Underwater documentary settings

[aquatix]

Does anyone use the HMC 151 for underwater documentaries/filming?

What would be the best settings for this type of shooting?

1080 50i or 1080 25p

any other settings for the scene files for deep diving without lights.

low light and low contrast environment shooting moving fishes.

 

[ggrantly]

In my very limited experience just below the surface in a Epic enclosure you might try the following:

Use wide angle and set focus for the widest range possible given the clarity of the water. In other words maximize your DOF not minimize. For example if you can only see 12ft, set the focus at say 9ft. 12ft will be in focus, and most everything in close will be also. A little testing on this will be helpful, since this will change with aperture. I used auto focus the first time out and got some pretty strange results.
I used auto exposure and AWB.
Move really slow in the water, then slow down more.
Remember at the surface, if needed, your cam remote control can help operate the cam once it is inside the housing.
Set your shutter angle or exposure speed pretty low to maximize available light, and use a little gain if you need it.
Make sure your lens is clean.

I would love to do more of this, it is really fun even if you are just snorkling.

Grant

 

[Skeptikal]

Does anyone use the HMC 151 for underwater documentaries/filming?

What would be the best settings for this type of shooting?

1080 50i or 1080 25p

any other settings for the scene files for deep diving without lights.

low light and low contrast environment shooting moving fishes.

I shoot UW with the GH13 @ 1080 25p.

Shoot as wide as possible...behind a dome port if possible (a flat port will not correct for refraction/magnification and will result in other distortions at the corners).

If you are using a great camera like the HMC 151 why would you even bother to to shoot seriously at depth without lights? It makes an incredible difference in the overall appearance and professionalism of the results. Forget about "Magic Filters" and other such nonsense...they can't restore color that isn't there...and in shallower water (less than 15m or so) they will mess up color balance.

Be very careful using AF...open water can play havoc with the AF losing focus as the subject (fish, diver etc) moves out of the AF zone.