Sealux Housing for EX1

I spent yesterday several hours in the Sealux factory, discussing the new housing for the EX1. They make a huge-huge effort to build a great housing for it - and I was lucky to get the following question:

"Which controls would you like to have on the housing? Just tell me, we will check whether it is possible or not..."

Well, I was not shy and dictateted a long list, however, on my backway to Geneve (which is 500 kms, so I had time to think), I was thinking what is really needed for a wannabee professional like me. Is it zebra so important? Or, taking into consideration Drew's very pertinent comment on the external monitors and the signs/markers which are sendable to them, it is just waste of time and money in engineering this button? The Shutter switch is very badly placed for housings... (IMHO this camcorder is a true nightmare for housing manufacturers who would like to give the most comprehensive controls to it...)

What do you think? If you would get the question, what would you answer: what do you want to control underwater on the EX1? Please check the pics aout the camcorder, it has a lots of buttons, dials, switches...

Jules

I would also suggest people read the manual for the PMW-EX1 to understand what controls can be assigned to the 4 ASSIGN buttons and Picture Profiles. This allows the removal of redundant controls and allow viable suggestions to be made.

I personally want basic controls for exposure, shutter, zoom and REC and make the housing well balanced for handling. The rest can be done in post.

Without being familiar with the EX1, here's my list for this level of camera and housing:

MUST HAVE

power on/off

record/pause

zoom

shutter speed auto/manual

shutter speed

iris auto/manual

iris

focus auto/manual

focus (big mechanical knob)

white balance auto/manual/mode

white balance set

flip colour correction filter

gain auto/manual

gain

ND filters

NICE TO HAVE

creeping zoom - i.e. good control over slow zoom speeds

momentary auto focus - this is the one control I like electronic so it can be operated wobble-free in the middle of a shot

flip diopter (achromatic if possible)

peaking

zebra

AE override (typically to stop down a little from auto exposure)

picture profiles

menu

control of lights if they are intergrated

NOT BOTHERED PERSONALLY

flip expodisc

VCR mode & controls

To backup Drew's suggestion:

Assignable buttons and possible functions... (first short name, under long name, explanation)

Marker

All marker indications (safety-zone marker, center marker, aspect marker, guide frames) on/off

LastClipDEL

Lastclipdelete

ATW

ATW function on/off

Rec Review

Rec Review start/stop

Rec

Recording start/stop

Freeze Mix

Freeze Mix start/stop

Expanded Focus

Expanded Focus function on/off

Spotlight

TLCS Spotlight mode on/off

Backlight

TLCS Backlight mode on/off

IR Remote

IR Remote Commander enable/disable

ShotMarkl

Shot mark l insert

ShotMark2

Shot mark 2 insert

Fader

Fader on/off

EVF Mode

EVF screen mode (color/monochrome) switching

BRT Disp

Brightness level indication on/off

Histogram

Histogram indication on/off

Lens Info

Depth-of-Field indication on/off

Nick,

I like VCR controls. Especially during those long deco stops. Watching the footage just shot kills the time. But that only works with a decent monitor.

Peter

Yes, Peter, if I was still tech diving I would agree with you. But personally I never use the VCR mode on my Bluefin.

I suppose expanded focus on an assign button would somewhat make up for lack of a peaking control. Peaking is a really nice feature though. I use it a lot topside (coloured red and at the maximum setting).

Peter,

get a video media player and hang it on the deco line for when you get there.

Köszönöm Gyula

Well, with my previous Phenom housing I also enjoyed the VRC mode during decos... Fortunately the record review button is avalaible on the grip, so you can review the last seconds, or even the last clip you recorded.

Expanded focus is also there, right next to the review button.

Drew - I was not aware of that, thanks for your mail...

Jules

Inverted council recycling bins work well. Keep your laptop in it and get on with capturing while your body's off gassing.

Here is the solution to the Shutter control issue:

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23160

Inverted council recycling bins work well. Keep your laptop in it and get on with capturing while your body's off gassing.

Huh? Are you saying to transfer while underwater? And keep your laptop inside one of those bins? What you been smoking Nick?

Sarcasm Drew. It's a British thing (and also the lowest form of wit).

Sarcasm Drew. It's a British thing (and also the lowest form of wit).

Don't give him anymore ammo Nick

Dive safe

Dean(under Simons cloak)B

Heres a link ( i hope) to the sealux housing for the Sony EX1

http://www.sealux.de/s1e.htm

Looks cool.. I havent had the chanced to look through it all.. But looks like they are bringing out a dome port to accompany the Sony wide angle lens so you get 120 degree wide full zoom... Also ive heard from a very good looking source that theres a 140 degree in the making.. WOW !!!!

Its around £4000 with the flat port making it About a £1000 cheaper than the Gates... with the flat port..

Dive safe

DeanB

Dean, the VCL-EX0877 gives about 80° FOV, not 120°. I think they have a WA lens port that support 120°. Your "very good looking source" may be hot but the info don't jibe.

Dean, the VCL-EX0877 gives about 80° FOV, not 120°. I think they have a WA lens port that support 120°. Your "very good looking source" may be hot but the info don't jibe.

Thanks for putting it on the end of Jules Thread...I didnt look..

And as i said I didnt read it through so i apologise for that little mistake... And my good looking friend told me its a 140 in the pipeline.. I have no reason to doubt said info...at the moment..

Dive safe

DeanB

make the housing well balanced for handling

What a good idea!

Does anyone know if Jules is still around? Would like to ask him some questions, seeing as i am getting nothing back from Sealux.