Top Underwater Camera Equipment for 2020 and 2021
In the realm of underwater photography and video, some of the best products currently on the market come from leading manufacturers like Sea & Sea, Kraken Sports, Light & Motion, and SeaLife. Here's a closer look at what these companies have to offer.
Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 is highly regarded as one of the fastest and most popular underwater strobes, particularly for wide-angle photography and shooting fast action subjects. It boasts a high guide number (33 on land), even light dispersion via an aspherical troidal lens, and very fast recycle times (0.6 seconds at half power, nearly zero below a quarter power). The YS-D3 Duo variant adds RC-Mode for camera wireless control, making it a favourite among Olympus shooters.
Kraken Sports Strobes
Kraken Sports is renowned for producing professional underwater strobes like the KR-S40, which are reliable and designed to meet the demanding needs of diving photographers.
Light & Motion Lighting Systems
Light & Motion specializes in advanced underwater lighting solutions with robust build quality and powerful output, making their systems popular among videographers and photographers who need dependable, high-quality illumination underwater.
SeaLife Underwater Cameras
SeaLife produces dedicated underwater cameras known for their ease of use and rugged waterproof designs suitable for various underwater adventures. Their devices often integrate well with lighting and strobe setups for enhanced photo and video results.
Action Cameras
Action cameras like the GoPro HERO series, DJI Osmo Action, and Insta360 models remain top choices for underwater video due to their native waterproofing (up to about 33 feet or more with housing), 4K to 8K video capability, image stabilization, and compatibility with myriad underwater accessories. However, for professional underwater photography using strobes, specialized setups such as Sea & Sea and Kraken are preferred.
Accessories and Packages
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 is available with packages in Bluewater Photo's Holiday Specials. Kraken Sports offers several underwater video lights, including the Kraken 1500+, 2500 macro, 3500s+, 5000S+, and Solar Flare Mini 12,000. The Kraken Universal Smartphone Housing, another product from Kraken Sports, is on sale with an exclusive special at Bluewater Photo.
The Sola Aquaterra Kit for Video Pro 15,000 is an accessory offered for the Sola Video Pro 15,000. The Kraken products are on sale at Bluewater Photo, and the Kraken Carbon Fiber Float Arms is a proprietary accessory offered by Kraken Sports.
In conclusion, for combined underwater photography and video systems, top manufacturers recommend pairing high-performing underwater strobes like the Sea & Sea YS-D3 or Kraken strobes with robust lighting from Light & Motion and underwater-capable cameras from SeaLife or premium action cams like GoPro or DJI.
- The Sea & Sea YS-D3 strobe is a popular choice among divers for wide-angle photography and fast action subjects, thanks to its fast recycle times and high guide number.
- Kraken Sports is known for producing professional underwater strobes like the KR-S40, which are designed to meet the needs of diving photographers with their reliable performance.
- Light & Motion offers advanced underwater lighting solutions, their systems being popular among underwater videographers and photographers due to their robust build quality and powerful output.
- SeaLife produces dedicated underwater cameras, renowned for their rugged waterproof designs and ease of use, often pairing well with lighting and strobe setups for enhanced photo and video results.
- Action cameras like GoPro HERO series, DJI Osmo Action, and Insta360 models are top choices for underwater video, offering native waterproofing, 4K to 8K video capability, image stabilization, and compatibility with various underwater accessories.
- The Sea & Sea YS-D3 can be found in packages offered by Bluewater Photo, while Kraken Sports offers several underwater video lights, such as the Kraken 1500+, 2500 macro, 3500s+, 5000S+, and Solar Flare Mini 12,000, some of which are on sale at Bluewater Photo.
- For diving enthusiasts seeking advanced underwater photography and video systems, manufacturers suggest pairing high-performing underwater strobes like the Sea & Sea YS-D3 or Kraken strobes with powerful lighting from Light & Motion and dependable cameras from SeaLife or premium action cams like GoPro or DJI.
