It's time for a real camera

Alright, I have been shooting video for a while and have fallen in love with it and want to get into underwater videography. I am not to HD yet and it is time to move in that direction. I want to buy a system that will last for a while (dont we all). I am most worried about the camera. I want something that will give me outstanding HD video on land and in the water, but not cost 5000.00 for the camera. I want to start selling footage, making some great DVDs, and be able to have anyone use my footage. Here is the big question....

How far into the spectrum of cameras do I need to go to produce that quality of video? Will the Sony FX7 be enough or is a better system needed?

Am I going to have to lean toward something like the Sony HVR-Z5U?

I am not sold on Sony, just using it as an example.

Thanks!

I want to start selling footage, making some great DVDs, and be able to have anyone use my footage. Here is the big question....

 

How far into the spectrum of cameras do I need to go to produce that quality of video? Will the Sony FX7 be enough or is a better system needed?

 

Am I going to have to lean toward something like the Sony HVR-Z5U?

 

I am not sold on Sony, just using it as an example.

If you want to sell to the networks, then you should be looking at something like the Sony EX1R or better. If you just want to sell DVD's, trip videos, etc, then the FX7 or similar camera will work just fine.

Canon will be announcing their latest camera, probably at NAB, which will more than likely meet, or exceed the same standards as the EX1R.

Thanks for the reply. Other opinions are welcome too. The more the better.

If you want to sell to the networks, then you should be looking at something like the Sony EX1R or better. If you just want to sell DVD's, trip videos, etc, then the FX7 or similar camera will work just fine.

Canon will be announcing their latest camera, probably at NAB, which will more than likely meet, or exceed the same standards as the EX1R.

Selling your footage will be your biggest obstacle. You might be in for some surprises on how difficult it is and how little you make annually.

I am sure that is true, but I really want to do this because I love doing it!

Selling your footage will be your biggest obstacle. You might be in for some surprises on how difficult it is and how little you make annually.

What are your expectations ? I know many start out with great ideas and intentions only to find no one willing to pay for their footage and they give up after selling a handful of DVD's. Don't want to rain on your parade, but you might want to research more to be sure you understand what you're up against. Many never recoup the costs of the equipment investment.

This is stating the obvious but you need to choose the housing and port(s) in tandem with the housing. No point having a fantastic camera behind crappy glass or in a housing that doesn't allow you to access important functions.

I would get a camera that shoots progressive and on to some sort of memory card. I hate interlacing and tapes.

Also check out how well your chosen NLE works with the formats/codecs that you're considering.

I agree with Nick, Ron and Joe totally. To sell your footage as HD to a network will require EX1R or equiv or better so you would be looking at a 20K set up with housing and port etc. If you want to sell DVD's then an FX7 will be fine, also the FX7 would be of an okay standard to sell footage via one of the many stock footage agencies. But I reckon if you go hard and get around 1000 clips uploaded to these sites you would be looking at an average return of around 10K PA. And for that you would be working pretty hard with uploading keywording etc etc.

There are very few people that make there full income from underwater video, my suggestion would be to look at getting on a livaboard as the on board videoographer or working on some topside projects.

From my personal experience I can make over double what I make on a commercial shoot topside than I do underwater and underwater costs me more! I'm sure that reasoning is due to the fact that everyone wants to work underwater and the opportunities are very limited.

Good luck and the best advice I ever heard was to buy the best equipment you can afford, learn how to use it and be creative.

When you say 10k PA are you meaning 10,000 bucks yearly?

I agree with Nick, Ron and Joe totally. To sell your footage as HD to a network will require EX1R or equiv or better so you would be looking at a 20K set up with housing and port etc. If you want to sell DVD's then an FX7 will be fine, also the FX7 would be of an okay standard to sell footage via one of the many stock footage agencies. But I reckon if you go hard and get around 1000 clips uploaded to these sites you would be looking at an average return of around 10K PA. And for that you would be working pretty hard with uploading keywording etc etc.

There are very few people that make there full income from underwater video, my suggestion would be to look at getting on a livaboard as the on board videoographer or working on some topside projects.

From my personal experience I can make over double what I make on a commercial shoot topside than I do underwater and underwater costs me more! I'm sure that reasoning is due to the fact that everyone wants to work underwater and the opportunities are very limited.

 

Good luck and the best advice I ever heard was to buy the best equipment you can afford, learn how to use it and be creative.

my suggestion would be to look at getting on a liveaboard as the on board videoographer.

If this is feasible for you, then I couldn't agree with Jon more.

A couple things this would do.

1. You'll still be getting a paycheck.

2. The amount of video you would shoot and the amount you would learn in this type of scenario would be much greater than any thing else you could do.