Flip UltraHD

Has anybody used the Flip UltraHD before? I was recommended the older version on this site a while ago but now I can't find the thread. This is the newer Flip camcorder version and it seems there is still a cheap UW housing available.

This looks like a solution that could go to 30 ft for around $200. I'm looking to do some simple video while snorkeling in freshwater. Thx!

Flip UltraHD

UW Housing

Hi Griggs, I have recently used the Flip Ultra HD in an Ikelite housing. This video http://www.vimeo.com/7203626 was shot using the W20 wide angle lens and one 24 watt HID video light. Editing was done with the Flip software too. This http://www.vimeo.com/7264670 was shot w/o lights using the supplied color correcting lens in ~30' FFW. The Flip definitely won't replace my FX-1 but for the money it's a steal considering the whole system (camera, housing w/Ikelite video light) costs less than my Gate's monitor! It's so compact that I clip it off and carry along while I'm shooting with my SLR as well.-Alan

Thanks for the response! Those videos look beyond the quality of what I need!

You may want to wait until this camera comes out and reviews hit.

http://helmetcameracentral.com/2009/07/22/...t-cam-announce/

Advantages over the Flip, on paper, include:

- ~$300 includes the housing

- Much wider FOV

Disadvantages:

- No LCD for framing until the add-on comes in December

I talked to their customer support and they have verified that it is scuba capable. I guess the same housing was used for previous model.

I ordered one and as soon as I get it I will post some impressions.

Review of this camera was posted yesterday:

http://gizmodo.com/5396576/gopro-hero-hd-camera-review

Review of this camera was posted yesterday:

http://gizmodo.com/5396576/gopro-hero-hd-camera-review

Very slick, but how is this even a serious option with no LCD to see what you're shooting? Great if you're attaching it to a surfboard, skate helmet or dirt bike, and I suppose for unattended scootercam swim-throughs it could work out, but for actual video work you need a screen.

Very slick, but how is this even a serious option with no LCD to see what you're shooting? Great if you're attaching it to a surfboard, skate helmet or dirt bike, and I suppose for unattended scootercam swim-throughs it could work out, but for actual video work you need a screen.

The LCD is a $50 add-on. As you said, for certain kinds of video you don't need it, but it will be available next month (they claim) and it fits in the housing. (Or comes with a replacement housing rear hatch.)

Even with the LCD add-on it seems to be a lot cheaper than the Flip + Ike housing. If you want wide angle the price difference increases even more.

From what I have seen from my Flip, video quality overall seems to be pretty similar.

Is there a depth rating on it? Sounds like an awesome option...mount it right on top a DSLR housing

Is there a depth rating on it? Sounds like an awesome option...mount it right on top a DSLR housing

200' per Ikelite's website.

http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/flip_ultra.html

200' per Ikelite's website.

 

http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/flip_ultra.html

WOW... very nice results! That Vid is spectacular, especially considering the cost and size.

This video camera has certainly piqued my interest. It's so small one could easily freedive with it and the wide angle lens can be moved from camera to camera- as long as you stay with Ikelite.

The question I have is that Ikelite makes the housing in three different versions. They have one for the FLIP Ultra HD http://ikelite.com/web_two/flip_ultra.html , one for the JVC Picsio GC-FM1 http://ikelite.com/web_two/jvc_fm1.html , and one for the Kodak Zx1 http://ikelite.com/web_two/kodak_zx1.html . All three seem to have their own pluses and minuses, but what seems to be the general consensus on which one is best?

Jon

I have been playing with both the Flip Ultra HD in Ike housing, and the new JVC package from Ikelite. I have yet to hold or play with the Kodak camera. My input so far, I like the Flip Ultra HD better than the Ike/JVC combo. The flip feels much better built. I like that it has the flip out USB connector for charging and downloading. The JVC you must use a cable to charge it or download it...however the JVC does allow you to use a memory card as opposed to just built in.

Initially, i find the Flip to be a better quality image as well. Ill be putting it to more tests very soon and have some sample video. These are all EXCELLENT for freedivers due to their small size and ease of use.

How does the video quality of the FLIP compare to the HD video I have on my Panasonic TZ-5- or their new one, the ZS3??

I looked closely at the FLIP, Kodak ZX1, and JVC, but ended up going in a different direction. I just ordered a Panasonic TS1. It has image stabilization and an optical zoom- something missing in the FLIP. Images on the others didn't look as good to me in person, so I crossed them off of my list. I bought the housing to go with it and plan on adding a wide angle lens to it before ice diving starts around here. The whole unit is so tiny I can mount it on top of my Hawaiian sling without any issues. I would consider adding a ligth to it, but it would have to be small- since I'm diving tank free these days.

Jon

I just ordered one. I thought it would be nice to put on top of my DSLR housing. Might get another year or two out of my D70s now.

Paul

We just got in our first batch of HD Hero cameras and Russ Sanonian brought one with him the Philippines and will be testing it there. The lack of LCD is definitely a limitation on the HD Hero, but as a multipurpose camera (bike/surf/helmet/underwater) it is certainly interesting. Could be interesting as a scooter cam or even mounted to one's hood or on top of an SLR as a secondary camera.

As I understand it, a major advantage of the JVC Picsio is that it will focus down to around an inch, whereas the Flip specs state that it will focus from 1.5 meters to infinity. This would obviously be a huge advantage underwater.

Sometime early next year we'll be posting a head-to-head article with the HD Hero, the Flip and the JVC Picsio.

I hope you can figure out a way to get the Hero video sharper. Underwater, it is pretty blurry! I asked their tech support about it, and they said it was a known issue, but wasn't a big deal on the previous standard def version. They said that a different lens or housing was something they were looking at, but I am not holding my breath. (Why advertise a scuba rated housing if it's gonna be blurry when used submerged? Sigh.)

Sample taken by someone over on ScubaBoard:

http://www.vimeo.com/7635923

Here is the link to the Flip Ultra HD Video we shot last week at Catalina. We also shot the JVC Picsio at the same time. That video will be up this weekend. The Flip Ultra picture quality was much better than the JVC! The JVC was very noisy in low light and did not have as good of color saturation.

I think its important to note, the videos are all shot with no red filter, ambient light, and no editing done. Showing the RAW footage of what its capable of is important to me.

Flip Ultra Sample Video

Good thread!

I would like to get something to video in the pool while I do stills. Has anyone seen or used the Bell & Howell DV550UW? It's not HD as far as I can see. It comes with a housing, rated at 30' or so and is only $79.

Thanks for any heads up on it.

MP

Good thread!

 

I would like to get something to video in the pool while I do stills. Has anyone seen or used the Bell & Howell DV550UW? It's not HD as far as I can see. It comes with a housing, rated at 30' or so and is only $79.

 

Thanks for any heads up on it.

 

MP

Anybody?