White balance settings on a Sony for underwater use please?

PCDiver · 12th February 2007, 08:10

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

Peter,
to document the wrecks on your HD system.

the outside or the inside

.

Mdemon · 12th February 2007, 09:34

Thanks for all the additional info. I'm looking forward to playing with the results on the PC.

I think this week has been fun experimenting - I'm using a video camera inside an old torch (as a housing) and no lights at all. I guess I won't be producing any masterpieces this time.

I think a magic filter is on my shopping list now. For UK stuff I'll just have to strap some lights to it. I did find the camera took over the dive completely. I was very pleased to have a new HUD to play with - I can see how you could forget your PO2...

Will try and post a short clip on here if someone shows me how - a little "Mythbusters" clip about how close you can get to fish on a Rebreather...

tommiblom · 15th February 2007, 16:53

HI there,

I just read all topics after your writing...
Anyway i have been working with uw videos for last for years now full time, so i think i could help you a lot...
If its not too late for, i mean if you have been shoping already !

I would need to knoe your camera type (name and number)
Housing name ?

And then we go !

Depending of your camera, i suggest to forget the lights of any kind if you are not plannig to dive deeper than 70m in tropical sea !

Color filter must "orange"
Wide angle lens must or at least make it easier and nicer to start with over all filming.

We have been filming in baltic sea at 70 m with no light with pro cameras and the colors are still good and they look more natural as it is in that darkness. Of course you wanna go with lights if you wanna film on the night time but otherwise my advice is to forget them... cost a lot of money for nothing and not really making it so much better, maybe even a lot worse.

Regards

Tommi

Mdemon · 16th February 2007, 07:01

Hi Tommi, and thank you!

The camera is a Sony DCR-IP55E handicam.

The housing? Well, it's an old Underwater Kinetics 1200 torch!

Not planning to go much deeper than 70m since the torch was rated to 100m. I'm looking to buy a filter though - the ones mentioned above look good. It looks like I might need a different one for UK diving though.

Any help gratefully received.

PCDiver · 16th February 2007, 08:25

Quote: (Originally Posted by tommiblom)

Depending of your camera, i suggest to forget the lights of any kind if you are not plannig to dive deeper than 70m in tropical sea !

Color filter must "orange"
Wide angle lens must or at least make it easier and nicer to start with over all filming.

We have been filming in baltic sea at 70 m with no light with pro cameras and the colors are still good and they look more natural as it is in that darkness. Of course you wanna go with lights if you wanna film on the night time but otherwise my advice is to forget them... cost a lot of money for nothing and not really making it so much better, maybe even a lot worse.

Regards

Tommi

Hi Tommi,

I really don't understand your recommendation about shooting without lights. Correct lighting will improve shots, even in strong daylight. Try to film a reef at 40 meters without lights. Everything will be grayish.

Lights will fill in shadows, colors will be better, allow you to draw attention to a specific subject, ... It becomes really interesting when you can use "light caddies". Then you can be really creative.

BTW an orange or red filter is required for blue water. Greenish water requires a purple filter.

Peter

tommiblom · 17th February 2007, 16:19

Hi Peter.

This idea about use video lights or not as speaking about what kind of music do you like ! There is so many thoughts and opinions.

I understund what you mean with the depth and what it makes to the colours, but all this is depending what camera you are shooting, in what kind of visibility, cave etc. and what is minium illumination required for the camera. There is huge huge difference shooting with hd or minidv camera.

Any way i there with you if you are filming in depths down to 40 and deeper. I think again from my point of view it depending of location in the world as well. Example in Red Sea there is not much use for lights in the day time to depths down to 50- 60m. Ok there not too much things to film either, but anyway. In scandinavia for sure you wanna go with lights because its green dark waters. So i would be little ware of where you actually need the or not...

But it just never ending thing for ever.

Colour Filters is must, there im with you completely.

Regards Tommi

Quote: (Originally Posted by PCDiver)

Hi Tommi,

I really don't understand your recommendation about shooting without lights. Correct lighting will improve shots, even in strong daylight. Try to film a reef at 40 meters without lights. Everything will be grayish.

Lights will fill in shadows, colors will be better, allow you to draw attention to a specific subject, ... It becomes really interesting when you can use "light caddies". Then you can be really creative.

BTW an orange or red filter is required for blue water. Greenish water requires a purple filter.

Peter

Dan@jsdive.com · 3rd April 2007, 04:47

I have a Sony DCR-HC90 in a Top-Dawg housing.
I had a very interesting and uninformative discussion with Sony about the white balancing of their camera.
The auto white balance can happen either when the recording is started, during recording OR when the camera is turned on. This makes a difference because I was taught to point at white sand or a white slate when the balancing is taking place.
Sadly, the sony technicians were unable to tell me when the white balance takes place!
So, I'm no help, but neither is Sony!
Dan

12th February 2007, 08:10	#11 (permalink)
PCDiver Submerge Productions Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 934	Re: White balance settings on a Sony for underwater use please? Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) Peter, to document the wrecks on your HD system. the outside or the inside .
(Online)

12th February 2007, 09:34	#12 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,903	Re: White balance settings on a Sony for underwater use please? Thanks for all the additional info. I'm looking forward to playing with the results on the PC. I think this week has been fun experimenting - I'm using a video camera inside an old torch (as a housing) and no lights at all. I guess I won't be producing any masterpieces this time. I think a magic filter is on my shopping list now. For UK stuff I'll just have to strap some lights to it. I did find the camera took over the dive completely. I was very pleased to have a new HUD to play with - I can see how you could forget your PO2... Will try and post a short clip on here if someone shows me how - a little "Mythbusters" clip about how close you can get to fish on a Rebreather... __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
(Offline)

15th February 2007, 16:53	#13 (permalink)
tommiblom New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Burn in Nokia´s fire, Finland Posts: 45	Re: White balance settings on a Sony for underwater use please? HI there, I just read all topics after your writing... Anyway i have been working with uw videos for last for years now full time, so i think i could help you a lot... If its not too late for, i mean if you have been shoping already ! I would need to knoe your camera type (name and number) Housing name ? And then we go ! Depending of your camera, i suggest to forget the lights of any kind if you are not plannig to dive deeper than 70m in tropical sea ! Color filter must "orange" Wide angle lens must or at least make it easier and nicer to start with over all filming. We have been filming in baltic sea at 70 m with no light with pro cameras and the colors are still good and they look more natural as it is in that darkness. Of course you wanna go with lights if you wanna film on the night time but otherwise my advice is to forget them... cost a lot of money for nothing and not really making it so much better, maybe even a lot worse. Regards Tommi
(Offline)

16th February 2007, 07:01	#14 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,903	Re: White balance settings on a Sony for underwater use please? Hi Tommi, and thank you! The camera is a Sony DCR-IP55E handicam. The housing? Well, it's an old Underwater Kinetics 1200 torch! Not planning to go much deeper than 70m since the torch was rated to 100m. I'm looking to buy a filter though - the ones mentioned above look good. It looks like I might need a different one for UK diving though. Any help gratefully received. __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
(Offline)

16th February 2007, 08:25	#15 (permalink)
PCDiver Submerge Productions Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 934	Re: White balance settings on a Sony for underwater use please? Quote: (Originally Posted by tommiblom) Depending of your camera, i suggest to forget the lights of any kind if you are not plannig to dive deeper than 70m in tropical sea ! Color filter must "orange" Wide angle lens must or at least make it easier and nicer to start with over all filming. We have been filming in baltic sea at 70 m with no light with pro cameras and the colors are still good and they look more natural as it is in that darkness. Of course you wanna go with lights if you wanna film on the night time but otherwise my advice is to forget them... cost a lot of money for nothing and not really making it so much better, maybe even a lot worse. Regards Tommi Hi Tommi, I really don't understand your recommendation about shooting without lights. Correct lighting will improve shots, even in strong daylight. Try to film a reef at 40 meters without lights. Everything will be grayish. Lights will fill in shadows, colors will be better, allow you to draw attention to a specific subject, ... It becomes really interesting when you can use "light caddies". Then you can be really creative. BTW an orange or red filter is required for blue water. Greenish water requires a purple filter. Peter
(Online)

17th February 2007, 16:19	#16 (permalink)
tommiblom New Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Burn in Nokia´s fire, Finland Posts: 45	Re: White balance settings on a Sony for underwater use please? Hi Peter. This idea about use video lights or not as speaking about what kind of music do you like ! There is so many thoughts and opinions. I understund what you mean with the depth and what it makes to the colours, but all this is depending what camera you are shooting, in what kind of visibility, cave etc. and what is minium illumination required for the camera. There is huge huge difference shooting with hd or minidv camera. Any way i there with you if you are filming in depths down to 40 and deeper. I think again from my point of view it depending of location in the world as well. Example in Red Sea there is not much use for lights in the day time to depths down to 50- 60m. Ok there not too much things to film either, but anyway. In scandinavia for sure you wanna go with lights because its green dark waters. So i would be little ware of where you actually need the or not... But it just never ending thing for ever. Colour Filters is must, there im with you completely. Regards Tommi Quote: (Originally Posted by PCDiver) Hi Tommi, I really don't understand your recommendation about shooting without lights. Correct lighting will improve shots, even in strong daylight. Try to film a reef at 40 meters without lights. Everything will be grayish. Lights will fill in shadows, colors will be better, allow you to draw attention to a specific subject, ... It becomes really interesting when you can use "light caddies". Then you can be really creative. BTW an orange or red filter is required for blue water. Greenish water requires a purple filter. Peter
(Offline)

3rd April 2007, 04:47	#17 (permalink)
Dan@jsdive.com New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Klamath Falls, OR Posts: 1	Re: White balance settings on a Sony for underwater use please? I have a Sony DCR-HC90 in a Top-Dawg housing. I had a very interesting and uninformative discussion with Sony about the white balancing of their camera. The auto white balance can happen either when the recording is started, during recording OR when the camera is turned on. This makes a difference because I was taught to point at white sand or a white slate when the balancing is taking place. Sadly, the sony technicians were unable to tell me when the white balance takes place! So, I'm no help, but neither is Sony! Dan
(Offline)

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