Diver-mounted strobes

Hi all.

I'm wondering how any of you that are using model-mounted strobes are attaching the strobes. This is quite common in cave photography. My current thinking is that a cam strap system similar to what one might use to mount a small pony bottle, but I'm curious about other's experience!

Thanks!

 Pioneering cave diver Wes Skiles perfected this type of lighting. I met him when he was nineteen years old and at that time he was using sections of old vehicle intertubes to secure large Ikelite strobes to the models tanks. This system was updated over the years as strobes got smaller and tank and buoyancy systems became more sophisticated. I have personally used velcro, I think a soft attaching device would be less likely to damage the flash than a hard one.    

I've used a flat piece of metal with a strobe mounting shoe and ball at one end. This was then held in place beneath the BC's strap on the tank. The shoe allows the strobe to be attached once the diver is in the water. This shows it in action.

Thanks @Phil Rudin. That would be simple enough, much like a cam strap. I suppose the downside is that the the strobes would only be able to placed in a position that would be parallel to the tank.

@Alex_Mustard that sounds jnteresting in that the angle could be tweaked! Thanks!

While we're on the topic, has anyone ever seen a fitting to connect a 1" call to a tripod thread?

1 hour ago, Stoo said:

While we're on the topic, has anyone ever seen a fitting to connect a 1" call to a tripod thread?

Yep, ULCS make two of them: AD1420 and the AD3816. The former takes a 1/4" screw, the latter 3/8"

Perfect! Thanks @TimG

Just now, Stoo said:

Perfect! Thanks @TimG

@Phil Rudin and @Alex_Mustard Do you have any tips on how to trigger the strobes being so far away from the camera?  I will be reviewing Photography Masterclass later tonight and this week.

I'm sure Phil and Alex will reply, but just to fill in the gap.... Anglerfish remote triggers work pretty well for those situations:

http://www.anglerfishlighting.ca/anglerfish-remote-optical-trigger.html

I use the Anglerfish in open water. Inside a cavern, not cave certified it should be easer if strobe light is reflecting off walls and ceiling. 

On 1/21/2023 at 3:28 PM, Phil Rudin said:

I use the Anglerfish in open water. Inside a cavern, not cave certified it should be easer if strobe light is reflecting off walls and ceiling. 

Phil,

Do you by chance have a write-up on the Anglerfish and how to use it?  I can seem to wrap my head around it.

I can chip-in a bit:

Essentially the Anglerfish can be switched on or off underwater. It has a sensor that detects the flash of a distant strobe which then triggers an initiating LED. A strobe connected to the Anglerfish by fibre optic will then fire. 

So when your primary strobe fires, the Anglerfish detects that and fires the remote strobe that is connected to it. The response is so fast you cannot distinguish a delay. 

The Anglerfish is battery operated and compact. They are very good if slightly finicky in working out how to turn them on and off. Essentially you have to slap them into the palm of your hand. A technique that takes a little practice!

2 hours ago, Dann-Oh said:

Phil,

Do you by chance have a write-up on the Anglerfish and how to use it?  I can seem to wrap my head around it.

Sorry the Angelfish is on the back burner for review at this time. 

Dann-Oh if you have specific questions, just post them. I know Adam has used the Anglerfish a fair bit; and I've had a few outings with one.

You can spot Anglerfish users by the bruises on the backs of their hands!

I've not watched all of this back (to check all the content) - but this Wetpixel Live covers flash triggers and has a brief bit on tank mounted strobes.

Alex

If it is a specific question about how to switch them on and off...
 

13 hours ago, Alex_Mustard said:

backs of their hands!

Back??? Am I doing it all wrong?!?!? I've got bruises in my palms.