My First Video & Housing

I am keen to get my first handycam and housing..

Any good advise? I was previously only using a simple Canon G9 prosumer camera and enjoyed shooting video. Thus i am making a move to video. Does anyone have any advise for a newbie?

I am zooming in on buying a Sony HDR-UX20E or HDR-UX10E or HDR-CX12E.

Somehow I cannot find a housing for it. Also are there special housings which can fit the video cam and allow for upgrades?

Please advise..

Thanks

meimei

I would start your search with Light and Motion, Aditech Mangrove, Top Dawg, Sealux and Sea&Sea. All of them have housings with lanc control that permits use with the next generation of Sony camcorders. Do a search in the forum for reviews of some of those brands and then check with our good sponsors

Also I would peruse the forum to find out about the pros and cons of going tapeless.

meimei

I would start your search with Light and Motion, Aditech Mangrove, Top Dawg, Sealux and Sea&Sea. All of them have housings with lanc control that permits use with the next generation of Sony camcorders. Do a search in the forum for reviews of some of those brands and then check with our good sponsors

Also I would peruse the forum to find out about the pros and cons of going tapeless.

Thanks...perfect....

I am now looking at the Stingray and Bluefin. I was told manual white balance is very impt and seems the Stingray cant do the WB easily.

I'm rushing for a mid-oct trip. not sur eif I hv time to read about ALL the other housing.

I was gg for a videocam that has two types of recording media. thus the Sony Hybrid models.. HDR-UX20E or UX10E. Would you know if the Bluefin fits these models?

Thanks!!!!!!

Sorry, lah but you are going to have to do your own legwork on that. There are so many models of cameras I don't know which fits what and where. Google is now your best friend.

What ever you do stay away from Amphibico. I have had mine for less than 1 year and it has been back twice and still doesn't work. The controls freeze up under water making it the worlds most expensive weights. Amphibico's response to me is that "they have sold thousands, the problem must be the user". Yesterday I was diving at Dutch springs, I had three shop owners, two who sell this line try it and no one could get the controls to work. I wish I could sell it but I can't sell something I know doesn't work so I may be doomed to just go ahead and make a very expensive paper weight out of it and buy the Light and Motion, which BTW has whitw balance a very important feature the Amphibico lacks.

Thanks...perfect....

I am now looking at the Stingray and Bluefin. I was told manual white balance is very impt and seems the Stingray cant do the WB easily.

Actually not at all... http://www.uwimaging.com/stingray_hd/index.htm# - click on controls to see their control set.

I was gg for a videocam that has two types of recording media. thus the Sony Hybrid models.. HDR-UX20E or UX10E. Would you know if the Bluefin fits these models?

Not according to their website. http://www.uwimaging.com/support/compatability/bluefin.htm At least at this time, both of the cameras you're considering are too new to have housings available for them yet. Or possibly L&M hasn't updated their website for compatibility with the recent new models. Of the two, I would think that the Stingray HD would work with them as it has a universal tray, but you lose the ability to MWB. Although given the different physical layout of the UX10/20, there might be alignment issues with the front port.

In that case, a housing with a flat port like the Top Dawg might have to be considered. Since it's a cost reduced version of the Stingray, it doesn't do MWB either. Afaik the Sealux doesn't either.

O dear, not too good for your very first post.

If you dig around abit I think you will find folks have had problems with all the different housing brands from time to time.

I have had two Sony HDV camera's that have failed me in the last couple years so I suppose I should tell everyone not to buy a Sony camera as well.

What housing have you got there and what is it not doing?

Mei Mei

I believe the Aditech mangrove has electronic WB for most of sony's line. Best to check with them. You can read a review about the housing in general by searching the forum.

What ever you do stay away from Amphibico. I have had mine for less than 1 year and it has been back twice and still doesn't work. The controls freeze up under water making it the worlds most expensive weights. Amphibico's response to me is that "they have sold thousands, the problem must be the user". Yesterday I was diving at Dutch springs, I had three shop owners, two who sell this line try it and no one could get the controls to work. I wish I could sell it but I can't sell something I know doesn't work so I may be doomed to just go ahead and make a very expensive paper weight out of it and buy the Light and Motion, which BTW has whitw balance a very important feature the Amphibico lacks.

Scuuba, sorry to hear about your frustrations with your housing. It's a very frustrating thing for a manufacturer to discount your troubles as user error. Did you buy it directly from Amphibico or through their dealer network? If the 2 shop owners could drop a line to Amphibico on your behalf, it would help things along. Have you tested another camera in your housing to test if it is the lanc on the housing or the grip? It could very well be your camera that's causing the problems as well. I suggest you try another camera first and also try your camera with another lanc device like the Sony tripod lanc. If you have done all these things and it still doesn't work and it's not your camera, then approach Amphibico again. I'm sure they will try to set it right. Please start another topic with your issue when you hear back from them. Good luck

I am now looking at the Stingray and Bluefin. I was told manual white balance is very impt and seems the Stingray cant do the WB easily.

The Bluefin definitely doesn't support the UX10/UX20. Bluefin housings are made for specific cameras, the latest being the Sony SR11/SR12 hard-drive based cameras.

The Stingray accommodates a long list of cameras by having an adjustable camera tray. It is a lot less expensive than the Bluefin, and it offers fewer controls. Although it doesn't have WB, it does have the other necessities: rec/stop, zoom, manual focus, momentary AF, photo/video modes.

Especially if you're just getting into UW video, I would say that the Stingray is a really good choice. It's well-built, supports lots of cameras now, will support new cameras in the future without major modification, and uses the same optics as the Bluefin. The lack of WB is not insignificant, but you will have a lot on your mind at first and WB will not be the most important thing.

In fact, I'd say you are better off putting the extra money (Bluefin - Stingray) toward video lights. With good lights used on a small subject at close range, white balance is not an issue. For all my close-up work I just leave my camera on daylight WB.

I was gg for a videocam that has two types of recording media. thus the Sony Hybrid models.. HDR-UX20E or UX10E. Would you know if the Bluefin fits these models?

Personally I think the DVD-based cameras are a dead-end, even the new AVCHD units. You're better off with HDV on tape, or AVCHD on hard-drive or solid-state. I use a Sony SR12 strictly with Memory Stick. I put an 8GB stick in and get about 1 hour of recording. The memory stick is shock resistant, removable, replaceable, and downloads my footage in less than 10 minutes, nicely split into files. Furthermore, I can review/search clips instantly and can delete the junk right away.

If I did it again I'd have got the SR11 instead of the SR12...only difference is 60GB drive vs 120GB. I don't use the drive for fear of physical shock damaging it, so the extra space in the SR12 is wasted.

All that said, if I may make a final (and admittedly biased) suggestion...have a look the recent posts in the classifieds entitled:

"Light and Motion Stingray HD Housing"

"Sony HDR-SR11 CAMCORDER HD 1080P"

The housing happens to be mine, and is looking for a good home.

Kris

EDIT: Since links were removed, I have clarified the titles of the classifieds I referred to. You'll just have to find them yourself.

Hi Kris

I had to take your direct links off to the gear you are selling in the Classifieds section.

No classifieds listing in the normal forums, only in the Classifieds section.

Hi Kris

I had to take your direct links off to the gear you are selling in the Classifieds section.

No classifieds listing in the normal forums, only in the Classifieds section.

I certainly understand not wanting full classified ads posted to the regular forums. But I was unaware that even a link to a classified was prohibited...especially in the context of looking for specific equipment in a short timeframe. I considered PM'ing the OP, but figured my comments might be valued by others.

FWIW, is the no-link policy detailed somewhere? I didn't notice it in any of the pinned forum announcements or rules threads. Perhaps it should be made clearer.

Thanks for keeping the forum clean, despite respectful disagreement in this case.

Kris

My first housing/camcorder setup was/is a Light & Motion Bluefin 950 with remote monitor. Yes, manual white balance is very important. Its also important to get a housing that doesn't force you to look thru a peep hole. You need either a monitor or the look thru window. Its been a great setup, coming from a point & shoot digital camera shooting video. I am ready to move to HD now and have listed my setup for sale in the classifieds.

wow thank u everyone for the reply...

wagsy

Me do not have a handycam yet nor housing

Am using a prosumer Canon G9 on Ike housing.. w DS125

Dun wanna go into SLR as I dun particularly enjoy editing photos.

Started playing w the videos I took w my G9 on 1024x..blah blah and realise I enjoyed it more.

Took beautiful pics last Aug in Bali of Mantas (going again end Oct) and been playing w those footage on iMovie.

Also was v happy to make videos w photos and some video footage of my Komodo trips... so tot I'd foray into video cos photography was getting boring for me.

However after seeing those housings last night am hving seconf tots about all that to carry... nonetheless

reefpost

I have narrowed to the Sony HC9 or SR11.. more the HC9... is my bias until I read reefnet's post abt using only memory stick.. hmmm....

Housing is Bluefin or Gates.

I prefer it manual thus Gates. (but might have to wait as they do not carry stock).

But I leave 15th for a LOB to Ambon-Banda Island-Raja Ampat.. wooohooo!!!

not sure if they can deliver on time

Then I tot about luggin all these I almost fainted (I am 5"1). Plus i hv to bring my golf clubs for after LOB plus Bali diving.

Qs:

Gates: is it ergonomic for small hands. the shop had a unit but was wrapped up for a cust so I could not actually feel it.

Gates: if I get the WA port on Gates I cant shoot small fishes anymore?.. eg shrimps.. ??

Gates: should I order the housing w the internal blue or green water filter? (I dive mostly indonesia)

HC9: is the tape really slow to transfer? can it last abt three dives using the largest batt?

HC9-Tape: how many GB for 60min of footage?

srry some of these Qs may sound too simple... but i dun have any friends who take video.. all doing photography..

so no one to ask.

need to decide fast if I am ordering Gates.

thanks guysszzz...... pls fel free to contact me if u drop by Spore...

Dun wanna go into SLR as I dun particularly enjoy editing photos.

I'm sure I'll get hisses from the photogs, but I'd say there is a lot more work involved in editing video than photos.

Putting together a short (5-10 minute) video with high production value can easily take days to weeks. Capturing the video is just the first step. Then you catalog, sort, select, trim, arrange, apply effects, colour correct, mix audio, narrate, add titles, encode and re-encode until just right. It can be painstaking, thankless work.

But it can also be a lot of fun.

Kris

I considered PM'ing the OP, but figured my comments might be valued by others.

 

 

Kris

can PM me... but im in Spore. shipping might be an issue

I'm sure I'll get hisses from the photogs, but I'd say there is a lot more work involved in editing video than photos.

 

Putting together a short (5-10 minute) video with high production value can easily take days to weeks. Capturing the video is just the first step. Then you catalog, sort, select, trim, arrange, apply effects, colour correct, mix audio, narrate, add titles, encode and re-encode until just right. It can be painstaking, thankless work.

 

But it can also be a lot of fun.

 

Kris

yup its fun.. and I only do it amateurly.. for memories sake la..

plus i usually use a music that was played often during the trip cos its meaningful...

v v simple ones...

wow thank u everyone for the reply...

 

reefpost

I have narrowed to the Sony HC9 or SR11.. more the HC9... is my bias until I read reefnet's post abt using only memory stick.. hmmm....

 

Housing is Bluefin or Gates.

I prefer it manual thus Gates. (but might have to wait as they do not carry stock).

But I leave 15th for a LOB to Ambon-Banda Island-Raja Ampat.. wooohooo!!!

not sure if they can deliver on time

 

Then I tot about luggin all these I almost fainted (I am 5"1). Plus i hv to bring my golf clubs for after LOB plus Bali diving.

 

Qs:

Gates: is it ergonomic for small hands. the shop had a unit but was wrapped up for a cust so I could not actually feel it.

Gates: if I get the WA port on Gates I cant shoot small fishes anymore?.. eg shrimps.. ??

Gates: should I order the housing w the internal blue or green water filter? (I dive mostly indonesia)

 

HC9: is the tape really slow to transfer? can it last abt three dives using the largest batt?

HC9-Tape: how many GB for 60min of footage?

 

srry some of these Qs may sound too simple... but i dun have any friends who take video.. all doing photography..

so no one to ask.

 

need to decide fast if I am ordering Gates.

thanks guysszzz...... pls fel free to contact me if u drop by Spore...

I have a HC7, in a Gates housing. Its the same Gates housing. The camera is essentially the same. I use the Fathom WP25 wide angle glass port, It will focus from the dome and out at wide angle, but for little critters will zoom in about 80% or so of the zoom range. Thus, the zoom macro feature of the camera will work, but your subject distance is then about 2 feet or so away. Making it harder to hold still. The other option is to shoot dedicated macro, doing so you put on a diopter on the lens behind a flat port. This will cut the subject distance to 1 foot or so. Or you could by the $2400 Fathom Wide lens, it support full zoom range. But thats not cheap.

Be sure to get with the WB control and test it prior to use. My WB control mouting was in an "old" location, and Gates had to send me a newer version, which works perfect now.

Tape transfer speed into the computer is real time, what it takes to playback on the camera is how long it takes to capture into the computer. Tape also saves you from having to deal with media backing up issues. Compression quality is the best. Many editing systems are "mature" and handle mini HDV well.. not so with the AVCHD.

Not sure how many GB of storage used for a tape I'd say about 10GB for 60 minutes worth of .m2t files. Give or take, if I read that right.

I am very pleased with the quality of the all mechanical Gates housing, and very very pleased with their customer service. They are fast and responsive. I purchased my housing from Joe at Marinevisions, he had everthing I needed in stock. He was responsive and friendly too.

May I know what's the difference between the Gates GP25A WA Port and the Fathom25 Imaging WA Port? there must be BIG diff as its almost double the px.....

My local dealer says the standard gets me only 50% angle and the GP25A gets me 80%

(sorry its gonna be my first so i dun know the technical terms v well)

I will for sure get the WB Control if I get it. Thanks.

When u travel how do u carry it?

Do I need to get weights for this housing? Is it Neutral? I am not very strong and my arms get tired easily.

Thanks!

Mei mei

Since you are in lah land, you have to think about PAL vs NTSC ... even for HD, esp if you are going to make DVDs for your friends. And if you buy stuff from overseas, you may have to pay GST if you are not "clever" with the custom declarations. I just shipped some stuff here and your lah customs tried to charge me GST for it and they even include the darn shipping fee in the calculation! Whassup wid dat?

You may want to check with the local dealer for the housings. Easier than dealing with international shipping etc yourself. I'm sure Gates can 3 day the housing over if you want it that bad. then the dealer can prep and teach you how to use it before your trip. It's all about how badly you want it and how much you are willing to pay for it.

Kris, our policies are based on how much we like the person. No, seriously we try not to have too many rules but pushing your goods in other forums can become a problem if one does it then others will... so we nip it in the bud so to speak. Thanks for grudgingly understanding.

Mei mei

Since you are in lah land, you have to think about PAL vs NTSC ... even for HD, esp if you are going to make DVDs for your friends.

What do u mean by PAL vs NTSC?

sorry i think it sounds stoopid.

Oh so u been to LAH land... i think our local dealer said she can ship it here in a week. dats no issue.

I just had lunch w my dive director... aka buddy aka partner...

He mentioned since I am the sort happy w a G9 camera not wanting SLR.. I wld be happy to go the way reefnet did w a SR12 instead of HC9.

** oops I just realise Gates dun make housing for SR12!!!

The downloading time is a concern and dun think I need to 'exhibit' the wavey videos on a big screen...

I feel so press for time!... GP F1 this weekend in LAH land we're gonna get busy!