Question Anybody switch from DSLR to Divevolk iphone or Android Phone

[Xterra]

currently using a Sony a6700 with Nauticam housing + 16-50 PZ WWL-C & CMC-2, strobe and video light. IQ is great from the Sony, but the weight and bulk of housing and WWL-C is getting to me. Debating switching to a Divevolk housing for the new Samsung S25 Ultra.
Anybody switched or compared IQ? I know strobe wont work, but could use a Keldan 10,000 lumen +
Would save me on bulk and weight when backpacking through SE Asia.
Thanks if anyone has insights how you like the IQ UW coming from your phone vs a DSLR

 

[Nemrod]

I do not think there is a comparison between a real camera with a large sensor and manual controls with strobes to a phone in a case with a video light. But in the end you have to be happy and if the reduced bulk and image quality of a phone suffices and you are happy then that is all that matters.

I suppose if you are just documenting in photos your adventures then the phone would do the job, if you are trying to create and express your vision of what you see in your mind, for lack of a better word, photography/art, then I cannot see how a phone could fill that need. It depends upon you and what you are actually trying to do. I agree, a Sony APS-C Nauticam is overkill for pictures to document your adventures. But it is not overkill for photography.

A lot of photographers do not do video. As soon as you try to do both photography and video the systems bulk up due to the addition of video lighting. Maybe just pick your poison.

I have seen some really good phone pictures, especially after they have been worked.

 

[ja_som_tomo]

Have you considered a compact camera?

My iPhone rig is not much smaller than a Sony RX100 rig (when not using a wet lens, focus light and flex arms).

I have seen some really good phone pictures, especially after they have been worked.

Yes, newer phones that can shoot raw are really really good. If only they could be used with a strobe.

 

[David Haas]

Smartphones when using the better sensor (phones with different local length lenses are actually 2-3 different sensors at least on iPhones) can certainly make your traveling and diving easier.

After almost 4 years using iPhones in the DiveVolk touchscreen housing I found the main lens largest sensor delivered the best detail. You can't synch a strobe but a video light of any power on night dives or very close can produce great colors.

For iPhone only the SeaReal App is astounding bringing color back to blue images with one slider bar. Then use whatever phone App (Snapseed as an example) or computer editing program to refine your image.

I still use a 1" sensor compact Canon G7X II in a Fantasea (or Nauticam housing) or my new Canon R50 APS-C 24 Megapixel camera in a Nauticam housing. The Canon R50 housing is a little larger and requires use of Nauticam's bayonet lenses like your WWL-C or CMC-1.

You can lighten travel with your existing rig if you change how and what you shoot. I've reverted back to either a single flash mounted in the cold shoe of my housing(s) or a video light or ambient shooting.

Either of those approaches helps the packing and diving load.

Good luck, keep diving and capturing images whatever appeals to you

David Haas

 

[Wobbegong_th]

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Divevolk or any good & properly maintained smartphone housing can protect the phone during the dive.

But If it's me, I would not risk my "MAIN" smartphone diving, especially during travelling.
The reason being that nowadays, a lot of our life depend on the smartphone. Communication either work or personnal, Personnal data, Personnal Banking, Digital payment, Travel Document, trip itinerary, etc.
I still feel putting my "MAIN" smartphone in housing and taking it diving increase the risk of damage or lost too much.
Especially when you're travelling abroad. Says your phone somehow got flooded - then you can't access your hotel booking, flight ticket, you can't access your banking & payment app, etc. And then all the hassle to go through to get everything backup and running again. Where I live (Thailand), the banking app are a real pain - even when you just change the phone.