Beginner help

[Sarah]

Great info Jim!

[lars2923]

First, 747 and Jim.. You're making me long for being back in Seattle... I miss it.

OK, Here is what I use:
SONY HDR-HC3 housed in a GATES using Nite-Rider lighting.
Here is a link to some screen shots from HD Videos I just made in August
http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ton%2008_2007/
Granted, the pics are "Screen Shots" so quality is not what I was looking for in the picture, just the picture..
Note the SONY takes both Video and Picture and you may switch between the
two while diving, or you may snap pictures while filming.
I highly recommend the Nite-Rider lights.. I use the dual (4 lights) on the
unit I carry and may independently turn on/off any combination of lights I feel I need,
angle them in any direction, so forth.. but most of all, the support from Nite-Rider.
Twice a screwed up my lighting and twice they over nighted me a replacement.
There are, as mentioned in other posts, other good equipment to consider for
all the reasons mentioned.

Good luck and boy I sure do miss the NW...

[Papa Bear]

I don't know if you have done something by now, but here is my 2 cents! You didn't say what you wanted to spend? That makes a world of difference! SD or HD? If you want in on the bottom or the top of the last generation of SD cameras. Again price makes the difference! You can get a lot of bang for your buck if you go SD, but you have to look at the world is going HD, so either way you go has its pit falls! You can check with Ikelite they put some great packages to with camera, housing, and lights. Their Products travel well being light and compact. They both SD and HD packages, but are leaning towards HD more. HDR-HC7 is a great camera. Ikelite uses Canon Cameras that are at the top of the heap for sure! So what is you want to spend and do? And don't forget the time factor of editing and the expense of the editing program. Even on the bottom end this can get pricey be aware! Everyone is giving you some great advice, but nothing replaces hands on if you can do it? Maybe rent something first it will help the learning curve.

[scubajam]

Very true on $$. The HC7 is one of the best cameras out there, certainly competition for the Canon HV20, which also has great reviews. Interesting that lars2923 uses the HC3 camera, the forerunner to HC5 and HC7. I just purchased a HC3 as B-roll to have a second camera for surface work (got it used in a great deal). The still images are great. Better if not taken during video recording. Can do it either way, but the quality is better. If anyone is near Seattle area, there are 3 of us taking video who are going to do a sharing seminar in the next month or so. I'm sort of leading it, but plan not to teach as in class, but more share. We do have an outline and a good LCD projector to see video on a large screen. If anyone doesn't have a system, I'd be glad to dive with you and let you use this system to try it out. I'm leading a group of 12 to Maui in January and we hope to sharpen our skills before then. We'll also go over computers, editing systems, burning, best codecs for websites, etc. I'm a value guy so like to do things on a tight budget; Gates is great and used by many pros, but out of my $$. Same with Nite Rider lights, mine do great and the pair cost only $315 new, a fraction of all other lights. Another e.g. the Maui trip is $1,400 with lodging, car rental, unlimited air fills, all rental gear, boat dives, and including airfare from Seattle. I certainly envy those with more to invest in video and trips, but I get along. Now I'm recording HD-DVD's on regular $0.35 media. Looking for the next bargain ... Jim