Macro and Strobes/trays/arms?

[bubble doctor]

Hi,

At the beginning of the year I bought a Canon G16 and Fantasea housing (after very helpful advice from Scubaboard members ). Happy with my photos so far for now (composition and focus ok but would love more colour!). I'd also love to start looking at more macro photography and am thinking of the Dyron +7 67mm (and the Fantasea adapter). From what I gather I'd need a strobe and tray and arms and I'd be keen for a bit of advice from those who know more than me, particularly anyone who has a similar G16/Fantasea setup!

What are the pros and cons of flex arms vs the more ball arm type joints (or just general opinions)? Am thinking a Sea and Sea strobe but only because I've read some good reviews. Happy to take any advice or general pointers. Setup will be fibre optic. Am keen to travel so weight/size are a consideration but not sure if they're all much of a muchness?

And I have done a bit of a search for previous threads that may be helpful but I couldn't find much. If I've missed something obvious please feel free to direct me there!

Thanks for your help!

 

[jjwebster]

Based on my experience from moving from flex arms to ball & clamp system for a compact camera....

Flex arms

Pros:
Cheap
Lightweight
Simple/easy to set up

Cons:
Strobe positions can be limited by the type of arm
Not interchangeable i.e. can't be built upon, you are stuck with the length you have bought
"Squeak" when re-positioned underwater ;o)

Ball arms

Pros:
More options for strobe positioning
Interchangeable and upgradeable i.e. can add or remove arms/clamps for different situations, add buoyancy arms
Look cool )

Cons:
Much more expensive
More parts - more to go wrong
Heavier
Little bit more complicated to set up

If you have the money definitely go for the ball arms. Actually as I'm writing this, I'd be happy to sell my flex arm and tray to you! Based in oz too, it's a 36 cm 10 bar flex arm with YS mount and H20 tools tray. PM me if you are interested.

 

[sunnyboy]

Another 'con' of the flex arm is that they can and do bend to the point they will pop apart. This is not good if it's a wave that has pushed you into the boat ladder before you can hand up your camera. That's why a number of commercial systems have a cord inside the flex line. As I built my own, I just have a thin bungee between light and tray to keep things together in the event of problems.

Ask me how I know this happens with loc-line... ;-)

 

[bubble doctor]

I had not heard of the busting apart thing! eek!