Anybody shooting underwater

[Giovanni Bertani]

Is anybody using the HV-20 for underwater video?

Any clip to show?

Thanks :thumbsup:

[DaFireMedic]

Is anybody using the HV-20 for underwater video?

Any clip to show?

Thanks :thumbsup:

Not yet but hopefully next month. Heres the rig I put together:

Total cost, not including the HV20 was less than $150 and I have controls for power on/off, start/stop record, and menu access for manual white balance.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/DaFireMedic/Housing1small.jpg

I picked up a used Hypertech housing on Ebay for $79 and replaced all of the o-rings. I then set about mounting the camcorder to the slide in tray, no problem. I found that the forward control rod lies just behind the camcorder when using my wide angle lens, so that is used for the start/stop recording control, and when I rotate it the other direction it contacts the “Menu” button. I just had to bend it in the right spot. You can see it in this pic if you look carefully, the tip is coated with white marine sealant to prevent scratching of the camera controls:
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/DaFireMedic/Housing4small.jpg

Because the camcorder goes into stand by mode shortly after turning it on, I wanted a power on/off switch. Being that the HV20 has a dial type power switch, I couldn’t modify a way to turn the switch while the camcorder was inside the housing, so I had to come up with another way. I rigged the battery to be mounted to the tray separate from the camcorder and wired to a plug that connects into the jack for the A/C adapter. You can see the gray battery in the pics. Then I wired a push button on/off switch (the red one in the pic below) between the battery and the camcorder and mounted it onto a small project box to raise it up for placement under the side control rod. To turn the camcorder on and off, I leave the camcorder itself in the “on” position, so when I turn the side control knob it pushes the switch, sending or cutting power to the camcorder.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/DaFireMedic/Housing2small.jpg

Because the inside of the housing is too small to open the LCD display, I decided pick up a small monitor to enable me to see what I am shooting, as well as to see the menu options on the display. I found this Zate 2.5” TFT monitor on Ebay for about $50. It requires 12 volts, so I had to make a 10 cell battery pack. I just used a 10 cell AA battery holder and NiMH batteries at 1.2v each. I found the right connection to plug into the monitor, which I cut off of an old A/C adapter. I was initially worried about the size of the battery, with regards to both space and negative buoyancy, but it turned out to be just fine. Note: The screen protector sheet for the monitor screen is still on it, which is why it looks concaved in the pics.
http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/DaFireMedic/Housing3small.jpg
My initial tests in the pool have been very successful, not a drop of water and the controls work great. It is almost right on neutral buoyancy in the pool, so it should be a hair positive in the ocean. Unfortunately, due to my schedule, it will be at least a month before I can get it down to the beach for a test run in the ocean. I will do at least one dive without the camcorder, just to be sure, but I don’t anticipate that it will leak at depth as the increased pressure on the rear plate should increase the seal.

[Giovanni Bertani]

Great!

Keep me updated when you have some footage!

I am considering this for a doc in Sardinia Italy :thumbsup:

[Giovanni Bertani]

Looks also a very smart way to set up an underwater system.
I will follow your example !

The big question is how does the HV20 performs in an underwater low light enviroment...

So I really look forward to see your first footage

Cheers :beer:

[logic108]

I have used the Sony sportscam thing - their waterproof housing for Sony DV cameras. Works well with the HV20 - obviously none of the buttons work so I put the remote in a waterproof bag. It works upto 5 meters so fine for snorkeling.
Anything better is hard to find for under 500 dollars.

[DaFireMedic]

So I really look forward to see your first footage

Cheers :beer:

You might not be looking forward to it once you see it, lol......

While I have been diving for a while and have been doing video as a hobby for a while, I am completely new to underwater videography, so there will be some learning and experimenting to do. I will be using a red filter with no lights initially at depths between 20' and 70'. I will try both 60i and 24p modes to see how both work underwater, especially in low light. I will also experiment with manual white balance vs. auto. Once I get all this stuff worked out, I might be able to post something worth watching. But I will let you check out my first footage, maybe you will have some suggestions to speed the learning curve.

As far as the Sportpack option goes, I looked at that as well. Really nice option for shallower depths, but the 17' rated depth really wasn't enough for my local dive sites.