Where to buy underwater Video camera??

[Tim224DT]

Hello i am trying to look for a decent price underwater video camera so when i go diving on the great barrier reef in Oct/2009 i can take some video

I dont think i need a $$$$$$$$$$$ one but one that will take nice video and moderately priced

Any ideas who makes nice cameras or good quality ones and the price i am looking at to get one?

[know-it-all]

I'd start with asking the local dive shop
you may be able to rent a couple different models to try before you buy
I know it's not as easy as it looks
so make sure you practice A LOT before you go

[Loverotties]

Like KIA said,it takes some trials and some dive shop let you rent them.Try it out locally.

[wdeertz]

Originally Posted by Tim224DT

Hello i am trying to look for a decent price underwater video camera so when i go diving on the great barrier reef in Oct/2009 i can take some video

I dont think i need a $$$$$$$$$$$ one but one that will take nice video and moderately priced

Any ideas who makes nice cameras or good quality ones and the price i am looking at to get one?

I've been diving for the past 25 years and doing underwater video for the past 6 years (previously did still underwater photography before getting into video). As far as I know underwater video cameras do not exist, they are basically regular video cameras that go into a watertight housing. So if you already have a basic video camera you need to do a search to see if there is a housing available for that model of camera. I"ve been using a Sony PC-110 video camera with an Ocean Images housing (http://www.oceanimagesinc.com/produc...s_housings.htm)
that I have been very happy with. If you haven't shot underwater video before I would strongly agree with the comment about signficant practicing before trying on a reef. Good video requires good bouyancy control and smooth movements otherwise you'll get jerky video that will make viewers seasick.

I need to ask, what is the purpose of shooting the video? This may seem like an overly obvious question but if your purpose is to simply shoot video to show family and friends what you experienced and don't plan on watching more than a couple times then I would suggest going with a digital camera that can also shoot short videos. The quality will not be all that good but again if your intention is to only show what you saw then this might suffice. Underwater video housings aren't cheap. The one I have is about $1000 and this is one of the cheaper ones, some of the more exotic models top out at $5000. And this is before video lights which can easily run another $2000-$3000. A simple 6mega pixel Sony camera with a plexiglass housing good down to about 40m may be your best alternative.

Would be happy to discuss in more detail if you wish. You can see some of the u/w video I shot at the below links-

http://www.wdeertz.net/Our_Travels/2...4_wakatobi.htm
http://www.wdeertz.net/Our_Travels/2...003_videos.htm

Note that these videos have been severely compressed to save bandwidth so the video quality isn't all that great but the originals are crystal clear.

[know-it-all]

you could also possibly rent one for the trip

[frankandmaura]

Have fun on the reef, that will be awesome!

I edited my post because I wrote something stupid about an underwater camera from Bass Pro Shops (but I think that is not going to be what you want)

[Tim224DT]

Thanks for the info everyone!! Ok i have been convinced to do still photos

Now i need to get a nice housing and a new camera

Also AWESOME videos wdeertz!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting them

[know-it-all]

Originally Posted by Tim224DT

Thanks for the info everyone!! Ok i have been convinced to do still photos

Now i need to get a nice housing and a new camera

Also AWESOME videos wdeertz!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting them

wise choice , but a good camera/housing will still cost about $800

[Tim224DT]

hehe yeah i know : ( but hey..... My plane tickets are only going to cost me $600 total for us both round trip not $4k so it wont seem as bad....

[know-it-all]

good deal
I would still go out and practice before you go