use very casually and produce very decent results. Video is definitely more involved -- but is it too involved? That is the question I need to answer.

The question in my OP presupposes that it is not too involved which is, perhaps, a premature supposition. However, I am curious to know whether a mini-cam produces results that no amount of editing can make look good? I.e., would I be spinning my wheels?

Also, regarding a non state-of-the-art camera set-up on eBay...still way more expensive.

 

[diversteve]

Here's an example of what you can do with a Flip: IKELITE Underwater Systems

 

[rrweather]

Another option you will see discussed is the Contour HD setup (see the videography forum where this thread is). It uses the vholdr action cam. The camera and housing is $600-ish. There is a video on Emerald Diving as well as the GMS Concepts site. Make sure you compare apples to apples. Some of these cameras require a wide angle adapter to compare fairly with the others. This will obviously increase the price.

I am still pondering what setup to buy. I personally think the ContourHD setup is a nice option for bright, good visibility water. Outside of those conditions, a lot of cameras would struggle so I don't think this is necessarily a fault of any one in particular.

 

[arkstorm]

Here's an example of what you can do with a Flip: IKELITE Underwater Systems

Actually, its an example of what you can do with a Flip, a housing, a color filter, a light, a light arm and a wide angle lens. The lens alone is a $300 item. If that is what it takes to create an ok video with a Flip than I would say there are a lot of hidden costs.

 

[robint]

Very good point Jax. You can be much more casual with a camera and get use out of it. Video and underwater video for that matter is a bigger undertaking.

IMHO, the deciding point of a video hobby is the editing. If you don't enjoy the editing, your videos will be limited to clips that you and your audience will grow tired of quickly.

Absolutely! This is the point I try to make to people all the time.... video is 10% underwater, 90% in front of computer editing!

yes, some people throw together videos in an hour and quite honestly they look like it. I have started to watch hundreds on them on YouTube and I only watch about 20 seconds before I am bored and stop. You can tell if someone puts time into their videos, it is obvious.

So, it all depends what you are planning to do with your videos.

robin