INON Underwater Tripod System

[DiversLens]

I'm researching the INON Underwater Tripod System as a potential replacement for my Gates tripod, specifically for macro videography with a Sony FX3 in a Nauticam housing. I'm hoping to gather some user experiences before making the switch. If you own or have used the INON system, could you please share:

• How does it compare to other underwater tripods you've used?
• What are your thoughts on its stability, especially in currents or with larger housings?
• How easy is it to set up and adjust underwater?
• Are there any specific advantages or disadvantages you've encountered for macro work?
• Any general tips or recommendations for using this system?

 

Your feedback would be invaluable in my decision-making process!

 

Thank you,

Val

[bghazzal]

Hi Val,
I hope you'll get answers from Inon tripod users, but to the risk of derailing this thread, if you're also considering alternatives, there are plenty of DIY solutions for adapting a tripod or - even better if you ask me since the extra leg means less negative buoyancy required for stability -a quadripod system to a Nauticam Flexitray.
This is the system I use for macro video, and I find it very flexible angle wise and haven't felt the need for a ball-head type solution for angles (slider is another story though...) - you can also check out footage I shot with the quadripod here

When it comes to DIY options (which is as simple as finding a solution to attach to 5" flat ball arms perpendicular to the legs of your tray), you can check out this rich thread here:

And since you mentioned shooting macro in current I'll add that based on experience, current and macro, especially supermacro video don't really go well together.

Your footage will be stable, sure - especially with a quadripod solution - but the critters will not, and for supermacro they will be swinging out of focus. This is also true for surge - for macro video, more than camera stability critter stability is more the issue IMO.
And when they are staying in focus long enough to get a sequence (a critter on the bottom for instance), current generally doesn't make them look the best...
Current influences behaviour since they're usually resisting, or, more frequently than not, hiding to resist the current - it can be interesting at times, but more often than not for macro video it's quite meh...

Best of luck with the Inon

cheers
ben

Edited February 28 by bghazzal

[TimG]

Hey Val

 

I had the Inon system with the intention of using for off-housing a snoot-mounted strobe. 
 

The tripod head is well made and solid. Differing or adjustable sized legs can be fitted. The legs come with both rubber and spiked feet. All fit together smoothly and easily. The height of the tripod can be varied by using both the centre column and the spread of the legs. A weight can be clipped on the centre column to increase stability. 
 

I rigged up a couple of clips on to the system which allowed me to clip it on to my BCD when not in use. 
 

It all seemed a practical and fairly deployable system to overcome the issue of pointing a snoot at a subject and keeping it in place. However I found it hard to actually find substrate that was free of coral etc but near enough the subject and gave up on the idea. 
 

Depending on leg length, the tripod setup is generally stable as long as not too high. The shorter the more stable especially with the legs spread.
 

I’m not sure though how stable with a large system with strobes etc. Current could be an issue. Certainly it’s well made, flexible and a solid piece of manufacturing. If you plan to use it with a large system, I do wonder whether you might be better going with a system with a larger, wider base plate allowing the legs more spread than the Inon provides. 

[insomniac]

8 hours ago, DiversLens said:

I'm researching the INON Underwater Tripod System as a potential replacement for my Gates tripod, specifically for macro videography with a Sony FX3 in a Nauticam housing. I'm hoping to gather some user experiences before making the switch. If you own or have used the INON system, could you please share:

• How does it compare to other underwater tripods you've used?
• What are your thoughts on its stability, especially in currents or with larger housings?
• How easy is it to set up and adjust underwater?
• Are there any specific advantages or disadvantages you've encountered for macro work?
• Any general tips or recommendations for using this system?

 

Your feedback would be invaluable in my decision-making process!

 

Thank you,

Val

 

I know this isn't the answer you are looking for... But I'll sell you mine if you are interested. I've owned it since 2018 but I've only used it a few times underwater. I've actually used it more on land (in a pinch), but never really got into video and I can hand hold my photo's. I spent close to a grand on it, it has the medium carbon fiber legs + hub + 3-way pan head. The fully articulating pan head is what sets it apart from everything else on the market. That said I know it can handle large systems just fine underwater as mine is about as big as they get. The disadvantage underwater is it's going to take a bit of setup time (but I have a quick connect plate as well to makes this easier). The advantage is huge with the pan head; it's exponentially easier than trying to adjust all three legs to get it perfect.

[DiversLens]

[DiversLens]

On 2/28/2025 at 10:04 AM, bghazzal said:

This is the system I use for macro video, and I find it very flexible angle wise and haven't felt the need for a ball-head type solution for angles (slider is another story though...) - you can also check out footage I shot with the quadripod here

Hi Ben, Thank you for your reply and links.  I like you macro video and subscribed to your YouTube channel.  Please see my post above with some more details.

[DiversLens]

On 2/28/2025 at 3:09 PM, TimG said:

I had the Inon system with the intention of using for off-housing a snoot-mounted strobe. 

Many thanks for your reply and sharing your experience, Tim.  In my additional post above, I provided a bit more information about my experience with a standard tripod system.

[DiversLens]

On 2/28/2025 at 4:59 PM, insomniac said:

I know this isn't the answer you are looking for...

Thank you for your message insomniac.  I am not planning to use all components of INON Tripod System.

[Davide DB]

18 minutes ago, DiversLens said:

 

Is it you current setup?

Were you able to use that macro slider underwater?

 

Thanks 

 

[DiversLens]

3 minutes ago, Davide DB said:

s it you current setup?

Were you able to use that macro slider underwater?

Yes, I used in about 5 or 6 dive trips.  My current macro slider, however,  is not very smooth.

[Davide DB]

14 hours ago, DiversLens said:

Yes, I used in about 5 or 6 dive trips.  My current macro slider, however,  is not very smooth.

 

Could you elaborate on the macro slider?

I saw an identical model and was wondering if it would work for underwater shooting, Do you have any examples of shooting done with the slider?

 

Thank you very much
 

[DiversLens]

I showed how the slider works in the video about modifications to Gates tripod.  I do not have a video demonstrating how it works underwater.  I just push or pull the housing, while holding a tripod in place. As I mentioned before, it was not very smooth.  That is why I am looking for an improvement.  Most of my macro and super macro clips shot  in Alor, Anilao, Tulamben and Amed in the second half of 2023 and 2024 are shut with this setup.  Here the link to the one of the latest videos:

 

 

[DiversLens]

On 2/28/2025 at 3:59 PM, insomniac said:

it has the medium carbon fiber legs + hub + 3-way pan head

Could you send me a private message with information about how much you want for it? I probably will be in the USA this summer.  This will simplify shipping.

Thank you.

[Davide DB]

8 hours ago, DiversLens said:

I showed how the slider works in the video about modifications to Gates tripod.  I do not have a video demonstrating how it works underwater.  I just push or pull the housing, while holding a tripod in place. As I mentioned before, it was not very smooth.  That is why I am looking for an improvement.  Most of my macro and super macro clips shot  in Alor, Anilao, Tulamben and Amed in the second half of 2023 and 2024 are shut with this setup.  Here the link to the one of the latest videos:

 

 

 

Where I can find the Gates tripod video?

I have a macro slider with an endless screw and I can move the tray only via the wheel

[DiversLens]

12 hours ago, Davide DB said:

Where I can find the Gates tripod video?

I have a macro slider with an endless screw and I can move the tray only via the wheel

Here is the link to the video.  I am looking for a macro slider with an endless screw as well.  Which one do you have?  I found one from Fotopro.

 

 

[Davide DB]

Mine is similar to the one in your photo. It is impossible to shoot during movement. The camera wobbles during movement because the carriage is too small. One of the parameters to take into account is the advance in mm for each rotation of the crank. In these models it is about 1 mm per rotation. More advance per rotation is needed. Blue chip productions use huge DIY sliders. They are usually electric but there are also manual ones. In both cases I have been told that even using these monsters requires patience and commitment and results are not granted.

 

Credit: Roger Munn (https://www.instagram.com/rogermunns/)

 

I was intrigued by this model from Novoflex which has no screw but rack and German construction but (for me) it's expensive to give it a try.

 

 

[DiversLens]

10 hours ago, Davide DB said:

I was intrigued by this model from Novoflex which has no screw but rack and German construction but (for me) it's expensive to give it a try.

I agree: Noveflex is nice, but very expensive.  I assume that the Fotopro or similar macro slider will do similar work.  I will try.  Also, I was not thinking about following the subject by moving the housing with the micro microslider.  When I setup the housing at the right distance, I usually adjust focus using the Focus Ring.

[Davide DB]

3 hours ago, DiversLens said:

When I setup the housing at the right distance, I usually adjust focus using the Focus Ring.

 

For focus distance should be ok.

Let me know how it goes 😉

 

[Ar Splujer]

This is the level above the classic underwater tripod.

I don't know how they work underwater or even if the friction of the water allows you to do nice tracking of species...

I saw these photos on rEvorebreather's Instagram.

 

I have often asked myself the question of tripods too.

And I also use Nauticam's most basic tripod. I'm happy with it but obviously the subject must remain practically still otherwise it goes directly out of the sharpness zone.

[DiversLens]

10 minutes ago, Ar Splujer said:

This is the level above the classic underwater tripod.

Thank you for sharing these photos, Ar!

These are nice tripods for a BBC crew!  

I am definitely not going to that level of stability and micro adjustments.

[Ar Splujer]

On 3/1/2025 at 9:54 AM, DiversLens said:

 

 

 

 

That's interesting. I see that we can put them on top of each other. Like in this photo :

[Davide DB]

I had the opportunity to chat with one of the filming assistants on this very documentary of the photos. The slider is self-made by a guy who does this work for the BBC and other blue-chip productions. It is electronic, and although it works well, it requires ongoing maintenance in the field. In these productions and with this equipment you dip into two or three people who help run it. The fluid heads used are film heads, and vintage fluid heads are often used because they are more water resistant and are completely removable. One of these vintage heads such as a Ronford Baker can cost as much as 2 to 3,000 euros.
In short, a whole other world!

[Davide DB]

4 hours ago, Ar Splujer said:

 

That's interesting. I see that we can put them on top of each other. Like in this photo :

 

the most important factor is being able to maintain a minimum total height. The more pieces you put in, the more micro shaking you will have.

 

[Davide DB]

My interest in the slider for macro video (not extreme) is not so much for focus but to get small side or frontal tracking shots.
Trying to explain.
I happen to do these frontal tracking shots with a medium wide lens inside small soft coral forests. You don't need perfect focus, quite the contrary. I open the lens to F2.8 and focus about half a meter away i.e. to the first coral in front of me.
Then I advance slowly with the camera near close to the bottom to get in between the corals. 
In this way I will have in focus only a portion of the field in front of me flowing as I advance. Sometimes you get a nice artistic effect.
Wanting to translate this effect into macro, the perfect lens would be a 130° or 160° EMWL advanced slowly through the corals getting an unusual view. If you watch some scenes in some documentaries you will find that it is widely used. If you look at the first picture with Roger Munn and the manual slider, I think he's doing just something similar among the polyps of that hard coral with an EMWL.

[Ar Splujer]

Thanks David for this clarification.

I've also been looking for a while to do nice tracking without jolts.

I admit that if something like this existed to go underwater I would take one too.

Not only for macro but as you say for wide angle or semi wide angle.

 

 

But precisely, on this instrument, how could we add rolls to then put the tripod