Scuba Diving – September 2019

/ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 / 19

Bright feature that automatically adjusts the
power level based on proximity to subject.
The Sea Dragon Flash, which can be shot
on automatic or manual mode, delivers bold
colors for stills. The fi ber-optic cable used to
trigger the strobe is included in the kit.
The DC2000 camera, featuring a 1” 20MP
image sensor and RAW + JPEG image cap-
ture, combines ease of use with great im-
age quality. Shoot this camera on full auto,
in one of four underwater modes, with three
underwater color-correction fi lters, or in full
manual. The housing features SeaLife’s icon-
ic piano-key controls, which are easy to see

.

SeaLife’s Sea Dragon Flex-Connect sys-

tem makes the camera system easy to hol

while shooting and navigating around the

dive site. The unique interlocking system

makes setting up and breaking down the

system extremely quick.

camera system using arms that
hold the lights in place while
also allowing them to be moved
around the rig to best light the
subject. Prosumer camera sys-
tems will benefi t from an alumi-
num arm and clamp system, as
the plastic fl ex arms we see on
some smaller systems don’t pro-
vide the strength and position-
ing versatility required for a large
camera rig.
Each arm segment has a
1-inch ball on either end, which
is attached to the next piece us-
ing a clamp. The fi rst segment
is clamped onto ball mounts at-

tached to the housing handles.

Many photographers also use

fl oat arms in order to offset the

weight of the system and achieve

neutral buoyancy.

“With modern underwater

camera systems, we fi nd most

people are more successful with

shorter arm set ups,” Palmer

says. “ This leads to greater ac-

curacy with your lighting—5-inch

to 8-inch arms are usually ideal.

Another rule of thumb is that you

should be able to take pictures

underwater comfortably with just

your right hand. If you can’t, your

rig is too heavy. Try measuring

the weight of your set up, in wa-

ter, with a luggage scale tethered

to your housing. Float arms and

foam fl oats are usually rated for

their specifi c buoyancy, making it

easy to judge what you need.”

3

FIRING THE STROBES

Strobes are fi red by relaying an

optic or electronic signal from

the camera to the strobe. This re-

quires use of a fi ber-optic cable

or a sync cord that plugs directly

into the strobe on one side and

into the housing on the other.

Your local underwater camera

specialist will be able to offer

guidance on the best solution for

your system.

4

ESSENTIAL

ACCESSORIES

Macro shooters will absolutely

want small focus lights on top of

their housing to shine on subjects

and help the camera’s autofocus

system achieve sharp focus.

Many divers also opt to add

vacuum systems to their hous-

ing in order to test systems for

possible leaks before hitting the

water.

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4

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