In preparing the budget for next year’s swim season, I want to include a video camera for recording the kids and their “technique” as a teaching tool. While any video camera would likely work well, the kicker comes in including a separate, waterproof lens (to be mounted on a pole, etc.) in order to record the whole picture. I’ve heard (and seen video) of others doing this but was curious of others’ experience(s) with certain makes/models, both of cameras and lens systems.
You’re describing a coach cam. There are a few variants on this design but the main point is that you hook up your existing video camera to a pole mounted lense that you can hold underwater to capture video footage. The primary advantage(s) of this system is that it works with most (or at least many) existing video cameras and it allows the coach to stay dry and on deck.
The other option is to get a waterproof housing/submersible camera. These are a little more versatile for other things (vacations, playing at the beach, etc) but force the operator to be underwater - or risk not getting the right picture if holding the camera underwater from above.
I’ve seen both in use and would think that the pole mounted system is best for clubs and dedicated swim coaches, whereas an individual looking to acquire footage might be better served with an underwater housing/submersible unit.
That would be the thing. My only comment after, “Wow, that’s just what I want!” is, “Ouch: That price hurts.” I guess it’s time to go before the budget committee.
Thanks for the response.
Um…any other options out there?
You can get a fairly low cost (~$200 online) digital camera that is submersible. Like almost every digital camera today, you can shoot video, and it has tripod mount threading. Just get a 2GB or larger memory card (~$10) and you can shoot over an hour of vid. A camcorder will have better optical zoom, but other than that…
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1395
That’s a pretty slick device there. I wonder what kind of quality would result in a similar solution done entirely optically (mirrors) like a reverse periscope… anyone have a clue?
That’s a pretty slick device there. I wonder what kind of quality would result in a similar solution done entirely optically (mirrors) like a reverse periscope… anyone have a clue?
Depends… If you just use mirrors, you will get a lot of loss and a bad image. You would need to throw some optics in the tube (essential a Newtonian telescope) as well as some internal baffles. For the price of the optics and the design time, you might was well just buy the water-proof camera.
Its kind of a long shot since it depends on where you live but scuba diving shops sometimes rent underwater cameras, both still and video. Even better, if there is a local dive shop, you could talk to them and they might be able to hook you up with a local diver who has a camera and who’d be willing to hang out on the bottom of your pool for an hour.
Here’s what I’m looking at for the exact same purpose. The added benefit is that it seems to be an excellent video camera and still camera (8 megapixels) for vacations. If you want to hold off, they have a High Definition (720p) model (same form factor) coming out as well as a more expensive model (1080P) that is waterproof to 30 feet (instead of 5 like this one) and has a battery that lasts 3 hours. That model has a completely different form factor than this and is more of a traditional video camera in that it doesn’t take high megapixel stills. I think both models are slated for a March release.
It’s definitely worth a look at that price and if I wasn’t in Canada with our pathetic dollar and high import costs, I would have bought it already.
-Mike
I have the coach cam and it works quite well.
I’m looking for a digital camera that takes an analog input. My current one uses VHS and it’s HUGE. If someone could recommend one it would be greatly appreciated.
jaretj