PADI open water course filmed with a Gopro HD2

[Marty Cerven]

I tagged along with a couple of my friends as they taught an open water diver course, vis was real bad with not much light getting through even though it was pretty shallow max depth of 5.3m. The Gopro HD2 did surprisingly well in these conditions and the video actually looks much better then it actually was down there. I used a blurfix and URpro swCY filter for all shots including the land which needed a little correcting, there is a slight vignette on some land shots but I figure it must be shade off the edge of the filter as its not there in the underwater shots and none of the video is cropped all shot with the same setup.

[video=youtube;4sawf2_JQHc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sawf2_JQHc[/video]

[video=vimeo;33865805]http://vimeo.com/33865805[/video]

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Very impressed with the video quality. That would be considered very good vis around here. No comment on the skills on the knees stuff.

 

[Oldbear]

Based on a SB recommendation I just bought a GoPro for my daughter. She also likes to snowboard and ride motorcycles; she is looking into getting into surfing next.

I tried to view your videos, but my work computer...did I say work...I meant my alternate computer system blocked the videos. I will watch them when I get off for the night.

The GoPro looks like a really cool camera. I cannot wait to borrow hers...hehehe

 

[Marty Cerven]

I thought PADI OW skills were generally done on the knees, not that its the best way to do it as it would force buoyancy control from early on if done off the bottom. On a sandy bottom its not a terrible thing but can breed bad habits in new divers surely its not done this way on reefs I hope.

@Oldbear your daughter will like the gopro they are cool handy little cameras that take surprisingly good video for size and price on land and under water.

Tough too I saw a video where a guy dropped it skydiving from 10,000 feet and it survived was still recording when they found it, that is the ultimate drop test

 

[Oldbear]

I watched the videos this morning before coming into work...wow what great videos from such a little camera. I cannot wait to "Borrow" hers. Now I think I will look into the different filters. These seem to play a big part in turning good videos into great ones.

I might have to get myself a GoPro also...then we can try the 3-D effects. :uwphotographer:

Marty or other SBers,

When I bought the camera I did not get any of the extra accessories...do you have any recommendations?

Thanks


~Michael~

 

[Marty Cerven]

All depends on what you or she wants to use it for, i take it you bought the naked hd1.

If you want to use it underwater you need a flat lens as the stock round housing even though its rated to 60m is blurry underwater. Personaly I think the blurfix is best available atm, gopro is finaly releasing their own but its very much using the same system as the blurfix but in a slightly bigger square lens.

For other uses you will be best to check the goprouser forums where you will get plenty of info on gopro accesories along with many diy mods and some 3rd part accesories.

 

[Oldbear]

Yes...I bought the HD2 Outdoor Package...basic camera with a bunch of diffterent mounts and WP Housing. I read a little bit about the Blurfix. I will inquiry more about it. I was not aware of a GoPro User Forum...I will also look into that.

As far as uses go I would suppect maining for underwater, snowboarding, and motorcycling...those are here main intersts that she does regularly. I would suspect that soon surfing will be included.

Thanks...

~ME~

 

[Marty Cerven]

This is the goprouser forum link GoProUser.freeforums.org • Index page heaps of great tips and info along with many user videos to check out and give you ideas and hints.

The outdoor package has enough in it to get her going, theres a few adhesive mounts and headband. I have all the accesories and tend to use the adhesives the most and get a bit of use from the headband. Look into anti fogging methods for uw or anything in colder temps, the camera generates a bit of heat and can fog up easily but this is easily dealt with either the gopro antifog inserts or many other diy methods you can see at that forum.

The adhesives are only one use but I bought some rolls of the same tape gopro uses for abouf $10 for a 5m roll which lasts a long time. The tape is tough I even use it to mount it to my diy handheld diving setup it holds great underwater.

 

[Oldbear]

Thanks a bunch...

I also just bought the Blurfix and some filters for her. When I get off of work I will login and check out the link you provide.

Merry Christmas...

~ME~

 

[AquaProHd]

Nice job Marty!