Sony HDR-FX7 / HVR-V1

Thanks for your replies.

My wife and I usually have 4-5 holidays a year, and are fortunate to dive in many places. She uses a D200 in a S&S housing, and looks after the stills. I do the video. It is mainly amateur for my own use, but I really do like to capture the best footage I can even if it is largely for my own satisfaction

I must say I am inclined to wait for the FX7 housings to appear.

Dean, you are in the UK, if you buy Amphibico, do you import it, or get it from the UK distributor?

Ronrosa, it was brave of you to get the camera before the housings are released, but I suppose the manufacturers are reliable, and are unlikely to miss out on the FX7.

Cheers

Roger

Ron

AFAIK, the electronic housing guys have a march date. Aquavideo had a prototype at DEMA and "thinks" it'll be ready by Jan. I'd expect Gates to be around there too.

Hang on to that TRV900... you'll need it for awhile.

Hey Rodger.

The B&H photo expo price was/is pretty good and I can't see the housing guys letting the FX7 go by.

Dru, my 900 and Gates housing is up for sale, although I haven't received a single inquiry on my ads here or the other photo/video/scuba boards. I'll let it go a week, then put it on ebay. I know it's used and not the latest technology, but it must be worth something to someone.

Mr. Ohmura says Seatool will be shipping in February w/ a flat port, and a very nice full zoom through SWA won't be long behind.

There are a few low light comparison tests between the FX1 and the FX7 on the Sony HDV info forum.

www.sonyhdvinfo.com/showthread.php?t=7980

Looks impressive to say the least... If that link is crap just follow the links from Sonyhdvinfo.com

Dive safe

DeanB

I'm looking forward to playing around with all the settings on my FX7 underwater.

I wonder if I shift color phase and white balance to red, will I be able to not use the red filter ? If so that would be great since that would let more light in.

Ronrosa...

I'm awaiting your synopsis, thoughts and detailed review....

Go get that thing wet..Well not literally

Dive safe

DeanB

I'm looking forward to playing around with all the settings on my FX7 underwater.

 

I wonder if I shift color phase and white balance to red, will I be able to not use the red filter ? If so that would be great since that would let more light in.

Ron

You are still limited by the shift range which collapses at around 30ft. Using ATW SENS on high with white balance at +7 may actually have a detrimental effect on color if your depth changes. The filter should be in front in deeper shots (which obviously is when you don't want a filter)

Drew, what settings do you recommend for color phase and wb shift ?

Ron, I only had the Z1 for 4 week so I didn't use it with enough regularity to give precise settings. I do know that if you shoot shallow(5-15ft) in good viz, I'd limit it to +3 or less. The deeper you go the +7 is good. Again this is for cyan blue water. It's not as accurate as MWB but it's better than not using WB at all.

Color phase pushes(or pulls) the green channel which works for obviously green water like california.

I would just experiment with the settings at various depths depending on the type of shooting you'll be doing if you want to use AWB. I still advocate daylight WB with filter then color correct if the scenes are dynamic. For more static stuff, MWB is most accurate.

I MWB with my TRV900 whenever possible, but the cam needs the red filter in place to lock in.

With the FX7 or FX1, I was wondering if setting white balance shift and color phase to red would allow me to MWB without the red filter. My thinking is the filter blocks some light. If I can still get good color with MWB w/o the filter, low light should improve too.

Have any FX1 users tried this ?

Hi Ron

I have tried it.... setting the colour shfit etc when I first was using the EWB method on the Phenom to try and blue things up. Did not help me much, have not tried it with the Manual WB method though.

Messed around with cinemamode setting, but makes the image more grainy, you need lots of light with this setting. So does the black stretch thing on the little A1.

I don't think there is much need for PP settings, just make sure the db is set to 0 or +3 at the most and lock that shutter, then just WB and away you go keeping and eye on you exposure or you will find shots abit hot if you don't. If the WB is close to the mark then you can always touch it up on the puter later on. Blue up the background an enhance the forground.

As shot in dirty green water

After easy CC on the puter

Yeh the colour is over the top but hey, it helps to sell DVD's people want colour ooo... arhhh...

Now who is going to be the first to get one underwater??

Ron

The WB shift works within the limits of WB. It DOES NOT give you extra latitude beyond what MWB can do. So it doesn't matter if you MWB or AWB, if you've reached the limit then it cannot correct any further.

Wags

The EWB is basically MWB done electronically. The Phenom report relates the issues with EWB, which you know very well.

The V1 is on sale in the U.K for around £2950

At BHphoto video it works out at £680 cheaper...(Exchange rate $1.85=£1 @ the Post office).

A trip to the states on a budget airline, me thinks.

Their really raving about the Performance of the V1 on Sony HDV info....I can't wait for a U/W review..

COME ON WETPIXEL...DON'T LET ME DOWN

Dive safe

DeanB

Is the warranty valid worldwide? Having a local warranty counts for a lot in my opinion. That's a big price difference though.

Their really raving about the Performance of the V1 on Sony HDV info....I can't wait for a U/W review..

Your wish is Eric's command... then it trickles down to me so I can reply....... maybe

Also Dean ol chap... UK and the EU are PAL... US is NTSC... you want the V1E.

Bugger...

I knew there was a catch..Cheers Drew.. "Cancel that flight to New York"

Lucky I've got a spare £700 to throw around :glare:

I'll have to move to the states or Yap or Palau..But you have to give the other boys some kind of head start.. Don't want to be treading on their toes...

Dive safe

Dean(PAL and smiling)B

Help me make a decision guys. I will be selling my new A1-U soon and I'm not sure whether to go for the V1-U or the FX-7. I hate indecision. This way, if you guys all make a recommendation and it sucks I can blame you folk for my mistake.

Steve B)

Dean, if you move to Yap you will lose all that money on the shipping charges....

Steve, buy one of each