Sony HC1/ Bluefin any comments?

[Hassan Adly]

Hi guys,

I am thinking of getting myself a Sony HC1 with a L&M bluefin housing.

Does anyone have any experience with this combo?

How does the bluefin compare to the Amphibico housings for the HC1?

Should I consider really breaking the bank and getting some special optics/lights, or can I get a nice start with just the camera and housing?

Any comments will be appreciated.

Hassan

[Richard Lundgren]

Hi Hassan!

I would go for the Amphibico Dive Buddy EVO Pro HD / Sony HVR A1 option. Realy slick housing and white balance control. Price aprox $2500. Amphibico will soon release a 120 deg optic for this one.

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[Hassan Adly]

Hi Richard!$2500 is just the housing, right?I think you recommended me the HC1 camera in the past, how does it compare to the HVR A1?

[Jens Forsgren]

Hi Hassan,

You could also check out the brand new Sony HDR-HC3. The replacement for the HC1. It's even smaller than the HC1, and the image should be even bether. HC1 had som problems with red for instance, looked more magenta.
http://www.sonyhdvinfo.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

Amphibico will release the Dive Buddy EVO Pro HD housing for HC3 this month, and price will be $1595. The HC1/A1 housing costs $2995. (Listprice on Amphibico webpage)

In the US the price for HC3 is $1200, HC1 $1400 and the A1 $2000. (www.pricerunner.com)

You get access to more functions with the A1 but it's double the cost. The image quality is stunning and about equal for HC3 and A1. Rumor has it that white balance will be accesable on the HC3 Ampibico combo.

Jens (Who is considering to get the HC3 + Amphibico combo)

[Richard Lundgren]

Hi Richard!$2500 is just the housing, right?I think you recommended me the HC1 camera in the past, how does it compare to the HVR A1?

A1 have lots of ad-ons but few that helps you as a diver - but the white balance feature is important and can probably fix the color problem described by Jens.

[Jens Forsgren]

A1 have lots of ad-ons but few that helps you as a diver - but the white balance feature is important and can probably fix the color problem described by Jens.
Supposedly it was fabrication/design issues with the HC1. For instance one videophile reported that it was impossible to get the right red color on Ferraris. So it's ha huge problem! ;)

Anyhow HC1 is discontinued and replaced with HC3. There is still some HC1 out on the market, but the only thing the HC1 has over the HC3 is a microphone-plug, and for many I guess that is a nonissue.

//Jens