Dslr

[Cliff Etzel]

Jon - the issue with the TopDawg is that it still utilizes a flat glass lens port - worthless for shooting video - the distortion and chromatic aberration when using a third party w/a lens would disappoint you IMO. It's really a housing designed for bubble blowers shooting macro IMO.

The Light & Motion Stingray allows you to switch different cameras as they are released and the housing is better built and in my opinion, worth the money for someone getting into video. It alread accommodates 10 different SONY cameras and was just announced that it supports the newly announced HC9, which replaces the HC7.
stingrayhd.jpg
Anyone looking to get into video really should look at this housing - it is very comfortable to hold and you can use your ports, lights, etc if you decide to upgrade to one of their other video housings that take the same accessories.

[Jon]

Cliff,

That is a nice looking looking housing but for what the housing and wide angle lens cost, not even counting the camera itself, I could get the whole Olympus system with cash to spare.

Sorry, but I would need to sell a kidney or something to do it up right.

I thought that TopDawg had a port that you could switch out on the front, but I guess it's just an accessory lens that you add onto it. At that point an Ikelite case becomes a better bet.

What do you think of the Sea&sea VSX1 or VXG1 housings and their respective cameras?

Jon

[Cliff Etzel]

G1 is discontinued, don't have any experience with Sea & Sea Video Housings.

I have a close contact with Sea & Sea and I've been told that they aren't pursuing the video end nearly as much as stills. So I can't tell you about longevity, repair, etc on their housings.

So big question I have is why are you wanting to go to DSLR in the first place? Have you found the image quality lacking in one of the compact p/s setups? Hs the P/S left you wanting for better response while shooting???

You already have the wide angle lens that can be fitted to just about any housing on the market. Maybe you're trying to reinvent the wheel so to speak. Maybe you should look at one of the compact P/S with a small strobe for fill lighting. Check this out

Just wondering.

[Jon]

A few different reasons to want to upgrade to the DSLR.

First, to be able to shoot more than 1 picture in Raw mode every 10 seconds-like that 5060 set up you posted.

Second, shutter lag- it's worse than jet lag.

Third, sharper images that come from a larger processor- 10 mega pixels in a sub compact is not the same as 10 mega pixels in a DSLR.

Fourth, better low light capabilities with less picture noise.

Fifth, No hassle, or at least less hassle, split level shots. Too much of a pain working with any of the add on lenses and dealing with water filling in and leaking back out.

I just got back from another camera shop, where the clerk next to nothing, and took a look at the E-410. The thing is tiny and has the live view back panel- which the clerk assured me it did not until I showed him it did. This puts it up a notch, for me, from the D-40 and the XTI.

I'd like to find a better picture of the housing, but judging from the size of the camera I'm betting on the fact that the whole system would be no larger than my old 5050 setup.

I've been shooting still for a long time and there's just nothing that can capture a moment like a well composed still. Video is great for movement- like swimming with dolphins, but that shipwreck isn't going to go anywhere and you can grasp more of it's mystery with a photo than a video clip. Different mediums for different purposes.

A tech diving buddy of mine passed away last year- not from diving, but rather a mix of high blood pressure and age. He was at the forefront of trimix diving and video work in this area long before anyone else came along. His advice to me over 10 years ago was this; the two happiest days in the life of a videographer are the days he buys his setup and the day he sells it. He said that when he had a bunch of unedited footage sitting around he always felt guilty for not working on it. Even when he had it finished he knew there was always something more he could do. I've only made one, goofy, little video for you-tube so far and already there are a dozen things I'd do differently. I can imagine it only gets worse when your dealing with more of it for clients and other presentations.

Jon

[Fondueset]

I'll volunteer my DSLR rationale - larger processor - way better images - less noise - better in low light/nat lighting much faster focus. With my S80 and wide angle the focus lag creates a lot of work - I have to very carefully track what I am shooting - which is almost always in motion - and basically hope for a good shot - composition is a much more complex affair involving projecting trajectories and behavior of the subject. It is nearly impossible to capture things as you see them. I do like the image quality on my S80 - it has a depth that I've not seen with other PandS type cameras - but an SLR would be better at everything I like this one for plus a good deal more. The idea of not having to wait for focus - and then the further lag of me pushing the shutter the rest of the way down - control of the shot would be so much better with an SLR.

PS - I'm in the process of trying to learn Final cut pro to do something with some of my videos. Holy crap!

[ILDiver]

I found a used housing for my D100. It's a Titan and it's only $800. But no port. So I called them to get a guestimate on a port for that housing. Only $900 for the dome port. I can't do $1700 for a housing. I'm not even wanting an Ikelite at ~$1200 with a port! I need to work overtime. Then decide which hobby to focus OT $ to.

I only mentioned the 860 because she has had it awhile and "wants to sell it". I knew it was more simple than what your looking for.

EDIT:
This is tempting too Aquatica D100 Housing and Camera