To CMOS or Not

Hi Folks, just wondering if there's anyone out there shooting with a HD CMOS based camcorder. I have a Sony TRV900 3CCD / Bluefin rig that I think is great and has given me great results. I would like to move to High Def. Seems like a lot of the choices for new HD camcorders are CMOS chip based. I have read about the Rolling Shutter issues like wobble & skew that come with such a chip. So I guess the question is to see if people are getting good results and this is a viable option for UW video.

Thanks

I've seen some nice results shot with the Sony HDR-HC7 so you could consider that or their newer versions like the HC9. Make sure you get a housing that you can manually white balance with like the Gates.

There is loads in this forum on the HC7 or the more expensive Sony FX7/V1 CMOS cameras. Search the editing forum too for links to sample HC7 underwater videos.

Hi Folks, just wondering if there's anyone out there shooting with a HD CMOS based camcorder. I have a Sony TRV900 3CCD / Bluefin rig that I think is great and has given me great results. I would like to move to High Def. Seems like a lot of the choices for new HD camcorders are CMOS chip based. I have read about the Rolling Shutter issues like wobble & skew that come with such a chip. So I guess the question is to see if people are getting good results and this is a viable option for UW video.

 

Thanks

I've never seen any shutter problems but mine does get grainy in really low light situations. Ex: On a bright clear May day in the BVI's, the DM spotted a shark at least a dozen feet under a ledge at the very bottom of about a 60' vertical foot reef. The part that her dive light was shining on, you can see some detail, the rest is kind of dark and grainy. Even trying to bring it up in post it's still grainy.

I don't shoot with lights so that probably would've helped. I do also occasionally see a little motion blur on fast pans. But the 3chips did that also.

I perceive that it's a little softer than the CCD's also. But that may be because I read that somewhere.

See if ronscuba sees this, he shoots an FX7 - 3chip CMOS...And has some HD video somewhere online.

The rolling shutter issue has been discussed in the forum quite a bit. Use the search function to find the relevant threads on the issue and how it may (or may not) affect you, depending on what your requirements are.

This is a small world. I used to shoot with a Sony TRV900, but upgraded to a Sony FX7 which is a 3CMOS camcorder. Extremely happy with the upgrade.

Here is a link to a sample of what I recorded from my Belize and Roatan trip last year.

The Divx version has better resolution, but you need the Divx player software.

The flash version isn't bad, but not quite as good.

Divx Version

Flash Version

FYI the Sony HDR-FX7U has been discontinued in the US. The HVR-V1U is still listed as available...as is the HVR-A1.

Hey guys thanks for the replys & video clips. Is anyone shooting with a single CMOS camcorder. I'm looking into the new Sony SR12. I know 1chip, just looking to get a smaller camera & housing & a bit more economical. I'm looking at the LMI housing since is what I had before and always had great results. I'm getting older & lazy so weight is also a consideration.

Victor

Victor if you search the forums regarding the rollings shutter issues, you can decide for yourself if it suits your needs. Everyone has different needs so there isn't just one answer.

Also note that the SR12 is AVCHD, not HDV. AVCHD is a newer format which requires transferring to another format for editing (depending on your NLE)

Scuba Libre; Look for posts by Aqua Luminous, he has been using the single cmos Canon HV20 in an ike housing. The SR12 looks like an interesting camera and I'm curious to see what the reviews say. So far I like the the HV20 and HV30 because they have good low light performance. Ikelite is making housings for both, and the combination is both lightweight (good for travel) and available at very reasonable cost for this type of gear. It'll be interesting to see who, if anyone, makes a housing for the Sony SR12, and how it does with low light.

It'll be interesting to see who, if anyone, makes a housing for the Sony SR12, and how it does with low light.

http://www.uwimaging.com/stingray_hd/index.htm

http://www.amphibico.com/amphibico/product...mp;pdid=1000237

Scuba Libre; Look for posts by Aqua Luminous, he has been using the single cmos Canon HV20 in an ike housing. The SR12 looks like an interesting camera and I'm curious to see what the reviews say. So far I like the the HV20 and HV30 because they have good low light performance. Ikelite is making housings for both, and the combination is both lightweight (good for travel) and available at very reasonable cost for this type of gear. It'll be interesting to see who, if anyone, makes a housing for the Sony SR12, and how it does with low light.

FYI the HV series is tape based HDV vs the hard disk AVCHD of the SR series. There are differences to consider there.