Underwater Video Equipment: Monitors and Recording Devices
For video shooters venturing into the depths of the ocean, the challenge of capturing high-quality footage underwater can be daunting. However, the use of external recorders and monitors is transforming the game, offering improved image quality, real-time monitoring, and enhanced control.
External recorders, such as the Atomos Ninja V, when paired with suitable housings like the Nauticam Ninja V, provide video shooters with a powerful tool. These devices offer higher bitrates and less compressed video formats, preserving more detail and dynamic range, crucial for underwater scenes where lighting and colour can be challenging. For instance, cameras like the Nikon Z50II, when combined with high-quality housings and external monitors/recorders, can capture 4K 60p video and log formats such as 10-bit N-Log, enabling better colour grading and fine adjustments in post-production.
An external monitor designed for underwater use offers a larger, brighter display that remains clear underwater, even in challenging lighting conditions. This aids shooters in checking focus, exposure, and composition on the spot, which can be difficult on small built-in camera screens especially underwater. Real-time monitoring ensures that the footage is captured correctly without guesswork.
External recorders and monitors often feature advanced viewing options like waveform, focus peaking, and LUT previews, helping shooters maintain optimal image quality. They also offer easier access to camera settings without having to manipulate small buttons on the camera body inside a housing.
Some external recorders have compatibility with common RAW formats like Apple's ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW. These formats provide the ultimate capability to recover data lost in highlights and shadows, and adjust white balance and colour grade more effectively. External recorders can record in RAW, a feature that benefits cameras like the Nikon Z6II, as its internal recording limit of 8-bit 4:2:0 is upgraded to 10-bit 4:2:2, resulting in better colour sub-sampling.
External monitors can sometimes display different aspect ratios, helping in shot framing. They can also apply and visualize LUTs (look up tables) for colour grading purposes. Additionally, they have built-in grids and horizon levelers to ensure straight video.
Furthermore, external recorders and monitors extend recording time and data capacity, allowing video shooters to capture more footage without worrying about camera limitations on recording duration and file sizes. They also improve workflow and durability, as purpose-built underwater external units are designed to withstand pressure and moisture, enhancing reliability in demanding dive conditions.
One popular and affordable choice for underwater video shooters is the Anglerfish Monitor, sold at Bluewater Photo. For those seeking the best in external recording, the Atomos Ninja V remains a favourite.
In conclusion, underwater external recorders and monitors empower video shooters to capture higher quality footage with greater confidence and creative control, making them invaluable tools for professional underwater videography.
- Under challenging lighting conditions in underwater photography, external monitors offer a larger, brighter display to help check focus, exposure, and composition.
- External recorders like the Atomos Ninja V, when paired with suitable housings, allow video shooters to record in higher bitrates and less compressed video formats for improved image quality.
- Advanced external recorders support RAW formats such as ProRes RAW and Blackmagic RAW, enabling better recovery of data lost in highlights and shadows, and more effective adjustments of white balance and colour grade.
- External monitors can display different aspect ratios for shot framing and apply LUTs for colour grading purposes, as well as feature built-in grids and horizon levelers.
- Using external monitors and recorders can extend recording time, improve workflow, and enhance durability, as they are designed to withstand pressure and moisture in demanding dive conditions.
- Cameras like the Nikon Z50II, when combined with high-quality housings and external monitors/recorders, can capture 4K 60p video and log formats, offering better colour grading and fine adjustments in post-production.
- Affordable underwater video shooting solutions can be found with monitors like the Anglerfish Monitor at Bluewater Photo, and for those seeking the best external recording, the Atomos Ninja V remains a popular choice.
