Waterproof Camcorders (boaty-ish)?

[Seagreen]

I was all set to ask Santa for the much-touted Sanyo Xacti, when I realised there were several now on the market.
Since the Xacti was the first, which among them is now the "best/value"?
Dylan may want to come in on this.

I don't plan on diving with it, but a decent "boat-proof" camera would be nice.

 

[laffinskip]

waterproof camcorder.

Thats exactly what I,m looking for,any info would be appreciated.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

I use the Xacti (which was on Dylans advice). It has been very good...

Used to make this video for example: http://youtu.be/MV-S29gBArQ

I haven't taken it under water: like you I wanted a camera that would be boat proof!

It struggles in low light and has very limited controls. If you are looking for a simple to use robust camera then I would recommend it. I also highly recommend that you ask Santa for a small portable tripod - it makes a huge difference in quality.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-Mini...T168/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354786412&sr=8-2

Looking forward to seeing the results...

Pete

 

[dylanwinter]

I agree

I use the Xacti (which was on Dylans advice). It has been very good...

Used to make this video for example: http://youtu.be/MV-S29gBArQ

I haven't taken it under water: like you I wanted a camera that would be boat proof!

It struggles in low light and has very limited controls. If you are looking for a simple to use robust camera then I would recommend it. I also highly recommend that you ask Santa for a small portable tripod - it makes a huge difference in quality.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Velbon-Mini...T168/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354786412&sr=8-2

Looking forward to seeing the results...

Pete

had two of these now

been bought by panasonic so the same camera is sold as the wa100 I think

they are tough and waterproof and very happy living in a wet pocket
my kids have taken mine swimming

low light work is poor

but then the lens is only the size of a postage stamp

but a 12 volt charger for the boat and some spare batteries

I always find that I take the best pix on the camera I have with me rather than the one at home

you might get a few go pro enthusiasts suggesting that you buy one of those

but I cannot bare the fish eye lens they put on the things

all those curvy masts and horizons make me feel sick

the stills work fine ona good day

D

 

[Salty John]

I have the Panasonic HX-WA10 and it has one major flaw - in bright sunlight the LCD monitor screen is unusable. Because there is no rangefinder and you can see nothing on the screen in sunlight you end up just pointing the camera like a gun and hoping you have the subject in the frame.

Anyone with a Xacti or Panasonic have any tips for sorting this problem? Is there some screen resolution adjustment I can't find.

 

[dylanwinter]

true

I have the Panasonic HX-WA10 and it has one major flaw - in bright sunlight the LCD monitor screen is unusable. Because there is no rangefinder and you can see nothing on the screen in sunlight you end up just pointing the camera like a gun and hoping you have the subject in the frame.

Anyone with a Xacti or Panasonic have any tips for sorting this problem? Is there some screen resolution adjustment I can't find.

that is true

one thing to do is to wear a dark top

or at least a dark pullover under your foulies

hold the camera at chest height or below - at the solar plexus

with the viewfinder tipped towards your body

maybe at 45 degrees


stand like a gorilla with legs and arms bent

with your foulie open

now you look like a flashing gorilla


the reflected light coming to the viewfinder is from your dark pullover

the other thing to do, is to look for the horizon - even in bright light you can usually see the horizon

then ou shoot from the hip

it is easier to point accuratly left and right when looking at the cameera from above

the up and down is harder to do

so look for a strong line
as I said usually the horizon


the camera can see more than the viewfinder

it is all a case of learning what the camera is seeing rather then necessarily seeing it yourself

it requires a change of technique

I now seldom use the view findeer on any of the cameras

apart from those l straight into the light shots



all this was shot on the flip out

but on the big camera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IuL8xpe7Cw


which was truggling with the poor light

the xacti would not cope

but it has a tiny lens that has to fit in your pocket

the big camera is the size of a breeze block


if you notice the sports cameramen usually use the lip out screen


good luck chaps

I love my waterproof camera

I literally never leave home without it

even when walking the dog or riding the horse or even to tescos

if it is not in my pocket then it is in the side pocket of the car

buy lots of batteries and buy a 12 volt charger

I am on the boat

cold and clear last night

ice on the inside this morning

but foggy sun soon dissapeared to leave a stiff cold wind so staying put today

but connected to the lekky for laptop and the occasional blast of heat to augment the candles

hoping for better tomorrow

back to the SCA column on polynavicularmorbus

always easier to write on the boat than at home

I am not the first hack to have discovered this

sailing should be tax deductable for all hacks and wordsmiths

like Bristo's beer


cheers

Dylan

 

[Giblets]

Dylan, can you not put the Starlings video up on Vimeo? They treat 'em a bit better.

 

[Salty John]

Dylan, thanks, I'm sure there are some useful tips in there.

Dark clothing and foulies were out of the question on this last trip - my foul weather gear comprised factor 15 sun block!

By the end of the trip I had become adept at pointing and shooting without reference to the screen and was getting the subject framed properly. However, using the zoom under such circumstances is simply not possible.

 

[Giblets]

I have the Panasonic HX-WA10 and it has one major flaw - in bright sunlight the LCD monitor screen is unusable. Because there is no rangefinder and you can see nothing on the screen in sunlight you end up just pointing the camera like a gun and hoping you have the subject in the frame.

Anyone with a Xacti or Panasonic have any tips for sorting this problem? Is there some screen resolution adjustment I can't find.

I have one of these which I use on my Panny HDC-HS300. It also works very well on my Panny HX-WA10.