Focus Lights

Hi Guys,

I am trying to set up two really small focus lights close to the macro port.

The reason for this is that I no longer have any room atop of the camera/housing.

I usually have one strobe mounted somewhere above the housing and this only

creates problems when trying to move strobes and repositioning the focus light.

Anyway, I have found a couple of nice little focus lights that should do the trick.

Only problem is that they are quite bright with three LED's. I was wondering about

putting some neutral density filter in the front of them and then I remembered that

some folks had been recommending the use of red filters for the focus lights, so as

not to scare the little underwater critters...

So, is this just an old wife's tale, or does the red filter actually work? I understand

that there are people who argue for and against, but I was hoping to here from those

who have actual experience either way or another??

Thanks for taking the time fellas.

Bruce...

Hi Bruce,

Red filter seems to work fine for me (and the other photographers I've seen using it).

I'm using a P&S camera (Oly 5050) placed on a tray with double sided handle. On the left I have my ULCS arm with strobe, on the right I have a little flexible arm that holds a basic torch (like the one you can win with PTOW contest).

For the red filter I used some plastic from a transparent red bottle. Cut it in the shape I wanted and attached it to the torch with some velcro (so I can take it off when I want).

I leave it on for most of the dive. Critters seem to be less skittish.

Since the output of the strobe is much stronger than that of the torch, I don't get any red hot spot in my pictures.

Best regards,

Bart