Using a light cannon instead of strobes for u/w photography?

[Conrad]

Hi all... I'm a newbie to u/w photography... my last dive I borrowed a reefmaster with no strobe and let's just say its backscatter galore.

I was thinking of saving money by buying a good u/w light. eg. UK Lightcannon with a diffusor to use as an always on 'strobe' light to illuminate my subjects.... so what do you guys think?

Pros vs the cons - would appreciate if you can enlighten me on this.

Thanks!

 

[Dee]

If I remember correctly, the Light Cannon is a very powerful light. If you use it in place of a strobe, you're pictures will come out with a bright hot spot in them, totally washing out the subject. While strobes are very bright themselves, they are adjustable either manually or through TTL metering. This flash of light is adjusted according to the settings currently set on the camera.

The only way to get rid of the backscatter is to use an external strobe placed at an angle to the camera lens so that the light doesn't bounce directly back into the lens, recording the reflections of the partical matter in the water.

Try the light cannon at night and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[CCDeep]

only a strobe will provide even light, bright enough, at a good color.

 

[Conrad]

ERhm.... even with a diffuser attached?

 

[Dee]

Yes, even with a diffuser. Diffusers just soften and slightly spread the light source.

 

[Newhampster]

There are video lights that convert into general purpose dive lights. For example, I have one from ikelite video lite 45. They have a conversion kit that turns this into a great under water dive light. Or, in video light mode, you can use it with a still camera instead of using a strobe.

Works great.

The problem with the Cannon, I suspect, is it's beam angle is too narrow. There are other HID (high intensity discharge systems) that can do double duty (both photog/video and general underwater usage). See for example, Nightrider lights. (I have no personal experience with these units.)

Look for alternative reflectors (that's what my Ikelite lite has). Diffusers are OK but in some ways they're a crutch...

 

[Aquamore]

Looks like you have received some seriously excellent advice already.... All I could add to that is:

"If you can't find a Light Cannon then a Heavy Machine gun will do!

(They are excellent for shooting those pesky little endangered species which seem to still keep hanging around the oceans).
Happy shooting!
Aquamore
www.Aquaman.org