Underwater camera setup

SafariBob wrote:

Architeuthis wrote:

Hi safaribob,

Generally you can do both macro and wideangle with all setups. All options are better than the handy in a plastic bag...

#1.: GoPro and actioncams are videocentric. If you prefer video over stills this is the way to go (I am not sure whether macro is an option for actioncams).

I have footage from a GoPro and I find the output a bit lacking. I think I will get an action cam anyway though, for convenience and redundancy, but it depends a bit how much total spend is. It's unclear to me whether it would be better to get the Akoso or the Gopro, and what the total package would require (camera, underwater housing, + stick?)

=> Do nor forget lights. Natural light will be abunand when snorkeling, but when scubadiving you will want artificial lights.

#2.: Simple stills oriented camera for snorkeling (even good for scubadiving) is Olympus TG-5 or 6. Great for macro, but also WA with wetlens.

I can consider this as an alternative to action camera. My skepticism is that it is also a 1/2.5" sensor. And they seem to cost around 300 usd used, + an underwater housing if I want to dive with it.

=> Clearly better cameras exist. If you look at reviews (e.g. the one from Backscatter that I linked), it is astonishing how good UW photos taken with TGs can be when the photographer is experienced. I believe this is a very good entry into UW-photography and after some personal experience you yourself know best what fits to you. In case you want more than snorkeling, you need at least one good flash too...

#3.: When housing your FF camera, you are in the Champions League of UW photographers.

Hehe, ok, so what would be the college football level?

There are several levels below Championsleague (but well above #2):

=> Compact cameras ( am not a friend of them for several reasons, too long to discuss here)

=> Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras with MFT sensor (technically already pretty good, regarded the optimum by many)

=> DSLR with APS-C format sensor. Highly rated here is Nikon D500 (IQ a little better than MFT, but outstanding AF)

Excellent IQ and all options from Super-Makro to circular fisheye images. Bear in mind you are going to spend many thousands of $$$ and, when travelling, most of your baggage will be camera gear...

Let's say the budget is 1000, how is it best spent?

=>

For 1000 bucks you get #1 or #2 with some acessoirs. Even when buying second hand (a good option), the budget is too low to get a complete rig that fulfills your ambitous desire. Housing your Sony A7Riv (I see from your gear list that you have one) in a cheap plastic housing is a good way to get rid of it by flooding and to be ready then to buy the A1.

=> Seriously, if I were you, I would go for a second hand TG-4 or 5 with UW housing, tray and flash. This will not break the bank and is a good entry...

=> Another option may be to get a second hand Nauticam housing with port for your A7RII (this also may fit your budget). You may, however, soon find out that you are not willing to drag around the heavy gear. In case you are resistant to this, you certainly will find out that you want additional lenses and ports for WA and Macro, not to speak about flashes - 1000 $ is then an illusion...

Difficult to give advise, too many options and people have different preferences. I would reecommend option #2 when main purpose are photos and #1 when videos are desired (but you can make both phtos and videos with both options). Not too much money spent and after a year you know yourself best what you want...

...so after 4 years, I still don't know what I want.

=> UW photography is different from surface. You experience so far is Galapagos with I-phone in a plastic bag and you know now this does not fit your demands. The next rig will be also for probing. I suggest not to make a mega-investment at this stage, an entry level rig will be a big leap already (see above)...

I can highly recommend this book for getting closer to UW-photography, great information for beginners (but you should already be experienced on the surface), but also experienced ones: https://www.amazon.de/Underwater-Photography-Masterclass-Alex-Mustard/dp/1781452229

Maybe you want to read this: https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Backscatter-Best-Underwater-Compact-Cameras

Will do!

Wolfgang