Underwater filming - what controls are essential based on your experience

[Inprogress]

I'm making a waterproof case for my GH2 cause I'm not paying twice the price for a Nauticam case - although they are awesome pieces of engineering.

What controls have you found you need when filming underwater? I will be filming surface water no deeper than 1m (about 2 and half feet) but since I discovered some diving gear which solves my equalization problem, I might do some deeper filming in the future.

Apart from hopefully having a better setup (prosumer camcorder with case) when such a project comes along, I want to be able to shoot underwater with my current camera. My current design will have a start/stop recording button, plus a focus button - pretty much I'm using the remote flash which I'm modifying into a different water-poof switch allowing me focus lock and recording.

What else have you found you need to adjust whilst diving and filming? I might be able to modify and ad to my design so additional buttons can be incorporated to allow for this in the future - once my current project is done where I need the basic case.

P.S. I read it somewhere but can't find or confirm it - apparently there is a term in the media industry for the type of filming underwater which doesn't require diving gear? Filming above and below water no more than a few feet....anyone know if such a term exists?

 

[ErikTande]

This series might be of interest to you:

If you're shooting indoors, you're going to want as much lighting as you can get your hands on. Plan on blasting as much light as you can down at the pool, and underwater lighting if you can get your hands on some.

 

[Rainer]

require diving gear? Filming above and below water no more than a few feet....anyone know if such a term exists?

Splits, or above/below. Building your own case is not as easy as it looks - I have drowned a couple of cameras with home made cases. The fewer controls, the less likelhood of leaks. If you're only going two feet, you could risk a sports case like an Aquapac, I've also drowned a camera doing that. If it's just for you, would a GoPro do? A bit better, buy a cheap point and shoot that does video and dedicate it to underwater, e.g. Canon makes relatively affordable housings for theirs, you're only out of pocket $200 if you drown it, and don't think you won't drown a camera just 'cause it's in an expensive housing, although there's a lot less chance you will. If you're doing serious or commercial work, just buy the nauticam, saves a lot of mucking around.

 

[Inprogress]

@ ErikTande Thanks, I'll definitely look into that.

@ Rainer This is for a promo video I'm shooting for free. I was thinking about a GoPro but couldn't get access to one. The owner offered me his camera with a Gates case, but now after filming I found I don't actually need it for the first promo. The follow-up promo might need it and by then I'm sure I'll be finished with my case - I'll be sure to thoroughly test it. I might add additional controls to it, or as you mention, rather get a P&S with case for the odd video I'll do. I will try and get my hands on a GoPro Hero 2 though, nifty little camera with lots of uses, but funds are tight right now. Thanks for the "Splits" and/or "above/below" term.

I did some research on camera cases and how the controls work, the mechanical controls, then did some pressure calculations - I might make a basic dive case for video for the future which has start/stop and the usual 5 navigation menu button setup at the back. I can't help myself when it comes to designing and having stuff made. Sure I can buy cases, but it is rather fulfilling to make stuff - albeit I have it made at an engineering shop with my CAD drawings.