Director wants to know: HVX or GH1 for underwater scene?

[Ben_B]

Already posted this in Gh1 forum but I wanted to post it here because people tend to be biased to the camera they have.

Hi, I'm working on a film that is shooting a mix of HVX + Letus, naked HVX, and possibly some GH1 (or HMC or EX-1....yeah it's a real mix, we're shooting some tests next week) but anyway, he wants to get a few shots underwater for one of the scenes (from below, pointing up, etc.)

He was wondering whether we should by which of these housings, one for generic SLR, one for the HVX.

SLR ver.
http://www.ewa-marine.de/index.php?id=83

HVX ver.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...using_for.html

I pointed out that I believe the SLR version is cheaper, and it is rated to a higher depth (60ft vs 33ft) but I know for him it will come down (rightly so) to image quality.

So does anyone have any thoughts on which camera will perform better underwater, the HVX (with it's built in lens) or the GH1 (probably with my sigma 24mm f/1.8, or possibly a fast nikon fisheye/wideangle...) this being for shots looking up from below the ocean "with light stream down." I think someone falls in in one also.

The other issue I pointed out to him is that my GH1 is much cheaper to replace should something go wrong vs the DP's HVX (all equipment is uninsured but we will be signing contracts with the producers for the underwater scene to ensure the equipment is replaced if destroyed.)

[Brian@202020]

I'd say HVX because it's a better codec, less focus pulling because of 1/3 chip, 422, etc...

[soarprod]

Gh1 or 5dmk2

[Nick Walters]

I'd have to ask you, why in the world are you looking to buy an underwater enclosure? Find a decent underwater cinematographer!

I recently got my first lessons in underwater cinematography, and the only reason I did was that the usual cinematographer had recently been injured and gave a lower rate along with lessons for me and the director......this isn't a casual matter. We scheduled an entire day around these shots, and had a crew to reflect the budget, but usually you won't have all the stars align like this.....we got lucky.

The only thing I can compare underwater too is steadicam....but it's WAYYYY different, but it's the closest thing.

TRUST ME!!! Hire an expert.

[Ben_B]

We're not budgeted for it.

We've got some people with diving experience that will probably do it.

Also i think he wants some shots that will be very shallow...in addition to the deeper stuff.

[saturnin]

I would find some money in my budget to hire someone to do it right the first time around, thats just me. To me getting the results are more important, id rather spend the extra money so i dont waste time and money by having to learn somthing and buy more gear that will probably be used a few times and after sold for next to nothing.... but thats just me. @ this point in my filmmaking life i know when to pass certain things to other ppl to film, edit or whatever... you can always find and make deals with people.

[Ben_B]

From what i've heard from him it's like two shots that a second unit can get anyway so I'm not worried about it taking too long...they can have as long as they want with it...

I think I'm the one buying the underwater enclosure from the production for next to nothing when we're done ;)

Anyway I think the people doing it would be divers with underwater photography experience. I'm not going to learn to scuba dive to get this shot.

[Nick Walters]

Well, I'd get a definite yes answer from a crew member, and be sure that they have practiced before hand....Like I said I've done underwater, but we dedicated a day to it and had an experienced underwater cinematographer on set, and guess what? It took us all day, lol...I even own and operate a Steadicam, so it's not like I was a stranger to flying a camera, but it's way different underwater.

All this said, if budget is of utmost concern then a housing for the GH1 will of course come in way cheaper. Be sure to test it minus a camera far in advance of the shooting date, and be sure to get it ASAP and get it in the hands of whoever will be operating QUICKLY, so that they can practice.

...But I still strongly suggest hiring someone who knows what they're doing...if nothing else an experienced underwater op will know all about safety(for people and property), while your B-Unit could possibly be the three stooges with expensive equipment and alot of water...worst case scenario is someone drowns.