I am looking for some inexpensive ideas about video swimmer's strokes underwater. A former coach now with USCD Masters, purchased a device which attached to his camcorder and was like an aluminum pole ~6-10' long which enabled an underwater view in B&W. I've heard these are available in color (video in color), and I'm wondering if anybody has any other ideas or have made anything for this purpose.
Any ideas? Feel free to email me directly if you have some ideas. Thanks!
Jason Kincaid
Parents
Former Member
Well, after experimenting a bit with a REALLY inexpensive digicam with an underwater housing, the DXG-308, we are now trying out a Pentax W10. Also looked at the Olympus 720SW.
Here is a summary of features, all include waterproof housing, underwater video and still capabilities, zoom:
Camera | Lens | Resolution (video) | Purchase price
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DXG-308 | 4x dig zm | 3megapixel (520x400) | $75 (2Q2005)
Pentax W10 | 3x opt zm | 6megapixel (640x480 | $250 (1Q2006)
4x dig zm
Olympus 720SW | 3x opt zm | 7megapixel (640x480) | $365 (1Q2006)
5x dig zm
Experimenting with the DXG-308 showed us this could work with the right camera. Using the Pentax W10, we see what looks to be a pretty useful tool for coach to make comments on swimmer's form, as noted in other fora right away while you have the swimmer's attention. Same camera can get above water videos and stills as well as underwater.
Both the Pentax W10 and Olympus 720SW can take stills while in the middle of capturing video. Doing this with the Pentax W10 in a DryPak is a bit challenging, but doable.
Now I added a DryPak bag to hold the W10 since the thing doesn't float! I would have for the 720SW as well, since the W10 is rated only to 1.5m (and 720SW to 3m) water depth.
Works OK using snorkel to get same quality video clips I see posted at some sites. Started this with a young (8 yr old's) kid's swim club and will use with our Masters club if they are interested. Suggest that you get at least 1GB flash card for one of these (about $25 and dropping for 1GB SD card), as running 640x480 at hiqh quality and 30fps fills a 1GB card with about 16min of video.
Any other feedback on similar use of other (relatively) inexpensive submersible digicams?
Well, after experimenting a bit with a REALLY inexpensive digicam with an underwater housing, the DXG-308, we are now trying out a Pentax W10. Also looked at the Olympus 720SW.
Here is a summary of features, all include waterproof housing, underwater video and still capabilities, zoom:
Camera | Lens | Resolution (video) | Purchase price
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DXG-308 | 4x dig zm | 3megapixel (520x400) | $75 (2Q2005)
Pentax W10 | 3x opt zm | 6megapixel (640x480 | $250 (1Q2006)
4x dig zm
Olympus 720SW | 3x opt zm | 7megapixel (640x480) | $365 (1Q2006)
5x dig zm
Experimenting with the DXG-308 showed us this could work with the right camera. Using the Pentax W10, we see what looks to be a pretty useful tool for coach to make comments on swimmer's form, as noted in other fora right away while you have the swimmer's attention. Same camera can get above water videos and stills as well as underwater.
Both the Pentax W10 and Olympus 720SW can take stills while in the middle of capturing video. Doing this with the Pentax W10 in a DryPak is a bit challenging, but doable.
Now I added a DryPak bag to hold the W10 since the thing doesn't float! I would have for the 720SW as well, since the W10 is rated only to 1.5m (and 720SW to 3m) water depth.
Works OK using snorkel to get same quality video clips I see posted at some sites. Started this with a young (8 yr old's) kid's swim club and will use with our Masters club if they are interested. Suggest that you get at least 1GB flash card for one of these (about $25 and dropping for 1GB SD card), as running 640x480 at hiqh quality and 30fps fills a 1GB card with about 16min of video.
Any other feedback on similar use of other (relatively) inexpensive submersible digicams?
