Purpose: To video swimmers underwater for instruction.
I have purchased a Panasonic DMC tS2 and think who ever designed the logic of the buttons must be of another species. The video jerks when there zooming when watching. (might be a frames per second thing) and makes a mechanical noise. I'd like to have a camera that: 1) I can put a polarizer filter on to cut surface glare. 2) Easy to use. 3) waterproof 4) Can drop on deck.
I'd like to hear what you are using and what you think. thanks!
I want one for mountains that stand still.
When I'm in the middle of those fabulous 30-mile lakes out West.
The montane West is preternaturally quiet on this board, but I'm on to you!
:banana:
We have been using the Flip Video HD (about $150) with the additional housing (about $40) with great success. If you have seen the product testing videos-- they are shot exclusively with this setup. (There is one on the front page currently)
We have also used it to film our swimmers both on and under the water with great success.
Not sure about the polarizing thing, and I have not dropped it yet, but the housing appears pretty rugged. Good luck with your search.
I bought one of the first versions of a flip with the underwater container and the multi-leg mount thingie (a technical term) several years ago.
I've used to film fellow swimmers above and below the water. There is a slick USB port on the camera that pops up when you are ready to transfer your videos to a computer (no searching for cables). And it will install some very, very easy to use software on your computer so that you can 1)edit the videos (add music!) and 2)organize a library (very important as you can easily get overwhelmed with digital junk).
After seeing my stroke pattern underwater, I can report that "what I think I am doing with my pull pattern" is NOT at all what is being shown in the video. It's a miracle that I can swim at all! The swimmers that I coach usually have the same reaction when they see them selves swimming: "I can't believe that my arms doing that".
And the library thing again: it's really easy to do a before and after comparison with the videos so a swimmer can see real change.
Finally, I've been thinking about buying a more sophisticated underwater camera (Panasonic Lumix (?)). It's much more expensive than the flip but it seems to have more capabilities.
Good luck with whatever you go with - and I think you will be shocked to see your stoke pattern underwater.
And the flip is really great for shooting quick little videos of your loved ones doing silly stuff.
:bouncing: And BTW I hate these stupid little emoticons.
Finally, I've been thinking about buying a more sophisticated underwater camera (Panasonic Lumix (?)). It's much more expensive than the flip but it seems to have more capabilities.
---------------------------------------------
I'm not liking the panasonic lumix T52. They try to do too much. I just want video quick. I have pro cameras to do all the rest. I would not recommend the T52. just trying to figure out how to play back a simple video is a hassle each time. charlie
We use the Pentax Optio W80. It works great, and allows you to shoot at a relatively high frames/second rate. It was on sale recently at Amazon for $142, probably because the only color they had was black and orange.
Amazon.com: Pentax Optio WS80 10MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Internal Optical Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Black and Orange): Gateway
After seeing my stroke pattern underwater, I can report that "what I think I am doing with my pull pattern" is NOT at all what is being shown in the video. It's a miracle that I can swim at all!
From Philipp's times I know he is a top-level swimmer. It is strangely comforting to me to read his comment. I am a bottom-percentile swimmer and I have always been amazed at how different my stroke looks compared to what I think I am doing. I didn't realize that the same thing could happen to a really good swimmer!
And, just for Philipp, :banana::hug::Lurking::bliss:
I plan to test out a camera today.
It's the Kodak PlaySport Zx3
Waterproof up to 10 ft. (3 m)
Full 1080p HD video
Electronic image stabilization
Brilliant 2.0 in. color display
Capture 5 megapixel HD stills (16:9)
It has a lanyard/clip so I (or my daughter) won't drop it.
I got it for about $150 at the PX (so there was no tax).
