sony handycam

[dogseatmayo]

does anyone dive with a sony handycam or sony handycam HD?
If so, is it worth the $900 investment? I was thinking about getting one but wanted to know if takes good video etc.

[ScubaToys Larry]

I just got the Sony HC7 and the Sea & Sea housing for it. I haven't had it in the water yet, but I shot our briefing video for my paintball field with it - and it's great.

GatSplat Indoor Field Briefing Video

Can't wait to get it in the water!

[evitca]

I recommend that you check out the camcorder ratings of the ones you're interested with. At the same time, you may want to read the reviews accompanying these which allow you to know more about the products. This will enable you to select right one for you. Good luck.

[scubarobin]

Originally Posted by evitca

I recommend that you check out the camcorder ratings of the ones you're interested with. At the same time, you may want to read the reviews accompanying these which allow you to know more about the products. This will enable you to select right one for you. Good luck.

those ratings don't really have anything to do with using the camcorder underwater, so keep that in mind.

Before you buy, make sure there is a housing available for the camcorder and that you understand the functions accessable with the housing. Most mechanical housings are limited to just a few functions however they are less expensive and if flooded they aren't ruined. Electronic housings are much more expensive but if flooded they are usually a total loss. So make sure you pick the housing that fits your budget best as well as the one that you can personally operate. Housings can weight 5lbs-25lbs not counting lights if you opt to buy those. They are all neutral in the water, but you have to carry them to and from the boat as well as the drag they create underwater (in heavy current my housing seems like an anchor!).

Also, if you go with an HD camcorder, remember that the files are HUGE and when you edit on your home computer you need to have a FAST system with lots of memory. Then there is the software for editing, good software runs about $100-200. You will need a Blue-Ray DVD burner in order to create DVDs to watch on an HD tv with a Blue Ray player.

Lots of things to consider before you buy!!!!

robin

[Geoff_T]

Originally Posted by scubarobin

those ratings don't really have anything to do with using the camcorder underwater, so keep that in mind.

Before you buy, make sure there is a housing available for the camcorder and that you understand the functions accessable with the housing. Most mechanical housings are limited to just a few functions however they are less expensive and if flooded they aren't ruined. Electronic housings are much more expensive but if flooded they are usually a total loss. So make sure you pick the housing that fits your budget best as well as the one that you can personally operate. Housings can weight 5lbs-25lbs not counting lights if you opt to buy those. They are all neutral in the water, but you have to carry them to and from the boat as well as the drag they create underwater (in heavy current my housing seems like an anchor!).

Also, if you go with an HD camcorder, remember that the files are HUGE and when you edit on your home computer you need to have a FAST system with lots of memory. Then there is the software for editing, good software runs about $100-200. You will need a Blue-Ray DVD burner in order to create DVDs to watch on an HD tv with a Blue Ray player.

Lots of things to consider before you buy!!!!

robin

All of this plus you might want to consider what the cameras dynamic range is like as well as the aperture range and low light performance. Not all cameras do as well under water or in other darker situations.