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We took the Gates HC3 housing out for a test drive and were very impressed by the outcome of the video. We made a total of 7 dives over two days, including one night dive.
We used the Gates HC3 housing with the flat port and the WP25 Wide Angle Port, both of which performed superbly. Between dives it was very easy to switch between the flat and wide angle ports. With the flat port, we had the option of using diopters, but decided against it on this trip. Even without diopters it was very easy to get a full frame shot of some red-banded coral shrimp which can be seen at the beginning of the video above.
For lighting we used the Niterider HID Pro 20s. The lights worked great, they are fully integrated with the Gates housing so setup was simple. The lights made it through 5 dives before having to be recharged.
Being as small as it is, the Gates HC3 was very easy to handle on a crowded boat and getting it in and out of the water was effortless.
In the water, the housing was just slightly negative, which made it very easy to get steady shots and also made safety stops a snap. Having a housing that is negative will normally make it tough to do safety stops without the use of a downline. We wanted to continue shooting right up until we were ready to get back on the boat.
The Assign button control came in very handy, with the ability to switch between focus, exposure control and white balance shift. We used this control on every dive and never had any trouble.
The Gates HC3 is a perfect setup for someone just starting out in underwater video or even for that serious hobbyist. Bottom line is the camera/housing combination delivered some excellent footage and was very easy to use.
Purchase the Gates HC3 here...
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| Canon |
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Camera Compatibility:
Canon XH A1 and XH G1
Controls: Power (Auto/Tv/Av/M),
Record/Standby,
Zoom,
Manual Focus,
Internal ‘Flip’ Color Filter,
Iris,
Auto / Manual Focus,
Exp Lock,
Custom Key 2 / WB Set,
Magnify / Peaking,
Neutral Density Filter,
Gain / WB Presets,
Shutter,
Custom Presets
Optional Controls: Flip-in Diopter
Cllick here for more details. |
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Camera Compatibility:
Canon XL H1
Controls: Power On/Off,
Record/Standby,
Photo,
Zoom,
Auto / Manual Focus,
Internal "Flip" Color Correction, Filter,
Manual Focus,
Manual Iris,
Neutral Density Filter,
White Balance Mode/Set
Optional Controls: none
Click here for more details. |
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Camera Compatibility:
Canon XL2
Controls: Power On/Off,
Record/Standby,
Photo,
Zoom,
Auto / Manual Focus,
External "Flip" Color Correction, Filter,
Manual Focus, Manual Iris,
Neutral Density Filter, White Balance Mode/Set.
Optional Controls: none
Click here for more details. |
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Camera Compatibility:
Canon GL2/XV2/XM2
Controls: Power On/Off,
Record/Standby,
Photo,
Zoom,
Auto / Manual Focus, Card/Tape, Internal "Flip" Color, Correction Filter,
Manual Focus,
Manual Exposure,
Neutral Density Filter,
Exposure,
White Balance Mode / Set.
Optional Controls: none
Click here for more details |
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| Panasonic |
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Camera compatibility:
Panasonic HVX200
Controls: Power On/Off, Record/Standby, Auto / Manual Focus, Iris, Internal "Flip" Color Correction Filter, Neutral Density Filter, Zoom, Focus Assist, Manual Focus, Gain / WB Presets, AWB (White Bal. Set)
Optional Controls: User 1 and User 2 presets, Scene File, P2/Tape
Click here for more details. |
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| Red One |
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Camera Compatibility: Red One Cinema Camera
Controls: TBD
Gates Underwater Products is currently designing an underwater video housing for the Red One Cinema camera. As details are made available, we will post them here. |
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| Sony |
| EX1 - Coming in June 2008 |
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Camera Compatibility: Sony PMW-EX1
Gates Underwater Products has announced a housing for the new Sony PMW-EX1. As details are made available, we will post them here. Want to be notified as soon as information is available? Send us an email at sales@marinevisions.com and we will add you to our mailing list. |
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Camera Compatibility: Sony HDR-FX7 and HVR-V1U
Controls: Power, Record/ Standby, Zoom, Manual Focus, Exposure/Iris Button, Exposure Dial, Push Auto Focus, ND Filter, Expanded Focus / A/M Focus Buttons, Picture Profile / Status Check, Menu Button / White Balance Buttons, Shutter Speed / Gain Buttons, Sel / Push Execute Roller, Assign Buttons (#2 and 3), Color Correction Filter, Macro (optional diopter).
Click here for more details. |
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Camera Compatibility:
Sony HDR-HC5,
HDR-HC5 and HDR-HC9
Controls: On/Off, Record, Standby, Zoom, Photo, Assign- Focus, Exposure, White Balance Shift,
Internal Flip filter
Optional Controls: White Balance
Click here for more details. |
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Camera Compatibility:
Sony HDR-FX1 and HVR-Z1U
Controls: Power On/Off,
Record/Standby,
Zoom,
Manual Focus,
Auto / Manual Focus,
Iris,
Internal "Flip" Color Correction Filter,
Neutral Density Filter,
White Balance Mode/Set
Optional Controls: Gain / WB Presets,
Shutter Speed,
Expanded Focus
Click here for more details. |
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Camera Compatibility:
Sony HDR-HC3
Controls:On/Off,
Record,
Standby,
Zoom,
Photo,
Assign- Focus, Exposure, White Balance Shift,
Internal Flip filter
Optional Controls: White Balance
Click here for more details. |
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Camera Compatibility:
Sony DCR-PC1000
Controls:Power On/Off,
Zoom,
Exposure On/Off,
Record/Standby,
Internal "Flip" Filter,
Photo,
White Balance,
A/M Focus,
Exposure Adjust,
Manual Focus
Optional Controls: Telemacro, Expanded Focus
Click here for more details. |
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Ports
Carry Handle