I've read of people using zip-up plastic bags, but obviously that may be a problem since the plastic will be in front of the lens. You could always call around and see if you can rent an underwater enclosure for the day, it may not be very expensive.

well, when i film near water i sometimes put a giant plastic bag over it, then poke the lens out of the end, not a very big chance of getting it wet. And is it the waves that your worried about getting it wet? you could also try make some sort of sea barrier lol or a raft for the camera with walla made out of plastic to stop waves hitting it? what you think? and there will be some very clear plastic you can use to put round it so that you can put it over the lens and it will probably still be able to see through. Thanks Rich.

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Shoot from the beach and use a really good telephoto lense You can have your character swim in a shallower area than in the story and if you frame right nobody will know. You might need to dig into the sand to get your camera down to a waterlevel type shot. Getting sand in the camera could be as bad as water but I'd trust myself around sound more than water.

Another option is to rent a camera for the day and be sure it's insured (just in case) then use the plastic bag trick.

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

have you got a tripod? that will work, thats what i use

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What I don't understand is the surf films. The camera is in the water, no doubt in a box, but they rarely get waterdrops in front of the lense. How? Are the drops there but so out of focus as to be invisible?

RJSchwarz
San Diego, CA

Thanks for the ideas. I want the camera to be very close to the actor and right at the surface of the water... so I think I'm going to try to rig up a little protected raft device and test it out with something other than a camera! I'll let you know how it turns out

woo hes using my idea lol thank you!

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For shooting at water level, a tip I've heard of is to place your camera in a plastic/glass aquarium, and the only danger is from water somehow getting in the tip. If there are a lot of waves it could be dangerous, but make sure you get a deep one and your fine. You could probably even get a used one cheap, just make sure that you test it first. My advice would be to put the camera in, cushioned by towels that also absorb leakage, then seal the top with plastic wrap. Several layers, that are adhered with duct tape around the sides should do well, leaving you a perfect enclosure for sea level shooting.
Also, I've heard that the way they keep water droplets off the lens in, say, surf movies, is by attaching an expensive lens attachment that spins a glass plate. The spinning motion prevents water droplets from staying on the lens, and you don't notice if it is spotless.

"We all have the potential to be great. It is our inability to do so that makes us miserable." C.S.Lewis

fish tank. and i think we have said something about a glass box above, that would be a good idea, but i think its more dangerous lol

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quote:

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Originally posted by jstab

I'll be shooting a short video this summer which involves a character swimming in the ocean. The camera is going to be close to the surface of the water, so I need to come up with a way of keeping it safe. When I searched online I found expensive casings for underwater shooting, but I don't really need to shoot under water, just around water. I was thinking something more along the lines of a clear plastic bag. Is that nuts? Does anyone have any experience with this before I start doing some trial and error runs?

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Check bhphotovideo.com for housings--there are some cheap plastic bag type housing that go tight around the lens so camera is pretty much protected. Not ok for too far underwater (pressure would cause water to seep through gaskets), but for a few meters underwater they apparently work fine. I think they sell for perhaps $100-300
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/category/11585/underwater.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/category/1859/Digital_Film_Video_Underwater_Videography.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=sort&A=search&Q=&sortDrop=Price%3A+Low+to+High&bl=&atl=&pn=1&st=categoryNavigation&mnp=0.0&mxp=0.0&sv=1932&shs=&ac=&fi=all&pn=1&ci=1932&cmpsrch=&cltp=&clsgr=

Independent Filmmaking.
Seeking to tell Hero's Journeys
http://borealpictures.com

not bad, im gunna get some

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