Practical tips on carrying and using video?

huwporter · July 26th, 2006, 03:36 AM

Hi,

I've just picked up my first budget video setup (Sony MiniDV / Ikelite / UN wideangle), and have scoured t'internet for tips. I've found lots on what/how to film (including here, thanks), but not much practical stuff on just how to handle it in the water, clip it off etc. Can anyone here pass on any tips for how to include a video camera on a DIR rig without turning into a rule 6 abomination?

I.e. what attachments do you use? Does the camera always get unclipped for use, or can it remain clipped (to, er, left chest D-ring?) for security? How is it stowed when not in use? (I don't have a scooter, so need the use of my legs

)
Will anyone post pictures of their setup?

How /do you protect it when not in use? The idea of that expensive WA lens glass being exposed during a rough entry / exit doesn't fill one with joy...

Do you prefer the complete rig to be slightly negative (better stability apparently), positive (might ride up out of the way when not in use, also less risk of dropping it into a bottomless pit) or as neutral as possible (no impact on trim/buoyancy)?

Any tips to shorten the learning curve gratefully accepted!

Cheers,
Huw

huwporter · July 28th, 2006, 01:07 AM

Nobody?

I had hoped there was some received wisdom, even if there isn't an 'official' DIR position. Oh well, I'll have to figure something out myself.

Cheers,
Huw

Teppo · July 28th, 2006, 08:53 AM

Hi

Sorry for delay, i was diving

For light attachment i use in arm a 50mm plastic Y-shape hose holder, which means i can clip my video light to the arm when in use and when not in use clip it to chest D-ring

For balance, in cave a slight negative is okey, but like last night sea dive (with 2 deco bottles) i had a styrofone piece to make it a bit positive

For sea i tried a line that was attached to me, not the best option, gets in a way of hoses and etc. For cave i have a clip there, if its necessary to clip i can do it, but when shooting it is not attached.

Teppo

Quote: (Originally Posted by huwporter)

Nobody?

I had hoped there was some received wisdom, even if there isn't an 'official' DIR position. Oh well, I'll have to figure something out myself.

Cheers,
Huw

**jb2cool** · July 28th, 2006, 09:09 AM

If you are patient, i'm sure someone will turn up with some tips for you. I know John Kendall has been doing a bit of video recently, he might be able to provide some feedback on his findings.

Leigh u · July 28th, 2006, 05:36 PM

I have been clipping the camera off, using a double ender and a very small loop of bungie, to my left waist D ring. It hangs below the bottles and works okay. This is when I am not running lights

For scootering it is attached to a revolving mount on the tube.

*JGrogan* · July 28th, 2006, 06:12 PM

Hi Huw,
Great to see you here!

Generally speaking, it is prefered to keep the camera unit neutrally buoyant. In many cases, this will require some buoyancy tubes. When you're actually using it, it helps not to have to lift it or drag it down!

We tend to use twin 50W HID lights which are held on arms from the housing. The arms can be stowed facing inwards to protect the light heads / bulbs when not in use.

You should put a leash with about 1-1.5m of cord and a bolt-snap attached. You can then clip this off to the crotch d ring. This provides a permanent point of attachment should you "drop" the camera. If there is no real overhead above you (ie. open ocean) we tend to clip off the camera and pass it back between our legs when not in use ie. on ascent and deco. That keeps it out of the way and there is no risk of it getting damaged.

Entry from a boat is usually by jumping in with the housing. The light-heads are facing in to each other for protection. The heads are disconnected from the canister until in the water and the camera is connected to the crotch d ring via the leash.

Hope this helps.
Best,
John.

Quote: (Originally Posted by huwporter)

Hi,

I've just picked up my first budget video setup (Sony MiniDV / Ikelite / UN wideangle), and have scoured t'internet for tips. I've found lots on what/how to film (including here, thanks), but not much practical stuff on just how to handle it in the water, clip it off etc. Can anyone here pass on any tips for how to include a video camera on a DIR rig without turning into a rule 6 abomination?

I.e. what attachments do you use? Does the camera always get unclipped for use, or can it remain clipped (to, er, left chest D-ring?) for security? How is it stowed when not in use? (I don't have a scooter, so need the use of my legs

)
Will anyone post pictures of their setup?

How /do you protect it when not in use? The idea of that expensive WA lens glass being exposed during a rough entry / exit doesn't fill one with joy...

Do you prefer the complete rig to be slightly negative (better stability apparently), positive (might ride up out of the way when not in use, also less risk of dropping it into a bottomless pit) or as neutral as possible (no impact on trim/buoyancy)?

Any tips to shorten the learning curve gratefully accepted!

Cheers,
Huw

***EBT*** · July 29th, 2006, 02:34 AM

Yo biatch

hiya huw... hows oz?

My limited experience with pointy shooty said make it slighty bouyant (tis expensive and this puts it somewhere predictabubble). I run mine on a boltsnap on the crotch widget.

/Zak

PS. ya still a skinny twat

daz · July 29th, 2006, 12:00 PM

I played around with various methods of attachment and always found that any leash type arrangement was a PITA, it felt messy and I was always conscious that it could cause an issue with long hose deployment.

I put a small wrist strap on mine with a double ender or bolt snap and keep it on my right wrist when in use. If I want to clip it off I remove it from the wrist and use the bolt snap to clip it off to either the hip or crotchstrap D ring.

If I need to let it go when in use it just hangs off the wrist strap.

Generally I have the camera handed into me but if I have to backwards roll with it, I hold it close to the chest and if I am striding in I hold it above my head so my body takes the shock of out of hitting the water.

Daz

huwporter · July 31st, 2006, 04:26 AM

Hi John, good to see you too.

Hi Zak, I think 'sleek' was the word you were looking for... How are the 'too many beans' gas management issues?

Thanks for the tips, I'll set up a crotchstrap leash for next time. I guess that gives the option of operation by both hands, but keeps the leash out of the way of anything important.

(I think for shore diving, it'll need a short leash as well - 1m of cord would be just too long to keep the housing under control, particularly if the sea has come up and you need both hands to scramble out...?)

But how well does putting the camera between the legs work if you have to swim? I'd have thought it would get bashed around between your heels and the bottom of the tank/s?

Well, Ikelite's idiot proofing survived four sessions of idiot testing over the weekend... and I might be able to salvage 30 seconds out of the 40+ minutes of footage.

A few quick framegrabs on Flickr while I get to grips with iMovie:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huwp
Be kind, it's my first time pushing a video around...

Cheers,
Huw

*JohnKendall* · July 31st, 2006, 11:04 AM

Hi Huw,

What I do (And I'm not any kind of expert):

I have a leash on the camera, which is clipped to the crotch D-ring. The leash is long enough to have the camera held out in front of me, without catching.

I also have a double ender on the camera that allows me to clip the camera close to me, either on my left shoulder d-ring (If I've not got stages) or on my crotch D-ring (If I do have stages)

My camera is negative, which is really non-ideal, Neutral would be better. I don't like throwing the camera between my legs because I've got lights on light arms on the camera, connected to a canister on my belt. It's on EO's so could be done, but then you have the problem of dealing with the light cords on the light heads.

HTH
J

July 26th, 2006, 03:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
huwporter(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 10	Practical tips for carrying and using video? Hi, I've just picked up my first budget video setup (Sony MiniDV / Ikelite / UN wideangle), and have scoured t'internet for tips. I've found lots on what/how to film (including here, thanks), but not much practical stuff on just how to handle it in the water, clip it off etc. Can anyone here pass on any tips for how to include a video camera on a DIR rig without turning into a rule 6 abomination? I.e. what attachments do you use? Does the camera always get unclipped for use, or can it remain clipped (to, er, left chest D-ring?) for security? How is it stowed when not in use? (I don't have a scooter, so need the use of my legs ) Will anyone post pictures of their setup? How /do you protect it when not in use? The idea of that expensive WA lens glass being exposed during a rough entry / exit doesn't fill one with joy... Do you prefer the complete rig to be slightly negative (better stability apparently), positive (might ride up out of the way when not in use, also less risk of dropping it into a bottomless pit) or as neutral as possible (no impact on trim/buoyancy)? Any tips to shorten the learning curve gratefully accepted! Cheers, Huw __________________ http://www.huwporter.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/huwp Last edited by huwporter; July 26th, 2006 at 03:45 AM.

July 28th, 2006, 01:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
huwporter(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 10	Nobody? I had hoped there was some received wisdom, even if there isn't an 'official' DIR position. Oh well, I'll have to figure something out myself. Cheers, Huw __________________ http://www.huwporter.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/huwp

July 28th, 2006, 08:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Teppo(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 116	Hi Sorry for delay, i was diving For light attachment i use in arm a 50mm plastic Y-shape hose holder, which means i can clip my video light to the arm when in use and when not in use clip it to chest D-ring For balance, in cave a slight negative is okey, but like last night sea dive (with 2 deco bottles) i had a styrofone piece to make it a bit positive For sea i tried a line that was attached to me, not the best option, gets in a way of hoses and etc. For cave i have a clip there, if its necessary to clip i can do it, but when shooting it is not attached. Teppo Quote: (Originally Posted by huwporter) Nobody? I had hoped there was some received wisdom, even if there isn't an 'official' DIR position. Oh well, I'll have to figure something out myself. Cheers, Huw __________________ Teppo http://koti.welho.com/tlallukk/

July 28th, 2006, 09:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
jb2cool(Offline) Padawan learner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 797	If you are patient, i'm sure someone will turn up with some tips for you. I know John Kendall has been doing a bit of video recently, he might be able to provide some feedback on his findings. __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

July 31st, 2006, 04:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
huwporter(Offline) New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 10	Hi John, good to see you too. Hi Zak, I think 'sleek' was the word you were looking for... How are the 'too many beans' gas management issues? Thanks for the tips, I'll set up a crotchstrap leash for next time. I guess that gives the option of operation by both hands, but keeps the leash out of the way of anything important. (I think for shore diving, it'll need a short leash as well - 1m of cord would be just too long to keep the housing under control, particularly if the sea has come up and you need both hands to scramble out...?) But how well does putting the camera between the legs work if you have to swim? I'd have thought it would get bashed around between your heels and the bottom of the tank/s? Well, Ikelite's idiot proofing survived four sessions of idiot testing over the weekend... and I might be able to salvage 30 seconds out of the 40+ minutes of footage. A few quick framegrabs on Flickr while I get to grips with iMovie: http://www.flickr.com/photos/huwp Be kind, it's my first time pushing a video around... Cheers, Huw __________________ http://www.huwporter.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/huwp

July 28th, 2006, 05:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Leigh u(Offline) We Go Down Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ottawa Canada Posts: 227	I have been clipping the camera off, using a double ender and a very small loop of bungie, to my left waist D ring. It hangs below the bottles and works okay. This is when I am not running lights For scootering it is attached to a revolving mount on the tube.

July 28th, 2006, 06:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
JGrogan(Offline) GUE Join Date: May 2006 Location: London Posts: 439	Hi Huw, Great to see you here! Generally speaking, it is prefered to keep the camera unit neutrally buoyant. In many cases, this will require some buoyancy tubes. When you're actually using it, it helps not to have to lift it or drag it down! We tend to use twin 50W HID lights which are held on arms from the housing. The arms can be stowed facing inwards to protect the light heads / bulbs when not in use. You should put a leash with about 1-1.5m of cord and a bolt-snap attached. You can then clip this off to the crotch d ring. This provides a permanent point of attachment should you "drop" the camera. If there is no real overhead above you (ie. open ocean) we tend to clip off the camera and pass it back between our legs when not in use ie. on ascent and deco. That keeps it out of the way and there is no risk of it getting damaged. Entry from a boat is usually by jumping in with the housing. The light-heads are facing in to each other for protection. The heads are disconnected from the canister until in the water and the camera is connected to the crotch d ring via the leash. Hope this helps. Best, John. Quote: (Originally Posted by huwporter) Hi, I've just picked up my first budget video setup (Sony MiniDV / Ikelite / UN wideangle), and have scoured t'internet for tips. I've found lots on what/how to film (including here, thanks), but not much practical stuff on just how to handle it in the water, clip it off etc. Can anyone here pass on any tips for how to include a video camera on a DIR rig without turning into a rule 6 abomination? I.e. what attachments do you use? Does the camera always get unclipped for use, or can it remain clipped (to, er, left chest D-ring?) for security? How is it stowed when not in use? (I don't have a scooter, so need the use of my legs ) Will anyone post pictures of their setup? How /do you protect it when not in use? The idea of that expensive WA lens glass being exposed during a rough entry / exit doesn't fill one with joy... Do you prefer the complete rig to be slightly negative (better stability apparently), positive (might ride up out of the way when not in use, also less risk of dropping it into a bottomless pit) or as neutral as possible (no impact on trim/buoyancy)? Any tips to shorten the learning curve gratefully accepted! Cheers, Huw

July 29th, 2006, 02:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
*EBT*(Offline) Just another crouton... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 413	Yo biatch hiya huw... hows oz? My limited experience with pointy shooty said make it slighty bouyant (tis expensive and this puts it somewhere predictabubble). I run mine on a boltsnap on the crotch widget. /Zak PS. ya still a skinny twat

July 29th, 2006, 12:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
daz(Offline) "Don't worry I'm approved" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 209	I played around with various methods of attachment and always found that any leash type arrangement was a PITA, it felt messy and I was always conscious that it could cause an issue with long hose deployment. I put a small wrist strap on mine with a double ender or bolt snap and keep it on my right wrist when in use. If I want to clip it off I remove it from the wrist and use the bolt snap to clip it off to either the hip or crotchstrap D ring. If I need to let it go when in use it just hangs off the wrist strap. Generally I have the camera handed into me but if I have to backwards roll with it, I hold it close to the chest and if I am striding in I hold it above my head so my body takes the shock of out of hitting the water. Daz

July 31st, 2006, 11:04 AM	#10 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,099	Hi Huw, What I do (And I'm not any kind of expert): I have a leash on the camera, which is clipped to the crotch D-ring. The leash is long enough to have the camera held out in front of me, without catching. I also have a double ender on the camera that allows me to clip the camera close to me, either on my left shoulder d-ring (If I've not got stages) or on my crotch D-ring (If I do have stages) My camera is negative, which is really non-ideal, Neutral would be better. I don't like throwing the camera between my legs because I've got lights on light arms on the camera, connected to a canister on my belt. It's on EO's so could be done, but then you have the problem of dealing with the light cords on the light heads. HTH J __________________ John Kendall http://www.guetraining.com/ GUE Instruction, Santi and Halcyon Equipment NEW - Online Santi Shop