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Underwater Video Housings & Still Camera Housings for Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Kayaking, and More |
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AquaCam HDX Video/Camcorder Housings, Coolpix Still Camera Housings, and Accessories |
Underwater Shooting Tips/Guide
Video Lights & Color Correction Filters: In reasonably clear water and moderate sunshine, video lights are of little use because natural sunlight provides all of the necessary illumination for most low-lux camcorders. Video lights are necessary for night diving and can enhance natural colors and detail to close-up shots (without the use of a filter), especially at depths below 80 feet (24m). However, for depths between 15 and 80 feet (4.6 to 24m), a color correction filter is the best and most economical way to restore the natural colors filtered-out by the water (primarily reds, oranges and yellows). Go to Accessories page for more information on color correction filters and other useful accessories. For more information on Video Lights, see our FAQs page.Auto Focus: Virtually all camcorders can be used in Auto Focus mode, especially if they have a common TTL (contrast-based) focusing system. Camcorders with a Manual Focus control can be manually preset by deactivating the Auto Focus system, zooming in on an object about 20 feet (7m) away, manually focusing the image, and zooming back out to full wide angle (not macro). This Manual Focus method conserves battery power by having the Auto Focus system deactivated.
Zoom - Wider is Better: Regarding zoom control, the best results are achieved when the zoom is set to full wide angle, because it allows a closer shooting distance with less water between the camera and the subject. The closer you are to your subject, the better the image will be - better light, clarity and color! You can occasionally zoom out of wide angle and even shoot telephoto as needed, but most shooting should be in full wide angle. Camcorder lenses typically provide ample wide angle coverage (40 - 50 degrees of horizontal field-of-view (FOV) above water) and are well suited for recreational underwater shooting. If you desire to shoot wider than your camcorder lens, you can attach a wide angle adapter lens. We suggest using No wider than a 0.5 power lens, which will provide a maximum FOV of about 70 degrees above water, or 53 degrees underwater, depending on the camcorder. Note that the FOV underwater is reduced by about 25 percent through a flat port, making objects like fish look larger and closer than they actually are. Shooting Too Wide (over 70+ degrees FOV above water) will produce a subtle optical distortion (initially subtle) around the edges of the image. This distortion is called lateral color fringing, and is due to refraction through the flat port while shooting too wide.
Flat Ports -vs- Dome Ports: The AquaCam HDX video housings are equipped with Flat Ports only. Flat ports are superior to dome ports above water, and perform extremely well underwater for telephoto, normal, and moderate wide angle shooting - up to about 70+ degrees of horizontal field-of-view (FOV). Note that the FOV underwater is reduced by about 25 percent through a flat port, making objects like fish look larger and closer than they actually are. Most camcorder lenses provide a 40 - 50 degree FOV (above water) and perform exceptionally well through a flat port, even when used with a 0.5 power wide angle adapter lens (yielding about 70 degrees FOV above water, or 53 degrees FOV underwater). Dome ports are necessary when using a Super-wide angle adapter lens (typically over 90 degrees FOV) and are Not necessary for shooting in moderate wide angle, normal, and telephoto (zoom telephoto) settings.
Viewing & Viewing Aids: The comfortable approach for most shooting is to sight over the top of the housing in a "point and shoot" manner, especially if your are shooting in full wide angle. This method provides for accurate framing and following of the subject, and allows you to view the scene ahead and anticipate where to shoot next. With a little experience, you can get an accurate feel for the framing and coverage of the camcorder/housing. Continuous viewing through the rear port (using a monitor or viewfinder ) can be an uncomfortable position to shoot in for an extended period of time. Note that many of the smaller camcorders can be positioned to allow the LCD monitor to be open sufficiently for viewing (typically 50-75 percent open). This is useful for zooming, limited viewing, and framing. If you must monitor what you are shooting and are unable to use the monitor on your camcorder, a small secondary LCD video monitor can be mounted near the rear port on camera tray (if space permits) or mounted directly to the rear port with Velcro. Small 2.5-3.5 inch LCD monitors are available from Ikan (ikancorp.com), Delvcam, or can be purchased from importers on eBay for about $30 or less (will require an external battery holder).
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