Small (But Good) Video Camera Recommendation?

[violet1166]

what's your budget? And what brand do you prefer?


---------- Post added March 9th, 2014 at 10:32 AM ----------

The Nikon D5300 is worth considering, it should be better quality on video. Take a look the features Nikon D5300 V D7100 comparison ? What's the difference?, and choose the camera that feels best in your hands

 

[Twin4Me]

Sorry to jump on this thread but I've been considering the Drift HD Ghost as I want a camera I can use on my motorbike as well.

Does anyone else use one of these?

 

[Donnah]

I just returned from a week at Blackbird Caye with my brand new Intova Sport HD 2. It came just before I left, so I had no time to play around with it, read the doc, etc.

For years I shot stills with Fujichrome film. When my camera flooded, I gave up U/W photography. I missed it, but didn't miss dealing with a camera/strobe getting off and on the boat, on the plane, thinking about strobe angles, lighting, lenses, and of course, how much I had left on the roll of film. I no longer gave presentations about dive trips, and I didn't really need to take pictures. It was nice to concentrate just on enjoying the diving, but... I got the bug. For my 70th, my husband got me a little Intova.

The first dive, I made all the usual mistakes. I have a nice video of the inside of my BC pocket because I thought I had turned it off. Although it has a built in red filter, it didn't seem to do much, so I put on the red filter I had purchased. Got some nice videos! There was a bit of learning curve in positioning subjects, but I worked that out.

I enjoy having a camera I can put in my pocket and just jump in with. I don't need any more pictures of fish on my walls, and I have no idea what my children are going to do with the albums and trays of slides. Don't care. All I want to do now is enjoy the dives, share the good video bits with my fellow divers, and save some memories for when I can't dive any more.

 

[TONY CHANEY]

Donnah, so glad that you are enjoying the camera and diving as well. You are an inspiration to all of us. I have the newer Intova with the internal red lens. I have found that it is best left off and just use the external one that I bought. Care to share your video with us. Take care and dive longer.

 

[Donnah]

Thanks, Tony! I'll share some videos as soon as I figure out how to edit them. I also have the newest Intova, but don't use the built-in red lens. Next dive, Cozumel!

 

[Cpt. Jack]

I agree with the others; GoPro is a great option.
Just be sure you use a flat front housing (focus issues underwater).
Also a good video light really helps (Sola!).
Ultralite Control Systems makes a great little tray for the setup.

Have fun, Fiji is beautiful!

 

[Laurie S.]

Made my choice today at the Scuba Show in Long Beach--I bought the Intova Sport HD II, along with a light, two-handled tray, and two types of flexible arms. Now to try it out!

 

[MB NZ]

I've used a GoPro to make some acceptable videos. As a minimum, I would suggest a short handle, an LCD and a glass red filter (Polar Pro or SRP).

[video=vimeo;73124532]https://vimeo.com/73124532[/video]

[video=vimeo;78250112]https://vimeo.com/78250112[/video]

The battery life is awful, but you should get enough life out of it for 1 -2 dives with the LCD.

A couple of video lights open up possibilities. I have two L&M Sola 2000 lights. There is no way I could have taken these shots for example without them.

[video=youtube;ORuENIplkGc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORuENIplkGc[/video]

Just a thought, rather than get a GoPro, why not upgrade your compact camera to something that can do HD video and take good stills? I know there are cost implications, but it would be a very versatile rig.

 

[amoses]

I purchased an Intova Sport HD II for my trip to Coz next month. I hope I made the right choice. The camera and all of the accesories - filter, macro lenz, filter for Macro lenz, and a pole to mount it all on - was less then $300.00 If it's anywhere close to GoPro quality, I will be very happy. I'll find out next month.