Ikelite and HV20

Anyone any experience of using a Canon HV20 in a Ikelite housing? How would the quality compare with a Sony FX1?

Thanks

Andy

Hi Andy

We have a Sony A1 and FX1 and I can tell you the FX1 is far better in low light and even gives a better picture in uptop shots. I have also seen HC3 footage as well.

I have never used a HV20 but even though it's a 1920/1080 progressive camera its still a single chip so I don't think it would be better than a FX1. Also these smaller cameras seem to have a much smaller FOV (picture width) than the larger ones.

Our A1 16.9 camera in the EVO underwater housings has the same FOV as what the old Sony TRV900 4.3 camera has in the Navigator housing. Even with a wide angle on the SONY A1 it's still not as wide as the FX1's FOV.

But like anything, budgets play an important part in your purchase and if you do go the HV20 way then I'm sure you will end up with some wonderful footage as well.

Housings like the ikelite are cheap and do the job but you have to be careful with them as they are not as robust as an aluminum housing. I have never seen an aluminum housing crack.

Andy do a search in the forum. There are quite a few threads on the HV20, including drawbacks.

Just been through all the old threads but am looking for up-to-date user experiences.

Thanks

Andy

Andy,

I've taken the HV20 down in an Ikelite housing a couple of times in the last few months. I've had great "beginner's luck", but been very disappointed that I'm unable to set white balance. The "AWB" icon just flashes and won't set. The camera manual says it's due to insufficient light (duh). The Ikelite controls are very difficult to use. Ambient pressure would trigger the record button. Since I can't find another housing, I'll learn to work with what I've got. Good luck!

How did you get on with the reversed image?

I didn't! It drove me mad in a few seconds. I stuck with the itsy bitsy viewfinder. It's better for battery life anyway. I read a suggestion yesterday about taking the mirror off and looking directly into the housing - I took my mirror off last night. Now, I just need to find some water to jump into and try it.

Thanks for the feedback. I wondered what it would be like to get your brain to think in reverse!! I guess it is going to be difficult to compose with the small viewfinder though. Let me know how you get on.

Thanks

Andy

I recently used an HV20 with an Ikelite housing for the first time. I was on a 100ft wreck. The picture I got on the camera was a lot darker than it appeared to eye. Also when zoomed all the way out the picture I recieved seemed as if I was very close. Does anyone know how to tweak the settings to get better pictures on dark wrecks?

Hey Andy

I've been diving with a vid in an Ike housing now since Xmas and it does take some getting use to using the mirror. You can on mine as I would have thought on yours flip the image on the screen so as it is the right way on the mirror. But the draw back is, it mutes the sound which I have now grown to enjoy hearing.

I recently purchased a wide angle lens from Ikelite the W-20. Tell you what if you don't have one yet GO GET IT. It makes shooting with the mirror so easy.

Just point the cam in the direction of the subject and you've got it in shot.. No need to flip.

Guys,

I love my Inon 100-UWL (it's worth the extra weight!). But, be aware, you will get a reflective "ring" or "arc" if the light hits the lens just so. I found a little, black "doodad" that is evidently supposed to be used with the Ike housing to reduce glare. I haven't tried it yet, but I've got my fingers crossed that it works.

Galapagos Girl

[quote name='Probie' date='Jul 6 2008, 04:18 AM' post='176149'

I've been diving with a vid in an Ike housing now since Xmas and it does take some getting use to using the mirror. You can on mine as I would have thought on yours flip the image on the screen so as it is the right way on the mirror. But the draw back is, it mutes the sound which I have now grown to enjoy hearing.

Have you managed to flip the image on an HV20? I understood that this could not be done.

Andy

Sorry my mistake I failed to mention I'm shooting with a Sony HDRSR8 and am able to flip on it. I didn't realise that it was not possible with yours.

But none the less.... The point I was trying to make was that with a bit of persistance and practise keeping a subject in shot is not to difficult.. It will come to you and just be an adaptaion of your diving style and movements....

But as I said previously the W-20 wide angle lens is an invaluable investment for the Ike housing... It is literally imposible to miss a shot with it... Everything is seen. Don't know how I did without it til now.

I seem to dive now not looking at the mirror but down the left side of the housing above the mirror at the subject. It allows me to see what the fish or subject is doing and where is going and I just follow it left and right with the lens. No image flip... I only look at the mirror with periferal vision just to note that the subject is remaining ruffly in the center of the shot.

But my brain is processing the subjects real movements left and right.. not back to front as in the mirror.

It works for me anyway..

Hope it helps u

GET THE W-20...

Probie.

There is plenty of room on the backplate of this housing to install external monitor bulkheads. We have installed the 3" Fix Monitor and the Amphibico HD monitor in these housings for customers in the past that aren't mirror people.

I hadn't thought of using an external monitor even though I use one with a Gates FX1 housing! Do you have to drill holes in the Ike housing or is there a connector already in place?

I have a -Inon 100-UWL- Wide Angle lens For Sale(no scratches) so if anyone would like it PM me

-Scott