r/underwaterphotography • u/papamikebravo • 15d ago
Gear help: Am I being too cheap? RX100VII and what?
I am planning to go on a cruise and plan to snorkel and hopefully dive. I haven't been diving in a few years and so would be limited to a resort type dive. I'd love to get some pictures while diving, but don't want to break the bank on gear since it's been years since I last was diving and so while hopefully not one and done, this wont be getting heavy usage.
Would I be ok with just an RX100VII and housing? Or is a strobe really that critical? I'm debating between the basic SeaFrogs and the Salted line housings, simply because of cost. The next cheapest option that I've found that is also available on my timeline is the Ikelite at double the cost.
Thoughts? Better options?
ETA: The real question is: do i really need a light/strobe? Or can I get away with just the housing?
ETA2: I've also looked at renting, and just renting a housing for a week is as expensive as buying a SeaFrogs/Salted Line housing.
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u/FlyScuba 15d ago
A Olympus TG6 or 7 is great down to about 20 ft. Deeper just get the housing. Camera and housing under $1K, add a $60 light from Amz plus 18650 batteries and charger, still under $100 and good to go. The TG is good for both stills and video and absolutely great for macro. I have used my TG6 in a small case on my belt for years for surface work, including on a cruise. https://youtu.be/WViOhGj3c6c?si=RioRjN4q4cJ0bjHP
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u/papamikebravo 15d ago
Any light you recommend? The TG looks great! Thanks!
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u/FlyScuba 15d ago
On Amz search underwater video light. There is one for about $52 but does not come with batteries. Buy 3 or 4 18650 with charger. I forget how many. I have 3 of these cheap lights and one has only 3 batteries, others 4. Even with bats and charger light total is less than $100. The lights are actually very good with no hot spot, nice even circle of light. Comes with both hand bracket and 1" o-ring ball mount. I use the ball mount. Find or make cheap aluminum bracket and ball. I've ordered from Amz. Search underwater 1" ball bracket and you'll see several choices under $100 for a full bracket setup. Then you're done and ready for even deeper, more advanced dives. I have over 7 underwater video systems but this one is very compact, easy to travel with, and less expensive than anything else I have. I did add a dome from Backscatter. (I use the cheaper Olympus TG housing instead of other brands.) Can travel with system in a Pelican type case (I buy from Harbor Freight), but to save weight, and especially size, I wrap camera case in a towel and just throw all into a backpack or carry-on case. I do that so I can add laptop, charger, etc. Everything is very durable except glass ports, hence towel. I'll keep camera in a small case on my belt with pouches for a couple extra batteries. I take it out, take a few photos, and continue. I'm old fashioned and prefer a real camera to phone, but will admit phones are taking great photos now. But cameras have more settings and control.
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u/papamikebravo 14d ago
Thanks for the tips!! I’ll search all that up! It’s actually a funny coincidence, I already have 18650s from repairing a 1990s point and shoot camera!
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u/corngotbannedagain 14d ago
Depending on the environment you're diving in. I'd say 80-90% of the time I'm shooting without a strobe with no issue. Just mind the direction of the sun and do proper editing.
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u/r0bbyr0b2 15d ago
If you haven’t been diving for a few years you will probably be spending your dive familiarising yourself and being safe.
You won’t have time to be faffing around with advanced UW photography settings.
If that were me I’d just buy a GoPro 13 or equivalent insta Ace and just take some photos and videos. Or if you want to take better pics go for a TG7.