Underwater Bubble Blowin' Users Group

[Ken Corben]

How do you like the sony ZIU underwater? I know there threads on this I am sure but would like to know. I was thinking about taking my HVX down but I dont know that its going to manage in low light...and dont feel like offloading p2 data in a wet environment.

Loved the Z1 underwater for the past 2 years. Recently, just sold my Z1 and Gates housing though - sad to see it go really. Like all my Gates housings it survived my travels and abuses like always. The camera itself was a good system for HDV under water - that is before the release of RED ONE cameras of course. The Z1 footage is useless in today's market since HDV is not an HD deliverable for clients or broadcasters - hence it had to go. The choices were either CineAlta or REDCINE 4K. Obvious which choice I made. Caveat - the Panasonic pseudo-HD 720p format is still being accepted by some HD broadcasters as of today.

My associate shoots the HVX 20 under water and loves the results given its limitations, e.g., low light and limited record times. I think that any future investments in professional underwater shooting equipment that is not RED Digital Cinema based is money not wisely spent. I emphasize the professional point here based on the future markets of HD buyers not the new and emerging alternative digital markets. One camera does not do it all.

Did I miss the announcement from Gates when they planned to have the DEEP RED housing available?

I think both the Gates and Aquavideo RED ONE housing systems are both waiting for the Birger mount solution's final release which is still pending. PL glass still exceeds most end user budgets. The ability to shoot RED 4K with Canon glass will be a significant breakthrough for many UW shooters. That said, I still love the RED 18-50 lens and its results thus far UW.

To date, I have shot RED 4K UW for two major clients with brilliant results. Also shot the first UW RED 4K thanks to Gibby and #8. Now the menu includes a series of tests with the first Aquavideo Pro Housing built around the Arri 8R lens in Jan. This is in preparation for an already contracted major client shoot in RED 4K in March.

Then off to Africa to shoot Mark in 4k shooting his RED camera UW system amongst the sharks - can't wait.

Here is the current RED ONE pro-housing design list for Aquavideo:

1) PL mount lens control - focus and Iris
2) ND - I am researching the ND screw in options.
3) Camera controls - Power and record
4) Monitors - need HD-SDI out to BNC connector on housing. Interchangeable LCD/EVF mounts (uses same cable connector just different attach points on camera)
5) Pole cam attach point
6) Adjustable ballast system on or in the foot per Aquavideo design suggestion
7) We'll name this housing Hollywood - finish is black.
8) Design will utilize the RED brick battery, RED V plate and the RED drive mounted at the rear of the camera tray for easy removal.
9) Pistol grip handles on adjustable cheese plate wings - left hand forward.
10) Vacuum test nipple

That's a pretty damn good start and a sexy ass housing if you ask me. Pictures and performance review to follow soon (Jan 20th?).

Sharky

[Mark Thorpe]

Then off to Africa to shoot Mark in 4k shooting his RED camera UW system amongst the sharks - can't wait.

Sharky

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout. OK, cue the sharks!!

Cheers,
Mark.

[C.H.Haskell]

Thanks Sharky...I have been contemplating this for a while and I feel if I am going to invest in a Gates housing, might as well be for a camera that is ready to deliver and or broadcast as you mentioned.

Interesting point about the HVX performance, I have always wanted to take it UW but decided to save all expenses for RED.

I am very interested to see what Gates is working on and how they plan to approach the housing in regards to lenses etc. I am also curious how you will be able to pull focus, control aperture and all that jazz...I can see why they might be waiting for the BIRGER mount, makes sense to tap into EOS controls.

Keep it coming with these UW images, incredible stuff you guys are working on and look forward to seeing this 4k on 4k UW Africa shark combo you mentioned.

Best

[Michael Hastings]

Hey Mark

Thank you good sir...yeah after looking into it I think this might be the ticket. Then after more looking around I think I would rather upgrade my hv20 to a XHA1 and the Ikelite to a Gates. This should be a nice intro set up? haha...I wish...RED already has me tapped financially.

I just like the idea of shooting tape underwater (archive reasons) but if I was going to take the dive I think the A1+gates combo seems like the ticket...anyone shooting with somthing similar to this?

Just to get my 2 cents in, in addition to the RED housing, we also make housings for HV-20, XHA1, HVX200, Sony FX7/V1, etc.

Housing for HV20 and including wide angle lens converter, dome port, and 5 controls is $1399.00. Although I would be happy to sell you a housing for your HVX - and people are getting some great footage with it, I agree with Sharky - if you are going to spend substantial money it should be on a RED. Because of the beautiful way the RED camera is configured, a housing for it can be less expensive than say a Gates for an HVX200 or Canon XHA1 (Our housing for the HVX200 is substantially less and I would tell you it works just as well - or better - but that's a whole 'nuther story)

My recommendation, since you already have an HV20, is get a housing for it, shoot with it now and even when you get your RED it will be a great compact camera for POV, polecam, or anywhere where you don't want to deal with the extra size of the RED setup. Or you could just sell it and not lose much.

The HV-20 does a very nice job, I have several customers using it and we have even built a dual HV-20 housing for doing 3D - some demo footage was shown at DEMA in October and was VERY cool.

[Mark Thorpe]

Keep it coming with these UW images, incredible stuff you guys are working on and look forward to seeing this 4k on 4k UW Africa shark combo you mentioned.....

Oh yeah, thats gonna be a hoot a minute, can't wait.

On another note Haskell above all make sure the company you deal with has a proven after sales service. Much more important than actually buying the housing is the knowledge that your housing manufacturer of choice can support you at times of need when things can, and will do at some time, go pear shaped in the field.

Cheers,
Mark.

[C.H.Haskell]

Got a link AquaVideo...I am interested. Thanks for the input.

[Michael Hastings]

Got a link AquaVideo...I am interested. Thanks for the input.

www.aquavideo.com

website is way out of date, so no page specific for the HV-20. If you go to the
pdfs and grab the one for the HC3 it would be very similar, except the HV20 also has a way to do white balance.

www.aquavideo.com/pdfs

Working on updates for recent housings and of course the housing for the REDONE.

[Ken Corben]

Recently sent Mike some very cool photos of the RED ONE in an Aquavideo PVC housing at work in the field. Can't use them until post NAB due to client NDA but they are great shots. I plan to get a nice selection of photos to Mike of the Pro Housing at work that he can post immediately to his website later this month (Jan).

Looks like no sleep in Jan for Mike :-)

[Mark Thorpe]

Ken,
Flattering Wetsuit mate!

Cheers,
Mark.

[Johnny Friday]

...that's all that comes to mind when I see that wet suit Ken. I thought that suit died a long time ago. Jeeeez, gotta get another suit dude! Drop $43.50 for a suit that doesn't look like a diaper. How long you had that thing anyway? 9 years? Now you NEED to take me up on that cost deal with BARE. You're scaring me with those colors Ken. he he he he :cold: