Complete Underwater Camera Buyer Guide - Compact, Mirrorless and DSLR

[@Northerneexposure]

Absolutely the best intro video I’ve seen. No hype or BS, just excellent and highly informative. Thank you!🙏

[@23wiski]

Absolutely brilliant video bro, very informative

[@derekridgard9065]

Thank you for a very practical and helpful video.

[@darrensadler1614]

Nicely done Simon, not that we need any more excuse to think about buying more kit !! 🤦‍♀️🙌.

[@Hoveton9513]

Well done!. Really informative video. Straight to the point, with very little sales pitch, which is a downside that very often takes over many KZbin videos. Great.

[@InsiderDivers]

Thank you very much

[@marine332]

Nice job Simon, informative

[@edwinov]

If I win the lottery I will buy the system camera setup!

[@zinhomanhica9631]

Pretty awesome

[@MagDag_]

Thank you very much!

[@InsiderDivers]

You're welcome!

[@jeanmarclevy9413]

hi thxss imo better having both handgrip even for only one arm setting

[@mikkosport2300]

About optical vs sync cords. I have had alot more problems with sync cords than optical cables. If you get a bit water inside the connector you easily get some cortosion i.e. bad connectons. also some connectors/cables are prone to break and are mych harder to fix as optical cables. If you break an optical cable you simply cut smooth the end and replace the connector which, indeed, is a holder trough which the cable goes. The sync cord requires normally some extra tools to open and the cords needs then to solder. Something hard to do in the field.

[@InsiderDivers]

I would like to update the blog. Thanks fornthd feedback. What brand have you been using? I have only had ikelite and sea&sea cables and none of the problems mentioned. I can screw them in and out by hand, no tools needed. In 7 years and 1500 camera dives I have had to replace only one sync cord because it stopped working.

[@neilchapman2711]

With regards to fibre optic cables, Nauticam has screw in connectors on their housings so the plug popping out is not a problem.

[@InsiderDivers]

yes those are very good indeed. Only work on Nauticam housings unfortunately. other manufacturers should follow.

[@aradopsis2164]

Thank you very much for the very informative video! I am an amateur underwater photographer for about 6 years using my tg-4 in a seafrog case and I want to take this hobby a bit further. would you recommend if I buy a more advanced compact/mirrorless camera and a seafrog case for it? this hobby sure is expensive

[@InsiderDivers]

Hi Ara. Please have a look at the link which has recommended step up cameras. Or make an appointment for a free assessment talk with Simon Lorenz on his website www.simonlorenz.de

[@dukemenangoravelsyata1429]

👍🏽

[@Asssskiller]

Do you mount the focus light onto the tray as well?

[@InsiderDivers]

No, I usually suggest to mount the focus light on top of the camera somewhere. depends on your housing models what is convenient.

[@roneyyoneda556]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@simon.annies]

Do you think an aps-c sensor can be sufficient for good underwater photography? I am currently torn between the sony 7C and the sony a6700. For just my photography above the water, the 6700 would be a no-brainer, but I am a bit worried about underwater performance.

[@Eikenhorst]

Why not use the focus light build inside the Z330? They aren't very bright, but personally I find 2 of those sufficient on a night dive

[@InsiderDivers]

Because you would always have to point the strobe at the subject. We don’t always want to do that.

[@williamsweet7511]

you may have covered it, is your setup neutral or buoyant in case you drop it. Hate to loose such an expensive set of kit. What was the brand name of the aluminum camera case?

[@InsiderDivers]

Its slightly negative. I feel like I have more control like that

[@InsiderDivers]

The brand is Isotta

[@annagreif4532]

it would really help if you would write down the product Names/details /urls below your video....

[@mattvish6203]

What strobes are you using/recommending now that the Z330's are discontinued?

[@InsiderDivers]

Very good question. Waiting for the new INON is one option, Scubalamp Dpro are not bad, Retra are good but heavy, Backscatter awesome but not powerful enough for wideangle, Seacam too expensive. Marelux announced new strobes, lets see what that brings!

[@MarkusGebhard]

​@@InsiderDiversare there any updates regarding the strobes you'd recommend? There are so many options on the market it is quite confusing for a total newbie.

[@mahalawagalactic]

Hello Simon, thanks for this very informative video! I just got a RX100M7 and I love wide angle and macro 😂 yeah I know… anyways, I was looking at the YS-2D or YS-3D from sea and sea. Is this over kill? I mostly do photography but want to get more into video. I chose compact camera mostly because of the size of the whole rig. For the housing I’m still hesitant to go Nauticam for the price and the lenses (macro and wide) sooooo expensive… compare to Fantasea. What’s your opinion on this? Thanks!

[@tylerYost]

I used to use the rx100M7 with the Ikelite housing and got great results.

[@InsiderDivers]

With strobes I would always suggest to go for larger strobes that help fill out a wide-angle photo. Better go for one good strobe than two mediocre ones. On housing I agree - fantasea is very good for a compact camera, nauticam or other aluminum housings only necessary if the housing gets used a lot, say 200 or more dives a year.

[@originalkk882]

Used original RX100 and the M5VA, both in Sony's own housing. There are some limitations on control availability with this, so I would probably pay the extra for a Fantasea equivalent if I did it again. I really couldn't justify the cost of a Nauticam for these cameras (as I didn't buy the latest version). If I was using a high end mirrorless or DSLR underwater (both of which I have for land use), then yes, but travelling with larger cameras, larger housings, ports, and lenses, plus dive gear is too expensive and too much trouble for me.

[@dkilshtein1]

How do you balance a single arm setup? Is it even possible to make it level?

[@InsiderDivers]

If you want to make it perfect you can put one float arm across or buy a float that goes below your bracket. I find though that for photography uw it's not that crucial to have it 100% level. Different for video of course

[@rawphaelelpapi5149]

Great video! If I could only afford 1 Red64 Strobe in the beginning, would it be worth it shooting wide angle fisheye with only 1 strobe or are the pictures going to be unevenly lit? I saw the Red64 has 135° Ilumination angle so I’m wondering if I can work with only 1 of them.

[@InsiderDivers]

Hi Raphael. Twin strobes are overrated. One good one beats two poor ones any day. But Red64 is also to highest caliber. Would go for the I ons Z330. Get a free assessment talk with Simon Lorenz on www.simonlorenz.de

[@Etimos1]

Hi Simon.... I have a Canon GX7 II and looking to get into underwater photography. I am interested in photos and video.That being said, what do you think about the TG-6? ( video quality is a better) Should I spend the money on GX7II setup or TG-6 setup? Thanks

[@InsiderDivers]

Hi. I think its worth skipping TG6 and going straight for G7x. You can do more things with it and achieve much better photos

[@originalkk882]

I have RX100M5VA and TG-6, and the general video is much better with the Sony than the TG-6. The TG-6 is better for macro (photos and videos), even with a close up lens on the Sony.

[@joannalidia7128]

you pubished the video just one month too late ;) but still - thank you

[@sntshkmr60]

What are your thoughts on action cameras?

[@승윤-s2i]

Where can I buy your single tray?

[@InsiderDivers]

Nauticam.com

[@intrepidsouls]

I hate these guys that carry all that crap with them underwater. Terrible dive buddies, and also a big danger to themselves. You need to be vigilant of your surroundings at all moments underwater and not task loaded like that

[@InsiderDivers]

I am glad you still took the time to watch this video. Honestly if you are going diving with hate in your belly for other divers maybe you should consider changing hobbies. All the best.

[@intrepidsouls]

@@InsiderDivers you mind your own business, I don’t need advice on hobbies from anyone. I just said that these idiots carrying all that crap endanger themselves and fail to be decent dive buddies.

[@originalkk882]

Yet you put up an incredibly bad boat-wreck video on your channel.

[@23wiski]

Absolutely brilliant video bro, very informative