Canon HF S10

[Ryan 48]

I am thinking about the L & M Housing for this. Do you know what the story is with control on the L & M housing? White Balance etc?

 

I'm not Mike, but I think he is on vacation, so I'll jump in here.

 

The housing has Mechanical Controls that access the on/off button, the custom button, and the custom dial.

 

The Right Electronic Grip accesses REC, Zoom, Function Button, and the Set Button.

 

The Left Electronic Grip accesses IR Control of the lights, UP, Down, Left, and Right Arrows on the joystick.

 

My plan is to run exposure on the left handle, changed via the left & righ arrows.

I have AF/MF assigned to the custom button, allowing me to toggle focus with that mechanical control. If I need true manual focus ability is is there w/ three button pushes on the left electronic handle, or by the custom dial mechanically.

 

The Func. button (right handle) remembers your last menu tab, so assuming your last operation was a one push white balance, this is a two button press execution (Func., Then Set).

 

This is a very, very functional housing.

 

Also have you heard what the specs are for the WA Lenses?

 

They are in development, but no specs have been released yet.

Edited June 8, 2009 by Ryan

[Solo_NZ 0]

I'm not Mike, but I think he is on vacation, so I'll jump in here.

 

The housing has Mechanical Controls that access the on/off button, the custom button, and the custom dial.

 

The Right Electronic Grip accesses REC, Zoom, Function Button, and the Set Button.

 

The Left Electronic Grip accesses IR Control of the lights, UP, Down, Left, and Right Arrows on the joystick.

 

My plan is to run exposure on the left handle, changed via the left & righ arrows.

I have AF/MF assigned to the custom button, allowing me to toggle focus with that mechanical control. If I need true manual focus ability is is there w/ three button pushes on the left electronic handle, or by the custom dial mechanically.

 

The Func. button (right handle) remembers your last menu tab, so assuming your last operation was a one push white balance, this is a two button press execution (Func., Then Set).

 

This is a very, very functional housing.

 

 

 

They are in development, but no specs have been released yet.

 

 

Thanks heaps for this info!

 

The housing sounds great for all those manual controls! Very functional!!

 

I guess it's a waiting game on the WA Lenses. Hopefully it won't be too long, as I need to pull the trigger in the next 6 weeks, and it's either this or the Sony XR520 Light & Motion housing, but I really need the Fathom 110 lens for the Sony (or equivalent for this housing). Waiting, waiting, waiting...

 

I am really leaning this way from a "control of the camera" and "not loosing everything if a HDD fails or housing leaks" point of view.

 

But totally depends on when it's all available and specs/design on the lenses.

[Mike L 0]

Hey Ryan, I wouldn't call it Vacation, its work!! hahaha. But since the weather is crappy, we cant get out to film Sperm Whales, so Im able to hop on here.

 

Ryan got all your questions answered I believe. Let us know if you have any more. The Housing is available in the next week or two. I believe our shipment is scheduled to ship out from L&M sometime next week. So they are available in plenty of time (housings anyway). If you must have the WA for your trip, the XR 520 might be the way to go. As of now, no lead time on the WA lens. I know L&M as well as Gates are both working with Fathom to get a lens to fit this camera.

[Solo_NZ 0]

Hey Ryan, I wouldn't call it Vacation, its work!! hahaha. But since the weather is crappy, we cant get out to film Sperm Whales, so Im able to hop on here.

 

Ryan got all your questions answered I believe. Let us know if you have any more. The Housing is available in the next week or two. I believe our shipment is scheduled to ship out from L&M sometime next week. So they are available in plenty of time (housings anyway). If you must have the WA for your trip, the XR 520 might be the way to go. As of now, no lead time on the WA lens. I know L&M as well as Gates are both working with Fathom to get a lens to fit this camera.

 

 

Also found out that the L & M Bluefin Pro HF S10 housing can't have a flip macro lens, as the diameter of the camera lens is to big. And the WA lenses won't be here until September, so XR520 it is I'm afraid!

 

It's a pity, as I think the reliability of SDHC Cards rather than HDD is an advantage, and the control on the housing for the Canon is awesome, plus the camera itself is at least as good as the Sony, but with a couple of (smallish) advantages.

 

It's incredibly hard to get a perfect setup in a compact travel freindly system, but L & M seem to have come super close with this latest round of models of the Bluefin Pro!

 

I guess it comes down to what is more important to you, but that Macro flip lens means you can shoot either super Macro or super wide angle on the one dive, and that is awesome underwater!

Edited June 12, 2009 by Solo_NZ

[BDSC 1]

I was kinda hoping we would be seeing some uw video with the HF S10 by now. Help us out guys!

[Mike L 0]

Our housing shipment is on its way. Im taking it out ASAP when it arrives.

[BDSC 1]

Excellent! Looking forward to some video and your thoughts on the set-up.

[lemon 0]

I was kinda hoping we would be seeing some uw video with the HF S10 by now. Help us out guys!

 

What he said!

[Mike L 0]

Ok two things.

 

1. L&M confirmed yesterday that Fathom has committed to making a 80-90 degree port and a 100-110 degree port for the HF S10 housing!!

 

2. Ill be spending next weekend over at Catalina diving and testing the HF S10 in the LM housing. If anyone is local in Southern Cal and would like to come out and join me to play with this new bad boy, let me know!! Ill be diving one day at Casino Point and another day aboard the King Neptune.

[Mike L 0]

Here is the latest specs on the Fathom 100 degree port as just released by Light & Motion:

 

Details are:

 

Finished optical design of a 100 deg FOV lens for S-10:

• FOV ~ 100 degrees

• Full zoom thru in water

• MOD at full zoom ~290 mm

• Image space "Diagonal CCD Fill" ~ 82 mm diagonal object height

• Distortion at Full Wide < 2 %

• Air / water split shot capability

• Ensquared energy > 90% over entire field at all focal length settings

 

This design is finished and heading into manufacturing next week.

[BDSC 1]

Hey Mike,

 

If you get the chance, can you confirm that the Bluefin Pro housing for the S10 will not have the flip macro feature. I think that is a great addition for the housing for the Sony 520 but it was posted that that won't be possible with the Canon.

 

Thanks!

 

Ash

[Mike L 0]

Hi Ash,

 

You are correct, it will NOT have the flip macro unfortunately.

[BDSC 1]

OK. Thanks Mike!

[johnny boy 0]

If it doesn't have a flip macro, then it's not a bluefin 'pro' housing as such is it? The bluefin pro (according to the L & M website) only difference over the standard bluefin is the addition of a flip macro. therefore this L & M housing should be priced accordingly.

[matt215 3]

ok is there a consensus yet? i'm debating these two cameras too. i need a camera, housing, and wide angle lens by mid-august. decisions, decisions.

[Solo_NZ 0]

If it doesn't have a flip macro, then it's not a bluefin 'pro' housing as such is it? The bluefin pro (according to the L & M website) only difference over the standard bluefin is the addition of a flip macro. therefore this L & M housing should be priced accordingly.

 

 

If you have a look at the "Article" link at the bottom of www.uwimaging.com home page, it actually is called the Bluefin "C" Housing, and is the same price as the Standard Bluefin, not the Bluefin Pro, so it is priced exactly as you want! Good to see a company not trying to rip us off eh!

Edited June 22, 2009 by Solo_NZ

[Solo_NZ 0]

ok is there a consensus yet? i'm debating these two cameras too. i need a camera, housing, and wide angle lens by mid-august. decisions, decisions.

 

I doubt you'll ever get a consensus here!

 

But it really depends on whether you need/want/want really badly, the flip macro lens.

 

If you do, at the moment, L & M and the XR520 is the only combo.

 

This totally changes the functionality of the housing underwater. Sure with a good wide angle you can still get Macro, but nothing like the magnification of this flip macro lens!

 

That being said, gates will have the XR520 housing out next month sometime, so they might integrate one?

 

As for housing choice, it depends on how long you want/need to get get to know your new system before getting into the real world with it. I have a big trip in mid August too, so wanted at least 6 weeks with it before flying away with it. New camera/housing/lights/software for HD... it's a lot to learn!

 

It is a hard decision, but really comes down to how much you want to spend. Top of the line 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 (if money is the deciding factor). Have a look at dimensions and weight if you are going to fly with it though, as this can become a negative.

 

I went with the XR520 in L & M, but only because I "really" wanted the ability to use flip macro and superwide angle on the same dive.

 

If I didn't want that, I would have gone for the Canon HFS 10 for 4 reasons.

 

1. Dealing with solid state "Memory Cards" is always going to be more reliable than a hard drive long term. (Get top quality cards, never cheap).

 

2. If you ever flood the housing, you don't loose every frame you shot since you last downloaded to your PC! Just what's on the card (and maybe not that if you can dry it out quickly!)

 

3. More natural colour performance from the Canon, (by quite a bit looking at the reviews) and records in 24Mbit/s rather than Sony 16.

 

4. Easier one touch white balance, as it can be done through the electronic controls on the housing, rather than the touch screen (if your housing has that type of control). L & M do, Gates probably will.

 

But it's not like the Sony is horrible, it really is an amazing "little" camera, and it is "slightly better" at low light situations with noise etc) than the HFS 10, but they both are very good at manual white balance underwater from what I hear.

 

I think the call is a hard one, and as always, there are compromises whichever way you go!

 

Hope that helps a little!

Edited June 22, 2009 by Solo_NZ

[Steve Douglas 16]

I'm also strongly considering this little Canon as the Light and Motion housing for it appears to be one fine housing and meets most shooters needs. The Canon itself with a higher bit rate will certainly produce better footage which has been shown in several footage comparisons I have seen. Since I have been doing more commercial topside work as of late, I am concerned with the proprietary hotshoe and the need for an XLR adaptor for topside audio. Not everyone can afford a Red One and the Scarlet is still far off. At NAB, they didn't even have a mock up of it.

Steve

[LilBear 0]

Our housing shipment is on its way. Im taking it out ASAP when it arrives.

 

Anxiously awaiting some sample video and a report on the Canon and the L&M Housing.

[Mike L 0]

Lilbear,

 

Got the housings in...havent been in the water, but I am leaving Sunday with it for Holbox, Mexico...and will have sample video and full report when I get back...and maybe while im there.

[Scubacastor 3]

Hi,

 

just to say that I've received yesterday my housing for the HF-S10 from Aditech-UW in Spain. I'll do some underwater testing next week and I'll try to post some pics here. This housing (infrared control) looks great as it allows a full control of the camcorder i.e. the usual functions plus full access to the various menus of the camcorder. So far, I only their flat port but I plan to buy a WP80 wide angle port.

 

For those who may be interested by alternate solutions other than Gates, L&M or Ikelite or european videographers, Aditech is probably worth a look at their products.

[lemon 0]

Hi,

 

just to say that I've received yesterday my housing for the HF-S10 from Aditech-UW in Spain. I'll do some underwater testing next week and I'll try to post some pics here. This housing (infrared control) looks great as it allows a full control of the camcorder i.e. the usual functions plus full access to the various menus of the camcorder. So far, I only their flat port but I plan to buy a WP80 wide angle port.

 

For those who may be interested by alternate solutions other than Gates, L&M or Ikelite or european videographers, Aditech is probably worth a look at their products.

 

i saw that housing at the Long Beach scuba show - looked very nice! look forward to your report.

[BigPhillyFish 0]

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.

[johnny boy 0]

I took delivery of my L & M bluefin for HFS10 today with an OLED back. The monitor is sharp, and what really did stand out was the viewing angle. fantastic. L & M need to get a canon specific manual written though, as mine came with one written for the sony's. The housing control set is everything i could have wished for. I'm able to access the menus with ease. There are a few teething problems, but nothing L & M can't sort i'm sure. I must say, i'm glad i chose the canon over the sony. saw some film comparisons on vimeo - no contest in terms of colour rendition.

[Steve Douglas 16]

Would like to know what those teething problems are, can you be more specific? How do you like the footage you have shot? Any problems with white balancing? Any issues loading the footage into the computer? The world awaits your opinions.

Steve