Check out my DIY Gopro rig with lights

[soonerwatch]

Got an archon d11v for christmas and mounted it to my DIY tray rig. thoughts? backscatter filter page says to use lights AND filter together - correct?
https://flic.kr/p/PxdkpZ
https://flic.kr/p/QcFp6b

 

[DMDavid]

The way your light is setup will influence how much "backscatter" you get in frame. No pun intended.

 

[Bubblesong]

I am interested in getting the tray set up too, but I noticed other people's lights are coming off from a different angle from the one the camera is facing, so they don't get the "headlights into the fog" effect. Is this what DMDavid means?

 

[DMDavid]

That is correct, if your light is pointed straight ahead you're more likely to get reflections back towards the lens from particles in the water. You want your light(s) mounted from the sides pointed at an angle so that it won't reflect back into the lens of the camera.

 

[Carl Brooke]

DMDavid is correct. This is why we use two lights. The key is to focus the beams so they cross in the middle where you would frame your focus. This minimizes back scatter and also focuses the viewers attention to the topic.

 

[herman]

You do not want to use the lights and filters at the same time. For shooting wide angle shots, you should use the filter and close up shots you use the light to illuminate the subject. The light will not go more than a few feet, it will have no effect past that and without the filter, the shot will be off color. Close up where the light is illuminating the subject, if you have the filter on with the light, the shot will be excessively reg.

If you have not already done so, you should replace all the screws with good quality stainless steel ones. If those are the original ones, they are zink plated at best and will rust very quickly.

 

[soonerwatch]

I've added a mount for the light to one of the arms. I know this is metal and will rust soon. Need to find a plastic version. This part is meant to hang electrical conduit.