Video idea: When shooting with a camera with interchangeable lenses and you are at a new site, how do you choose between wide and macro? Especially if it’s a remote spot where you may not be coming back any time soon. When I bring a setup that would’ve been better with the other choice I can’t help but get pretty bummed.
@@Inthedark72 Great video idea! I actually shoot a rectilinear wide-angle lens for that reason. Up in the Puget Sound divers use a specific zoom lens in dome setup as well - ready for anything. The last few years there are a wide-range of watcr contact optics that allow you to switch high quality macro and wide while underwater. Adding the topic to the list of ideas. Thanks!
Thanks Joshua! Glad you like the triple clamp idea. I always carry them in my bag since they can be useful for a number of situations. I use one fairly often for mounting a dive light plus GoPro on top of my housing in dark dive conditions.
@@shakuiel9669 Lucky you live in Hawaii! Enjoy that great diving. I visit friends out there every couple years, but still need to do more scuba diving.
Brilliant idea about the triple clamp. I've been juggling a gopro and the D500 and that just doesn't work. I usually end up giving the gopro to a buddy and letting them film away as having two things to juggle is too much to multi task. I'll try filming with my D500.
Yep! It's tough to switch back and forth between rigs unless you're on a really melo dive and can set things down in the sand. You're always thinking "I should shoot this scene with the other camera now."
Awesome video, thank you! This makes me feel a little better about my idea of trying my TG-6 with my GoPro mounted on top, then using triple clamps to support 2 Kraken Solar flare minis, Sea&Sea Ys-01, and Backscatter MW-4300. That would support wide/macro stills and wide/macro video. Right now without the krakens I have all that but without wide video lights :/ I’m afraid that will be a little overwhelming since the Krakens are so heavy :/
Hi Jonathan - There are really no rules to this as long as you can manage the system. Also, sometimes trying to do too many things at once means you do each poorly. I find it just depends on the type of dive. I would think that using the MW-4300 plus two Solar Flare Mini's would be too much. No need for three different lights. While there's a value in flexibility to shoot wide-angle video and snooted macro video, I'd personally opt to save snooted macro for it's own dive (it's so time consuming).
What are your thoughts for using something like the Kraken Solar Flare Mini 12000 video light which also lets you use it as a 15000 flash via the addition of a fiber optical cord?
Great question. The concept is great. I haven't used the light so don't have 1st person insight, but even with the burst, the light will not deliver the same results as a dedicated strobe. The light output on a strobe will be much, much brighter, meaning it will travel further in the water and do a better job freezing fast motion. That said, for close static subjects I imagine the burst will do great. Hope this helps!
@@BrentDurand Thanks Brent - it might be helpful (well, at least for me) if you were to do a UA-cam video explaining & demonstrating the guide number that are used for strobes and how they relate to distance and aperture as well as to video lights...keep up the great videos
@@gmen1305 Great ideas. I actually filmed one about guide numbers last weekend by my AF was weird. Will refilm it! Bottom line is that guide numbers are just power levels. Distance and aperture certainly play a part in exposure so I'll add those elements as well. Thanks!
Great Idea with the triple clamp! I think it would be to much to juggle for me though. I have a question to the configuration with just the strobes: i like to shoot videos with my A6500 just with ambient light and no video lights. But usually i have a magic filter attached to my lense. Is it possible to shoot stills with my strobes and have the filter attached in the same time or would the filter ruin my stills that shoot with strobes? Like to watch your videos, keep going 👌 Florian
Hi - Yes, you can use the Magic Filter for still photos just as you would for video. The filters will help achieve a more natural white balance / color temperature in the scene.
This is an excellent video... thank you so for. It helps a lot!!! I have a question... wich is the minimum of lumens what you recommend??? In your website there are few options of video torch... but how should I choose the lumens???
Hi Leonardo - Glad you like the video and are using my website! For macro photo or video you don't need many lumens, but if you will be doing wide-angle video, then I recommend as many lumens as you can afford up to about 6,000. For wide-angle you're farther from your subject, so stronger lights will create more vibrant color and contrast at that distance. I would also recommend two lights instead of one - this way you get wider coverage for wide-angle scenes and subjects.
Hi Brent, I have gotten into underwater photography and videos recently and learned so much from your videos. Thank you so much for all the tips and advice, especially on things that are not typically covered by other channels. I have a specific question about my current set-up and wonder if I can pick your brain. I have an Olympus E-M10 MK4 and just got a Sea and Sea YS-D3 duo for my wide-angle shots. I also have a Kraken Hydra 6000 for my videos. I would like to get another strobe for wide-angle photography, but only want to keep the one video light, otherwise things would be too unmanageable for me. I also use the video light as a sort of focus light for my photos. Do you think attaching the video light on top of my camera is ok? If I attach it in the same area as one of the strobes, it probably won't work as a focus light anymore. Keen to get your views! Many thanks!
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, using the cold shoe mount on top of the housing is ideal for this. You will want the following accessories to do this: Cold Shoe Ball Mount: www.backscatter.com/Ultralight-Hot-Shoe-Adaptor-w-Ball-hotshoe?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX1+5HP8BlhLkagWnVwymT4hAXsf4ct8uMAM= Clamp: www.backscatter.com/Ultralight-New-Style-Clamp-with-14-28-thread?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX1+5HP8BlhLkagWnVwymT4hAXsf4ct8uMAM=
Hi Georges - Yes, I see a notification of another comment from your and a preview of the comment that mentions your Z-330 strobes and Ikelite DS-125 strobes, but that it is. Feel free to write your question again and I'll try to answer. Thanks!
What other strobe and video light questions do you have, friends? I'll try to answer questions in upcoming videos!
Video idea: When shooting with a camera with interchangeable lenses and you are at a new site, how do you choose between wide and macro? Especially if it’s a remote spot where you may not be coming back any time soon. When I bring a setup that would’ve been better with the other choice I can’t help but get pretty bummed.
@@Inthedark72 Great video idea! I actually shoot a rectilinear wide-angle lens for that reason. Up in the Puget Sound divers use a specific zoom lens in dome setup as well - ready for anything. The last few years there are a wide-range of watcr contact optics that allow you to switch high quality macro and wide while underwater. Adding the topic to the list of ideas. Thanks!
@@BrentDurand I don’t know that, thank you!
It’s awesome to see you again Brent! I hope you’ve had an excellent summer!
Thanks Andy! Summer was great - some solid diving and lots of adventures. Hope you had a great summer too!
Great! Looking forward to the upcoming videos!
Thanks Andreas! Next video coming soon!
Great to see you back. Just got new strobes but love to shoot quick videos too. The triple clamp is a fantastic idea.
Thanks Joshua! Glad you like the triple clamp idea. I always carry them in my bag since they can be useful for a number of situations. I use one fairly often for mounting a dive light plus GoPro on top of my housing in dark dive conditions.
Glad you're back! My first camera is coming in soon and I will need these videos haha
Nice!! The learning never stops! If you haven't seen it yet, I wrote a Guide to Learning Underwater Photography here: tutorials.brentdurand.com/learn/
@@BrentDurand Yup I have it bookmarked haha. You should come out to Hawaii some time, some great pelagics and macro.
@@shakuiel9669 Lucky you live in Hawaii! Enjoy that great diving. I visit friends out there every couple years, but still need to do more scuba diving.
Excellent video as always and thank you for the mention of our new ULCS tripod tray.
Keep making the best components in the business! 🤙
love your videos! Big van of your channel!
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying them. More to come soon.
Very good tips Brent! Thanks a lot for sharing these! :)
Thanks! Glad you found them useful 👊
Brilliant idea about the triple clamp. I've been juggling a gopro and the D500 and that just doesn't work. I usually end up giving the gopro to a buddy and letting them film away as having two things to juggle is too much to multi task. I'll try filming with my D500.
Yep! It's tough to switch back and forth between rigs unless you're on a really melo dive and can set things down in the sand. You're always thinking "I should shoot this scene with the other camera now."
Awesome video, thank you! This makes me feel a little better about my idea of trying my TG-6 with my GoPro mounted on top, then using triple clamps to support 2 Kraken Solar flare minis, Sea&Sea Ys-01, and Backscatter MW-4300. That would support wide/macro stills and wide/macro video. Right now without the krakens I have all that but without wide video lights :/
I’m afraid that will be a little overwhelming since the Krakens are so heavy :/
Hi Jonathan - There are really no rules to this as long as you can manage the system. Also, sometimes trying to do too many things at once means you do each poorly. I find it just depends on the type of dive. I would think that using the MW-4300 plus two Solar Flare Mini's would be too much. No need for three different lights. While there's a value in flexibility to shoot wide-angle video and snooted macro video, I'd personally opt to save snooted macro for it's own dive (it's so time consuming).
@@BrentDurand that’s a good point and really helpful, thank you!
Any reason to place the video lights lateral to the strobes, instead of internal to them? I used to do the reverse...
Great question Jose. There's no real difference in which unit you place inside and outside on the triple clamps, so your method is great.
@@BrentDurand Thank you, Brent!
What are your thoughts for using something like the Kraken Solar Flare Mini 12000 video light which also lets you use it as a 15000 flash via the addition of a fiber optical cord?
Great question. The concept is great. I haven't used the light so don't have 1st person insight, but even with the burst, the light will not deliver the same results as a dedicated strobe. The light output on a strobe will be much, much brighter, meaning it will travel further in the water and do a better job freezing fast motion. That said, for close static subjects I imagine the burst will do great. Hope this helps!
@@BrentDurand Thanks Brent - it might be helpful (well, at least for me) if you were to do a UA-cam video explaining & demonstrating the guide number that are used for strobes and how they relate to distance and aperture as well as to video lights...keep up the great videos
@@gmen1305 Great ideas. I actually filmed one about guide numbers last weekend by my AF was weird. Will refilm it! Bottom line is that guide numbers are just power levels. Distance and aperture certainly play a part in exposure so I'll add those elements as well. Thanks!
Great Idea with the triple clamp! I think it would be to much to juggle for me though.
I have a question to the configuration with just the strobes: i like to shoot videos with my A6500 just with ambient light and no video lights. But usually i have a magic filter attached to my lense. Is it possible to shoot stills with my strobes and have the filter attached in the same time or would the filter ruin my stills that shoot with strobes?
Like to watch your videos, keep going 👌
Florian
Hi - Yes, you can use the Magic Filter for still photos just as you would for video. The filters will help achieve a more natural white balance / color temperature in the scene.
This is an excellent video... thank you so for. It helps a lot!!!
I have a question... wich is the minimum of lumens what you recommend??? In your website there are few options of video torch... but how should I choose the lumens???
Hi Leonardo - Glad you like the video and are using my website! For macro photo or video you don't need many lumens, but if you will be doing wide-angle video, then I recommend as many lumens as you can afford up to about 6,000. For wide-angle you're farther from your subject, so stronger lights will create more vibrant color and contrast at that distance. I would also recommend two lights instead of one - this way you get wider coverage for wide-angle scenes and subjects.
Hi Brent, I have gotten into underwater photography and videos recently and learned so much from your videos. Thank you so much for all the tips and advice, especially on things that are not typically covered by other channels.
I have a specific question about my current set-up and wonder if I can pick your brain. I have an Olympus E-M10 MK4 and just got a Sea and Sea YS-D3 duo for my wide-angle shots. I also have a Kraken Hydra 6000 for my videos. I would like to get another strobe for wide-angle photography, but only want to keep the one video light, otherwise things would be too unmanageable for me. I also use the video light as a sort of focus light for my photos. Do you think attaching the video light on top of my camera is ok? If I attach it in the same area as one of the strobes, it probably won't work as a focus light anymore. Keen to get your views! Many thanks!
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, using the cold shoe mount on top of the housing is ideal for this. You will want the following accessories to do this:
Cold Shoe Ball Mount: www.backscatter.com/Ultralight-Hot-Shoe-Adaptor-w-Ball-hotshoe?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX1+5HP8BlhLkagWnVwymT4hAXsf4ct8uMAM=
Clamp: www.backscatter.com/Ultralight-New-Style-Clamp-with-14-28-thread?affiliate=U2FsdGVkX1+5HP8BlhLkagWnVwymT4hAXsf4ct8uMAM=
@@BrentDurand great, I will go with that set-up then. Thank you!
Looks like my comment has been deleted...
Hi Georges - Yes, I see a notification of another comment from your and a preview of the comment that mentions your Z-330 strobes and Ikelite DS-125 strobes, but that it is. Feel free to write your question again and I'll try to answer. Thanks!