News

Winter is on its way out, and in many places that means it’s finally warm enough to dive into local waters. There’s really no better place to get used to new gear for a big trip than in your nearby ponds, rivers, lakes and ocean. But first, you’ll need to splurge on some new underwater imaging equipment! We can help with that.

Here is your guide to the best new gear for the spring of 2016, whether you’re looking to invest in a big system or just the right accessory for a new niche of photography.  

Please help support DivePhotoGuide by choosing to purchase your gear through our knowledgeable retail partners at Backscatter.

Sony Alpha 7 Mark II Series

Why have one of the world’s best mirrorless (or any) camera when you can select from three? That’s the opportunity Sony has afforded underwater photographers with the three cameras in the Alpha 7 II series. $1,700 | www.sony.net | www.backscatter.com (a7 II) | $3,200 | www.sony.net | www.backscatter.com (a7R II) | $3,000 | www.sony.net | www.backscatter.com (a7S II)

Who Should Buy It?

The 12.2-megapixel a7S II offers a much-desired combination of ISO performance, processing speed and video to make it the most versatile camera in the series. But if video isn’t your thing and you’d rather have more resolution, the a7R II packs a punch with 42.2 megapixels. Alternatively, the a7 II is the much more affordable all-rounder, with a still-respectable 24-megapixel sensor.

Housing Options
 

• Ikelite: Ikelite kicked off its new style of housings with their true-TTL model for the Sony a7 II series. The new polycarbonate material is lighter than ever before and the housing’s ergonomics are further refined. With access to the Sony’s TTL, the results are the most accurate, even as lighting conditions and distance to the subject changes. $1,500 | www.ikelite.com | www.backscatter.com

• Aquatica: Good news for Aquatica users—the company now offers a TTL module from Ikelite that also provides access to the camera’s TTL. In a review for DPG, Joe Platko praised the ergonomics, writing, “I was able to easily control all settings without ever having to take my hands off of its handles.” $2,699 | www.aquatica.ca | www.backscatter.com

• Seacam: Machined out of saltwater-proof, light metal alloy that is twice hardened, the Seacam housing for Sony’s a7 II series is built for the toughest conditions. Other unique features include a titanium safety lock and a high-quality main O-ring. $3,950 | www.seacam.com

Subal’s Ultra-Rugged Housings

Subal has stepped it up a notch with their “Ultra-Rugged Series” of housings, which were co-designed with National Geographic shooter Daniel Botelho to survive and thrive even in the most demanding conditions. The new line of housings features an extra resistant bottom, reinforced buttons, and extra weatherproof paint. Compatible camera models include flagship DSLRs from Nikon and Canon. Contact Dealer for Prices | www.subal.com

Tokina 14–20mm Zoom Cropped Sensor Lens

Tokina’s lenses have become a popular option for underwater photographers because of their more affordable cost, the variety of choices, and the overall quality. One new lens to get excited about is the 14–20mm, which is ideal for slightly skittish subjects that would be too far away to fill the frame of a fisheye. The lens is also super “fast” with a maximum aperture f/2.0 for low-light conditions. $1,080 | www.tokina.com

Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro Full-Frame Lens

If you’re more of a macro fanatic, Tamron has released a redesigned 90mm f/2.8 lens as a less expensive alternative to your camera company’s proprietary lenses. The updated version features a 9-blade aperture and Tamron’s Vibration Compensation. It also has weather sealing, which is a real bonus for those underwater photographers who are switching setups on the fly. It is available for Sony, Canon, and Nikon mounts. $650 | www.tamron.com

Sony RX100 IV

Sony’s RX100 series is a popular choice for underwater photographers looking for a slim, but capable setup. The latest version, the RX100 IV, continues this tradition by adding 4K-video (30p, 25p, 24p) and faster overall processing speed through a next-generation stacked 20.1-megapixel 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS sensor and DRAM memory chip. The max burst rate reaches 16 frames per second—key for fast action in natural light, such as near the surface with big animals. $950 | www.sony.com | www.backscatter.com

Who Should Buy It?

With pro features like 4K video and super-slow motion (960 fps), along with top-of-the-class image quality, the RX100 IV is a great option if you’re looking to save a significant amount of travel space and bulk. It isn’t the cheapest choice, but the RX100 IV offers a performance that’s hard to beat. DPG reviewer Chase Darnell wrote: “Given that most of this camera’s video specs are only offered in expensive DSLRs and cinema cameras, this small setup has some amazing abilities.”

Housing Options
 

• Fantasea: Fantasea only produces housings for select, high-quality cameras, focusing intensely on ergonomics and design. Their housing for the RX100 IV is no exception, featuring a built-in leak detector and double O-ring for extra security. Plus, at a price point of $500, it’s pretty affordable to take your RX100 IV on a dive. $500 | www.fantasea.com | www.backscatter.com (housing) | $1,450 | www.fantasea.com (housing & camera bundle)

• Ikelite: If you’re looking to complement the RX100 IV’s compact size, Ikelite housing is a great fit. Controls have been provided for all important camera functions, and there’s a sensitive shutter level which makes it a breeze to half-press the shutter. Of course, you can also pair the setup with a couple of Ikelite strobes and have a pro-level system. $550 | www.ikelite.com | www.backscatter.com

SeaLife Micro 2.0

If you’re looking to spend more time shooting and less time worrying about your camera setup, the SeaLife Micro 2.0 is the way to go. It’s permanently sealed, meaning you never have to worry about floods. But unlike your typical “tough” waterproof cameras, it has features underwater photographers crave—most notably a built-in 130-degree wide-angle lens, a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and 1080p HD recording at 60 frames per second. $500/$550 (32GB/64GB) | www.sealife-cameras.com

Leica X-U

Leica’s first foray into underwater photography took us by surprise when they released the X-U. The high-end compact is depth-rated to 45 feet, shock-resistant, and dust sealed, but it’s the 16-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor and 23mm (35mm equivalent) prime lens that really aim to impress. If you find yourself in the market for a secondary camera for topside shooting, or wet environments, the Leica X-U offers exceptional image quality and performance for a “rugged” compact camera. $2,950 | www.leica.com

GoPro Hero+ LCD

It’s no secret that a GoPro is almost a must-have for an underwater photographer, whether as a B-roll camera or primary imaging device. GoPro is focusing now on their mid-level cameras after discontinuing the Hero Session. This brings us to the GoPro Hero+ LCD, which adds an LCD touchscreen and features performance upgrades such as “HiLight” tagging to mark significant moments in your video for quicker editing. $299 | www.gopro.com | www.backscatter.com

Backscatter FLIP4 and Macromate Mini

Once you’ve stabilized your GoPro with a tray, there are two essential additions to your setup: filters and a macro lens for tackling the small stuff. Backscatter provides a flexible solution in the form of the FLIP4 system and the Macromate Mini. The former comes with three filters and includes the 55mm adapter you need to combine with the latter. $99 | www.backscatter.com (FLIP4) | $99 | www.backscatter.com (Macromate Mini)

Sony FHD-5 Monitor in Nauticam Housing

If you’re serious about your videography, using an external monitor for framing and review is a must. They can also be really, really expensive. Here’s an affordable option in the form of Sony’s FHD-5 monitor in Nauticam housing. At a relatively modest combined price of $2300, this setup offers Full HD 1080p viewing on a 5-inch screen with features such as focus peaking. $1,600 | www.backscatter.com (housing)

SeaLife Sea Dragon 1500F

Recognizing the demand from users wanting a prosumer level video light, SeaLife introduced the Sea Dragon 1500F. This 1,500-lumen photo/video light delivers a light quality very close to natural sunlight thanks to its COB LED technology. The CRI (color rendering index) is 80 and the temperature is 5700K—normally specs you see in a high-end video light. $299 | www.sealife-cameras.com

I-Torch Venom c92 and Venom 25 Lights

The Venom c92 is one of the most powerful models in i-DiveSite's diverse lineup of continuous lights, with a 4,000-lumen output. The c92 features an impressive Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 92, meaning the light it produces very closely resembles natural light. Released last fall, the Venom 25 is slightly smaller, while still offering a 2,500-lumen beam in flood mode (120 degrees) plus an additional spot mode (15 degrees) at 800 lumens. $975 | www.itorch.ca (Venom c92) | $500 | www.itorch.ca (Venom 25)

Fantasea Radiant 2500 Pro

Light up your frame (and the ocean) with the Fantasea Radiant Pro 2500. Named for its 2,500-lumen output, this video light offers a spectrum of settings for almost every situation, including wide, spot, red, UV, blue and a flashing (emergency) mode. It’s one of the most versatile, compact video lights on the market. $499 | www.fantasea.com (Radiant Pro)

FIX Neo Aquavolt Mini 5000

Don’t let the “Mini” in the title fool you. This 5,000-lumen light features a wide beam angle of 100 degrees and a temperature of 5000K. Control the four power output settings with the addition of an optional wired, remote control on your camera’s handles. $1,199 | www.fisheye-jp.com | www.backscatter.com

SeaLife Flex-Connect System

Putting together an arm system is literally a “snap” with SeaLife’s Flex-Connect. Constructed from fiber-reinforced polycarbonate and stainless steel, the arms are sturdy, but flexible enough to bend in a 100-degree motion. It’s a great solution if you’re looking to simplify your clunky ball-and-arm setup. $49 | www.sealife-cameras.com (Dual Tray) | $49 | www.sealife-cameras.com (Flex Arm) | $40 | www.sealife-cameras.com (Grip) | $30 | www.sealife-cameras.com (Y-S Adapter) | $269 | www.sealife-cameras.com (Dual Tray Kit)

When purchasing underwater photography equipment like the products mentioned in this article, please support DPG by supporting our retail partner—Backscatter.com.