brightnight

I'm not using a monitor yet, just trying to decide on what sized monitor to use. Probably will select between the Kraken 5" or Kraken 7" screens.

Thanks I messaged them on Scuba board yesterday. Didn't know flashes won't reach out that far, thanks for the infos and suggestions!

Is there a big difference between diving with a 5" monitor vs a 7"? Mostly wondering in terms of maneuverability. Having a bigger screen would be much more benefitcial for framing images but don't know how much a larger screen would reduce my my movements compared to a 5" monitor. Seems like batteries last longer on smaller screen which is another plus.

I’m building my first underwater camera system around a Canon 5DmIV in a Nauticam housing. I’ve done a lot of research but lack the real-world experience needed to pick the right strobe for my style, and I know how critical good lighting is from my land photography. I had planned to use something like two Inon 240’s since many of the people I talked to who shoot the way I'd like to, use the 240's. However, reviews suggested the Inon z330 is a much better strobe but it's not made anymore and hard to find so I’m trying to figure out what will work best for my use cases: Three scenarios I plan to shoot (none involve macro): 1) Snorkeling/shallow diving of freshwater fish in rivers and ponds, expect subjects to be less ~5 ft away 2) Holding the camera underwater off the side of a boat while fish are being reeled in or released. Fish such as tuna might be up to 20ft away. 3) Camera placed in river on tripod and triggered from the shore Other Considerations: -strobe must be triggered by fiber optics (only open ports on my housing) -Ideally looking to pick up two used strobes for ~<$1000 -Since I’ll be snorkeling much of the time, a smaller/more maneuverable strobe is better -Any strobes that can sit in standby for a long time would be a big plus Wondering if I should hold out for a deal on a couple of Inon z330’s or maybe look at the older 240’s. Inon has the new Inon S-220’s which are also an option. There are many other companies to consider such as Ikelite, sea and Sea, etc, but not sure what will work best for me. Have heard good things about the YS-D3's which come up ocasionally. Retra flashes never seem to make it to the used market. Also read that you can’t compare guide numbers from one strobe manufacturer to another so having a hard time understanding all the options and would apprecaite any advice. I'm looking to pick something up in the next two months so don't need an immediate solution.

Wow, thank you so much for posting all of this!

That's a fantastic idea, thank you for the suggestion! Unfortuarely I signed up for wetpixel just after they stopped approving new members so I can't see the post but will do more research online.

I've been looking at extenal underwater monitors but so far I haven't been able to find an external monitor that has a button which can also trigger the camera to take a picture. Does this feature exist for certain external underwater monitor or do none of them have it? I'd like to hold my camera underwater off a boat by just the monitor and trigger it from the monitor without having to reach down to the housing.

slave trigger was my backup plan but figure if I can save the $300 on a trigger I might as well split a cable. I'm sure I can design a fiber breakout board that does as many stobes as I want but easiest way would be to split the cable if that's possible.

I would be terrified to dive with a lens this expensive, looks like a beauty though.

Great idea!

This post is awesome, just what I was looking for? Couple questions: -Anyone have a sense of how long a cable you can make? If I wanted a 15ft fiber optic cable I assume that would still effectively trigger the flash -Has anyone made a splitter? Would like to make a Y cable to trigger two flashes off one cable

Longtime land photographer from Boston MA (USA) and looking forward to get my start in underwater photography. I have lots of exploring and pictures in my head, looking forward to making it happen this year! -Pete

Welcome Issac, Love your photos, you are the biggest reason I'm getting into freshwater photography. Keep up the awesome work! -Pete