Sealife

Sea Dragon 5000+

SeaLife’s new Color Boost mode cleverly combines white and red LEDs to enhance image color. The blending of the white light with just the right amount of red imbues underwater scenes with additional warmth and color while maintaining a natural look. Reef shots look fantastic, but we were even more impressed by how it handled subjects in blue water. Even at a medium distance, the light brought life to divers’ skin tones and provided very good contrast from the background. The light has two operating modes: a simplified five-option mode for easy, nofuss use, and an advanced mode with access to morepower settings and Color Boost combinations.

The single push button is quick and responsive. An LED showsbattery status and activation of Color Boost. The light isn’t overly heavy or cumbersome and provided smooth, complete coverage for our wide-angle action camera. We didn’t measure output or battery life, but in our experience Sea Dragon lights tend to burn consistently right up until their stated run time—in this case, 60 minutes. It includes a battery charger with adapters, ball and Flex-Connect mounts, and a neoprene cover.

Backscatter

Mini Flash 2

Several new features have been added to the next generation of Backscatter’s powerful, compact underwater strobe, including wireless remote control, highspeed syncing, and test and beacon modes. The fiber optic strobe offers automatic TTL for Olympus cameras—a huge plus for divers shooting on a TG-Tough—and seven manual power levels. Small and lightweight, this strobe is very easy to travel and dive with. It provides more than 2,000 flashes on a single rechargeable 2100 battery (not included).

The long battery compartment makes it easy to adjust strobe positioning from behind. The two-dial operation is straightforward, with ergonomic clicks to confirm each adjustment. Thepush button cycles a four-level 1,000-lumen focus light. A remote attachment is included with each strobe, which allows remote triggering and setting adjustment via another Mini Flash 2, a process that is simple and intuitive. The strobe is compatible with Backscatter’s optical snoot and color filter system.

Ultralight Camera Solutions

UAK-SLCYS-05 Underwater Arm Kit

This underwater arm kit pairs a 5-inch aluminum arm with an extra-long clamp. This allows for the flexibility and length of a traditional camera arm but requires one less adjustment knob. That means fewer knobs to carry and keep track of topside, and fewer knobs underwater so you can adjust your rig much more quickly and efficiently.

Light & Motion

Sola Video Pro 3800

Thanks to a special optic domeport, this light casts a diffuse flood beam with super smooth, even coverage that is perfect for wide-angle. The top-mounted sliding push switch provides fast and easy access to three power modes and an emergency strobe. Mechanical and digital locks prevent activation during transit. Three colored LEDs indicate battery status and the current brightness.

The light outputs up to 3,800 lumens in a wide 110-degree beam. It may appear dimmer when compared to other lights, but that’s because it disperses the light over a much wider area. Coverage from one Sola is plenty wide, but a pair of lights may be required for ideal exposure. The lightweight, compact body is well-balanced and easy to hold and manipulate. The builtin battery runs for 50 minutes on high and fully charges in 105 minutes.

EBL

Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers

EBL batteries maintain performance for up to 1,200 charges and feature a slow self-discharge design to ensure 75 percent capacity after three years of nonuse. The universal battery charger supports global voltage. Dual charging cradles are compatible with rechargeable 3.7 lithium-ion IMR 26650, 18650, 17500, 14500, 1630 batteries; and Ni-MH/Ni-Cd AA, AAA and C batteries. Colored status indicator lights display battery status.

Backscatter

Remote lighting Muck Stick

Mount a flash, video light or action camera to this muck stick using the integrated ball mount. The pointed end and adjustable anti-rotation sand anchor will keep the stick firmly embedded for stability. This stick was designed to complement the remote-control function of the Mini Flash 2 strobe, which uses a screw-on light tube to send setting information and firing signals from one Mini Flash 2 to another. Used in conjunction with the Mini Flash 2 and Backscatter’s pushon optical snoot (both pictured here), this muck stick can be used for creative macro images. The top of the stick features an attachment point for clipping it off to a BC when not in use.

Ultralight Camera Solutions

GPK - PTGLC - GOPRO Tray Kit

This compact kit is a minimalist rig that is perfect for divers who want to enhance their action camera footage with a video light while carrying as little camera gear as possible. Attaching a light to the tray using a single long clamp allows the light to be positioned as if it were on a small arm, but with minimal hardware and adjustment. It features a large attachment point for a lanyard or coil. The rubberized grip is secure and comfortable. The system can be a bit unbalanced when using a larger light, but overall, we found it to be useful and convenient. The system is very easy to pack and carry, easy to use while diving, and unobtrusive when not in use.

DJI

Osmo Action 4

Updated with a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor, this latest iteration of the Osmo Action boasts improved low-light performance and a wider dynamic range. It also has an f/2.8 aperture, a 155-degree wide-angle lens, multiple HorizonSteady stabilization modes and the ability to shoot 4K video at 120 fps. The advanced color temperature sensor improved the natural-looking color of our underwater footage, with and without the use of lights. Water resistance of the camera body has increased to 60 feet without a housing.

The optional dive housing is rated for 195 feet and provides access to basic shooting controls—power, mode and screen selection, and record. The system is compatible with GoPro style mounts. We liked how responsive the record button is. Even when powered off, it started recording almost instantaneously once the button was pressed. The battery will make three to four dives on a single charge. Three batteries are included with the camera, along with a threeslot charging cradle.

Ultralight Camera Solutions

GPK-LWT Tray

This durable and corrosionresistant lightweight tray offers a handy mounting solution for action camera shooters who want a stable, balanced grip, multiple video lights, or both! Dual rubberized handles offer a secure, ergonomic grip even when wet. Each one is topped with a ball mount that can be used to mount video lights or other accessories. The curved shape of the tray places a GoPro-style mount front and center, which provides more room to grip the tray and allows for the use of flip filters.

Bigblue Dive Lights

VL11000PB-RCP

Outputting up to 11,000 lumens of cool white light, this video light packs a lot of power into a competitively compact body. The bright output and perfectly smooth 120-degree flood beam are perfect for wide-angle video capture. A smaller camera system, such as a GoPro, can get great results while only using a single light. The push-button switch offers instant access to white and blue light modes, each available at three power levels. It also includes an emergency flash and a 500-lumen red-light mode.The rechargeable lithium-ion battery comes with a dedicated smart charger and will provide up to two and a half hours of runtime on full power. Includes fiber optic remote control, Goodman glove, yellow filters and a dry bag.

Ikelite

USB Charging and Data Transfer Bulkhead

Ever wished you could leave your camera in the housing for an entire dive trip so you wouldn’t have to worry about compromising the seal? For some select Ikelite 50DL and 200DL housings, that dream is now a reality thanks to this specialized bulkhead, which installs into the M16 port to enable you to charge your camera and download media without removing the camera from the housing. Refer to Ikelite’s website for housing compatibility.

Related Reading:This is the Best Dive Gear for 2023

Pelican

TRVL Air Case

The TRVL editions of Pelican’s Air case line are optimized for travel. They are constructed with a proprietary polymer that is both heavy-duty and lightweight. They are equipped with a multipocket lid organizer and TSA-approved locks. Packing cubes are also included. TRVL Air cases are available in two sizes ranging from the maximum carry-on size for most major airlines to the maximum standard checked bag size, whose total dimensions measure exactly 62 inches.

Other standard features in the Air case line include easy-to-open Press & Pull latches, an integrated ID card holder, automatic pressure equalization valves, and a waterproof O-ring seal. The packing cubes can be replaced with Pick N Pluck foam padding, adjustable padded dividers, TrekPak divider system, or a TrekPak/foam hybrid depending on the needs of your expedition.

uiet roller wheels and a deployable trolley handle allow you to traverse airport terminals with ease. They aren’t as suitable for rocky, uneven terrain, but we found the carry-on size case was quite portable for long distances when using the ergonomic fold-down carry handle, which features a comfy rubberized grip. Our cases were a little dinged up after a recent trip to Central America, but the contents inside were safe and sound.

Ultralight Control System

DTK-SCSH

This small, caged camera tray uses two stacked TR-SBLD trays for increased stability and security. Dual AC-H1/4 handles feature ergonomic rubberized grips and are each topped with ball mounts to support video lights, strobes and other accessories. A GoPro-style mount is included to attach an action camera to the top tray in addition to the main camera. This system works well for smaller cameras and smartphone housings.

Nauticam

NA-A7RV

This housing for the Sony a7R V provides ergonomic, well-placed controls for easy adjustment of all the camera’s features and settings at depth. Exposure control dials are easy to reach and operate. Rocker switches used for playback, recording and AF-ON are comfortable and intuitive. Buttons are strategically placed and clearly labeled. An M24 bulkhead and an M10 accessory port on the front of the housing support the use of external recording and external monitors.

The aluminum housing is rugged without being overly heavy, and comes standard with a vacuum port and leak detection. Nauticam’s port locking lever allows for lightning-fast port changes. Quick-disconnect wet lenses, like the 130-degree WWL-1B pictured here, are easy to add and remove on the fly. Without a port attached, the main body is very streamlined for easy travel. The housing is compatible with the Sony A7IV with a conversion kit.

Kraken

Universal Smartphone Housing 2.0

Bluetooth connectivity and the free Kraken app allow divers to access their smartphone’s camera to capture underwater photos and video. The app is available for Android and Apple devices. A residue-free adhesive pad and trimable foam inserts ensure a snug fit for most available models. The large shutter button operates like a regular camera. However, you can also stop/start recording using the buttons on the back of the housing. The housing is vacuum-sealed and powered by a rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion battery.

The battery can also be used to charge your phone while it’s in the housing, so you can keep it alive during long days of diving without compromising the vacuum seal. An optional adjustable lens mount allows users to attach any 67mm or 52mm wet lens to the system.

Kraken

Hydra LTD 7000

This “limited” video light removes some of the more advanced features typically found in Kraken’s Hydra line to cut down complexity and cost for scuba divers who are simply interested in a powerful, easy-to-use video light. The versatile light offers both a 7,000-lumen 100-degree flood beam and a 1,500-lumen 15-degree spotlight. The three-button operation can be a handful, but it is logical and straightforward. The center button cycles modes, and the left and right adjust output up or down.

The built-in domed front ensures a soft, even beam spread with gentle fall-off. The removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery runs for up to 45 minutes at full flood and features an integrated USB-C PD charging port. The LTD 7000 still includes fiber optic ports and functionality for a burst/strobe mode and remote control. The Hydra LTD 7000 comes with both ball and Y/S mounting options.

Bigblue Dive Lights

CB16500PB-RCP

This powerful 16,500-lumen video light is super bright without being overly large and is depth-rated to 330 feet. It has a 160-degree beam for even wide-angle video coverage. It’s wide enough that a smaller system may only need a single light. The 5000K color temperature is on the warmer side. White and blue color modes each have four power levels. There is also a red-light mode and emergency strobe. The push button is very responsive for quick on and off, although it’s also very easy to activate on accident.

The included fiber optic remote makes operation even easier and allows users to operate two lights simultaneously without taking their hand off the tray. The removable, rechargeable lithium-ion battery will run up to two hours on high and recharges in two to three hours. The CB16500PB-RCP comes in a protective hard-shell case and includes a ball mount, lantern handle, Goodman glove, and yellow light and camera filters for fluoro diving.

Related Reading: Best Underwater Cameras for Beginners

Shell-Phone

We’ve noticed a growing number of divers using underwater smartphone housings like the SeaLife SportDiver and the Kraken universal smartphone housing. Why are they becoming so popular, and why might you be interested in trying them for yourself?

LOWER COST Purchasing underwater imaging equipment can be quite costly, especially if you don’t already have a camera. Most divers already own a smartphone, so the only required purchase to use these systems is the actual housing itself. Of course, filters, trays and lights can be added later, if you should want them.

EASY TO USE Though they may have different ways of accessing them, these housings typically provide access to the phone’s regular camera features and functions that the user is already familiar with. For instance, some models allow divers access to the phone’s selfie camera. The large display area provided by a smartphone screen is an added bonus for divers who may have trouble seeing the small viewfinders on traditional camera housings.

INSTANT SHAREABILITY Most smartphone housings will save photos and videos directly to the phone’s camera roll. This eliminates the need to transfer media between devices before sharing them. You can send them to your friends and family—and new dive buddies —or share them on social media before you even step on shore.

WHAT ABOUT LEAKS? Leaks are a matter of concern for any underwater photographer, and the concern is doubled when the item in question is your primary communication device. Fortunately, several smartphone housings are available with vacuum seals and the latest leak-detection tech.