Another "looking to upgrade thread." Have a one chip Canon Elura in Ike housing. Main issue with this set up is due to controls no MWB and zoom function is very jerky.
So looking at the HC7 in the Light and Motion housing. We do travel so size does matter. Will be used in tropics but also here in our cool green waters. Right now cost is hovering around US$4200. For now have two Hartenberger Nanos to use for lighting.
Open to 3chip cameras but trying to keep cost under 5k and size down.
Are there any other options?
Another "looking to upgrade thread." Have a one chip Canon Elura in Ike housing. Main issue with this set up is due to controls no MWB and zoom function is very jerky.
So looking at the HC7 in the Light and Motion housing. We do travel so size does matter. Will be used in tropics but also here in our cool green waters. Right now cost is hovering around US$4200. For now have two Hartenberger Nanos to use for lighting.
Open to 3chip cameras but trying to keep cost under 5k and size down.
Are there any other options?
You might consider the Gates housing for the HC7 - no need for a monitor, nothing electronic to go wrong, and manual WB control - what more do you need. H2OPhotoPros has it for $3182, camera for $999 at BH and you are well under budget. - Get yourself another dive trip:)
My only question would be, how "smooth" is the zoom function on the Gates? With our little Ike housing you have to take a hand off the handle and work the zoom function which results in "jumps" in the image. Often the lever disengages from camera contributing to more issues with the recording.
I actually have started using a Gates housing this week after using an Ike for two years. The difference is amazing. The gates levers are balanced, smooth loads better than the Ikelite ones which I agree are a little sticky / jerky especially at depth.
But I suppose that is the difference between a $2k housing and a $6k housing.
NWDiver, I have the Gates HC7 housing. The zoom is pretty smooth and the lever that controls it is right at your left hand finger tips (thumb tip); no need to remove your hand from the handle. The zoom controls at the edge of the HC7's LCD's are used instead of the main zoom control on right hand side. This is probably a good thing as the main camera zoom is pretty touchy (two speed) whereas the control near the LCD only zoom at a slow speed.
I also have the HC7 and Gates housing. The zoom is smooth and easy to use. You can get some incredible footage with this combination. The lcd viewing port lets you see the screen even in fairly bright light. I think the housing sells for about $2150, so the > $3000 value mentioned earlier is probably a camera housing kit.
Pat
My vote is for the Canon HV20 in whatever housing there is. Image quality is better than the HC7, progressive scan CMOS sensor with slightly better lowlight, which makes the difference in the PNW.
I understand about zoom controls with thick gloves. I tend to just avoid using zoom while shooting, except for reveal shots.
Drew, was it you that mentioned that the HV20 auto white balance works well and that you won't miss the manual white balance capability? How much tweaking is needed in post?
Pat
The Canon looks interesting but The Equinox at 15-22lbs seems really heavy. The L&M is only 6.5.lbs, for traveling that makes a big difference. Northwest just dinged me US$50 for my camera case being 2.5lbs over and I'm and "Elite Member".
Well I guess you weren't elite enough Yes it is a pain to travel with bags nowadays on US airlines. They are so desperate for money they do everything to squeeze you.
I only tried the HV20 with the Ikelite housing. The housing is nothing special but it works.
Drew, was it you that mentioned that the HV20 auto white balance works well and that you won't miss the manual white balance capability? How much tweaking is needed in post?
Yes I did say AWB worked in depths of up to 50-60ft in cleaner water. Once you lose contrast and light, AWB also goes to heck. It all depends on what you are shooting. In the green crappy water of the PNW, I'd shoot with lights for close ups and w/o filter pass 70ft.
for HC7, can anyone compare the L&M and amphibico housings?
thx
bfdc, while I don't have hands on experience with those two housings, I did look at their features when I was making my decision to house the HC7.
L&M - Manual WB. Viewfinder only at the time I was shopping for housings. It seems now the L&M HC7 BlueFin comes with a SD monitor on the back.
Amphibico - no MWB, just WB shift. SD Monitor on back included.
Amphibico - no MWB, just WB shift. SD Monitor on back included.
I didn't think the EVO can even do WB shift. At least mine (HC1) doesn't. Seatool does WB shift
ah, thanks for the correction on the Evo.
bfdc, while I don't have hands on experience with those two housings, I did look at their features when I was making my decision to house the HC7.
L&M - Manual WB. Viewfinder only at the time I was shopping for housings. It seems now the L&M HC7 BlueFin comes with a SD monitor on the back.
Amphibico - no MWB, just WB shift. SD Monitor on back included.
Just got off the phone to L&M and the SD monitors are not in stock until Feb 08. They have agreed to sell with the std back and ship the back later but its a bit of a disappointment!
Thanks for all the input. Looks like we are going with the Gates lineup. The deciding factor came down to ports. To be able to go from 110 degrees WA to Macro with the SWP25 is the motivator. Since this package is at the top of our price range we will use the Hartenberger Nanos for macro lighting and buck up for some other lighting system down the road.
Yes it is a pain to travel with bags nowadays on US airlines. They are so desperate for money they do everything to squeeze you.
