Recommendation: compact camera for moving images? Options

[wobbler]

Until recently, I always thought that I needed to buy a housing for my (old) Sony PC-5, get a couple of extra lights plus a wide angle lens to be able to shoot video underwater. But, then I went out on a dive trip in Norway with some finnish divers using a small compact camera with a simple uw-housing. And, the result was just great. I then had to rethink the whole thing about what gear I need to be able to shoot video.

First of all: I do not need full DV-PAL resolution. I just want to shoot clips underwater, chuck them onto my powerbook and edit the video in Final Cut Express for further publishing on the web. That is, I probably only need a small 320x240 res (640x480 would do better of course).

Now, what compact camera + housing can you guys recommend? My dream-camera would shoot 640x480 in 24 fps, with the length of the video clips only limited by the size of the memory card in the camera. A pretty wide angle lens built in would be handy, and the ability to set the ISO to at least 800 would be great.

Does this camera exist? Or, can anyone point me in the direction of anything that actually do work when in the hunt for cheap uw-shooting? =)

This post has been edited by wobbler: Dec 11 2006, 04:30 AM

[wobbler]

I forgot to post this setup that I would like to have comments about (i.e. is there anything better in the same price range): Canon Ixus 65 + Canon WP-DC3 (housing)

The ixus 65 might be named differently in the US compared to the model names over here in Europe.

[kthan]

I use a Fujifilm F810 to shoot the following video, with Alex's Magic Filter, 640X480 res in natural light......the inbuilt range is hardly wide enough so i use an Inon WA lens. You will prob need one too i guess any cam with a 640X480 res and whose housing has the capability to attach WA lens would work very well

http://eric7han.multiply.com/video/item/1

eric

This post has been edited by kthan: Dec 28 2006, 10:48 PM

[Taxgeek]

Kinda late to the party here but . . .

Look at the Canon S1, S2 or S3 IS.

I shoot video on my old S1 IS. 640x480, 30 fps, no clip size limit. Does great in relatively dark conditions, focuses well, cheap. Canon WP-DC20 housing. Use a 4gig card and you can get 32 minutes of video. I don't have any video posted anymore.

S2, S3 may have this feature too, and they may do better still work, but I haven't looked into them.
Hope you get your video machine! :-) It's sooo fun.
Taxgeek/Susan

[n de d]

since the array of cameras is vastly greater than the array of housings, the choice of camera+housing usually starts with the housing. however ....

while many oem housings do not provide for addon lenses, it is very easy to make a 67mm adapter for any housing that has a 1/4" screw mount. such an adapter will accept 67mm macro lenses, or 67mm wideangle lenses, and allows for a wetmate magic filter (or other filter) in between the housing and lense. in my case it was the oem housing for an F810. to obtain high-end video, there is the additional issue of telescoping lenses.

when high-end is not an objective, camera choice is back at the fore. in terms of shooting video with a still camera, the main task is to find out which particular functions are available when the digicam is in video mode (functions such as zoom, exposure). for example, many digicams have optical zooming for composing stills, but that does not mean that the zoom level can be altered while shooting video clips.

personally, i'd heavily favor digicams that allow zooming in and out while shooting a clip, that have smooth, fine zoom control, and that will autofocus and autoexpose as the subject moves or scene varies.

just my two cents. if you choose to make your own 67mm adapter let me know -- i'd be happy to explain my solution.

This post has been edited by n de d: Jan 19 2007, 09:09 PM

[Taxgeek]

Yeah, n de d makes a good point. You want to make sure the zoom controls are easy to use.

The S1, for instance, is easy because it is a lever that swings back and forth, allowing the housing to use a level also to activate it, making fine control without jerkiness easy (although you're not really going to want to be zooming while "rolling" most of the time). A camera with buttons to push for zooming in and out can be a hassle underwater.

Also, you might want to compare accesibility of the white balance control, which will be your friend. S1 is fairly easy to access, so S2 and S3 might be as well, I'm not sure.

I guess I'd just go to one of the comparison sites and find cameras that have the video capability you need, then go online (here or elsewhere, there are lists) and find out whether housings are made for those cameras.

Oh, and on the adapter thingy n de d was talking about, probably a good idea to make it if you have the capability. Inon does sell adapters though, so don't eliminate a housing/camera combo just because there aren't threads or bayonet mount on its nose. :-)

[n de d]

i'd go with the INON adapter as mentioned by taxgeek, especially since the inon adapter for the oem housing is not 67mm. it just was not available back then and 67mm adapters are so easy to make ... and my lenses were 67mm.