Next step in video/photos underwater.

[justindaniels]

Hello, I am hoping to get feedback on what my next best step is to help improve my underwater photos/videos.
I currently have a go pro 12 with underwater housing. I have used it as primary video on our first trip and this last trip I did more photos with a few videos. I found with large amount of videos the editing process to get stills and clips took too long so I quit. The second I found the photo quality was just ok and overall know the video quality is more improved. I do like taking pictures/videos of smaller creatures as well as larger and felt the macro was the most limited on photos. I used a red filter for the first couple dives and then took it off and didn't notice a huge change but did use the quik app for post processing so that may be why.

I'm trying to decide for my next steps in my underwater photo/video is:

Option 1 and the one I'm leaning most toward: add a macro lens and tray with a light(s) for the go pro and do shorter video clips to pull stills from as a blend of the first and second trip rather than taking still shots.
Option 2: add a wide angle lens with lights for more videos knowing macro will still be more limited.
Option 3: We have an older sony nex3 that I could get a housing for $100-$200 for still shots.

Open to other options as well and feedback! Thanks for any input.

 

[arkstorm]

Strobes = photos.

Video lights = video.

If you want to shoot photos, get strobes not video lights.

Always use the right tool for the job.

Start off with a single strobe, you can always add a second strobe later.

Get some instruction if you can to give yourself a head start on the learning curve.

Good luck, have fun.

 

[cerich]

Thinking more about my goals, I think I will want to do more photo with limited video going forward so going to look more at getting the OM-TG7 to start my photo journey.
Reading on strobe vs video lights and different peoples opinions has made this difficult in deciding next steps.
I like to take pictures of fish with the occasional macro. Strobes give better still shots than video lights but seem to require more adjustments and practice while using video lights may not give the color/clarity of a probe but more simple for point and shoot at fish. Is this correct thinking from people that have used both?

I am looking at the OMTG-7 with Olympus housing.
For tray the Ikelite action tray 1: Action Tray II with Left Handle for Compact Housings

Then looking at starting with 1 video light vs 1 strobe but leaning toward video for above reasoning. If started with 1 video would eventually add a strobe down the road (or if started with 1 strobe could add second strobe down the road vs video light depending).
For the light would be looking at something like:
Kraken sports hydra 6000 wrgbu-https://www.backscatter.com/Kraken-Hydra-6000-V2-WRGBU-Underwater-Video-Light
Big blue vtl4200p-https://bigbluedivelights.com/products/4200-lumen-dual-beam-light-wide-narrow/
divevolk sl50-https://www.divevolkdiving.com/products/5000-lumen-professional-underwater-video-light-wide-angle-120-degree
Orcatorch d910v-https://www.orcatorch.com/product/D910V.html


These lights seem to be 4000-600 lumens and $400-500 so seem comparable and would love opinions on the different lights.
Then would get a ball join clamp to attach the light to the tray.
Is there anything else for a simple starter set I am forgetting? Will continue reading different thoughts on video lights vs a strobe light as well.
When looking at doing strobe instead, was looking at something like this YS-03 strobe package which is all I would need to go with the camera and housing.
YS-03 Solis Strobe Package for Olympus TG-5 Camera & Underwater Housing

Also will be watching backscatter and other youtube videos and reading to learn!

for same money as the video light and the strobe you can get a Backscatter HF-1, it's both and while big and well overpowered (strobe side) for TG7, it will grow with you no matter where you want to go.