good wide angle rectilinear combo ? (rx100 vs gh4 vs a7s)

[septn 0]

Hello

I just got into underwater videography. I own rx100 iv, gh4, a7s ii and could not decide which combo will give me the best wide angle results. (regarding underwater quality, cost, portability)

-Sony's 16-35 is quite new so I could not get any review regarding lens quality, but the 28mm with WWL-1 adapter seems promising. What would be best lens for sony full frame camera?

-The Panasonic 7-14 looks quite poor from the sample I have seen on the internet, especially below f8. Will bigger dome than 6" give better results? (However, anything bigger will step it into a7s territory in term of price and portability)

-I have not done enough research on the rx100 wet lens yet but it looks like there are plenty to choose, even rectilinear adapter. Any recommendation is welcome.


I primarily interested in 4k video and not still photography.


--------From my research, here is what I think. Feel free to criticize------

Codec and Dynamic range on rx100 mark4 is almost on par with the big brother so rx100 was my top choice.

However, image stabilization is not so great. a7s that lacks behind is portability and value for money really excels here.

Thank you in advance for any input!

Cheers

[tamas970 12]

Amongst your objectives, quality goes against costs and portability. You obviously get the highest quality from your full-frame A7sII, however that gives you the heaviest & most expensive system underwater (housing ~3k$, huge domes very expensive macro lens).

 

A GH4 system is substantially cheaper and lighter, however only in a few occasions better than the cheapest, lightest RX100IV. AFAIK, video IQ of the rx100mkIV is better than of the GH4: less moiré, noise, etc, thank to the stacked sensor.

 

 

Concerning you 'Just started', I'd go with the rx100IV+h100 system (in case you don't mind some barrel distortion: the wwl-1), it's a great little camera I am in the process of "downgrading" to it from my E-PL5 (actually this downgrade is a huge win for video...).

 

Stabilization is not much of an issue underwater. You need a stable tray, well balanced light/strobe system that's all.

 

One thing worries me a little: the 5min limitation & overheating issue. Obviously in <25C water, using aluminum housing, it shouldn't be an issue. However I have no clue what to expect in really warm (30C: pool, N-Australia, Seychelles...) water.

Edited December 7, 2015 by tamas970

[septn 0]

hello

 

Thank you so much for the reply.

 

I agreed that rx100 is the best choice in most area except the stabilization ability too.

 

Can you recommend any good wide angle and macro wetlens that has the are very wide and has the least distortion for me?

 

Thanks for the 5mins warning, I never have this problem above the ground but its something I should consider underwater : )

[tamas970 12]

For wide rectilinear solution: h100. Otherwise I could live with the wwl-1, perspective of a superwide rectilinear is as unnatural as a semi-fisheye to me...

 

Here are samples, the top IQ is undoubtedly wwl-1, then h100.

 

Topside I ha overheating issues, I have a few days to return the camera, maybe I'll do that and pick up a new copy in January, when back from (non-diving) vacation... At ~25C room temperature, handheld it lasts one single 5min clip, the second is interrupted.

[septn 0]

thank you, I will look into both adapter

 

Regarding the overheating, I never had the issue because I never filmed anything over a minute per take so I don't have it, but I'm sure I will suffer the same issue when recording long take too.