Underwater camera setup

kelpdiver wrote:

SafariBob wrote:

recently tried short split ones with strap boot, and loved them, but, I think you are right, all things considered, max thrust is the most important.

they swear to no end that they work great in current and at less energy, but if its true, its for continuous propulsion. I want one kick to do something, not 10. I also suspect for freediving this is a no go.

I'm a fan of the Apollo Bio Fin split fins.   They have obvious disadvantages for photography in that it is difficult to back up, but boy do they have 'bite'.  I've been diving with them since 2009 so very much used to them.

I once swapped fins with a buddy for a dive.   He was amazed that a single kick would send one forward pretty dramatically compared to his fins.   My experience with his fins was that they were like wearing nothing at all!  I'm kicking away and hardly moving.

Being made of rubber the fins are quite heavy, which is another packing issue.   But at least when I was still researching the subject, these fins constantly won efficiency comparison tests against other fins.  (Based on air usage over time, if I recall correctly.)

Mine are the Mares Avanti Quattro Power Full Foot Long Blade. They're somewhat rare to find. Unfortunately sizing is a bit hard to do blind, so you want a return policy, or to find a big dive show where Mares is exhitibit, or have a return policy option.

I've often wondered what it would be like to dive with (good quality) straight fins.  I'd probably have to add another 2 pounds of weight though!