Surf Video Setup - Sony HDV hc3e

Hey there,

I'm an amateur New Zealand surf photographer that's just recently bought a new video camera in anticipation for some in-water surf shots! Until now everything has been shot from the beach, and it'd be nice to mix it up with some close up action shots amongst the surf. I'm after some feedback on the setup i'm putting together:

Video Camera (already purchased) : Sony HDR-HC3e

Housing (still deciding) : Epic Elite housing - http://www.epiccam.com

Semi Fisheye lense (still deciding): Raynox HD-3032PRO

I'm completely new to in-water videography. I guess the feedback i'm looking for is mainly on the housing (has anyone here used this housing?). I'm also wondering if anyone has used the Raynox lense (its a 0.3 semi fisheye) or knows of a better alternative.

How should i configure the camera in terms of the auto focus/ auto exposure?

Maybe there's other vital water shooting aspects i'm not aware of?

I realise the majority of the posts so far have been on scuba and deep-diving, but this surf-bum would really appreciate any assistance your vast knowledge could lend!!!

Many thanks

I think you would be unable to go deep with the Epic, but if that's not a concern then go for it. I bought my setup to do both surf and dive, and I got a good deal on a SeaTool HC3 demo unit (otherwise I wouldn't have been able to afford the SeaTool). My reasoning was that I can use it for both... and I have.

Weight and maneuverability are the other considerations when you shoot in the surf vs. at depth. If you use a large dive housing at the surface, make sure it's either light (like the Epic) or has removable ballast.

Hope that helps!

bk

I have the Raynox 3032 and the Raynox 5050 lens for my Canon HV10.

I definitely prefer the 5050. It's not as wide, but the difference is less than you think. The 3032 is .34x diagonal and .44x horizontal. The 5050 is .5x diagonal and .53x horizontal. I notice horizontal coverage more than diagonal. The 5050 has a sharper picture and very little barrel distortion.

The 3032 being a semi-fisheye has barrel distortion. If that's what you want then fine, but it also makes the lens less versatile.

Best thing about both lenses is they are very affordable, under $100.

Another thumbs up here for the Raynox 5050HD which I usually keep on my HC7 topside.

I'm not an expert, but I wondering if the 3032 with a semi fisheye look would be more interesting for surfing shots...

but for something like this...

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4684/amazing_wave_surfing/

I guess you wouldn't want a fisheye look! christ, look at the size of this one!!

Here's a nice vid clip of someone riding in the barrel. Guess that's a helmet cam, but it has that nice fisheye distortion I was thinking of. The board mounted shots are nice!

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xot1p_inside-the-barrel

Great clips.

The size of the wave on the 1st one was sick. I assume it was shot from a helicopter.

The clip inside the barrel were awesome. Great perspective to see things from the surfer point of view and the fisheye really adds to the shot.

Heck, the Raynox lens are inexpensive. Get both.