underwater filming

Post by **etimh** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 10:30 pm

What's the dope on the best camera setup for underwater filming?

At this point I'm just wondering if I should go for one of those Eumig Nauticas, or look into a more professional underwater housing (which I'm sure are a fortune). There seem to be some affordable Nauticas around with some (I suppose) useful accessories (extra seals, grease, etc.).

Are the Nauticas any good? Are they reliably water-tight? Does anyone have any experience with recently buying a second-hand one?

Thanks,

Tim

Post by **onsuper8** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:17 pm

I just bought a Fujica Marine 8 which is a single 8 based around a P2 camera. Seems well made and is in good condition, but I've yet to test it in the bathtub!

Post by **reedsturtevant** » Sun Jul 24, 2005 11:25 pm

Interesting Nikon Super Zoom 8 and housing on eBay right now (not my auction)

Don't click if you dissapprove of posting open auctions here :roll:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 7531906838

Post by **etimh** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:04 am

Yeah, I'm watching this auction for the Nikon Super Zoom 8 and housing.

But I don't think I'll be able to match the deep pockets of the current high bidder. Earlier today he paid $656 for an 814XL-S. Ouch!

Then again, who I am to judge. Let the market decide.

Tim

BION:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 7531009162

Post by **Patrick** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 4:42 am

The Eumig Nautica has no problems with keeeping water out, as long as the o-rings are in good condition and are lubricated. Ive been using one for years. I bought mine from some guy who used it in the Red Sea. The best things about this camera are the razor sharp lens and the wide angle adapter which reduces the lens focal length to something like 5.3mm or thereabouts. The drawbacks of this camera is that it runs at 18fps only and has fully automatic exposure control (with the exception of a backlight feature.)

Post by **LT1** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:01 am

I use a Euming Nautica on a weekly basis, and I would say its a good cam. The ONLY thing I dont like about the cam is, I am still trying to figure out a way to keep the water off the lenses. I've tried rain-x, spit, hot breath etc.

All in all, I'd say its a SUPER workhorse and does the job well.

L

Post by **etimh** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 5:19 am

The Nautica is also going to have problems with the new Ektachrome 64 film, correct?

The Wiki profile says that it could be used with ND filter compensation--what a pain.

It still sounds like something I'm interested in. Thanks for all the input.

Tim

Post by **Patrick** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 7:07 am

Unfortunately, screwing an ND filter on the lens of a Eumig Nautica is not a practical solution (unless you only intend to film in close up.) However, Ive come across a solution for using 64T with this camera. Other people have come up with solutions of their own as well. This is an extract from an earlier post I made:

"For a lot of cameras with external light meters, all that is necessary is to screw an ND filter on the front of the lens. Obviously, this is not possible with the Eumig Nautica because of the wide angle adapter. Having the filter between lens and the wide angle adapter may not work either as I suspect that the distance betwen this auxillary lens attatchment and the lens itself may be critical to get a focussed image, possibly also to cancel the effects of refraction underwater.

What I am proposing is to cut the notch on the 64T cartridge deeper so that it runs the same length as a notch on a 160asa cartridge (there is information about notch length available online.) By the way, I have seen this done before - someone has extended the length of the notch in the plastic of a 7240 cartridge to the deepness of a 160 cartridge to 'push' the film. So basically, you will be rating the 64T film as 160asa. So as far as the camera is concerned, it is metering for 160asa film.

Now, before you all think that I have gone crazy....

The next step is to work out exactly how many stops of difference there are between 64 and 160 (will not be an even number, I know) and get the suitable ND filter / filters that utilise the same amount of stops and place these over the external lightmeter of the Eumig Nautica. This should therefore open up the aperture the appropriate amount, bringing the exposure in line with 64asa film. I was thinking of cutting the ND filters into squares and rigging up something with slots or grooves in front of the light meter so that these square shaped ND filters can simply slide in, just like inserting filters into a mattebox on the end of a pro cine lens."

Post by **Angus** » Mon Jul 25, 2005 12:30 pm

There was a product from EWA called the Marine housing I think....they came in several sizes for different cameras and are basically a good plastic housing. I've got one but haven't used it yet, might take it for a spin off the south coast of England later this summer.

Post by **discs of tron** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 2:12 am

What I am proposing is to cut the notch on the 64T cartridge deeper so that it runs the same length as a notch on a 160asa cartridge (there is information about notch length available online.) By the way, I have seen this done before - someone has extended the length of the notch in the plastic of a 7240 cartridge to the deepness of a 160 cartridge to 'push' the film. So basically, you will be rating the 64T film as 160asa. So as far as the camera is concerned, it is metering for 160asa film.

i might be high, so forgive me if i'm wrong. but based on my math it's a difference of 1.25 stops. that'll be easy enough to do wih nd's.

personally, every time i think about the ewa housing that i let slip away on ebay that was designed to fit my nizo 4080, i want to cry. if i remember correctly, the final bid wasn't even very high. did any of you folks get it?

Post by **bakanosaru** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 2:29 am

This looks interesting.

From the shape I would guess it's for a Beaulieu 4008.

Only shipping to Germany though ;)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... %3AIT&rd=1

I've posted the finished auction (you can probably find the relist :D)

Post by **Lunar07** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:30 am

I've seen Nauticas that were modified to run at 24FPS. If one modifies it to run at 20FPS or 24FPS without modifying the sensitivity of the light meter, then the frame (metered for K40) will get less light. This can be an interesting approach to make the Nautica work as is with the 64T.

Patrick wrote:Unfortunately, screwing an ND filter on the lens of a Eumig Nautica is not a practical solution (unless you only intend to film in close up.) However, Ive come across a solution for using 64T with this camera. Other people have come up with solutions of their own as well. This is an extract from an earlier post I made:

"For a lot of cameras with external light meters, all that is necessary is to screw an ND filter on the front of the lens. Obviously, this is not possible with the Eumig Nautica because of the wide angle adapter. Having the filter between lens and the wide angle adapter may not work either as I suspect that the distance betwen this auxillary lens attatchment and the lens itself may be critical to get a focussed image, possibly also to cancel the effects of refraction underwater.

What I am proposing is to cut the notch on the 64T cartridge deeper so that it runs the same length as a notch on a 160asa cartridge (there is information about notch length available online.) By the way, I have seen this done before - someone has extended the length of the notch in the plastic of a 7240 cartridge to the deepness of a 160 cartridge to 'push' the film. So basically, you will be rating the 64T film as 160asa. So as far as the camera is concerned, it is metering for 160asa film.

Now, before you all think that I have gone crazy....

The next step is to work out exactly how many stops of difference there are between 64 and 160 (will not be an even number, I know) and get the suitable ND filter / filters that utilise the same amount of stops and place these over the external lightmeter of the Eumig Nautica. This should therefore open up the aperture the appropriate amount, bringing the exposure in line with 64asa film. I was thinking of cutting the ND filters into squares and rigging up something with slots or grooves in front of the light meter so that these square shaped ND filters can simply slide in, just like inserting filters into a mattebox on the end of a pro cine lens."

Post by **Patrick** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:24 am

A few months ago, I saw a single 8 camera in an underwater housing at a camera fair in very good condition. Unfortunately, the housing did not have a dome port, only a flat port so you would experience the effects of refraction. Remember that behind a flat port underwater, a wide angle lens essentially becomes a standard lens and a standard lens becomes a telephoto lens and a telephoto lens becomes unusable!

Post by **DrkAngl** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:37 am

I've seen some great footage from the Emig Nautica - both above and below the water. With proper exposure, a good telecine colorist can bring out some of the color underwater.

Keep in mind that you only have 18fps speed.

Post by **Lunar07** » Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:25 pm

DrkAngl wrote:I've seen some great footage from the Emig Nautica - both above and below the water. With proper exposure, a good telecine colorist can bring out some of the color underwater.

Keep in mind that you only have 18fps speed.

This camera is easily modified to run at more than 18FPS. With a speed of between 24fps-30fps (and with no changes to the exposure system sensitivity), it can handle the 64T fine.