Top Dawg Housing

Hi to all,

If anybody in the forum has actually used a top dawg housing please give some feedback. Thank you.

Philip

Hi Philip,

I used a Topdawg housing years ago 2002 i think for my TRV50 ( I think again) it was ok for a first time housing...But there was no filter and you could only access REC, Zoom, on/off, and maybe focus...But as i said this was an earlier model so it was real Basic and i wouldn't really recommend that one with so little control over the cam.. Maybe someone with a more up to date model and review could be of more help...

Diver safe

DeanB

Peter from Scubapix knows all about them.

http://www.scubapix.com/Top_Dawg.html

I need to qualify this as I am the Sole Authorised Dealer for this product (as well as other leading brands of housings - Amphibico , Gates , Light & Motion ) in the Australia & South Pacific Markets

Many folk make a lot about the features this housing doesn't have -

Flip Filter , Hydrophone and external wide port ( readilly available on the Stingray )

By design they use a flat port - recently upgraded to glass port instead of acrylic ( this enables the use of many cameras - also had the electrics upgraded to suit the latest cameras from Sony).

I have always fitted a C/C filter and wide lens before putting the unit together - this works well in the tropical environment I live in.

We have a number of these units in our rental department and have no issues with them in terms of reliabilty or ease of use.

Customer satisfaction is high and We find that the most inexperienced person can get a good result, and with a little planning can set up the unit to suit their exact application.

The housing has a wide range of controls for a camera housing that is in this price point.

Mode photo/video, Start/stop Record & Photo,

Power on/off, Zoom tele/wide, Momentary Auto Focus, Fulltime Auto Focus, Manual Focus near/far

The latest version of The TopDawg comes complete with a 4 x 3 monitor back for very reasonable money and are available for immediate shipping.

Phillip - If you are having issues or simply need some help PM me and I will do my best to get you sorted.

Remember white balance functions and specific ports & controls all add too the total cost of a housing.

A few more hints.

1. Slow and steady movements.

Video is fantastic for capturing motion. However, too much motion will only make your viewers sick. When panning across a scene, move slowly and steadily from one subject to another. Allow the viewer time to see the detail.

2. Zoom with your fins, Not with your lens.

Water acts as a giant blue filter and quickly absorbs color and reduces sharpness. To minimize this effect, always get as close to your subject as possible (two - three feet). Only use telephoto zoom when shooting close-up and macro subjects.

3. Sun at your back.

Video has a hard time with high contrast scenes. Maximize detail and ensure a brilliant blue background by always shooting with the sun at your back.

4. Get close, then get closer.

For maximum impact, fill the frame with your subject. Get up close and personal. Most beginners try to shoot all of their subjects at three feet or further. Always try to get within two feet of your subject... and then get closer.

5. Know when to use lights OR a color correction filter.

Lights will always produce the best color, but are limited to close subjects. By getting close to your subject, you will increase the effect of your lights. Use a color correction filter on your camera lenses when you will be shooting subjects too distant to light. Never use lights and a filter at the same time.

6. Don't shoot too much.

Unlike shooting still photos, video is very simple and automatic. In fact it is so simple that most people shoot too much of it on a dive. Remember, your viewers will not share your enthusiasm if you bore them to death with an hour of swimming. Take time to reveal your subjects to your viewers and shoot steady shots from multiple angles. Keep things exciting by limiting each shot to a 10-20 second clip.

7. Make a 5 minute edited video.

A short, fast paced video will keep your viewers attention and have them begging for more. Keep it to 5 or 10 minutes and only show the best footage.

8. Take a class.

Many diving destinations have staff video pros that teach courses in underwater videography. Backscatter offers technique and editing classes throughout the year in Monterey, the Channel Islands, and abroad. Please inquire with your dealer or check out www.backscatter.com for a schedule.