GH1 GH1 underwater - buy GOPRO instead?

R

RandyQ

Well-known member
Hi folks,
I'm planning to do some shallow water shooting with my GH1, and I was thinking of getting a DIGIPAC. However, I am wondering if its not simpler/better to buy one of the GOPRO cams.

Is the quality acceptable? Is it better than putting my GH1 in a plastic bag housing?

Thanks/ RandyQ
 
Google go-pro - I've seen some stunning surfing/snow-boarding stuff which may help your decision. Not much by way of underwater stuff tho
 
David Cole said:
GoPro underwater requires a modified front port for proper focus. See.... http://www.eyeofmine.com/gopro/underwater/ And, NO, the 15Mbps GoPro with it's tiny aperture and plastic optics is not in the same universe of quality as a GH13 at 50 Mbps or so, with a large sensor and quality optics.
Click to expand...

My GoPro does much better under water than my GH2 does. Glub...Glub...Glub

They each excel at what they are intended for. There are just some places where even the GH2 is too big.
 
Yes, this is what I had in mind - a GoPro plus the underwater housing and flat lens. What triggered the idea is that I heard somewhere (true or false?) that Hawaii 5-0 use a GoPro for their underwater shoots.

I will be shooting some dive tourism stuff, so its not all underwater, and definitely not deep water. This is why my original idea was to just get a Digipac. On the other hand, the idea of using another cam to shoot underwater instead of my workhorse GH1 appeals to me. If I mess up, there goes everthing!

Anyone else care to chime in here? Can the shots intercut with GH1?

Thanks / RandyQuimpo
 
Hi Randy -- I suggest you take a look at the video in this post in this thread.

This very well done underwater/pool video shot with a GH13 and a DiCAPac convinced me that the DiCAPac WP-H10 is

a. watertight and

b. the best value for the money.

I can't see spending $270 for a GoPro plus $99 for a flat lens housing -- when the DiCAPac is just $60.

Hope this is helpful,

Bill

EDIT: Just saw that you've already seen that video! Apologize for the oversight!
 
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Thanks for the input, folks. And you know what? I will probably buy BOTH of these - its true that they both excel at different things.

rgds/ RandyQ
 
Another Option

Another Option

RandyQ said:
Thanks for the input, folks. And you know what? I will probably buy BOTH of these - its true that they both excel at different things.

rgds/ RandyQ
Click to expand...

I have a gh2 and just got a Go Pro Hero HD with a glass port add on from Pursuit Diving. Pursuit offers a discount on the port if you buy the Go Pro from them. You have to replace the existing curved port with the flat port. You will get some vignetting on some of the settings.

http://freedivingspearfishinggear.com/48-gopro-hd-hero-naked.html

The Go Pro doesn't come with a viewfinder. If you want one, there is the LCD Bacpac for $75 from Amazon.

I got the Go Pro after my Olympus Stylus 770SW flooded. I just don't want to risk my gh2 in the water.
 
I shoot underwater for a living. As far as I'm concerned "GoPro" is a toy. If you are serious about using a GH13 or a GH2 underwater you'll need to get set up with a decent UW housing/dome port and maybe lights. If you are good in a workshop or know someone who is it's quite cheap to convert an old UW housing to work with a GH13...that's what I did. For more info have a look at my website...
 
Skeptikal said:
If you are good in a workshop or know someone who is it's quite cheap to convert an old UW housing to work with a GH13...that's what I did. For more info have a look at my website...
Click to expand...

I see lens and lights but no GH13 housing. Where is?
Did you share some uw shot with GH13?

Thanks
 
I did this with a flat housing GoPro.
I also have the BacPac monitor.
I like using this for underwater because
I don't have to worry about messing up my GH2.

 
@HVXGuy,
This is almost exactly the kind of footage I will be shooting! Your vid looks great - which of the flat lens options did you use?

Also, thats another compelling reason to get one. I dont want to risk messing up my GH1 underwater while on a shoot.

rgds/ RandyQ
 
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