camera settings for UK underwater at DVinfo.net

Andrew Davies · June 11th, 2007, 06:53 AM

I'm just about to start shooting an underwater project in UK waters with a Z1. Does anyone have any recommendations as to which camera settings to select?

Thanks

Andy

John Miller · June 11th, 2007, 10:02 AM

I've used a number of camcorders for underwater use over the years (including the UK) and I have always used automatic exposure settings - except for focussing.

Other factors depend on how deep you will be. Will you be in shallow water (e.g., a river) or somewhere deeper in the sea? This will determine whether you need lighting or not. The water around the UK tend to be very green, too.

I have found that all the camcorders I have used tend to record far too high chroma - with PAL and NTSC models.

And one thing I keep reminding myself is to make sure the lens port (or dome) is clean and free of annoying things like air bubbles. Give it a wipe once it is in the water. Nothing worse than getting back home and seeing lots of little bubbles on the video!

Andrew Davies · June 14th, 2007, 03:57 AM

I'll be shooting in the sea at a variety of depths but nothing much beyond 20m so I will be using ambient light at shallow depths and HID when the ambient drops too much.

June 11th, 2007, 06:53 AM	#1
Andrew Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 104	camera settings for UK underwater I'm just about to start shooting an underwater project in UK waters with a Z1. Does anyone have any recommendations as to which camera settings to select? Thanks Andy

June 11th, 2007, 10:02 AM	#2
John Miller Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hillsborough, NC, USA Posts: 968	I've used a number of camcorders for underwater use over the years (including the UK) and I have always used automatic exposure settings - except for focussing. Other factors depend on how deep you will be. Will you be in shallow water (e.g., a river) or somewhere deeper in the sea? This will determine whether you need lighting or not. The water around the UK tend to be very green, too. I have found that all the camcorders I have used tend to record far too high chroma - with PAL and NTSC models. And one thing I keep reminding myself is to make sure the lens port (or dome) is clean and free of annoying things like air bubbles. Give it a wipe once it is in the water. Nothing worse than getting back home and seeing lots of little bubbles on the video!

June 14th, 2007, 03:57 AM	#3
Andrew Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 104	I'll be shooting in the sea at a variety of depths but nothing much beyond 20m so I will be using ambient light at shallow depths and HID when the ambient drops too much.