sony's new xr520 video camera

I was always under the impression that the "one touch" mwb was able to be achieved because you could configure the mwb button on the camcorders screen anywhere you wanted it. Thus by moving it right in front of the push button, you could like push it twice I think to achieve mwb. Or something like that.

Not exactly anywhere... but almost... If its anything like my HC7/9,the one touch WB setting is actually 3-4 touches, once the screen is corretly configured; Once to open the menu, once to tell it that I want to set WB, once to set the wb. and a 4th touch.. to exit the menu.

But.. its done in the amount of time that it took you to read that sentence.

Yes the set up is the same. Thats the one down fall., because we all know MWB is critical. Thats what is so nice about the new L&M housing for the Canon HF S10...WB on the hand grip!!

Nice !!! That's probably the best color I've seen from a single chip HD camcorder shot underwater ambient light.

I was always under the impression that the "one touch" mwb was able to be achieved because you could configure the mwb button on the camcorders screen anywhere you wanted it. Thus by moving it right in front of the push button, you could like push it twice I think to achieve mwb. Or something like that.

Well it is "kind of" one touch white balance LOL. It just takes a couple of menu selections to get there. You could leave the menu "open" on the camcorder, but then the selections would interfere with the subject in the viewfinder. I am glad I got the Bluefin, as manual white balance is an essential camera control for underwater use. The auto white balance setting does not produce good results at all, and I wouldn't consider a housing for this camera that does not offer this feature.

Probably the only thing I don't like is the lack of independent shutter speed or iris control. The front camera dial is accessable on the Bluefin, so you can use manual exposure, but there is no option to shoot in either shutter priority or aperature priority. I usually shoot auto exposure anyway, and it would have been nice to be able to control the shutter speed for fast moving shots like the mako. But I think the auto exposure did just fine on that shot. Again, I am very happy and realize that my travel friendly, compact setup will have to sacrifice some of the more advanced camera features.

Well it is "kind of" one touch white balance LOL. It just takes a couple of menu selections to get there. You could leave the menu "open" on the camcorder, but then the selections would interfere with the subject in the viewfinder. I am glad I got the Bluefin, as manual white balance is an essential camera control for underwater use. The auto white balance setting does not produce good results at all, and I wouldn't consider a housing for this camera that does not offer this feature.

 

Probably the only thing I don't like is the lack of independent shutter speed or iris control. The front camera dial is accessable on the Bluefin, so you can use manual exposure, but there is no option to shoot in either shutter priority or aperature priority. I usually shoot auto exposure anyway, and it would have been nice to be able to control the shutter speed for fast moving shots like the mako. But I think the auto exposure did just fine on that shot. Again, I am very happy and realize that my travel friendly, compact setup will have to sacrifice some of the more advanced camera features.

And thanks for the compliments on the video!

I was always under the impression that the "one touch" mwb was able to be achieved because you could configure the mwb button on the camcorders screen anywhere you wanted it. Thus by moving it right in front of the push button, you could like push it twice I think to achieve mwb. Or something like that.

I was thinking the same thing!

Why can't you take it through the menu until you can just set the white balance with the next press of the button, and just leave it there once you have set white balance?

You don't have to exit out of the menu at the end do you?

Then each time, you just have to hit the button once!

Please let me know if that would work?

Also, in regards to the Canon HF S10 Bluefin Pro Housing, they can't get a Flip Macro lens into it, because of the increased diameter of the lens!

So there is a serious drop in functionality by going to the Canon. The flip macro is a FANTASTIC addition to this level of easy travel housing, and is the main reason I have decided to stick with the XR520 rather than the Canon! Having the ability to do that level of Macro with a 110 lens attched at the same time! Awesome!!

I was thinking the same thing!

 

Why can't you take it through the menu until you can just set the white balance with the next press of the button, and just leave it there once you have set white balance?

 

You don't have to exit out of the menu at the end do you?

 

Then each time, you just have to hit the button once!

 

Please let me know if that would work?

 

Also, in regards to the Canon HF S10 Bluefin Pro Housing, they can't get a Flip Macro lens into it, because of the increased diameter of the lens!

So there is a serious drop in functionality by going to the Canon. The flip macro is a FANTASTIC addition to this level of easy travel housing, and is the main reason I have decided to stick with the XR520 rather than the Canon! Having the ability to do that level of Macro with a 110 lens attched at the same time! Awesome!!

You can opt to leave the white balance menu open, but the viewing screen will then be filled with the white balance selection options (this screen displays option boxes for auto, indoor, and outdoor in addition to manual)...not really good for framing, checking focus, etc. Its not a big deal to open, set, and close out the menu but it isn't one touch.

Yes the set up is the same. Thats the one down fall., because we all know MWB is critical. Thats what is so nice about the new L&M housing for the Canon HF S10...WB on the hand grip!!

A buddy of mine in the area has one of those nice housings with the cool IR linked handgrip controller. He loves it, or loved it.. until the other day when I asked him how his video shoot went his most recent day of diving. He said it didnt. The thing wouldnt work... Later.. he realized the battery in the handle had gotten low. THe cool IR link wouldnt work and his entire days worth of video was missed.

I'm not saying the LMI housings are a bad thing,,, but there are some potential benefits to a "all mechanical" housing. Even if it may take a few more "pushes" to get something to work.

I guess we live in a world of tradeoffs..

Hi everyone,

I have a Sony HC3 and wanted to get a Gates housing but the XR520 seems to be a lot better camera so I guess I will wait. The only housing available right now is the L&M one. Does anyone know what Gates is planning? Any opinions on full electronic control vs. all manual?

Thanks,

Don

Hi everyone,

I have a Sony HC3 and wanted to get a Gates housing but the XR520 seems to be a lot better camera so I guess I will wait. The only housing available right now is the L&M one. Does anyone know what Gates is planning? Any opinions on full electronic control vs. all manual?

Thanks,

Don

I understand the Gates will be 2-3 months but not 100% on that, hopefully someone can give you a better eta!

Ikelite have one now as well.

Personally I think both electronic & manual controls have their place. There are advantages to each, but it seems to me, a combination of both that give you the benefit of each is the best option, as long as you can afford it! Manual controls in front of the hand grips (trigger style) so they can be used without moving hands, electronic controls on handles giving you access to main controls. A simple interface for manual white balance (a must in my opinion) for really good footage.

The L & M give you this, not sure on what Gates is going to do yet, Ikelite is of course always full manual controls.

Obviously there is a cost benefit to manual control, but a loss in functionality as when you're filming, (moving your hands off the handles and twisting knobs, it is going to make it harder to keep steady). Plus "manual control only" housings tend to be bigger, (cheaper to make as they're not camera specific boxes, just change position of buttons for each model) which gives you more air volume, which means you need more weight and have a bigger size/weight to travel with.

Electronic controls give you more functions without moving your hands, but sometimes earlier models could be prone to stop working half way through a dive, leak plus you need to change batteries every year or so.

It comes down like most things on what you are going to do with it. What your own "pet peaves" are, and what budget you can convince the Wife to spend on it!

Not a lot of answers, like most things it is down to each of us to find a solution that fits as closely as we can for as many of the things we want, that we can afford!

Hope that helps a little!?

Don,

Gates' estimate for the Xr 500/520 housings is July sometime (no exact date pinpointed).

Hi,

My Aditech housing can take my HC-3, HC-9 with electronic one push button manual white balance. Mr. Juan of Aditech informed me that they will have the new electronic circuit board for XR520 avaiable in 2-3 weeks time. Great !!

I can send my housing back to Aditech Spain for upgrade. But I am not sure if the new circuit board can control HC-3,HC-9 at the same time or not. But anyway, it is so great to have a chance to upgrade without buying a new housing.

I just picked up a new XR520 camera and am looking at a few housings. Price is a factor but I want the manual white balance feature. Any suggestions on the following housings?:

Aquatica HD Wave

Blue Fin Pro

Gates

Ikelite

I am a total noob at filming underwater and I dont want to be upgrading in the next few years if I settle. In six years I will be doing this full time. I do want to have the ability to add lights to my new setup in the near (one year) as well and the LED lights are very tempting but expensive.

Thanks,

Jacob

I just picked up a new XR520 camera and am looking at a few housings. Price is a factor but I want the manual white balance feature. Any suggestions on the following housings?:

 

Aquatica HD Wave

Blue Fin Pro

Gates

Ikelite

 

 

I am a total noob at filming underwater and I dont want to be upgrading in the next few years if I settle. In six years I will be doing this full time. I do want to have the ability to add lights to my new setup in the near (one year) as well and the LED lights are very tempting but expensive.

 

Thanks,

 

Jacob

Hi Jacob,

I have just got this camera as well. And have ordered one of the housings above complete with lights, super wide angle lens blah blah blah! But I have a particular trip that I had to get the ball rolling for, so pulled the trigger based on that.

The camera is very good, so you should get a good few years out of it!

6 years is a long time in technology these days, so I think if you are going to be doing it full time then, I wouldn't go crazy over the top on spending at this stage. You will want to offer the best possible in 6 years time, and have to upgrade at that time to offer it.

You've got a great camera, it comes down to functionality and ergonomics of the housing. Gates will not release their housing until July, so unless you have a particular trip planned, hold off until all the details, design and pricing are released for that.

It is a hard decision, but really comes down to how much you want to spend. Seeing that pricing is a factor, that pretty much rules out the Light & Motion ($4200) and probably the Gates (still to be advised).

The pricing of the Aquatica is cheaper than L & M and probably the Gates at around $2400 but is still more than the Ikelite which is only $1300, and to be honest, the Aquatica having those buttons covering your screen when you're trying to shoot could get annoying. But it makes it easy to access all the touch screen controls so is personal preference.

The Ikelite is the best priced, and still gives you access to the Touch Screen on the camera which you need for White Balance, so this seems to be the best value for money. Have a look at dimensions and weight if you are going to fly with it though, as this can become a factor.

Anyway, good luck with the decision making, it's great fun buying toys like this, but just remember, there's always some kind of comprimise with housing a camera, I haven't found a perfect system yet!

Hope that helps a little...and there are far more knowledgable people on this forum that may be able to help hopefully!

I understand the Gates will be 2-3 months but not 100% on that, hopefully someone can give you a better eta!

 

Ikelite have one now as well.

 

Personally I think both electronic & manual controls have their place. There are advantages to each, but it seems to me, a combination of both that give you the benefit of each is the best option, as long as you can afford it! Manual controls in front of the hand grips (trigger style) so they can be used without moving hands, electronic controls on handles giving you access to main controls. A simple interface for manual white balance (a must in my opinion) for really good footage.

 

The L & M give you this, not sure on what Gates is going to do yet, Ikelite is of course always full manual controls.

 

Obviously there is a cost benefit to manual control, but a loss in functionality as when you're filming, (moving your hands off the handles and twisting knobs, it is going to make it harder to keep steady). Plus "manual control only" housings tend to be bigger, (cheaper to make as they're not camera specific boxes, just change position of buttons for each model) which gives you more air volume, which means you need more weight and have a bigger size/weight to travel with.

 

Electronic controls give you more functions without moving your hands, but sometimes earlier models could be prone to stop working half way through a dive, leak plus you need to change batteries every year or so.

 

It comes down like most things on what you are going to do with it. What your own "pet peaves" are, and what budget you can convince the Wife to spend on it!

 

Not a lot of answers, like most things it is down to each of us to find a solution that fits as closely as we can for as many of the things we want, that we can afford!

 

Hope that helps a little!?

It does, thanks! Relocating to Hong Kong in September so going to get the housing then. and the next trip either to Palawan, Philippines, or to Truk. :-) (If my new employer agrees, that is ... ;-)