Camera Recomendations

[Scorpius]

Hi all.

Does anyone know of a decent colour camera I can use for my ROV that isn't too expensive and I can get somewhere in Britain?

Thanks...

[sthone]

I get this question asked a lot but I'm no expert so I hate to recommend any particular camera model but look for something with the highest resolution and lowest lux rating you can find.

You can try http://www.supercircuits.com (they are in the states but do ship overseas) they have a pretty good selection of cameras. Some of their board cameras are reasonable but you will have to make a water proof housing.

Just keep in mind the camera is one of the most important (if not the most important) parts of the Rov. It is after all your eyes under the water so you want to get the best camera you can afford, don't buy cheap it's not something you want to skimp on or you will be disappointed.

-Steve

[Scorpius]

That's really helpful,

Thanks a lot Steve!

[chance]

Check out the cameras the flying RC fuys using for FPV (first person view) - they are usually pretty thoughly reviewed because these guys use them to fly severl miles away. I'm going to pick up a cheap one to start with http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... uct=13434# is 16.99 with a Horizontal resolution of 420TV line and good for low light down to .01LUX/F1.2.

Later I might upgrade it or add an additional, nicer, camera like this one http://hobbywireless.com/cart/index.php ... ucts_id=12 they even show video from it in a night flight!

If some has other good suggestions I'm all ears!


-Chance

[chance]

This one is $31 and will run off anything from 5V-15V so you don't have to clean up the power for it first. [http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8739 I'm not sure about how it handles low light though...

If you need a clean power source for your camera you might want something like this: http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/2120 (I'm getting this)

-Chance

[archistrage]

Just curious, has anyone ever been able to take a webcam apart and use it as a component. I'd like to know if I could use one like http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-H5D-000 ... 505&sr=1-3 in an ROV. (Sorry about the long url).

Archistrage

[sthone]

I think the problem with most web cameras (besides being USB) is they really don't have the low light capability required for underwater work. I'm sure there might be some out there but most of the cheap ones probably aren't or don't usually list a lux rating.

-Steve

[VegardP]

Hey boys & girls.
I have some recomendations on cameras.
If you want to get wide angle HD shots at a cheap price do check out the Go Pro Hero 1080HD helmet cam. Alot of divers are starting to use this as a very cheap camera with underwater housing and it is garrantied waterthight down to about 60meters (Tested by divers). The low light conditions is not that bad looking on other competitiors. (better than my contourHD helmetcam). Looking at the price and the recordfunction straight on to SDHC memorycards and the possibiliy to view realtime output on composite video monitor via video baluns to the surface i guess it will do alot of good for lighter scale ROVs when you don't have to go deeper than 60meters.
(You will have to build a underwater housing for it if you want to view the realtime video output at the same time as recording as the composite output cable will go outside the underwater housing!).

http://www.goprocamera.com/
goes for about 270-300USD online or 3600 Norwegian Kroner here in Norway.

This is one of the best onboard recording solutions for not alot of money i have found out there.
search for go pro hero on youtube to see some video footage.

If you want just a composite video signal solution inside your own underwater housing i would rather go for a cheap surveilance camera (tons to choose from) without night vision ir leds because of reflection in glass and such), and 2 video baluns connected to a pair of your cat5e wire to the surface. Search ebay or amazon for video baluns and you will find lots of them for about 15$ a pair. Bought mine from ebay.
Remember to get a lowlight camera. 0,1 lux or similar will do. the more resolution lines on the specs the better. 420 lines is the standard sd output from cctv cameras i think.
The bigger the picture chip (1/3, 1/4 and so on) the better quality and better low light conditions.

And i would consider getting a video quad processor to get more cameras on the same monitor to see more angles. Can find them very cheap used.
You will need to supply some sort of good lighting to get some proper pictures down there so build some sort of halogen lightning out of downlight spots or similar. (tons of 12v availiable).
Hope this may help anyone.

[VegardP]

Some guys modded the gopro housing and sells it for about a 100$ pretested down to 61meters below with regular lens and not the wide angle lens! Sweet!
http://www.eyeofmine.com/gopro/underwater/

[thegadgetguy]

I originally had something posted here but it was answered elsewere on this forum.