Using a Camcorder Underwater
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm off to the Red Sea in just over a week and have been thinking about getting some sort of waterproof cover for my camcorder. It's only likely to be used up to snorkeling depth, and probably not something that's going to be done more than once a year, so I'm not going to spend mega bucks on a full on scuba case. I've seen this company on the internet:
www.aquapac.net/storeframesets/camcorder/uk/UntitledFrameset-11.htm
Anyone got any experience of this kind of jacket? Alternatively, anyone bought something like this in the past that they have no use for they want to sell? My camcorder is a Sony PC8 Mini DV jobbie.
Thanks,
Phil.
I'm off to the Red Sea in just over a week and have been thinking about getting some sort of waterproof cover for my camcorder. It's only likely to be used up to snorkeling depth, and probably not something that's going to be done more than once a year, so I'm not going to spend mega bucks on a full on scuba case. I've seen this company on the internet:
www.aquapac.net/storeframesets/camcorder/uk/UntitledFrameset-11.htm
Anyone got any experience of this kind of jacket? Alternatively, anyone bought something like this in the past that they have no use for they want to sell? My camcorder is a Sony PC8 Mini DV jobbie.
Thanks,
Phil.
Be careful with the clamping closed buckles, they have atendency to get caught in things like bits of string holding bits of dive paraphenalia in place.
It was'nt my camera, it did die & it was very expensive
Now if anyone wants a 75m Sony system with lighting etc old but but very useable let me know as I may well be parting with it soon.
It was'nt my camera, it did die & it was very expensive
Now if anyone wants a 75m Sony system with lighting etc old but but very useable let me know as I may well be parting with it soon.
When we were snorkelling in the Red Sea 
I picked up a £10 waterproof camera. Unfortunately when I replaced the film I didn't have a spare 27 exposure (what it needed) only a 36. Ended up the better days snorkelling (i.e. the following day) didn't have any pictures taken, but anyway:
There is more (including the whole of the trip) at www.stefancarlton.net/pictures.php?menu=picture&albumid=57. There's only 255 images. Where abouts you headed, I presume Sharm-el-Shake or El Gouna?
You are going to have so much fun! Completely blew me away how many fish, the colours, the warmth of the water... Truly the best way to spend 2 weeks was my time in Egypt!
>> Edited by docevi1 on Friday 7th January 09:19
I picked up a £10 waterproof camera. Unfortunately when I replaced the film I didn't have a spare 27 exposure (what it needed) only a 36. Ended up the better days snorkelling (i.e. the following day) didn't have any pictures taken, but anyway: There is more (including the whole of the trip) at www.stefancarlton.net/pictures.php?menu=picture&albumid=57. There's only 255 images
. Where abouts you headed, I presume Sharm-el-Shake or El Gouna? You are going to have so much fun! Completely blew me away how many fish, the colours, the warmth of the water... Truly the best way to spend 2 weeks was my time in Egypt!
>> Edited by docevi1 on Friday 7th January 09:19
docevi1 said:
...Where abouts you headed, I presume Sharm-el-Shake or El Gouna?
You are going to have so much fun! Completely blew me away how many fish, the colours, the warmth of the water... Truly the best way to spend 2 weeks was my time in Egypt!
We're off to Sharm, been meaning to go there for a while but she thought it too hot to go in the summer
so we're giving it a go as a winter break. I'm sick of the Canaries - been there evey winter for the last 5 years or so, usually to Fuerteventura but it's gone way too commercial. Using www.holidays-uncovered.co.uk the other half came up with excellent reviews of the Hilton Sharks Bay, so that's where we're off to.
Phil.
The benefits of knowing someone who live in Cairo and regulary goes on fishing trips starting from Hurghada As for the heat, it isn't "hot". It's a very dry heat which while hot, isn't uncomfortably so as you aren't sweating and such. I went in June and although as I was leaving it was reaching 45deg C in the shade I, as a pure white Northern Englishman wasn't uncomfortable. fun. Then again, having the air-con on at 20C at night to try and sleep as it was so hot, and finding 20C very cold was impressive.
Oh, and when you're driving across the desert from Cairo to El Gouna (30mile straight road
) and the car has no air-con so the windows are right down and it's hot, very hot so you stick your arm out the window and nearly burn it due to the excess heat of the air. Or you watch the road melting and moulding round your tyres as you stop. Thats fun It was truly the greatest fun I've ever had in my life with some of the best memories - the people are fantastic and it was a refreshing change from the UK way of life.
Enjoy it and show us the pictures
>> Edited by docevi1 on Friday 7th January 11:21
An update on this thread...
Sharm was OK, been to better places but for a winter week in the sun overall I'd rate it slightly above average. Flew to Cairo for the day too, it was awesome to visit the Pyramids, the Sphynx and the Egyptian museum. Shame about what the Egyptians have done to the city though...
Anyway, the Aquapac. The cameras both survived, so that's a positive. We took both the camcorder (a Sony Mini DV) and the normal compact digital (another Sony, a DSC-P10) out into the ocean. The camcorder footage looks pretty good although I haven't watched it properly yet. There does seem to be good definition and you can certainly see lots of fish and coral clearly. The stills from the compact are not good though, they're too blurred to see anything really which is a shame. Once I get round to getting the video onto my PC, I'll try and grab some stills from those.
Overall, I'd say the Aquapac is pretty good for video, but disappointing for stills use.
Phil.
Sharm was OK, been to better places but for a winter week in the sun overall I'd rate it slightly above average. Flew to Cairo for the day too, it was awesome to visit the Pyramids, the Sphynx and the Egyptian museum. Shame about what the Egyptians have done to the city though...
Anyway, the Aquapac. The cameras both survived, so that's a positive. We took both the camcorder (a Sony Mini DV) and the normal compact digital (another Sony, a DSC-P10) out into the ocean. The camcorder footage looks pretty good although I haven't watched it properly yet. There does seem to be good definition and you can certainly see lots of fish and coral clearly. The stills from the compact are not good though, they're too blurred to see anything really which is a shame. Once I get round to getting the video onto my PC, I'll try and grab some stills from those.
Overall, I'd say the Aquapac is pretty good for video, but disappointing for stills use.
Phil.
Phil,
If you have access to a good NLE (Premier, etc), you may want to add some filters to your undewater footage (video) to give it that "true" underwater feeling. It's amazing the difference a small post production filter can make. I did a compilation video for my family at the end of the year and added a blue filter to my hurricane footage and it captured the ominous mood much better.
ErnestM
If you have access to a good NLE (Premier, etc), you may want to add some filters to your undewater footage (video) to give it that "true" underwater feeling. It's amazing the difference a small post production filter can make. I did a compilation video for my family at the end of the year and added a blue filter to my hurricane footage and it captured the ominous mood much better.
ErnestM
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