Essential Spares for Underwater Photography?

[Chris Ross]

2 hours ago, Dave_Hicks said:

Maybe so if deep enough, thus the cap. Aren't these rated to 300ft? I have seen a few friends diving without the cap by mistake. That is really fun to point out to your buddy at 60feet under! 😧

 

BTW, i had the o-ring go loose on my pressure valve after a number of years. Be sure to check it and replace if it shows wear.

You can calculate the downward force on the button based on the diameter of the stem, assuming it's 5mm dia the force pushing down is around 0.5 kg at 30m.   I would guess there is close to the limit.  There's probably some sciction from the seals on the stem which would help, but it's still a risk diving without the cap.  The o-ring seal for the cap also should be serviced periodically - a touch of o-ring grease will help.

[hedonist222]

I was also going to suggest the Nauticam vacuum button cap.

It should really have been tethered to the body. I know its not aesthetically pleasing and Nauticam does groove on function as well as aesthetics. 

[Floris Bennema]

On 9/26/2024 at 11:11 PM, Dave_Hicks said:

 I have seen a few friends diving without the cap by mistake. That is really fun to point out to your buddy at 60feet under! 😧

 

BTW, i had the o-ring go loose on my pressure valve after a number of years. Be sure to check it and replace if it shows wear.

Brrr, remenber there's near vacuum on the other side ..

[BrightSea]

On 9/23/2024 at 2:04 AM, TimG said:

Sounds like youve had a problem with housing handles?!

 

I take spare o-rings, batteries, Allen keys, fibre optic cable and connectors- and a spare strobe trigger. That’s about my lot. Space and weight are always the issue. 

Spare Strobe trigger, not easy to acquire while traveling, learned from an underwater photography standpoint a spare can be a trip saver.

[Troporobo]

This is a brilliant thread that should be pinned - so many great ideas!

 

I agree with all recommendations so far.  For me, learning the hard way that strobe triggers are unobtainium in most destinations made carrying a spare essential.  Plus, ALL the batteries and ALL their redundant backups. Finally a good multitool goes with me everywhere - never underestimate what you can bodge together with a blade, some wire, and a set of pliers!

[BrightSea]

Interesting quote that applies to this particular subject, what to pack as spares.  Underwater photographers and planning / packing for underwater photography adventure face planning, purchasing, packing size & weight challenges.

" I am doing many different things to prepare for the inevitable failure of one of them"  by Jessie Eisenburg.  I felt this quote is accurate to my thinking in planning and packing for my adventures.

[Dave_Hicks]

Soldering iron. I have fixed a few broken strobe triggers for fellow divers in the last couple of years.

[mcgowman]

Two smaller, separate battery chargers instead of one large one.  If one goes on the fritz, at least you have it's sibling to charge with.

[OneYellowTang]

As someone mentioned above, I always travel with a spare Nauticam strobe trigger. I have had one go bad on a trip, and I've also sold 2 on my last 2 trips to folks that have had this happen to them. I sell them at cost, and replace them when I return home... I've field repaired the wiring on one previously as well.

The other one (also mentioned) is I travel with a spare battery charger. I usually have my 16 position battery charger, but always carry the eneloop pro 4 position quick charger as well.