BigPhillyFish

Well my Light & Motion HF-S10 housing and my Light & Motion Sun 2000 lights should be here Monday or Tuesday from Mike at H20 Photo Pro's. So I should be in the water messing around with it like Wed, or as soon as it gets here. As soon as I get it done, I will through it up on Vimeo.

Well as an HF-S10 owner, and after numerous testing between the S10 and the Sony 520V, the Canon was a clear winner for me. Shooting video both topside and underwater, low light capability wasen't the only requirement for a good video camera. Keep in mind the Canon offers manual gain control, so I have seen the S10 beat the 520V in low light if set-up correctly and with a lot less noise then the Sony. In day light the Canon is the superior winner, the OIS of Sony is nice indeed. With the S10, Canon stole a few nice things from Panasonic, JVC and Sony and threw them on a flash based camera with a 24M/bps bitrate. Now I don't own any prosumer cameras but have spoken with and seen footage from people who own both the S10 and the Panny HVX200 and the S10 and the Sony FX1, and both guys stated the S10 was the same if not slightly better then the lower end prosumer models. Granted they are older prosumer models, but you can definitely see what the bit rate increase does for AVCHD. As far as the joystick control, Gates makes an awesome joystick control for the Red One Housing. If Gates makes a joystick control for the Canon HF-S10, watch out! Because this would give you complete control of the camera underwater from manual focus, manual gain, manual everything. If they design the new housing with a joystick control, which I don't see any way around it for white balance, there will be nothing better in the water in the consumer category, IMO. You would have a bullet proof housing, with a consumer camera that has full manual control. It will be sick! But hey, this is just my opinion. But if your intrested in this camera check out my Vimeo channel at http://vimeo.com/channels/35766. There you will find comparison shots of the S10 and 520V, and comparison shots of other camera's, you will also see what the camera is really capable of doing. Keep in mind Vimeo is pretty good with video, but not great. If you really want to see, download some of the footage and throw it up on a tv.

I know the Loc-Line makes noise, but no more then when your breathing. I used a piece of 3/8" PVC pipe inside of the loc-line and it stops loc-line from collapsing, yet is still very flexible. I did the same set-up for my UK Light Canon, because the light is so heavy. But, if you connect the loc-line to a metal plate you could put 3, 4 or even 5 legs off of it. And if there spread out enough, shouldn't have any problems. When my video rig comes in, I will have to make one up, and test it out. I just didn't like the metal on the other Gorilla thing. Salt water would eat through that pretty quick.

Do you have or know a place I can see and learn the difference of this interlaced and progressive scan. I was also reading some consumer reviews, and it seems the V1U, people are having some issues with the XLR ports? Anybody have anything on that! Simon, thank you for the input. Of course I am just trying to understand the difference in the camera's, I have half the people saying FX-7 and the other half V1U. The price difference isn't the problem at all, I just don't want to pay for extra, if it really isn't making a difference. The underwater housings are the same exact model for the FX7 and V1U, so its just making the camera choice.

Steve, I was just thinking the same thing the other day. Well somewhat the same thing. I was going to make an underwater video tri-pod out of Loc-Line. Which I believe the same material. They use them for video and flash arms, and being plastic should not be any problem in saltwater. The only problem I see with the Gorillapod versus making one with Loc-Line, is the Gorillapod does have some type of metal in it. If you just take a piece of flat aluminum or stainless, drill three holes, and bolt on three Loc-Lines you have almost the same thing, except you know it will be good in seawater. I have to wait for my housing before I can fit it out. The reason I like the Loc-Line versus commercially available tri-pods for underwater, is cost and flexibality.

Well most of the use will be underwater, but I was hoping to do some top side nature stuff, maybe mess around with making some little film stuff. Really not to sure about the topside stuff yet. But I would think with the optional frame rates, and being progressive, it would make some difference under water. My whole idea with the V1U, is cost versus product. Right now the FX-7 can be had for $1999.00 US, and the V1U can be had for $3,000.00 US, and the new FX1000 is running $3,200.00. So for $1,000.00 more I am getting more options, way better audio, and the progressive scan (still trying to find out what that does for the video quality). And for $200.00 less I am still getting more then the FX1000. Is there also some more video menu options on the V1U that I should be aware of? Well let me see what other people think. The FX-7 is a viable option, that is for sure. I just thought I would be better off with the V1U. But Thanks.

Still in my research phase, of my purchase. And I thought I would throw another one at the guru's. I looked into the V-1U and FX7 and they both seem reasonably priced. But I read the difference's between the two camera's and this is what I found: From camcorderinfo.com "The Sony HVR-V1U is the Professional version of the Consumer HDR-FX7 (Review, Specs, Recent News, $2599). In essence, this means that these camcorders share their core imaging specs and are built around the same compact chassis. Both camcorders feature three ¼ ClearVID CMOS sensors and a 20x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T*, F1.6 2.8, 62mm filter diameter lens. At first glance, the camcorders seem similar. However, the V1U adds XLR terminals and a black exterior that makes the medium grey color of the FX7 appear less serious. Yet to fully grasp the myriad upgrades that differentiate the $4800 V1U from the $3600 FX7, you have got to lift up the hood. The enhancements that will get potential buyers of the V1U in the door are probably the progressive scan (24p and 30p) and XLR terminals features which are must-haves for many DPs and producers. Yet for the connoisseur, the V1U menu presents a host of delicacies that you wont find on the FX7 shorter menu. Many options are expanded in the V1U: white balance gains additional presets; Cinematone Gamma adds another option; Smooth Slow Record gains 3 and 12 second options and the list goes on. More significantly, the V1U gains some desirable features that are not offered at all on the FX7. Camera profiles can be shared via MemoryStick and emailed to distant colleagues; multiple framing guides and view options are offered (4:3, 13:9, 14:9, and 16:9, 80% and 90% safety zones, and All Scan Mode). Along with two XLR terminals, the V1U adds independent level control over each channel, noise reduction, trim, and wind cut, while numerous Time Code settings allow both syncing with other V1Us (via i.Link) and various preset, user bit, and format options. We like the HDR-FX7, but the HDR-V1U is a much more capable camcorder. Various microprocessor-based options available on the V1U are not available on the FX7 and in all likelihood, enabling them wouldnt have cost Sony a penny. In other words, short of the addition of XLR inputs and onboard audio mixing, the truncated option list on the FX7 seems implemented to widen the chasm separating these camcorders and justify their price points. We rather shoot with the $4800 HDR-V1U, based primarily on its expanded audio options and progressive scan abilities, but neither camcorder is a match for the sub-$4000 Canon XH A1 DONT MIND THE PRICES THERE OLD" So what does the progressvie scan 24p and 30p really do for the camera and the video? The added menu options of the V1U, the frame guides and various microprocessor-based options along with the XLR terminals and independent audio controls seem to make a large price difference in the camera. Do these additions, of the V1U justify the price? Appreciate the input, Thanks!

Thought I would have gotten more action then 5 votes. Given you all a chance to spend someone else's money I stand corrected 6 votes.

Drew, It appears you have some type of access to white balance. SeaTool - "Basic Functions: All touch panel functions including 'One Touch' white balance Power Mode change Record/standby Zoom (variable speed) Photo AF/MF switch Strobe ON/OFF switch I am not to familiar with this unit, so I am not sure about "One Touch" white balance. SeaTool USA I have to admit, the SR12 Seatool housing is a sweet housing. At only 3 lbs., a monitor back, access to touch panel functions, small, and electronic controls. This is probably the perfect package for the serious traveler. Would be easy to take as carry on, so less worries of any damage or missing equipment. But it does come at a cost, and for the size of this housing and having plastic, it's a hefty price.

Well there is a few differences! See this Comparison. Still picture resolution 4 Meg versus 10.2 Meg 15x Optical zoom versus 12 x Optical zoom. The HDR-SR10D is min. 8 lux illumination (lower number is better) 2.7" Viewer versus 3.2" Assignable dial Headphone Jack $200.00 MSRP If this is for underwater use, you want the HDR-SR12. Hope the link helps.

Mike, I will say I like the SeaTool SR-12 housing. With the monitor back and the fact that you can access all the menu features through the touch pad inserts on the side of the housing. With that housing you can pretty much do everything, you would normally be able to do top side. This housing seems to offer the most for that camera. But then again it comes at a serious price.

Well after weeks of research I am down to a few choices. I wanted to see what the video guru's thought about my choices. I threw in the FX-7 because, I was also waiting to see the reviews for the new Canon HF-S10 and the Sony HDR-XR500V. But if they are both going to be $1299.00 then for $600.00 more I can get the FX7. Hence the thread title, " better camera cheaper housing or cheaper camera better housing?". I was hoping to keep the cost below $4,000.00, since this is a first time HD rig for me, and since I still have a lot of learning to do. Yes the FX7 with an Ikelite case is double the lowest rig I listed, but I am getting at least twice the camera. So what do you think? If you have an idea thats not listed in the poll, please feel free to enlighten me? Thanks for your input! Ed Edit: And the prices in the poll are housing and camera! Thanks!

I just saw this today, and thought it was a type-o or some type of gimmick! It sounds like a pretty decent deal!