Using the Right Arms and Clamps in your Underwater Photography

By Scott Gietler

The importance of good Underwater Photography Equipment

When I go underwater to take photos, I want my equipment to work, to be easy to use, and not cost an arm and a leg. 

 

Back in 2006, after shooting with a point and shoot camera for a while, I decided to upgrade. Did I want a more expensive point and shoot with wet lenses and two strobes? Or did I want a dSLR? 

 

 

After lots of research, I decided that I was serious about underwater photography, and I bought a dSLR with 3 of the best lenses Nikon had - the Nikon 10.5mm fisheye, 60mm macro lens and 105mm VR lens, all brand new.

 

I also got 2 strobes, 4 arms and a bunch of clamps. I placed my order on March 20th, 2007. Thinking I could save money, I bought from a company known for discount products.

 

This is what the saleperson wrote to me:

"They are very, very close to ultralight’s weight, equal in quality and half the price."

 

The person who sold me the arms and clamps is not a bad person, and usually had great advice. But in this instance he turned out to be quite wrong.

 

Now I'm not afraid of a bargain, and this company made one of the best lights out there imho, and they had other good equipment. I probably saved between $100 and $200 total.

 

But after just a few months, the clamps were completely froze up and not working. All of them. Cra*p! The rubber rings around the clamps were shot. I had to use 2 pairs of pliers to remove them from the arms.

 

I repurchased everything from Ultralight Control Systems, ULCS. Hundreds of dives later, the arms and clamps are holding up perfectly. My strobes are easy to move around underwater, and I can always get the lighting I want.

 

Don't underestimate the importance of good ergonomics in your strobe arms. I often adjust my strobes for each subject, and change between front, side and back-lighting.

 

arms and clamps for underwater photography

It's nice finally having clamps that work

 

 

Here's my tips for choosing arms and clamps:

  • Buy high-quality arms and clamps that you last you for a long time. This is one area where it's not worth saving the money, I found out the hard way. (There are lots of other products where you can save money though!)

  • Get two arms on each side. I suggest an 8 inch arm and a 5 inch arm, with 3 clamps. Start off with one strobe, and add a second strobe if you an afford it. The reason for the 2 arms is so you have flexibility for moving your strobe is all different positions. This is important whether you are shooting macro, fish, or wide-angle. With this 2-arm setup, I'm ready for supermacro, wide-angle or anything in between, so I never have to mess with my arms.

  • Be wary of arms and clamps from housing manufacturers. I've used many setups with arms and clamps that came with their housing - these are often high-end compact camera setups. I couldn't believe how difficult it was to move the strobe around underwater - no wonder why my friends weren't varying their strobe positions!

  • Don't be afraid to experiment underwater - get a good understanding of exposure, lighting, hot spots and backscatter, and then have fun!

 

 great underwater lighting in underwater photography

Photo taken while diving in Anilao, taken at F18. Photo by Scott Gietler. When you have two strobes you can position yourself easily, getting the lighting you want becomes easy.  Look at the shadows on the nudibranchs and see if you can figure out where my strobes were.

 

Further Reading

 

Underwater Strobe Positions

 

Underwater Photography Equipment

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Gietler is the owner of Bluewater Photo, Bluewater Travel, and the Underwater Photography Guide. Bluewater Photo, based in Culver City, CA is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious underwater camera stores, serving many thousands of customers each year, where nothing is more important than customer service. The Underwater Photography Guide is the world’s first website to feature free tutorials on underwater photography, and has become the most trafficked resource on underwater photography worldwide. Bluewater Travel is a full-service dive travel wholesaler sending groups and individuals on the world’s best dive vacations. 

Scott is also an avid diver, underwater photographer, and budding marine biologist, having created the online guide to the underwater flora and fauna of Southern California. He is the past vice-president of the Los Angeles Underwater Photographic Society, has volunteered extensively at the Santa Monica aquarium, and is the creator of the Ocean Art underwater photo competition, one of the largest underwater international photo competitions ever held in terms of value of prizes. He lives in California with his wife, newborn girl and scuba-diving, photo taking 4 year old son.

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