New to UW video

[Battlelurker]

I am looking into getting my first video set up but have some questions.
First off I am on a very low budget, around 500 and I want to do full hd.
Ive looked into the standard options such as picsio, flip, kodak playsports, gopro etc.
But I need some advice. I want to be able to do close ups of nudibranchs and other small creatures so a macro mode or close focus is necessary.
Now one thing I don't get is that most point and shoots that do video have image stabilization, macro mode, etc. But are these only for still photos and not video?

I need some advice on what my options are as I seem to be coming to a standstill with research and my budget.

 

[diversteve]

Are you planning to buy an inexpensive video camera or a P/S still camera?

The Flip MinoHD, Picsio and Kodak Playsport all have Image Stabilization. Afaik all three don't focus much closer than about 3'. An example of the MinoHD Video stabilization can be seen here.

So for macro you need the camera, the appropriate Ikelite housing, their #9306.78 Port Adapter. And a 3rd party Macro lens - afaik Ikelite doesn't sell one.

Amazon has the 4GB MinoHD for $140 - you want it over the Ultra as it has Image Stabilization. Amazon, B&H Photo, others - sell the Ikelite Housing #5610.02 for it for $220.

A Epoque u/w macro lens is $130. You can probably find cheaper ones - check Inon and maybe Dyron? as options. Whatever you buy has to be rated for u/w use otherwise it could implode - possibly taking out your housing port and the camera also. Or fill with water.

The port adapter is $35

If I'm doing the math right, that's $525 for everything.

fwiw, I don't have any practical experience with this, I just put it together once for my buddy who was considering one. I shoot a Sony camera in an Amphibico housing.

IDK about the GoPro but there's at least one thread about it in the general Videography forum.