Underwater camera

johnalison

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 Feb 2007
Messages
43,882
Location
Essex
Visit site
Both of those who saw my report of drying out to clear a weedy prop might be interested to know how I knew what was going on. We had been given a Samsung underwater camcorder and I was looking out for a use for it, though I hadn't prayed for a fouled prop. The camera looks like this:
samsung-w200-full.jpg

and I dangled it on a piece of stout cord, having found a boathook to be awkward. This is a screen grab from my epic movie:
cruise12b8.jpg

I'm not sure I would have gone out to buy it but I have to admit; it was handy
 
Wonder what the close up definition is like. For example would it show barnacles on the prop if positioned carefully in same green soup?

You have some nice friends bearing such gifts :)
 
I'm not sure how close it focuses as I haven't really tried it out yet. One problem is that my laptop's not fast enough to show the videos without jerks. Not how long is it to Christmas? You would need to improved the lighting too I suspect.
 
any chance

I'm not sure how close it focuses as I haven't really tried it out yet. One problem is that my laptop's not fast enough to show the videos without jerks. Not how long is it to Christmas? You would need to improved the lighting too I suspect.

is there any chance you could shoot some footage and upload it to you tube

I would love to see what sort of job it does

Dylan
 
I have been trialling a Brizo hull cleaner pad-on-an-expensive-stick and have to say that it is does indeed appear to be very good, though not withoyt faults, after you learn where the sharp bits are underwater( anodes, prop, keel edges).
It would seem logical to try to add inexpensive video definition to verify what's been done, hence my interest

Edit: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166584
it seems these things have been around for a while doing just this.
 
Last edited:
Rather than making do with a waterproof consumer toy, I've considered buying a proper bit of kit (camera, light, pole, monitor) and offering it for hire. Hiring very locally the overheads would be low and therefore the hire should be economic. Much better than a precautionary lift and hold. Opinions?
 
I have an Olympus tough, it's an excellent piece of kit for underwater snapshots and does video as well.
Rated to 10m, and drop proof too.
I've had mine to 120m, (with the back open in a diving bell), then sealed it up before getting in the water, (so still only 10m pressure differential).
Works a treat.
 
Rather than making do with a waterproof consumer toy, I've considered buying a proper bit of kit (camera, light, pole, monitor) and offering it for hire. Hiring very locally the overheads would be low and therefore the hire should be economic. Much better than a precautionary lift and hold. Opinions?

You can buy commercially available systems, and make or have your own housing made. The waterproof connectors are available from specialist suppliers. Either military spec or the more usual subcon type. Low light infra red led type lights can be built in to the camera housing.
Often manufacturers advertise in magazines like underwater contractor. Hope this is usefull to you.
Underwater contractor will send out a free copy of the magazine if you ring them, pretend your a diver or work in the ROV industry...
Tell them you work for Halliburton or subsea 7 or technip offshore...
 
I would go and buy a "mask camera" with the HD video. This works very well underwater. Photos are as good as your friends camera.

I have been on lots of dives and the kit that some divers come out with his hugely expensive in the region of £1500 just for the case. Flash and all that is another £500 excluding DSL camera.
 
is there any chance you could shoot some footage and upload it to you tube

I would love to see what sort of job it does

Dylan

I'd like to, but I don't think my ancient laptop and wifi connections will let me for a while. The shots I took out of the water by clamping the camera to the pushpit look quite promising in HD.
 
swimming goggles are far cheaper :-) and good cold water training for if you do fall off...

and let you fix the problem whilst you are there.

camera would be good if in waves tho
 
Sony Cybershot DSC TX-10

Dylan,

I have had a waterproof Sony Cybershot DSC TX-10 for about a year now. It gives me fantastic results both above and under the water. http://http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-DSC-TX10L-DSC-TX-10-blue/dp/B004I1K1QU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1341316217&sr=8-3

Although admittedly a snorkel and mask would be far cheaper, I highly recommend this HD-capable camera (or in fact any waterfproof Sony Cybershot) to use while sailing. Just don't drop it overboard. :eek:

This particular video was not shot in HD but it is a good example of the capabilities of the camera underwater. I took the footage in Cyprus last year while sailing on a Jeanneau 36i:

http://youtu.be/Omj9bHOAjuE

The camera is, in my opinion, an excellent performer that takes great photos and videos with its 16.2M pixel resolution lens. The poor camera work is all down to me I'm afraid...:D

Hope this helps

Andy
 
http://www.mymemory.co.uk/Cameras/K...ort-C123-12MP-Waterproof-Digital-Camera---Red

HWMO gave me this to leave in the cockpit because we never take any pics otherwise. I also dangled it on stick to check of extent of prop fouling to determine whether it was worth drying out for a scrub. It's cheap and cheerful - apparently bomb proof - nothing special, the quality is not supreme, but it does what it says on the tin and was only £30 from argos.
 
Top