Recommendation for dive cum video / camera light

[Progen]

I got myself an Olympus TG-1 because the underwater casing for my EOS 550D / Rebel T2i was forbiddingly expensive and I've already spent a big sum on new gear so now I'm looking at getting the PT-053 underwater casing for the TG-1 after which I'll need a tray, arms and lights. Are there any which are not too big and expensive that can function as a wrist strapped / hand held dive light plus provide enough light for the camera to get some decent photos at around 25 - 30 metres when mounted?

 

[smellzlikefish]

Dive lights and strobes are very different things. Trying to blend the two into the same cheap alternative will only lead to frustration. You might try a cheap strobe for improved still quality.

 

[Progen]

I get what you mean, smellzlikefish. Perhaps I wasn't too clear about what I needed / wanted. I'm thinking of maybe going deeper or do some night dives every now and then, highly possible after I move back to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, so it'd be good if I could have a light to help me and the camera to see better. I'll of course get a strobe since a dive light capable of illuminating as well as a strobe would probably cost heaps and run really hot.

 

[diversteve]

What you might look at is a focus light. They're used in photography to pre-light the subject. Some turn off automatically when the strobe fires. Some examples: Focus/Video Lights :: Focus Lights - I think the Sola's and the Big Blue also have with a hand mount option.

 

[Eff]

If you we're looking for a VIDEO light that would work great as a personal light, I'd recommend a Sola 1200 wrist-mount with an additional ball-mount adaptor.

This is what I use for all my video work, as well as non-tech non-penetration daytime dives (when mounted on my wrist) where I only need the light to enhance the dive with occasional signaling and not for safety/teamwork/navigation.

For other types of dives (overhead/tech/pen/silty) I use a canister-style light with goodman lighthead mount and the traditional harness-mounted backup(s). The video light(s) are then only for video and not relied on for anything else.

Light: http://www.lightandmotion.com/underwater/sola1200d.html

Mounts: http://www.lightandmotion.com/underwater/sola_acc.html

But for a PHOTO light/strobe... I don't know of any models that satisfy both requirements well. You can use the video lights (linked above) for photos, but obviously they won't have the same punch as a strobe.

In terms of cost, the Sola I linked to above is the best I've found so far. There is a less powerful, cheaper model here: http://www.lightandmotion.com/underwater/sola800d.html


Hope that helped some!

 

[Progen]

Thanks everyone. Now I have somewhere to start from. Looks like I'd best not give up my second job so soon.