unhappy with gopro, looking for other camera majority videoing

[Nitro91]

I have used the gopro for about 15 dives or so now and am quite unhappy with the video that it has turned out, even with using the blurfix lens.
still blurry and just low clarity underwater.
I was wondering what other alternatives are there, i am more a fan of the small cameras rather than the big ones that are just clunky and heavy to carry around.
I am relatively unexperienced with photography let alone underwater photography but i do have a canon eos 60d. having check housings (1500+) i wont be using that underwater.
I was looking at the sony nex5 and canon g12 but am not sure if they are good for underwater video. but browsing some videos of them underwater, the video looks very clear and clarity.

 

[robint]

The HD is not really a beginner underwater video rig. It is very small and to keep it steady you must have some sort of stablizer, like a tray and arm. Most people make the mistake of putting it on their head, or arm, then swing those around like normal, thus making the video burry as the camera doesn't shoot enough frames per second to compensate. Is that what is happening with you? Or maybe is the vis in your area so low that the camera can't focus?

what is your price range and what size is acceptable? Do you want photos or just video?


I have heard people love the Canon G12 for photos but I haven't seen a video from it. For video you would need to add a red filter to any system.

Just remember that the bigger the system = the easier it is to keep stable underwater
but also the bigger the system = the harder it is to control in heavy surge or current

My suggestion to you is to decide on a system, then practice shooting with it on land without the housing, then with the housing, to get it intuitive. Watch your videos back and learn from them. Then practice again and again. Don't get in the water with it until you have stability and slow movement down.

Then go diving... and post a video here for us to see. We can all help you.

robin

 

[AquaProHd]

Hey Nitro91,

Underwater video can be challenging a first and there are a few basic rules that can help you achieve some great footage. Give me a call or send me a PM and I'd be happy to share some information. You can find my number at AquaProhd.com. Here is a comparison of the HERO2 with and without the BlurFix.

[video=vimeo;32236812]http://vimeo.com/32236812[/video]

 

[Dhboner]

Sartek has a nice camera (very similar to a GoPro). It comes with everything you need (no accessories to buy) and I believe it is less expensive than the GoPro.

 

[robint]

Hey Nitro91,

Underwater video can be challenging a first and there are a few basic rules that can help you achieve some great footage. Give me a call or send me a PM and I'd be happy to share some information. You can find my number at AquaProhd.com. Here is a comparison of the HERO2 with and without the BlurFix.

[video=vimeo;32236812]http://vimeo.com/32236812[/video]

thanks for the comparison. For the widest angle, I actually thought the original looked better, but you can see a difference with the other two. Something to consider. Also, I didn't realize that the Blurfix was permanently attached with glue instead of being screwed on. Interesting.

robin

 

[AquaProHd]

It's actually a silicone sealant. One of the benefits to the BlurFix is that it utilizes the lens of the GoPro housing. (Don't remove the lens, only the Black ring that is screwed onto the housing.) There is a second airspace created by adding the BlurFix, this airspace is what allows the GoPro to focus underwater.

If the BlurFix was to fail, then only the airspace between the GoPro housing lens and the BlurFix filter floods. Not the GoPro camera housing! So your camera is safe and dry. The install process is quick and simple with everything you need to do the install except a screw driver and toothpick.

I'm including the install video to help clarify. It's worth watching. Might turn the sound down a bit. Hope this help!

[video=youtube_share;CDwBSmNFA9M]http://youtu.be/CDwBSmNFA9M[/video]

 

[np251]

Is the blurfix airspace made due to the addition of the 55 mm filter, or is there another flat lens between the curved housing lens and the filter?

Sent from my HTC Aria using Tapatalk

 

[Nitro91]

I always have the airspace blurfix flooding but I just take the filter off to dry it. No idea why it floods and I screw the filter on finger tight.

 

[ronscuba]

I always have the airspace blurfix flooding but I just take the filter off to dry it. No idea why it floods and I screw the filter on finger tight.

The airspace should not flood. That is why your footage is blurry. Maybe the O-ring ? I would contact Blurfix to find out what is wrong.

 

[fdarden]

If your airspace is flooding, that is probably the majority of your issue. You need to carefully clean the O-ring, the threads on the camera, and the lens with soap and warm water, and then re-assemble the thing once its completely dried. You might also want to try a new o-ring. I would also replace the desiccant balls.