Underwater Bubble Blowin' Users Group

[StephenFrink]

Stephen, Welcome to the forum!

I had three specially made Superdomes AR and used them for many years - good glass, but still, under some conditions, hard to control flare and reflections. Certainly best dome comercially available.

If you like to test my CinePort I can make it available and see what you think :biggrin:

Thanks Pawel. I see you are in Sydney, and I'm in Key Largo; but if we are ever in the same ocean at the same time it would be fun to go diving and compare notes. Meanwhile, I'm a neophyte on this forum but will hope to learn more about the Red One and its underwater applications.

 

[Jeremy Neish]

We are still looking for an underwater housing for s.Darko (Donnie Darko 2). We need to rent one on June 12-13, and we are filming in Utah, so far we've not found any solid leads. Aquavideo has been very sporadic in their replies and hasn't been able to commit. I'm getting a bit desperate, can somebody advise us as soon as possible? Thanks!

 

[Michael Hastings]

So I'm looking into an underwater housing for one of my REDs but I'm a bit concerned about compatibility if I switch to the new Epic. Although after reading a post it might serve myself and renters best if I just upgraded the chip on my REDs. Will the specs on the body size be the same?...Any thoughts???...

The Epic is a radically different form factor so the housing isn't likely to fit. We have long had a policy of giving substantial tradein (up to fifty percent of what they paid for the original) on new housings and we will do something similar for the RED to epic housing.

By the way, I never got around to talking about the RED vs. scarlet choice and I think the key is that the RED is going to be the sweet spot for truly professional shooting. The combination of 4k and more importantly, extremely good glass at low cost via the Birger Canon EF mount will make it the absolute best bang for the buck. (interestingly a Canon 10-22 lens is cheaper than a good wide angle converter for an HVX200 style camera and even the 14mm is about the same price - yet way beyond in terms of optical quality.)

Scarlet will likely kill the HVX200 and Sony EX1 types but you have to remember you are still locked into a fixed lens with some kind of adapter, so I don't think it will be much of a challenge to the REDONE or EPIC for the really serious shooter - although I'm sure a lot of them will get one as a second camera. And it will make a great surfcam.

We are still looking for an underwater housing for s.Darko (Donnie Darko 2). We need to rent one on June 12-13, and we are filming in Utah, so far we've not found any solid leads. Aquavideo has been very sporadic in their replies and hasn't been able to commit. I'm getting a bit desperate, can somebody advise us as soon as possible? Thanks!

Jeremy: It is mostly a lens issue. I am getting my birger mount Saturday but it is going out on a rental early next week, and I sold my 12mm PL mount Arri to Amund Lie in Norway last Monday. I have a couple housings available but the lenses are the issue - I think you would be very limited right now in lens choice and adjustability so we need to determine what you can get by with. I am up to my ears in finishing four housings right now so limited time to talk. Also you should contact Sharkguy, his housing is setup with very nice gears for the 8R and he has the complete setup - housing and Arri 8R. For a two day shoot, it may be best to hire him and his gear together - Sharky has more RED and particularly RED underwater experience than anybody.

 

[David Nardini]

David - I noticed your comment about flare on the Seacam port. Some lenses are clearly more difficult to tame flare than others, however you may be interested to try the new Superdome AR (anti-reflective) that Harald created at my request. The interior flat surface of this dome is coated with the same black flocking as is used inside the housing, and is available only with coated mineral glass as well.

Hi Stephen ... thanks for the heads up - looks like Pawel has been there already ;-) ... I'll have to see if Paul Kay can lend me one to test here in the UK.
I guess we all struggle in this dept ... I do like the port design that Pawel has (cone inside surface rather than a flat flange); still leaves the 'lens' object in the throat of the port. I've seen your write ups on the 'rubberised lens hoods' (cut to measure) and from your tests it seems to help.

If only Oz was just round the corner ...

 

[David Nardini]

bum ...

bum ...

I am getting my birger mount Saturday but it is going out on a rental early next week, and I sold my 12mm PL mount Arri to Amund Lie in Norway last Monday

Hi Mike,
Bum ... you sold the 12mm ! HOWEVER you are getting a (one ?) Birger this Sat !!! Does this mean you may have a housing available for hire ? :help: I'm getting rapidly (!) nowhere in hiring some kit for June 21st :help: :help: :help:

Anybody else,
if you have a RED housing for hire for 2 weeks from June 21st to July 5th ... PM me ASAP ! I will need a 12mm or 14mm lens too ...

 

[Mark Thorpe]

For Rentals I also mentioned to Ken Corben aboutr this. He is back in the U.S at the moment, AFAIK, so PM him. He seems the only option at the moment.

Hey David, currently in the UK at the moment, albeit until tomorrow. Flying out to Bali for a break to see the missus and then work again in NE Russia and Northern Japan. Fur Seals and Turtles collectively. I'll PM you my cell number........call for a chat if poss.

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[Johnny Friday]

underwater clips and footage

underwater clips and footage

Got a few underwater clips using RED with 18-50 lens. Glad to send to anyone that can host the photos and video...

Just email me at: johnny@bajaecotours.com

 

[Amund Lie]

Rentals in Europe (and elsewhere)

Rentals in Europe (and elsewhere)

Hello,

Just want to let you folks know that I and complete underwater package is available for rent, either as DP or as DIT with camera and AquaVideo housing. Trained film cameraman, 20 years in the industry, experienced CMAS/PADI Divemaster diver, Norwegian Class S work diver license.

Kit consists of the following:
- AquaVideo housing
- Red#1670, build 15. 4 batteries, Red drive. Flash-cards available, but not practical in underwater situations. PL and Nikon mounts.
- Currently with a Arri/Zeiss 12mm T2.1 through dome port, or a selection of Nikon lenses through Aquatica closeup glass port (which btw, does accommodate a wide range of lenses such as 20mm, 60mm macro, 85mm a.s.o). Basic aperture and focus adjustments. 120ft surface cable that allows HD-SDI monitoring.

Future upgrades to the package will consist of Birgermount and Poseidon/CIS Lunar VI rebreather for bubble-free operation (2 - 3 months from now)

Willing to travel anywhere in the world for exciting projects. On short notice is fine, although air travel is a slight problem since airport authorities are very suspicious of the housing and 140Wh batteries (especially if packed together; something I will not do again). It was recently held up in Zürich for two days due to this. Also allow 1 day of post-flight checking of unit.

Sorry, but no rental of just the housing alone. This is very much a personal piece of gear that needs real working knowledge with that particular unit due to specific lenses, cable fittings, modifications, added controls etc. No problem working as DIT and underwater technician/assistant for other DP though.

Amund

E-mail me at amundlie(a)mac(dot)com if you want to see some recent uw clips.

 

[Michael Hastings]

New features in build 16

New features in build 16

You should check out all of the new features in build 16.

IN particular, we now have prerecord where you can have a 10 or 30 second buffer that records the previous 10 or 30 seconds when you hit record. No more missed shots of animal behavior.

I missed this a lot from my Ikegami editcams. Thought they could do it but it was never promised as far as I know.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?p=236263

 

[Mark Thorpe]

Sounds great, thats gonna help big time as I'm waiting for that damned Pygmy Seahorse to have its babies!!!

Cheers,
Mark.

 

[Johnny Friday]

I'd be happy with a faster startup time from 90 seconds to say 10. Seems like ten minutes when stuffs happening to wait it out for 90 seconds......no what i mean Mark?

 

[RobM]

Hi haven't been through the whole thread is there an underwater housing for the red one?

 

[RobM]

Ok now I have been through a bit of the thread I see there are underwater housings and such. I need two cameras with two housings an operator and a dit to shoot a really cool board in the red sea, the production is going out of South Africa, the shoot will be in mid to late July. If you are able to supply this production please get hold of me my email is rmalpage@mac.com.

 

[Michael Hastings]

Birger's not a scam!!!

Birger's not a scam!!!

This is a copy of a post from the birger thread:

Here are some photos of the birger mount I received. For those that weren't at NAB the mount has a cable with a 10pin LEMO that connects to the camera for power and future communication with the camera head. It has two 4 pin lemos that will allow you to attach the knobs. Knobs can loop through each other so you can have one of the 4 pins still available which I believe allows us to get additional power from the rear camera 4 pin for lenses that require more than the 500ma available from the RED 10 pin. The cable you see is an accessory to allow us to control the mount remotely through one of the 4 pins - i.e. via a computer or through a custom control we are considering for use in the housings.

Picture of the housings is showing my main application for the Birger mount (kid in the background is bummed 'cause he just found out he won't get his birger mount for a couple weeks). The other picture is a custom gear for the ARRI 8r - $4000 for the pair - focus and iris. Now you see why Birger is so important for us - not only is it much cheaper but it provides focus and iris control for any Canon lens (with PL cine glass you have to have gears for every lens - there is a little adjustability but not much so unless the lenses are extremely similar you need more gears/locations). With Birger, no matter if we switch from a 10-22mm superwide lens (about 3.5 inches long) to a 180 macro at over 7.5 inches we don't have to worry about control. We just put on a different port and go.

I'm not knocking cine lenses, the housing on the left is Ken Corben's set up for the Ultraprime 8r and the 8r is probably the ultimate underwater lens but at 30K it isn't in everyone's budget.

 

[Amund Lie]

Michael,

I totally agree on the concept of the Birger mount, but that doesn't take into account that many DPs still wish to use their PL mount lenses in my housing. After all, most of my work so far has been for DPs on short films, feature film and tv drama where they want to use Ultra Primes or similar even under water.

I am currently modifying my housing to accommodate at least a couple of the wider Arri/Zeiss Primes with gears for focus and aperture, either by constructing a gear system of my own and/or buying standard gears from SLR housing manufacturers such as Aquatica. Any suggestions on who might be able to provide gear kits? (aside from the one Ken Corben had made for him)

Amund

 

[Mark Thorpe]

I'd be happy with a faster startup time from 90 seconds to say 10. Seems like ten minutes when stuffs happening to wait it out for 90 seconds......no what i mean Mark?

Only too well my friend, only too well.

Hope all is going well down here mate. Did you get that last email I sent? Would be nice to get some feedback on that specific issue.

Cheers mate, have a good one.
Mark.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

I have one new and unused CinePort for sale. Complete with SeaCam custom mounting. It will work best with Canon EF 14mm prime lens and covers the same field of view.

No longer available, thanks.

 

[Michael Hastings]

copy of a birger mount post - some info on shims and diopters

copy of a birger mount post - some info on shims and diopters

more than 12 hours without a post - you rarely see the birger thread fall off the new posts list. Anyway, since we won't have any real news until Monday or tuesday I thought I would post a couple of observations that I had about the mount when I had it last week.

One, the backfocus adjustment system - similar in concept to what red did with the adjustable pl - is very slick, some very nice precision machining (which by the way - I am sure cost quite a bit more than the original setup - so I wouldn't be surprised if there is a price increase once initial orders are filled). Jorge from Cinematechnic - a longtime Arri/zeiss lens and camera tech - was very impressed with the build quality, and he is about as fussy as they come.

Two, I noticed there is quite a bit of adjustment capability in the positive direction - I am thinking that Erik left enough so that you could also backfocus a Nikon lens mount if the front portion of the birger unit had a nikon mount instead of a canon ef mount. Nikon Flange focal distance is 46.5 mm as opposed to 44 mm for Nikon F.

It also allows for something I - as an underwater shooter - was interested in. That is when you use dome ports it totally refocuses the image - as if you had a negative diopter on it. You can use a positive diopter - which is what we do with video lenses, but it does add some distortion. With the adjustment capability of the birger we can dial in about .060 of positive "shim" and correct for focus without adding a diopter.

This could also be used by other shooters for creating an extension tube effect for closeup photography.


Added for the bubble blowers:

I haven't played with the PL mount as much - when I use I have had it collimated by Jorge and pretty much leave it. Does anyone know how much adjustment there is on the RED pl mount (sharky?)? I think the shim amount is about .060" for a 10 mm and maybe a little less for an 8R - although you really don't need it for the 8r since it close focus normally to the range you need for 6" and 8" domes.

The other thing to know is that the "shim" amount is different for different focal lengths so you probably wouldn't be able to zoom much - this method would be pretty much for primes or for the 10-22 canon left at 10mm. If you want to zoom you pretty much have to use a diopter.

 

[Monteiro]

Re Rebikoff Corrected Port

Re Rebikoff Corrected Port

Below is a picture summarising the Ivanoff-Rebikoff correction lens and some formulas ... hope I've not made a typo !
Essentially it's a reversed Galilean telescope in which the front (plano) concave lens is used for the watertight window. The lens system will be afocal if :
fd = fn + d
where :
fd = focal length of the positive lens
fn = focal length of the negative lens
d = separation between the lenses

In summary, the main benefits of this port system (as can be found on the Hassy SWC housing) :

• it is afocal and can be used in conjunction with a conventional camera lens of any focal length as long as it does not vignette the corners
• the focal length and field of view of the camera lens are the same in water as in air
• pincushion distortion, chromatic aberration and other aberrations of a plane (flat) port are corrected
• depth of field is increased by about a factor of 2 over a plane port with the same camera lens and aperture

Alignment of the optical axis of camera lens and correcting lenses (+ve and -ve) is critical. Ideally, they should all be mounted on one rigid mechanical unit (any flexing of the u/w housing under pressure will not affect quality; this is clearly only an issue for deeper work).

That's it :biggrin: anybody out there that can machine up / polish a perpex port for me :help: (I can sort out the +ve diopter). The underwater community could really do with a supplier of these ports ... !

EDIT : oh ... forgot to say, I don't know how zoom lenses will stack up in this scenario, but will find try and find out ...

Don't know if anyone is still interested but I got my hands on a Rebikoff port this weekend it is a little beat up but optically clean. I am thinking about building a housing around it. It was originally set up for the 5.9mm Angenieux which I also have and may use for 2K projects BUT since this post claims that any focal length lens will work with the Rebikoff I am going to check it out on the 18-50 Red Zoom tomorrow and the 10.5mm Distagon to see if I get corner to corner coverage in 4K. Anyone interested can contact me for the results. georgem@sea-cam.com.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

IN particular, we now have prerecord where you can have a 10 or 30 second buffer that records the previous 10 or 30 seconds when you hit record. No more missed shots of animal behavior.

How do we trigger cache recording without a mechanical access to SHIFT button?