best style of bc photography

I am an intermediate level diver (maybe 200 dives) and dive with an ikelite dslr housing and two ike strobes.

i have been using a very basic travel jacket style bc - mares. it isnt very comfortable- looking to upgrade

I am looking for suggestions on style of bc

mostly if not all tropical diving

I am not sure if i should make the change to rear inflation?

any suggestions on brands - cressi and zeagle seem to have good ratings

thanks

ian

Hi Ian

If you search around Wetpixel you'll find this issue is discussed from time to time - and you'll find lots of views.

If it's any help, I'm on my 3rd or 4th Zeagle. I've got a travel type one - sorry, can't just remember the model name - but it's ideal for tropical travel. I had one in Lembeh which did well over 500 dives and was still as good as gold. I wouldn't hesitate to buy Zeagle again.

Back inflation or wing, for sure!

My wife has a Scubapro litehawk. It is very nice bcd. I have a diverite rec wing. And to be honest I bough another scubapro for me, I still did not used it because I had not able to sell the mine yet.

I think that whatever BC you buy should fit. Fit will allow you to control your buoyancy perfectly. If you read scubaboard you will hear that the only possible solution is a backplate and wing which is fine for cold water but not terribly good for travel. I have an aqualung back inflate (Balance) and it is fine but any one that fits well should work.

Bill

I have dove many types over the past 3.5 decades -I like the lighter ones for travel but also l like to float head up if waiting for pick up. Back wings do not do that well. I have had a few. I now like the newer style Go travel BCD from Scubapro. I had an older one but they revised the style and they weigh under 5#s now-good for head up floating on surface as well as light enough to pack well-I'm sure there are now many brands that will follow suit. Zeagle's are also very well made BCDs-check out the weight of any BCD` before you buy and think about how you like to be on surface (orientation) in a long wait for pick up.

I think last I counted I owned 9 BCDs and as I speak I have 3 on flea bay for sale now.Sold one last week as well.

The other main thing is will it get in the way of taking photos-most modern BCDs do not.