Many of you have posted video of yourselves, in and (in the case of Mr. Thornton) out of the pool.
I would like to get a digital video camera. I don't want to spend a lot of money.
For those of you who have cameras, what do you have? What do you recommend? Are some better for filming swimming (in an indoor pool with so-so lighting) than others?
Anna Lea
Former Member
I wasn't even thinking about an underwater camera - just something that someone could use while standing on the deck. But someone sent me a PM saying he had just bought the GoPRO camera with underwater case for around $180. He saw this camera in a post last week by Lump, who also just bought one:
http://www.goprocamera.com/
I am hoping that these guys will give us a review once they've tried it out.
I'm also going to check out the camera that Jim T. mentioned. I like the idea of something very inexpensive, since it would most likely spend part of its time in my swim bag on the pool deck.
Anna Lea
I actually got it for $160 shipped and I've seen it for even $144 + shipping (so add about $8 or so) by motorcycle web dealers on the WERA (motorcycle racing) Forums. I could get their web links.
I'll probably give it a try next week. I got a bad memory card from Bestbuy so I just need to get a new one. It really worked great on our motorcycle at the track so I don't see any reason it wouldn't in the pool. I'll suction cup it to the black tile line and try a few different things. I'll also get my brother to come in one day and try holding it, etc. while filming.
My sister-in-law also has the Flip and loves it. I don't know if she has a waterproof case for it, but for just basic filming she thinks its great.
The Flip cameras are fun and portable but I think they are terrible for shooting swimming vides because of the limited zoom. The zoom is just 2X and it is digital zoom only. The lens on the Flip doesn't even focus. It is fixed focus only.
I suggest you buy a mainstream Sony, Canon, etc. for about the same amount of money and you will get a "real" camcorder. I like the units that use MiniDV tapes rather than a DVD drive or hard drive. The tapes don't have to be unloaded to free up space like hard disk or memory based units.
So many of the videos people post of swimming are nearly unwatchable. They hand hold the camera (not very steady) and they have no idea how to choose a reasonable resolution and format when they upload to Youtube.
Use a monopod or tripod to steady the camera if possible and your videos improve instantly.
