(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best underwater photo products

I have the C920, it works OK for the head tracking. 1080p at 30FPS there is notable lag even on my fairly powerful machine. I've had it for years.

I have the Apeman TRAWO (It cost me £75). It is a 4K @30fps WiFi Action Camera.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/apeman-Waterproof-Stabilization-Batteries-Accessories/dp/B07DN4JF4B/

In webcam mode via USB it has a very good quality 1280x720p picture at 60FPS, in camera mode it can do 120FPS at 720p. 60FPS @1080p and 30FPS @2.7K. It has HDMI out and so a cheap capture card at 1080p 60fps would work but you would have the OSD symbols visible. On my 4K screen in webcam mode the Apeman 720p looks better, less blocky, less noise, better colour saturation than the C920 1080p at full screen. Also the C920 tends to react to changing brightness levels in jumps in auto-exposure mode, whereas the Apeman TRAWO has smoother brightness level transitions.

​

I have tested the lag time of the TRAWO in USB webcam mode and it is about 1-2/10ths of the C920 when it's in 1080p mode. Because it is an action camera it can be set to virtually whatever light level you need via exposure values. It has 3 settings for wide angle. On the narrowest it works very well for Star Citizen - I have no idea if the Logitech Brio is much better because I wouldn't pay that price for a webcam. I know the Apeman works perfectly well for me. Like all action cameras it comes with a tonne of mounts and it is not limited to PC use.

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I'm not recommending any particular camera.. the player/user must decide what is their budget and preference. Be aware that not all action cameras have a webcam function. I recently bought the DBPOWER EX7000 4K action camera in the hope of recommending it for use in the game (I wanted 2 of them anyway).. and for the price (£26) it is a fantastic 4K Action Camera with inbuilt image stabilisation.. but it has no webcam function - but it does have live monitor HDMI out. Their online support is truly amazing, they sent me a free gift of a bluetooth soundbar all the way from China to the UK just because I logged onto their support chat and asked where can I buy spare batteries.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DBPOWER-Underwater-External-Microphone-Batteries/dp/B07S3DYJP7/

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If you were planning on buying an action camera anyway it is worth noting that some of them do work with the game and there is a lot more variety and wider price range of action cameras compared to webcams. It could work out cheaper even if you use a HDMI to USB capture dongle. (£26 Action Cam plus 1080p 60Hz capture dongle is still circa $75.)

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You can even get fairly cheap used 1080p capable SLR / mirrorless micro 4 thirds cameras half the price of a new C920 HD Pro with much better image quality that work as USB webcams and because they don't have fixed focal length the way webcams do you can put the camera across the room and zoom in to your face with a relatively cheap lens. Again they are not limited to single use like USB webcams. They are the most popular Youtuber talking head type camera. Even the really old ones that you can get for around $40 - $50 have good quality 1080p via HDMI.

/u/Zhork - sorry to hear about your 7D Mark II. I'll try to answer your questions one at a time.

> I would love to jump to a full frame camera and does at least 1080 @120fps, but may consider other more affordable options. I was looking at the Sony line and seriously considering the A7rii and the s models, yet the s did not have the photo capabilties of the Rii.

For the best balance between stills, video and affordability, I recommend a [$1348 cropped sensor Sony A6500 (with a free 64 GB Sony SD card and a couple of extra batteries)] (https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digital-Camera-Accessory/dp/B01M5GWLRZ//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) plus a [$395 Metabones fifth generation smart adapter] (https://www.amazon.com/Metabones-Canon-Mount-Smart-Adapter/dp/B071W6BKDQ//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) for your Canon glass.

> does having a full frame vs a cropped one matter while shooting video?

Not really. The last time you went to the movie theater or watched series television, you probably saw a motion picture shot on a camera with a Super 35mm sensor or film frame - about the same size as the APS-C sensor in your 7D MkII.

Like your 7D MkII, the A6500 has an APS-C sensor, and takes high quality 24.2 MP stills (seen [here] (https://www.flickr.com/groups/3081335@N25/pool)).

It's a very capable, internally stabilized 4K video camera as well.

Here are a few examples of the image quality it can produce:

• [TROPICAL GODDESS | ZHIYUN CRANE + SONY A6500 + SIGMA ART 19MM F2.8 by Tony Ris] (https://youtu.be/EGeAd916gio) (1080p - shot with a Zhiyun Crane gimbal)
  
  
• [[Tập 6] Việt Nam trong mắt tôi | Cảnh đẹp sông nước Miền Tây qua góc máy ảnh Sony Alpha A6500 [4K] by Sony Vietnam] (https://youtu.be/hIdZpJUXBnY) (2160p)
  
  
• [Pottery - Sony a6500 Sample Footage by JR Videos] (https://youtu.be/pvOEcZCQjbk) (2160p)
  
  
• [Someone To Stay by Into The Mountain Productions] (https://vimeo.com/195120183) (1080p)
  
  
• [sony a6500 + ronin m gimbal and zeiss 55 f1.8 AF tracking test at 120fps by Jakob Brenk] (https://vimeo.com/196231893) (1080p)
  
  Handheld
  
  
• [The forward End - Cardboard Boxes - Sony Alpha a6500 by the forward end] (https://youtu.be/psptoxvzCf8) (2160p - handheld with in-body image stabilization)
  
  
• [Sony a6500 sigma 19mm 2.8 South Beach Florida by jewelfilmz] (https://youtu.be/kmoD2daXk3Y) (1080p - handheld with in-body image stabilization)
  
  
• [Sony a6500 night test Sigma 19mm art lens 2.8 by jewelfilmz] (https://youtu.be/E_RGWCXCV-k) (1080p - in-body image stabilization)
  
  1080/120 fps
  
  
• [Sony a6500 1080p 120fps slow motion test by Mike TV] (https://youtu.be/8wb7je_SkGA) (1080p)
  
  
• [Sony a6500 120fps Slow Motion Cinematic Test by VUGATTI] (https://youtu.be/7e1MpWyLuQg) (1080p)
  
  > I also wonder if there are affordable underwater solutions for whatever model you recommend
  
  Yes, because of its compact form factor, there are several affordable underwater cases for the A6500 (not including the more expensive Nauticam and Aquatica cases):
  
  
• the [$1295 AquaTech ATB A6500] (http://adorama.evyy.net/c/60286/51926/1036?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adorama.com%2Faqatba6500so.html), with its pistol grip and interchangeable lens port system
  
  
• the [$979.95 Fantasea FA6500] (https://www.amazon.com/Fantasea-FA6500-Housing-a6500-a6300/dp/B071VTV3V2//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20), which is convertible between the A6300 & A6500
  
  
• the [$974.99 Ikelite A6500 housing] (https://www.amazon.com/Ikelite-Alpha-A6500-Underwater-Housing/dp/B01MYCET54//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20), which attempts to replicate the camera's button placement on the outside of the housing
  
  
• the [$256.99 SeaFrogs underwater housing with neoprene case and red filter] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073DZHLDN//ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=battleforthew-20) gets good reviews and is the lowest priced case on the market.
  
  Hope this is helpful and good luck with your upgrade!
  

Hero 7 black is the way to go. The hypersmooth stabilization makes it worth it.

Accessories to get:

First of all, get a gopro plus trial. It gives you 50% off of batteries and other accessories, but not chargers or microsd cards.

Grab a few extra batteries. With the trial, they're $10 each.

The dual bay charger is well worth the price.

These are the microsd cards I use in my H7B. They're fast, reliable and cheap. Also on gopro's recommended list of cards to use.

I use tempered glass protectors for the lens and rear screen and they don't affect video quality at all. They went on very easily and the lens cap is a nice bonus.

For a case, I currently use this one, but the official case looks good too.

I use this frame mount and love it. The front round piece can be removed if desired; I took it off as I don't need it for what I use my gopro for. It includes mounting options for both standard threaded mounts and gopro mounts. And the back slides on and off.

If you need a head mount, the amazonbasics one is identical to the official gopro branded mount aside from the logo (I have both).

Completely optional, but I really like these aluminum knobs over the standard plastic ones.

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That about covers everything I use. Hope this helps some!

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it was like $80 per person or something.

They take you snorkling for conch and then to the grotto. The grotto was amazing. I bought these goggles (when they were on sale at thinkgeek, but they don't sell them anymore), and they were awesome! I got great pictures from the grotto with them. You are going to want to get some kind of a water-proof camera for taking pictures of fish and coral. The tour is worth every penny. I also recommend bringing extra bread along to feed the piggies and iguanas.

I don't think the shark liked my husband hugging it too much, because the shark reached around to bite him or get him to leave him alone. They were harmless nurse sharks. They kind of suck in the food you give them like little vacuum cleaners. It was an amazing experience.

So looking up the Canon D20 it looks like it is just a base waterproof point-n-shoot in the $200-300 range. If you want better video and want to stay in the same price range then a GoPro 7 would be an option. You do have various other waterproof still point and shoots that you can get waterproof housings to extend their depth ranges that would bring you up to the $500-800 range. Personal I have a Sony RX100v that just the camera alone is $900 though I'm now getting into have some play when it comes to manual settings and can shoot in RAW. You will see a big improvement in quality though to maximize it you need to start bringing your own light whether in strobes for stills and video light for, well, video. Also you will need to look at wet lens for these prosumer level. Just the camera in housing alone won't get you those great whole wreck/reef shots. I'll break down how much my current setup costs with the RX100v, this will be a guide for you since you can always get different products or used to get some of your cost down...or up.

• RX100v $898
  
• Sony MPK-URX100A Underwater Housing $295
  
• Sola Video Pro 3800 $699
  
• Sea & Sea YS-03 Strobe Head $299 x2
  
• Kraken KRL-01 67mm Wide Wet Lens $765
  
• INON UCL-165M67 Close-up Lens $197
  
• Arms, ball clamps, fiber optic cables to trigger your strobes, tray, silica packs, extra batteries, etc
  
  So with this you're in the $3500-4000 range and this isn't even to the DSLR/Mirrorless levels. I don't want to discourage you at all, I love my setup and for the most part it packs small though it is pretty bulky underwater and creates drag though I love the shots that I can get and the video is pretty good too.

That's true. Oh, one thing I noticed after watching your video again - looks like you might benefit from a brighter light. For my video shootings I got some cheap Chinese clones of BigBlue lights and they are extremely bright + affordable. For the macro shooting I got for my fiancee this thing: https://www.amazon.com/Kraken-Light-Constant-Lumens-Underwater/dp/B0788P57LS. She's got TG-4 :) and when visibility is not that great the only thing one can do is macroshooting. That ring is pretty good for giving good light to close shots. https://imgur.com/a/kYhVqEh
What does your setup look like for photo shooting?

Thanks!

This is the exact set up I use. CamDive is also manufactured as Meikon so you may want to google both names and see if either one is a bit cheaper than the other. Right now the camdive is at a pretty good price. You should know that this housing will only fit the kit lens, or a prime lens that is the same length of shorter. If you want a high end aluminum housing, check out Nauticam.

Congrats on your new camera, I'm sure that you'll love it!

Well June 21st is a good day because its my birthday, hopefully I will be lucky. As for an item I choose this camera so I can do my underwater photography.

I hope you get the job, I love Alaska, I use to live there. I also hope you get to taste the Alaskan pickle Where is it?

Googled and apparently Nikons coolpix have gps and wifi these days Coolpix aw110. Or the newer Aw120.

Can't speak for how good of a camera that is or if the wifi is actually useful but with the budget that might actually work.

Just googled WIFI GPS camera and these are the top two sites: About.com and [ephotozone.com] (https://www.ephotozine.com/article/top-11-best-wi-fi-compact-cameras-22264) so I'd try to find some reivews on some of those models and go from there. Some of those have wifi.

Photomechanic makes changing filenames and time captured super easy.

/u/highfivecat has a good idea of just using GMT and adjusting it later with software.

You didn't say what your taking photos of or why you need to do this; so that's all I got with just a $500 budget and those requirements.

Thanks for the reply buddy!

I was thinking about strapping the camera to my head instead of holding it during the dive. Would you advise against that or is it a fair alternative to getting a rig?

Batteries and SD cards are a must for sure, I might go for the GoPro plus, sounds reasonable.

As for the supersuit, this seems to be the exact one GoPro sells.. is it original? Or should I just not take any chances and order from the website? This trip is already costing me a buttload and I intend to simply buy a GoPro off Kijiji (canadian craigslist) and re sell it once the trip is over.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01L2CP126/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_EcNiDb89XK73Z

I will get to learning everything I need to know ASAP, this wiki looks pretty complete so I’m in luck!

Ok, micbergsma's wrist solution is good, but its more convenient this: https://imgur.com/a/r3Jpt (two last pics)

the floaty backdoor you mentioned its CRUCIAL for water sports. If you want to DIY a floaty backdoor go to youtube and do a search of "diy gopro floaty"

For rope swinging the wrist mount and the wrist mount mounted in your foot are the perfect and secure positions, you could also hold the pole.

get a waterproof or at least a digital camera that is advertised as water resistant - you'll thank yourself while traveling through SE Asia which is very humid. The Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 is a good one that a friend currently living and teaching in Vietnam has, and he loves it.

What does your budget look like?

As for additions, I'd look into the Surf Mounts as well as the Floaty Back Door . GoPro's tend not to work so well on the ocean floor!

The other thing he'll need is a memory card. If you can clarify a bit on your budget, we can sure point you in the right direction.

As for any other advice, tell your guy he has himself a keeper. I'd be floored if my girlfriend did something like this.

I’m going diving for the first time in Hawaii this April. I have a Sony a6500 and am considering this waterproof housing. It can only accommodate a few lenses. the two I am considering are the 35mm 1.8 (aps-c lens) and the 35mm 2.8 (full frame) lens. I’m not sure if the wider aperture will be needed or if i should go with the 2.8 lens for the better sharpness and to build my collection of full frame for the day I (eventually) upgrade. We expect to only go to a depth of about 60ft

Any insight would really help. Thank you!

I honestly don't even know what value village is. That device has been out of support for a decade, and was last supported on an OS that isn't supported anymore either...

So yeah, I'm saying it is your fault. As for how to do research, Google "affordable Webcam windows 7". I clicked the first amazon link, this was one of the suggestions with comments saying it works on Windows up to 10.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00OB88HI4/ref=s9_top_hm_awbw_bisR_g147_i21?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-11&pf_rd_r=P48GDP8HR73GX0Z9YSN1&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=9c8ffa40-ad1d-544c-b1cd-2a534733f401&pf_rd_i=172511

They shouldn't make drivers for a device they declared obsolete. You should've looked it up, they did their due diligence by saying they no longer support it 10 years ago and you didn't check. You don't have to like it, or be happy about it, but you shouldn't try to smear their name because you bought something without checking the specs first.

If you don't understand that, that's fine... I won't argue with you. I'd try to sympathize with the $20 thing, but you're kind of am entitled asshole, so honestly I don't feel bad.

I agree with hours as another user suggested. Or ground school if she hasn't taken that. If you want to stick with the camera I have had good luck with this camera which is a GoPro knockoff and a heck of a lot cheaper:
https://smile.amazon.com/APEMAN-Underwater-Waterproof-Ultra-Wide-Stabilization/dp/B07DN6VQRC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=trawo+4k+action+camera&qid=1564784507&s=gateway&sprefix=Trawo&sr=8-3

I'm an IT support tech and although many folks love it, I've found that model to be notoriously fussy.

Since you are running Octoprint I'm assuming it's plugged directly into a "pi" and not some sort of hub? In the Windows world it HATES USB hubs and isn't too fond of cheap USB 3.0 controllers in general.

Seriously, while I do understand the value of using something that you already have on hand, personally I'd use a different camera rather than wrestle with that model. I have two Octopi and both are using stupidly cheap ($10) webcams that I got from Amazon* and I've had zero configuration issues with them.


*Link provided as a reference, I am not endorsing Amazon or that particular company

I would highly recommend this pole - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CKPCJNO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's what I have used exclusively for well over a year now:

2x Tough Mudders

Scuba Diving with it countless times

Hiking

Offroading

Snowboarding

Swimming in the ocean

Coachella

Etc



Holds up really well!

I picked up everything off Amazon (other than the camera which I bought 2nd hand off Craigslist):

• skeleton camera case (so the mic cable can connect)
  
• extra batteries/charger
  
• 160 LED light
  
• stereo condenser
  
• accessory bracket for mic
  
• tripod GoPro mount (to connect to the grip)
  
• camera grip
  
• USB mic adapter

The bodge way is to ram the hole with blu tac. I ride in all weather and the blu tac seems to be water tight! You can get a fully enclosed bluetooth pack thing from Sena, but it's pretty expensive.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sena-GP10-02-Bluetooth-Waterproof-Housing/dp/B00KJGPN5W/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1464092388&sr=8-8&keywords=sena+bluetooth

I've got this for the gopro and it works pretty well: https://www.amazon.com/Sena-GP10-02-Bluetooth-GoPro-Waterproof/dp/B00KJGPN5W

Wouldn't any SLR be pretty big? Maybe get one of the Olympus SW cameras to keep in your pocket at all times.

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Stylus-Tough-6000-Waterproof-Blue/dp/B001P06Q20/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

I think our of your options I’d suggest bringing your Sony underwater with a SeaFrogs housing and then insuring it through DAN’s equipment policy (protects against flooded cameras). It’s decent (not great, but vacuumable and has visible back o-ring. Also had a lot of good reviews on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sea-frogs-Underwater-Waterproof-housing/dp/B0759SVFBD.

Here’s a video of me using the TG5: https://vimeo.com/288909211

Here’s one with my GH5: https://vimeo.com/351291185

I have tons more on my Vimeo (Vimeo.com/jakemmc).

I don’t hate using the GoPro but I would hate using it was my main camera. Great as a b-cam that’s constantly rolling underwater or if my main camera has issues. GoPro pictures are garbage so if you ever wanted to have that as an option get the TG or bring your A6300 underwater. The other thing is that I’ll say light is the most important thing to your video. With low light the GoPro (and really the TG) struggle. Hard to light ambiently but if you’re close to a subject I highly recommend video lights. In the tropics it’s never really needed (unless at depth) but I dive mostly cold water where it’s necessary.

Under $100? Why not try Trawo by apeman. I got an a80 and I thought it was quite enough for me, even though it's not a true 4K. I heard its trawo is cheaper now. It supports electronic image stabilization (EIS) in 4k. I don't how the stabilization works. Maybe you can learn more here: https://www.amazon.com/APEMAN-Underwater-Waterproof-Ultra-Wide-Stabilization/dp/B07DN6VQRC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542247512&sr=8-1&keywords=trawo

Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/SP-Gadgets-53011-Pole-GoPro-Edition/dp/B00CKPCJNO.

Yea I was thinking something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01L2CP126/?coliid=I2AS2L6B6L8PW4&colid=2B4WGJMXTP86M&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

No idea how tough it is though

Amazon sells skeleton housing for the purposes of using the ports.

> there really isn't a way to get external audio

That's not true. Buy the skeleton housing, USB microphone adapter, and any microphone (wired or wireless) that outputs to a 3.5mm plug (I use this one) and you're good to go. Much better sound quality than the crappy built in mic.

This stick: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CKPCJNO

This mic: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IP0ST78

https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/action-cameras/1404343/best-action-cameras-uk-the-best-action-cams-for-4k-recording-running

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DN4JF4B?&tag=experevi-21&ascsubtag=1404343

Skeleton is the housing that isn't waterproof. Like this

Why buy the knock off when you can buy the legit one for cheaper?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CSQYVWM/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just bought one myself, I'd suggest to get one quickly before the price raises back up. It's currently $28.49 w/ Prime as I type this.

They sell the super suit

Here's the SENA kit for GoPro. It integrates with their in-helmet Bluetooth setup (SENA 20-S) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KJGPN5W/

This webcam has 1 day shipping available (delivery on Tuesday but no guarantee it will be there before 3:30):

https://www.amazon.ca/docooler-Megapixel-Camera-Desktop-Computer/dp/B00OB88HI4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1485678562&sr=8-3&keywords=webcam

Sarcasm?

Nightmare for me white water kayaking, know a few people who have lost them.

Edit: Unless you buy one of these bad-boys: http://www.amazon.co.uk/GoPro-Backdoor-%C2%93Camera-Flotation-Device%C2%94/dp/B005HIS5LQ/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331302985&sr=8-1-spell