Sony HDR-HC7 - Housings and lights?

I am currently shooting a PC-110 in a Light and Motion Mako housing. Yes, it is a 1 chip camera and is very limited in the results I can get. I have arthritis in the wrist and hand, so I can't carry around a big/heavy unit, and am looking for a housing for my new Sony HC7. According to some of the threads I've read, to get good results, lights are a MUST. Is this indeed the case? I generally don't go below 100 feet unless something is really cool. With the 110, I don't use lights much and thought I could get away with the same type thing if I housed the HC7.

I'm a bit put off with Light and Motion after sending the Mako in for an overhaul/check before my trip to Bonaire (which I'm still on...w00t) and getting here found that the monitor back is inop. Grumble.

So what do y'all think? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

I am currently shooting a PC-110 in a Light and Motion Mako housing. Yes, it is a 1 chip camera and is very limited in the results I can get. I have arthritis in the wrist and hand, so I can't carry around a big/heavy unit, and am looking for a housing for my new Sony HC7. According to some of the threads I've read, to get good results, lights are a MUST. Is this indeed the case? I generally don't go below 100 feet unless something is really cool. With the 110, I don't use lights much and thought I could get away with the same type thing if I housed the HC7.

 

I'm a bit put off with Light and Motion after sending the Mako in for an overhaul/check before my trip to Bonaire (which I'm still on...w00t) and getting here found that the monitor back is inop. Grumble.

 

So what do y'all think? I'd appreciate any suggestions.

This topic comes up from time to time and advice in these threads:

HC7 Threads

Personally I like Gates Housings, and they make a relatively small one for the HC7.

But take a peak through the above threads, well worth it

I have the Gates for my HC7 and really like it. The thumb and index finger on my left hand are messed up from herniated discs, but I don't have a problem with the manual controls.

If you decide to get the Gates and want a great lens, I highly recommend the SWP25.

If you decide to get the Gates and want a great lens, I highly recommend the SWP25.

I second that choice

I have the Gates housing also and love it. I think it's a pretty compact unit and handles very well U/W. I just got back from Bonaire about 3 weeks ago and used this set-up for the first time. Worked out very well, even it I didn't... Man, do I LOVE Bonaire!! Found 4 seahorses in one dive at Oil Slick!

Do any of you guys find you need lights for daytime use? I appreciate the Gates suggestion and am looking through their stuff now. Thanks!

We go home tomorrow. Boo hiss!

Do any of you guys find you need lights for daytime use? I appreciate the Gates suggestion and am looking through their stuff now. Thanks!

 

We go home tomorrow. Boo hiss!

Depends on the dive (type of water) and the depth.

Usually the general consensus around here is that in good blue water you can probaby get away without lights to about 50 feet give or take, but I have actually gotten footage that was okay deeper down (90 feet) in pretty good conditions. Is it IMAX quality? Nope, but on the other hand it was pretty good and I can play it on televisions and everyone enjoys it.

Under ledges, deeper dives, in cenotes, in wrecks, well some light is needed

In other words they are good to have, but if you are starting out and do not want to drop dime on them immediately you can do alot without them. Would I say get lights at some time down the road? Yup if you can.

I agree with RealDrew. The HC7 needs lots of natural light, but not necessarily artificial lights. For close up macro lights are always useful, but for WA shots they are pretty much useless anyway.

I've not used the Gates or L&M, but they are nearly always quality products that you can't go wrong with. The Ampibico housing does not have a MWB option, so I'd definately give that or any other housing that does not offer this function a miss.

For cheaper options there is always Ikelite who make solid mechanical housings that rarely ever let anyone down, but you need extendable fingers to get them to work properly! I've used Ikelite housings a lot and would definately recommend them to anyone on a budget.

Cheers, Simon

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate all of your suggestions and assistance. I've just had it with the PC-110's quality, and rather than go with a large 3 CCD unit, the HC7 seems to be my best bet. If anyone's interested in the videos I've shot thusfar with the 110, they're on youtube...search for "ooblick" but ignore the "oobleh" one cuz that isn't mine :-).

hi,

have you had a look at the SEALUX range of housings-very impressive & wider ports that the big 3 makers.

cheers

I don't have the camcorder yet (tomorrow) but have my housing for it. I can't say how it's going to work, but it does have some nice features including electronic controls, moisture alarm, MWB and others. Weighs a scant 3.4 lbs and is pretty small too. That was one of my criteria as the airlines aren't getting more lenient on baggage limits and I have a bad back so a few pounds count for something in my carry-on. Should weigh just about 5 lbs out of water, without lights.

Seatool HC7 housing. You can get a look at it at www.backscatter.com, www.reefphoto.com, or www.h2opros.com Also you can check it out at www.seatoolusa.com

I am a complete novice at this so won't go into details I know little to nothing about. Check out the housing for yourself. One thing it does not have is a handle on the left side (option or add on for $169)

I don't have the camcorder yet (tomorrow) but have my housing for it. I can't say how it's going to work, but it does have some nice features including electronic controls, moisture alarm, MWB and others.

I think it is white balance shift and not white balance, though I could be wrong on that..

On my last trip to Cocos in Aug, someone had a seatool HC7 housing. It doesn't have MWB, but WB shift as Drew mentioned. It still did a nice job I thought although this was just from watching playback on the camera. But it's soo compact...