Using snoots in underwater photography

[scottg]

I posted an article on using snoots in your underwater photography.

Feel free to ask questions, or post your snoot photos here!

http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/underwater-snoots


Pikeblenny from Bonaire, photo by Bill Van Antwerp

[dons13]

Scott, you really are the best..
Today when I was browsing for macro lens, I see a snoots picture in one of online store and wondering what is this thing..
And thanks to you, now I know about snoots..

[DevilDiver]

Scott,

It seems the Symphony Snoots are secured with a Velcro strap. What are your observations on this? It seems kinda unreliable....

Are the attachments secure to the snoot body or is there a possibility of falling off?

How much of a PITA is this to carry on a dive when not in use? I am not big on dangelies and gear swinging in the current, I like to keep everything thight and clipped off.

[bvanant]

Scott,

It seems the Symphony Snoots are secured with a Velcro strap. What are your observations on this? It seems kinda unreliable....

Are the attachments secure to the snoot body or is there a possibility of falling off?

How much of a PITA is this to carry on a dive when not in use? I am not big on dangelies and gear swinging in the current, I like to keep everything thight and clipped off.

The Scuba Symphony snoots are indeed held on with Velcro and are not terribly reliably held on. What I do is to take a small strobe, (S2000 or D2000) that can be optically triggered and mount it to a Gorilla pod. I put a zip tie around the gorilla pod and clip the whole thing to my BC. Once I reach the scene where I want to use the snoot, I unclip, set it up, compose and shoot. Not too big a PITA since I modified my snoot to attach to the strobe much more securely.

One thing to remember is that shooting with snoots is fairly contemplative, this isn't point and shoot away and hope something good happens. It takes time and a bit of fussing around to get the snoot pointed correctly and get the shot.

Shooting with the snoot mounted to the strobe that is mounted to the housing FOR ME is not something that is satisfying at all, since there is way too much going on. Having the snoot on a separate strobe is MY preferred method but then again, I mostly (OK, only) shoot macro stuff.

Bill

[TomR1]

What kind of tripod-mount do you recommend. I have a D-300. I have a sehorn snoot for an s-2000

[bvanant]

What kind of tripod-mount do you recommend. I have a D-300. I have a sehorn snoot for an s-2000

I use the gorilla pod tripod for putting my S2000 on. Works great and is easily adjustable underwater.
Bill

[TomR1]

You are using the original gorilla which is about 6" in overall length OR the one for DSLR which is about 9". I currently have both a backpacking tripod and a Vivitar pod with legs about the same as the original gorilla (6") and I am wondering if the 9" size is needed.

Shooting a s-2000 do you use sTTL or set the strobe on manual. If so what settings for macro using a Nikon Af-105VR. Also, have you ever used a Subsee +10. If so what strobe settings did you try.

Thanks,

Tom

Subsee shot

[TomR1]

For people thinking of trying this crazy idea:

At least the gear is reasonably cheap.....for underwater gear that is. A little over $200.

I purchased a seahorn snoot for a S2000. It seems to attach just fine. You simply install a couple of supplied velcro strips to the strobe.

I am not certain what tripod to use yet. I have one with 6" arms and ordered another that can extend to much longer arms.

I ordered a longer fibre optic sync cord so that I could have freedom of movement after placing the strobe.

If you carry a third strobe (I do), you can remotely fire the s-2000 from another strobe.

Do I have any idea how to use this contraption? NO. My thinking is that when i arrive on a nice sandy bottom without any current I'll set up the strobe/snoot/tripod aimed at a small immovable subject and see what happens.

[bvanant]

I am using the SLR Gorilla pod, works great underwater since it is only holding the S2000 with a home-made snoot (from plumbing parts). The older 6 inch gorilla didn't have enough bendiness for my use (typically on slopes). I put the S2000 in manual mode (full power mostly) for shooting with the snoot since I am aiming for a very small beam. I shoot my 100 macro lens with a Subsee +5 a lot and shoot it at 1/200 sec, f11 to f16 or so and use only the light from the snoot. The pic at the top of this thread was taken this way.

Bill

[TomR1]

Bill,

Thanks.
I will fool around with the snoot this may in Wakatobi and post some shots. Unfortunately Wakatobi doesn't have many opportunities for a zero-current, sandy bottom environment as does Bonaire.

I have a +10 subsee diopter and getting better with it is my primary goal.