View Full Version : Underwater Shooting Questions


Silas Barker
June 28th, 2012, 08:59 PM
Hi,

I have never shot underwater, but may be shooting some underwater footage for a film. IT would be in a river thats very clear. What type of camera and underwater housing do you guys recommend? I ve been using the Canon 5D and was thinking that for this shot perhaps a go pro with underwater housing would be a cheap way to go, allthough I don't know if thats best. The shots don't need to be moving around in the water too much.

Markus Nord
June 29th, 2012, 12:27 PM
You don'tgive us any info on what type of shooting you'll be doing. Is it just a static shot in water, just to give the viewer another angle, the GoPro probably will do fine... But is it critical shot of something special happening in the river I would not go with any other than a camera I can do some adjustment with.
Question about the best camera... The camera that you can work with to get the shot you need. Try to rent a housing for your 5D and se how it works out. If you are going to place the camera in the water and hope for a good shot (of a passing fish) than the 12 minute may be a limit.

Silas Barker
June 29th, 2012, 12:42 PM
Its for part of a short film. Basically to either follow or a static shot of 2 swimmers underwater in a clear river. Maybe renting the 5D housing would be the best option - I ve never done any underwater shooting that's why I am asking. I don't own a Go-Pro and I don't know if it would cut well with 5D footage either...

Markus Nord
June 30th, 2012, 02:01 PM
If you change camera between above and under water the change is less obvious. If the swimmers are just passning and if you can light the scene I thing no one would notist a change. You can probably rent a GoPro2 too. I think that you'll get the shot quicker with a GoPro with less job and an acceptible quality. But I you got the time to learn about the UW housing and do some testing etc etc than, maybe the quality will be better...

Bill Thesken
July 3rd, 2012, 01:08 PM
We use the GoPro all the time for water shots because it's cheap (err... inexpensive), and gets a good
colorful shot. If you are filming strictly underwater you need the flat port fix or it will be a little out of focus on the close shots. If you can get your hands on a housing for the 5d by renting that would be the best bet.
Check out this video we made and see the shots at 0.32 & 0.53 for a couple of examples of the GoPro with the flat port:

Main Resort Video for Wyndham - YouTube

Jonathan Shaw
July 11th, 2012, 12:31 AM
As Bill has pointed out remember to get the flat port if you use a GoPro otherwise nothing will be in focus. If you have a 5D and want to use it you could also hire a splash bag. How deep will you be going, I would trust a bag deeper than a few feet. What lenses do you have for your 5D? you would want something pretty wide, like the 16-35. Also remember if using the 5D focus is different underwater you will need to be able to check critical focus especially with bigger sensor cameras.