"The weekend of July 18th saw Sky Sports Fishamania hit the screen, with it came an opportunity to use Polecams ‘Fishface’ underwater housing.

The well-engineered unit housed my Toshiba HD camera and drew plenty of interest during the rig day.

Outputting HD1080i directly into the scanner via a wireless link, engineering control was available via the Polecam OCP unit with data passing down a standard 3-pin xlr cable. I believe a system allowing full wireless control is anticipated soon.

Operating the Fishface is great fun and although the water proved too murky to see below the surface, Director Mike Allen used the Polecam intelligently, making good use of the ‘half in half out’ shot.

The water to air, (and vice versa) transition proved particularly popular in and out of commercial breaks.

The great advantage of Fishface is that it allows the operator to retain full 360-degree control of the head in the water as well as in the dry. The domed lens at the front of the housing clears water quickly, and, although a few drops remained this seemed to enhance the appeal of the development.

The Toshiba HD camera matched well with the other cameras despite the hugely variable weather conditions, bright sunshine to torrential rain and wind, in an instant!

The Fishface had a good day at Fishamania and I’m really looking forward to using it on the next job, with, (hopefully) some clearer water, Great Barrier Reef anyone?"

Chris Taber
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