U/W Video Setup

Chris Armstrong · February 8th, 2010, 09:44 PM

Hi all,

I'm currently eye-balling an excellent looking underwater video setup.

Dual 35W HID lights and an Amphibico VH1000 housing.

My first question is that the housing was used with a Sony DCR-VX1000, now a legacy model, are there any of these left or are there newer ones that are compatabile with the housing?

Regards,

Chris

Ali Fikree · February 9th, 2010, 10:58 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris Armstrong)

Hi all,

I'm currently eye-balling an excellent looking underwater video setup.

Dual 35W HID lights and an Amphibico VH1000 housing.

My first question is that the housing was used with a Sony DCR-VX1000, now a legacy model, are there any of these left or are there newer ones that are compatabile with the housing?

Regards,

Chris

I can tell you the answer to this but you are better of emailing amphibico direct and asking them. I asked about upgrading my video set up and got back a very negative response.

Amphibico housings are only compatible with the camera they are designed for.

Stephan · February 9th, 2010, 11:06 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris Armstrong)

Hi all,

I'm currently eye-balling an excellent looking underwater video setup.

Dual 35W HID lights and an Amphibico VH1000 housing.

My first question is that the housing was used with a Sony DCR-VX1000, now a legacy model, are there any of these left or are there newer ones that are compatabile with the housing?

Regards,

Chris

Ask customer support of Amphibico if the housing is compatabile with other camera's.
But I doubt that, because as for I know (most) Amphibico housings are designated for one type of camera.

**neilh** · February 9th, 2010, 11:51 AM

An alternative is to see whether the camera appears on ebay, etc. If it does then you might be able to get yourself a video rig together.

Keep in mind though that it will eat cash and time as I'm finding to my cost!

"I'll get some cheap bits to use my old video camera, that'll be a cheap and easy way to try video" I thought. Then I ended up buying a couple of video lights. Then I wanted a cleaner way to capture the video onto the PC. Then I wanted some better editing software. Then I needed more disk space.

Now my PC is just too darn slow

...and that's without the time spent on editing your video and working out how to get the damn thing online if that's what you want to do

**Ben Curtis** · February 10th, 2010, 09:12 PM

I asked Amphibico and got the response. No.

I'm trying to claw together the money for a brand new set up ATM after paying fro Scapa, Malta, France and MX. Its painful waiting and not something I am good at but at least there is one saving grace. I know I will have the support from Amphibico if something goes wrong and if something goes wrong I know I'll be bloody happy I did wait.

No offence Chris but ATM your money may be best saved for getting some serious diving in. Worry about all the extra kit later. I'm not trying to run down your ambitions after all I have some pretty wacky ideas floating around but before you jump and cough out a load of money remember that in water time is much better than shiny dive kit.

mjt · February 11th, 2010, 03:58 PM

Hi Ben/Chris
Amphibico housings will only work with the designated camera that they are designed for.
The production runs are fairly limited and once they are sold they rarely have any left particulary for old camera systems
The main UK service agent is Extreme Facilties in Battersea, who are very knowledgeable but they are a broadcast hire facillity so they might not have any old prosumer stock to sell:
Introduction to Extreme
Amphibico have just released a superb housing for the Sony EX3, so you may find some owners/companies getting rid of their Z1/Phenom rigs, as the Z1 is now coming to the end of it's life cycle......but they won't be cheap as the housings are still top notch in good nick.
I have had quick response from Amphibico support when requesting tech info/ops manuals.

HTH

Marc

Chris Armstrong · February 11th, 2010, 09:39 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by mjt)

Hi Ben/Chris
Amphibico housings will only work with the designated camera that they are designed for.
The production runs are fairly limited and once they are sold they rarely have any left particulary for old camera systems
The main UK service agent is Extreme Facilties in Battersea, who are very knowledgeable but they are a broadcast hire facillity so they might not have any old prosumer stock to sell:
Introduction to Extreme
Amphibico have just released a superb housing for the Sony EX3, so you may find some owners/companies getting rid of their Z1/Phenom rigs, as the Z1 is now coming to the end of it's life cycle......but they won't be cheap as the housings are still top notch in good nick.
I have had quick response from Amphibico support when requesting tech info/ops manuals.

HTH

Marc

Yeah I got the same answer from Amphibico too ... u/w videography is going to put be on hold for a wee while - got lots of wrecks in the english channel to be diving in the mean time!

**Ben Curtis** · February 11th, 2010, 11:08 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by mjt)

Amphibico have just released a superb housing for the Sony EX3, so you may find some owners/companies getting rid of their Z1/Phenom rigs, as the Z1 is now coming to the end of it's life cycle......but they won't be cheap as the housings are still top notch in good nick.

Yeah would be really nice to have but unfortunately it isn't very travel friendly. Well unless I get one of the roller suitcase things. They're bloody massive!

I'm looking at getting a Sony HDR HC A1-U or HC A1-E and relevant housing which are a fair bit smaller but still crammed with modes and gizmos to keep me entertained for a while.

I've been looking at the soon to be released Sony HDR AX2000 which looks like a follow on from the older VX1000-VX2000 cameras which had brilliant low light capabilities and I know someone who uses one. Although raving about a camera that doesn't exist yet is a little unwise, if it does what Sony say it will, I will be reremortgaging the house,van, sister, future wife and anything else I can find just to preorder one.

Quote:

I have had quick response from Amphibico support when requesting tech info/ops manuals.

Same here they have been a brilliant help. I have hounded them with questions and have had nothing but positive help back. I have heard only good things about them. Please don't take my previous post in a negative light, it was not meant to sound this way at all.

mjt · February 12th, 2010, 12:46 AM

Hi Ben

have you looked at the recently updated EX1, amazing camera for the money although a bit more $ than AX2000.
I use them a lot at work and pics are stunning even in low light situations.
The XDCam EX solid state workflow is very robust and works great with FCP etc.
The Gates EX1 housing looks solid, but may be too big for your needs/budget.

Cheers

Marc

**Ben Curtis** · February 13th, 2010, 11:50 AM

Funnily enough I mentioned the AX2000 after seeing the advertising pre launch bump a while ago and that evening after posting it on here, I received an email from sony letting me know the camera had just gone on sale. Spooky!

I'm not sure about Gates housings as I was really looking at the Amphibico or Top Dawg housings.

February 8th, 2010, 09:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Chris Armstrong(Offline) Eager beaver! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Eltham(London)/ Loughborough(Leciestershire) Posts: 570	Hi all, I'm currently eye-balling an excellent looking underwater video setup. Dual 35W HID lights and an Amphibico VH1000 housing. My first question is that the housing was used with a Sony DCR-VX1000, now a legacy model, are there any of these left or are there newer ones that are compatabile with the housing? Regards, Chris __________________ "If Murphy's Law Doesn't Get You ... Then Darwin's Law Will" - Chris Armstrong - July 16 2008 - Cave Diving "Invictus Maneo" - "I Remain Unvanquished" North-West Premier Dive Center - Dive Life - www.divelife.co.uk

February 9th, 2010, 10:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ali Fikree(Offline) Have gear will travel. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dubai Posts: 898	Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris Armstrong) Hi all, I'm currently eye-balling an excellent looking underwater video setup. Dual 35W HID lights and an Amphibico VH1000 housing. My first question is that the housing was used with a Sony DCR-VX1000, now a legacy model, are there any of these left or are there newer ones that are compatabile with the housing? Regards, Chris I can tell you the answer to this but you are better of emailing amphibico direct and asking them. I asked about upgrading my video set up and got back a very negative response. Amphibico housings are only compatible with the camera they are designed for. __________________ The important thing is not to stop questioning.—Albert Einstein

February 9th, 2010, 11:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
Stephan (Online) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 53	Quote: (Originally Posted by Chris Armstrong) Hi all, I'm currently eye-balling an excellent looking underwater video setup. Dual 35W HID lights and an Amphibico VH1000 housing. My first question is that the housing was used with a Sony DCR-VX1000, now a legacy model, are there any of these left or are there newer ones that are compatabile with the housing? Regards, Chris Ask customer support of Amphibico if the housing is compatabile with other camera's. But I doubt that, because as for I know (most) Amphibico housings are designated for one type of camera. __________________ If you can't solve it, dissolve it. http://www.koelakant.be

February 10th, 2010, 09:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ben Curtis(Offline) Firmly back in the saddle Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bucks - Near Aylesbury (shudder) Posts: 764	I asked Amphibico and got the response. No. I'm trying to claw together the money for a brand new set up ATM after paying fro Scapa, Malta, France and MX. Its painful waiting and not something I am good at but at least there is one saving grace. I know I will have the support from Amphibico if something goes wrong and if something goes wrong I know I'll be bloody happy I did wait. No offence Chris but ATM your money may be best saved for getting some serious diving in. Worry about all the extra kit later. I'm not trying to run down your ambitions after all I have some pretty wacky ideas floating around but before you jump and cough out a load of money remember that in water time is much better than shiny dive kit. __________________ www.millenniumdivers.org ...."settle for nothing less than perfection. Those who do will discover on their own the value of such effort. Those who do not will never understand what the others are talking about." Bill Gavin

February 11th, 2010, 03:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
mjt (Online) New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sarf London Posts: 12	Hi Ben/Chris Amphibico housings will only work with the designated camera that they are designed for. The production runs are fairly limited and once they are sold they rarely have any left particulary for old camera systems The main UK service agent is Extreme Facilties in Battersea, who are very knowledgeable but they are a broadcast hire facillity so they might not have any old prosumer stock to sell: Introduction to Extreme Amphibico have just released a superb housing for the Sony EX3, so you may find some owners/companies getting rid of their Z1/Phenom rigs, as the Z1 is now coming to the end of it's life cycle......but they won't be cheap as the housings are still top notch in good nick. I have had quick response from Amphibico support when requesting tech info/ops manuals. HTH Marc __________________ never get out the boat... Last edited by mjt; February 11th, 2010 at 05:08 PM..

February 9th, 2010, 11:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
neilh (Online) Wreck Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 2,596	An alternative is to see whether the camera appears on ebay, etc. If it does then you might be able to get yourself a video rig together. Keep in mind though that it will eat cash and time as I'm finding to my cost! "I'll get some cheap bits to use my old video camera, that'll be a cheap and easy way to try video" I thought. Then I ended up buying a couple of video lights. Then I wanted a cleaner way to capture the video onto the PC. Then I wanted some better editing software. Then I needed more disk space. Now my PC is just too darn slow ...and that's without the time spent on editing your video and working out how to get the damn thing online if that's what you want to do

February 11th, 2010, 09:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chris Armstrong(Offline) Eager beaver! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Eltham(London)/ Loughborough(Leciestershire) Posts: 570	Quote: (Originally Posted by mjt) Hi Ben/Chris Amphibico housings will only work with the designated camera that they are designed for. The production runs are fairly limited and once they are sold they rarely have any left particulary for old camera systems The main UK service agent is Extreme Facilties in Battersea, who are very knowledgeable but they are a broadcast hire facillity so they might not have any old prosumer stock to sell: Introduction to Extreme Amphibico have just released a superb housing for the Sony EX3, so you may find some owners/companies getting rid of their Z1/Phenom rigs, as the Z1 is now coming to the end of it's life cycle......but they won't be cheap as the housings are still top notch in good nick. I have had quick response from Amphibico support when requesting tech info/ops manuals. HTH Marc Yeah I got the same answer from Amphibico too ... u/w videography is going to put be on hold for a wee while - got lots of wrecks in the english channel to be diving in the mean time! __________________ "If Murphy's Law Doesn't Get You ... Then Darwin's Law Will" - Chris Armstrong - July 16 2008 - Cave Diving "Invictus Maneo" - "I Remain Unvanquished" North-West Premier Dive Center - Dive Life - www.divelife.co.uk

February 11th, 2010, 11:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ben Curtis(Offline) Firmly back in the saddle Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bucks - Near Aylesbury (shudder) Posts: 764	Quote: (Originally Posted by mjt) Amphibico have just released a superb housing for the Sony EX3, so you may find some owners/companies getting rid of their Z1/Phenom rigs, as the Z1 is now coming to the end of it's life cycle......but they won't be cheap as the housings are still top notch in good nick. Yeah would be really nice to have but unfortunately it isn't very travel friendly. Well unless I get one of the roller suitcase things. They're bloody massive! I'm looking at getting a Sony HDR HC A1-U or HC A1-E and relevant housing which are a fair bit smaller but still crammed with modes and gizmos to keep me entertained for a while. I've been looking at the soon to be released Sony HDR AX2000 which looks like a follow on from the older VX1000-VX2000 cameras which had brilliant low light capabilities and I know someone who uses one. Although raving about a camera that doesn't exist yet is a little unwise, if it does what Sony say it will, I will be reremortgaging the house,van, sister, future wife and anything else I can find just to preorder one. Quote: I have had quick response from Amphibico support when requesting tech info/ops manuals. Same here they have been a brilliant help. I have hounded them with questions and have had nothing but positive help back. I have heard only good things about them. Please don't take my previous post in a negative light, it was not meant to sound this way at all. __________________ www.millenniumdivers.org ...."settle for nothing less than perfection. Those who do will discover on their own the value of such effort. Those who do not will never understand what the others are talking about." Bill Gavin

February 12th, 2010, 12:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
mjt (Online) New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sarf London Posts: 12	Hi Ben have you looked at the recently updated EX1, amazing camera for the money although a bit more $ than AX2000. I use them a lot at work and pics are stunning even in low light situations. The XDCam EX solid state workflow is very robust and works great with FCP etc. The Gates EX1 housing looks solid, but may be too big for your needs/budget. Cheers Marc __________________ never get out the boat... Last edited by mjt; February 12th, 2010 at 09:06 AM..

February 13th, 2010, 11:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
Ben Curtis(Offline) Firmly back in the saddle Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bucks - Near Aylesbury (shudder) Posts: 764	Funnily enough I mentioned the AX2000 after seeing the advertising pre launch bump a while ago and that evening after posting it on here, I received an email from sony letting me know the camera had just gone on sale. Spooky! I'm not sure about Gates housings as I was really looking at the Amphibico or Top Dawg housings. __________________ www.millenniumdivers.org ...."settle for nothing less than perfection. Those who do will discover on their own the value of such effort. Those who do not will never understand what the others are talking about." Bill Gavin