Sunday, February 26, 2012

Bathtub trials

Just as GoPro's standard housing, CamOne's DiveBox suffers from blurry vision when used underwater. Unlike GoPro's HD HERO, it's supposedly possible to manually adjust the CamOne infinity's focus to get sharp underwater images using the original domed housing.

As there's nothing like trying it out one-self, I filled up the bathtub, pre-checked my DiveBox's waterproofness, put in the CamOne and gave both their first plunge together. For the record: with standard housing & factory-set focus, underwater footage is uselessly blurry indeed (screenshot from 1080p clip below to see for yourself).


Corrective action being required, I put on my reading glasses, got out a precision screwdriver, slightly unscrewed the two 1.5mm screws keeping the CamOne's optical element fixed in place and turned the lens counter-clockwise about 60°. Placed the camera snugly into the housing again and went for another dip. To my surprise that little twist already improved image quality quite noticeably, as in usable-if-need-be. Getting good enough focus, at least at close range, required several more twist-plunge-check cycles and, it being an overcast day, some more artificial light to reduce overall graininess.

In the end, I rotated the lens nearly 90° counter-clockwise* from the factory setting, i.e. a quarter turn, in order to obtain a relatively clear underwater image. Note that sharp below means blurry above!


So, definitely possible, but alas rather impractical on the go as this re-focusing involves fiddling with two tiny screws and requires some Fingerspitzengefühl. Whether in the middle of Yucatan's mosquito infested jungle after a sweaty hike, on a rocking salt sprayed boat before rolling back over into the sea, or, you get the picture, pretty anywhere near outdoor action, is not quite the right place nor time to open a housing and start screwing around with a camera. YMMV.

Meaning you have to decide beforehand whether to go for air or water footage, as shooting sharp in both mediums is not possible without giving the lens a spin. While acceptable for a dedicated above- or underwater cam, not being able to obtain mixed footage, not to mention one-take transitions, is IMO a very restrictive limitation.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Enlightened caveman?

caveman
caveman
Worn in these pictures: stainless steel backplate, harness, pouch with spare mask (not visible), pouch with arrows & cookies, small knife, safety reel, primary light source (TillyTec LED 1000 + Goodman handle + umbilical + Green Force Flexi II NiMH battery pack), two backup torches (TillyTec MPL 500 & 1500) and my video lighting setup (TillyTec LED 2000 VIDEO ×2 + Y-umbilical + TillyTec TT 3 NiMH battery pack). All together about 10kg of gear.

To be added: wings, double tanks, regulators, backup knife, mask, fins, wetsuit, primary reel and housed camera with armed tray.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Steinbock Konstellation

In plain english: underwater camera lighting support constellation (codename "ibex") to be tried out & adjusted as needed on location.

steinbock

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Flat lens prototypes

In my mailbox this morning: an envelope sent by a friendly company with two flat lens prototypes for my CamOne's DiveBox.

flat lens prototypes
To be assembled, tested & used at my own risk. Returnable after review if not wanted. Feedback appreciated. [ to be continued ]

Thursday, February 16, 2012

TillyTec MPL 500 & 1500 LED torches

After getting a TillyTec MPL 500 single LED torch as second backup at boot 2012 for my upcoming cave diving trip, I decided to trade in both my old Green Force Tristar Diamond head and TillyTec W30 backup light (plus some cash) for a new TillyTec MPL 1500 triple LED torch.

According to TillyTec the MPL 500/9010 has a 30W halogen equivalent 10° beam, delivering about 9000 Lux or 500>197* Lumen at 5500°K for about 3h at nearly 100% and up to 10h at diminishing output.

The larger MPL 1500/30010 has a 85W halogen equivalent 10° beam, delivering about 30000 Lux or 1500>370* Lumen at 5500°K for ca 1h.

Both torches are of course compatible and can be shortened in lenght from about 20cm (3x AA batteries) down to 12cm (1x 18650 cell).

TillyTec MPL Series
The MPL 500 & 1500 are meant as hand-held torches, but an optional shaft clamp with velcro strap is available allowing Goodman-handle style finger-free use. And the MPL 1500's larger head actually fits into my TillyTec LED 1000 & 2000 flex-arm clamps, an interesting option especially for video using the 85° wide beam model, e.g. as short wireless version or together with a MPL-1 battery pack connected via umbilical cable for up to 4h of bright light.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Camera specs: CamOne infinity

☆ CamOne infinity action cam —firmware 1.05—
Sensor
• 1/2.5" 5MP CMOS
• photo: 4:3 ratio , 2592 x 1944 pixel , ~3MB/picture
• video: Full HD @ 30fps | HD @ 30|60fps
• ISO: auto
• WB: auto

Lens
• glass with fixed focus from 60cm to infinity
• aperture: F2.8
• FOV: 127° @ 1080p | 170° @ 720p
• replaceable & refocusable

Storage
• 2× microSDHC memory cards up to 32GB

Formats
• photo: JPEG
• video: MOV or MP4 (H.264 compression)

Special Functions
• photo bursts of 3|5 shots
• time-lapse photos every 3|5|10|30|60 seconds
• time-lapse video @ 1fps or 6|2|1fpm
• video loop

Features
• 1.5" TFT LCD
• built-in microphone (Mono, 48kHz)
• built-in LED light
• easy connectivity via micro USB & mini HDMI
• rechargeable 3.7V 800mAh LiPo battery
• 1/4"20 tripod mount

Size & Weight
• aluminum alloy *
• W:49 x D:34 x H:42mm
• 89g (incl. battery & 2 microSDHC cards)
* apparently the CamOne's no longer made in aluminum, but in plastic?

☆ CamOne DiveBox underwater housing
Features
• access to all the camera's functions & settings
• clear view of the camera's LCD
action mount* & 1/4"20 tripod mount
• rated to -30m according-to-spec-sheet*
⚠ focus adjustment or lens replacement required for sharp underwater images

Size & Weight
• polycarbonate
• W:75 x D:42 x H:74mm
• 63g (w/o camera) | 152g (with camera)

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

HeKaSys - OneCam

Just ordered a CamOne infinity (224€*) from HeKaSys, enjoying an instant 10% discount as facebook friend :o) which I invested in two Sandisk Mobile Ultra microSDHC memory cards (8GB, Class 6, UHS-1).

CamOne infinity & DiveBox
UPDATE: Got my tiny new action cam delivered in less than 24h!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

CamForPro - NoGo

GoPro coolness being priced well beyond reason and accessories not coming cheap, I asked several authorized dealers for an offer and got a good one from CamForPro which I accepted and paid for in advance.

• GoPro HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition
• GoPro LCD BacPac
• GoPro Battery BacPac
• GoPro Tripod Mount (×2)
• GoPro Grab Bag of Mounts
• SRP BlurFix Adapter
• XSories Hooded Silicone Cover



UPDATE: GoPro having unexpectedly released a firmware update finally enabling 3D with the HERO2, I've requested another offer including a second HERO2, 3D housing and some flat replacement lenses from aquapixs for sharp underwater footage in all dimensions.

• GoPro HD HERO2 Outdoor Edition
• GoPro LCD BacPac
• GoPro Battery BacPac
• GoPro Tripod Mount (×2)
• SRP BlurFix Adapter
• GoPro HD HERO2 Motorsport Edition
• GoPro 3D System
• aquapixs GoForPro flat glass lens (×2)

UPDATE: CamForPro suggests the Oculus solution for the 3D housing, which I shortly consider and reluctantly accept, it being 50€ cheaper.

UPDATE: After further investigating the aquapixs versus Oculus flat lens solutions, I re-iterate my desire to get aquapixs' glass lenses, only to be told that the new stock of GoPro cams has sold out again, with nothing coming in before March... upon which I cancel everything.

UPDATE: Having almost dropped 1310€ for a rather ambitious GoPro setup allowing single, dual and stereo camera takes both above & below the waves, including both BlurFix's flat lens port and Subspace's housing with domed port, besides aquapixs' flat lenses for the 3D housing, I'm now considering just getting one camera & housing, i.e. the CamOne infinity for 249€, which comes with built-in 1.5" LCD and supposedly has better handling. It's lens being manually re-focusable it should be possible to re-set the focus for either above or below water takes, without need for a scuba-specific housing. Considering the price difference that's an inconvenience I'm now more inclined to live with, besides accepting the arguably lesser IQ. That is, if aquapixs doesn't come out of the blue with a more practical flat lens solution for the CamOne's DiveBox allowing both above & below water shots...