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Home: Inactive Forums: Underwater Video:
LCD on housing or not?

darin_f
Novice

Oct 25, 2005, 1:18 PM

Post #1 of 7 (1638 views)
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LCD on housing or not?	Can't Post

I have a Sony PC1000 and am looking at housing options. I am considering the Ocean Images, which allows the camera's screen to be viewed throught the clear rear housing plate, or several other options that would include a separate LCD screen. Does anyone have any suggestions? I will use the camera for both diving and snorkelling and am concerned that the LCD will be hard to view due to glare while snorkeling. Any input would be appreciated?
Darin

realfish
Novice

Oct 25, 2005, 3:06 PM

Post #2 of 7 (1636 views)
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Re: [darin_f] LCD on housing or not? [In reply to]	Can't Post

LCD screens for viewing action are over rated. Their real importance is getting battery and tape time info.
Point the lens in the right place, screen or not, and you will be OK.
Ocean Images makes a great product at a fair price.
Their service is top notch, as well.
Art Wink

DeanB
New User

Oct 27, 2005, 11:40 AM

Post #3 of 7 (1597 views)
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Re: [darin_f] LCD on housing or not? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have always found that using an external monitor is a must for good composition... They let you see precisely what you are shooting and mine (Amphibico) has a sun shade that helps with the glare issues...

Cheers

Dive safe

DeanB..

jthomas
Novice

Oct 27, 2005, 12:47 PM

Post #4 of 7 (1596 views)
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Re: [DeanB] LCD on housing or not? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think an external monitor is a must for compositing also especially if you do any macro shots. I have a sun shade on mine ( light & Motion monitor back ) and it helps a lot in shallow water, you will probably have problems seeing the monitor snorkeling.
James

Canopus DvStorm with Edius 4.60

sjspeck
Novice

Oct 27, 2005, 7:28 PM

Post #5 of 7 (1580 views)
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Re: [darin_f] LCD on housing or not? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'd have to agree with the previous two posters. Having the monitor allows you to easily see precisely what you're filming. I don't have one on my housing and the viewfinder is a little hard to see, as a result when I gave it to my buddy for two dives he shot 10 mins of the top 1/3rd of a French Angelfish and 2 minutes of the rock above a sleeping turtle.

I think my next housing will have the external mounted on top ala O/I or Gates. Even if it's some else's housing, I'll buy the fittings and diy it. I also like the idea that they have external batteries rather than relying on the camcorder's

There's an explanation on USVH's website about why housings that allow you to open the camera's internal monitor aren't so great. Although I'm not sure I agree with their conclusions. http://www.usvh.com/Monitor.html

darin_f
Novice

Oct 28, 2005, 10:32 AM

Post #6 of 7 (1567 views)
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Re: [sjspeck] LCD on housing or not? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for all of the comments. I have a Sony PC1000 with a relatively large screen, so I have been hoping it will be large enough to view properly while diving. I was considering a housing with external monitor, but the PC1000 has a 16:9 screen, and I can't seem to find an external monitor to support this.

So I am torn between trying to use the camera's own 16:9 screen through an ocean images housing, or to go with a USVH type housing with a monitor that will either crop or distort the image to fit on a standard screen. Ocean Images also offers a fresnel lens to put inside the back of the housing to enlarge the image from the camera's screen which helps, but does not solve the limited viewing angle issue. Still a dilemma. . .

bubblevision
Novice

Nov 6, 2005, 5:26 AM

Post #7 of 7 (1348 views)
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Re: [darin_f] LCD on housing or not? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I also agree that you've got to be able to see the monitor properly in order to frame properly. Just pointing and hoping for the best is not going to produce good results.

I've shot 16:9 in the past and been forced to view the image stretched vertically on my Gates 4:3 monitor and I found it much more difficult to compose the image than with the correct aspect ratio.

Darin, in your position I would go with a housing that allows you to see the camera's built-in screen at the correct aspect ratio. Less stuff to go wrong as well. The Ocean Images housing looks like it would allow you to see enough to get your composition right, but you'd have to ask others about the quality and reliability of the housing.

By the way I heard L&M were working on a native 16:9 monitor. Can't see a mention of it on their site yet though.

Nick
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Bubble Vision underwater video & marine life DVD, Phuket, Thailand
Sony VX2000, Gates housing, L&M Sunray lights
Sony Vegas