Underwater photography with GoPro!

[photo-orama]

Hi guys

Just wondering whether anyone has been using gopro to capture video and then save some shots from it for web usage (less than 1000px wide, x 500px height)? We debated getting a compact for this purpose (looked at the Nikon AW103 http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/compact-digital-cameras/coolpix-aw130.html) but we figured since we intent to buy a go pro anyway, do we really need both?

The other question is: if you have gone the go pro way, what light do you use for white balance (especially one that I can get locally)? I have been doing discovery dives (!), so we are not going really really deep..

Any other help or pointers, or websites I could read from is gratefully welcomed.

Many thanks in advance

 

[diver-hloc]

Hi guys

Just wondering whether anyone has been using gopro to capture video and then save some shots from it for web usage (less than 1000px wide, x 500px height)? We debated getting a compact for this purpose (looked at the Nikon AW103 http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/compact-digital-cameras/coolpix-aw130.html) but we figured since we intent to buy a go pro anyway, do we really need both?

Hi... 1st off, be reminded that while GoPro is a great video camera... its Photography capability leaves much to be desired, at least for GoPro 2 which I'm using (No W/B, ISO, Shutter Speed or Aperture control). To answer your question, you must ask yourself what is the most important aspect you wish to achieve with the camera/GoPro... is it Video ?? Or is it Photos ?? Or Both ??

If Video is mainly what you want and the occasional photo... then a GoPro is your choice... its small and compact, take surprisingly go Hi-Def video... and has a built-in wide angel lens.

If Photo or BOTH Video & Photo is what you want... then a good mid-range PnS camera would be better (but more $$$). To really get good shots... you'll need to get a Strobe light which could be costly.

The other question is: if you have gone the go pro way, what light do you use for white balance (especially one that I can get locally)? I have been doing discovery dives (!), so we are not going really really deep..

Any other help or pointers, or websites I could read from is gratefully welcomed.

Many thanks in advance

You'll be surprise how fast color (RED) disappear even in water as shallow as 5-10m... therefore its recommended that you get a rather powerful LED light... especially if you intend to take video. But even with the light (recommend 2, one on each side) you are unlikely to achieve videos as bright as NatGeo. At most, Corals 2-5 meters away will show off their natural color.

Example of GoPro setup with lights...

There is a few shops in SG that could help you with your setup... but be warn, those underwater video lights ain't cheap... each could cost $300 SGD onwards excluding the tray, arms and clamps needed to hold everything together.


You could also try using Red Filters for color correction...

 

[pikapig]

Not sure if it helps....im using sjcam 5000+, the cheaper version...
I recently captured some images during my dive in tioman...

The video was decent...but i guess based on this, you can assume the gopro is better than the output from my sjcam.