Apollo Splits vs Force Fin for photography

[VsubT]

If you’re not into the short jetfin style, Dive Rite XT’s are a good option. Learning how to back kick decently opens up a bunch of stability and movement options for photographers.

I’m curious about Force Fins for back kicks. Anyone have experience using them for this application? How do they compare to XT’s or other tech fins that are easy to back kick?

Lance

 

[lowwall]

Take a look at Jonathan Bird's Blue World videos on YouTube. He used to use Force Fins for almost all of his dives and he pushes a big camera, sometimes even an IMAX camera. He even did a short video discussing them:



However, I've noticed that in the last couple of years he has switched to ScubaPro Go Sports. I use both FF Pros and Go Sports. I find the FF Pros to be super comfortable, low effort and as fast as the Go Sports in a straight line (I've timed them in a pool). But the Go Sports are better for frog kicks and tight maneuvering including back kicking.

I've also tried tech fins, but I find them inferior in terms of comfort and also pace in open water.

 

[Frogman82]

If you’re not into the short jetfin style, Dive Rite XT’s are a good option. Learning how to back kick decently opens up a bunch of stability and movement options for photographers.

I’m curious about Force Fins for back kicks. Anyone have experience using them for this application? How do they compare to XT’s or other tech fins that are easy to back kick?

Lance

I switch between F1's and excellerating force fins. Used XT fins in the past, but they are too (super)stiff for my liking. I can do every kick in both the F1's and the force fins, including back kick. The have a very different feel compared to each other. I have to twist my ankles a little more to initiate a back kick wit the force fins. F1's have a little more torque which is to be expected as it is a bigger blade. But the excellerating force fins is a very nice fin for most diving. They are not in production anymore, so you have to look for a used pair.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I will not get into the debate, other than I was anView attachment 907381 underwater photographer since 1968 and wanted a better fin than the Jet fins, which I used for 20 years. In 1971, I started to make another design for my work, thus Force Fins. I use the Pro Model. Thanks, Bob Evans Bob Evans Photography Photo by Bev Morgan

One of my underwater archaeologist friends uses your fins. I would suspect that finning precision required for underwater archaeology exceeds that of underwater photography.

 

[Bob Evans]

I switch between F1's and excellerating force fins. Used XT fins in the past, but they are too (super)stiff for my liking. I can do every kick in both the F1's and the force fins, including back kick. The have a very different feel compared to each other. I have to twist my ankles a little more to initiate a back kick wit the force fins. F1's have a little more torque which is to be expected as it is a bigger blade. But the excellerating force fins is a very nice fin for most diving. They are not in production anymore, so you have to look for a used pair.

We have a few pairs of Excellerating in stock. We will be back in production again due to a large order from the Japanese Navy and others. Susanne and I need a location for shipping since our production plant does not want to deal with our customers. We are working remote here in Ojai, California on water project. Susanne I-spinning to stay in shape.

 

[Nemrod]

Hi All,


I'm hesitant to try RK3 or similar blade fins because I feel like my knees and especially ankles will not enjoy the experience.



-Paul

The RK3 is a pretty soft fin. Of course, there is the Scubapro Go-Sport fin and Go-Sport Gorilla. Neither are super stiff and can do all kicks and I am a photo diver with two Nauticam rigs so I think I qualify. I can maneuver precisely, 100% of the time with my fins only, and nobody passes me up when shifting from one place to another. But YRMV. The Eddy might be a good choice but it is a little stiff for my tastes.

 

[Bob Evans]

Take a look at Jonathan Bird's Blue World videos on YouTube. He used to use Force Fins for almost all of his dives and he pushes a big camera, sometimes even an IMAX camera. He even did a short video discussing them:



However, I've noticed that in the last couple of years he has switched to ScubaPro Go Sports. I use both FF Pros and Go Sports. I find the FF Pros to be super comfortable, low effort and as fast as the Go Sports in a straight line (I've timed them in a pool). But the Go Sports are better for frog kicks and tight maneuvering including back kicking.

I've also tried tech fins, but I find them inferior in terms of comfort and also pace in open water.

Recently, I talked to Jonathan about his use of other fins. The cave diving schools would not allow him to use my fins, so he went with what they used. I coined the name "Split Fins" and hit the dive market one year before Apollo and others with the Foil Force Fin, made for the US Marine diver who liked to scissor kick Turtle style. Early 90's. The other designs went FLAT, acting like flipping barn doors, while I channeled your kicking energy into a curved shape. First with Bungee strap and Vortex generators. Made in America.

article from the UK

 

[Bob Evans]

One of my underwater archaeologist friends uses your fins. I would suspect that finning precision required for underwater archaeology exceeds that of underwater photography.
View attachment 907418

Fin efficiency might be an issue for divers. Page 10 sum

s up coming from the Sport Medicine side 1997.

 

[Wobbegong_th]

If you can find 1st generation Scubapro Twin Jet. That might be ok. it's a bit shorter than Apollo's Biofin.
I'd used this for... about 15-20yrs, may be? I can Reverse, skulling, etc., as same as those using "Jetfin" style.

The reason I'd mention "1st generation" was that It seems to be stiffer and heavier than the 2nd gen. Where a lot of ppl complaint about 2nd gen 'inefficiency'.

 

[TostitoBandito]

I'm a photographer and I recently switched from my old Apollo Biofins (long heavy rubber split fins) to Apeks RK3's.

I love the RK3's for a few key reasons:

• they're much shorter and easier to move around a crowded dive boat with
• underwater the shorter length makes it easier to move close to the reef in tight spaces without having to worry as much about fin clearance and not hitting anything
• stiffer and more precise feel without long fin blades flopping about
• they come in white, which is handy to white balance off of if the need arises (like for video)

I do a lot of diving in currents with large high drag camera rigs and the RK3's seem comparable to the Biofins in terms of power, or at least close enough for my purposes. They're a lot shorter, but also substantially wider at the tip and stiffer. The long split fins like the biofin might have a slight edge in straight ahead flutter kicking, but the RK3's are much more maneuverable and are vastly superior for frog kicking, if that's your thing.