Underwater Photography and Diving: My Equipment

I travel to do underwater photography. So, in addition to my clothes, I pack all my equipment in my luggage. That includes a mirrorless camera (Canon EOS R7), its waterproof housing, two underwater strobes, and a full set of diving gear!

Clarification: I'm not sponsored by ANY of the brands listed below when I detail my photo and diving equipment. I've equipped myself little by little, over the years, according to my needs and my budget.

Since 2023: Canon Eos R7

In 2023, I tried out a new camera, the Canon EOS R7. A so-called "MIL" digital camera. Quite a technological change from my old SLR (Canon Eos 7D, see below).

I invested in a Nauticam housing to take it underwater (photo below). The whole thing is more compact and lighter, and much easier to handle than my previous configuration.

I use it for wide-angle (with a mini-dome) and macro (with a porthole). I was able to keep the lenses I had previously used on the SLR, thanks to an adapter ring.

I've also kept my Ikelite strobes, which work very well. As they can also be used in headlamp mode, I use them for lighting during night dives or sometimes in Breton waters when visibility is reduced, so that my little friends can see me better.

When they're out of action and I have the budget, I'll reinvest in the new models with fiber-optic connection. Below are the elements of my current configuration:

• Macro lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
• Fisheye lens: Tokina AT-X 107 DX 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 
• Two strobes: Ikelite DS161 and DS160 II

From 2010 to 2022: Canon Eos 7D

From 2010 to 2022, I did some photography on land and underwater with the Canon Eos 7D. Twelve years, then... You could say that I knew how to make the pleasure last and avoid overconsumption. I had a lot of fun with it. It's a great device, and I was very happy with it. Its only drawback was that it was a bit heavy. But today's SLR technology is outdated, and the exceptional autofocus performance of hybrid APNs has prompted me to finally change my camera body in 2023.

I took the 7D underwater in an Ikelite waterproof housing. I had a wide-angle, or more accurately fisheye, configuration (10-17 mm), and two macro configurations (60 and 100 mm):

• Waterproof housing : Ikelite for Canon 7D
• Flashes: Ikelite DS161 (I acquired the second one in 2016)
• Macro porthole 1 : Ikelite Flat Port #5502
• Macro porthole 2 : Ikelite Flat Port #5505.45
• Wide-angle mini-dome : Dyron Cristal 4.8 inches (small size, ideal for travel)
• Macro lens 1 : Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
• Macro Objective 2 : Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (top)
• Fisheye lens: Tokina AT-X 107 DX 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 (Re-top)

On land, while traveling, I mainly used the following lenses with the 7D:

• Canon 15-85mm f / 3.5-5.6 (IS USM) (supplied with the 7D at the start, zoom rather practical for most situations when travelling)
• Canon 50mm f / 1.8 (STM) (light fixed lens, cheap, bright, top for portraits)
• Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM (cheap wide angle, very correct, good for traveling)

Yes, I used to lug all that around! Not forgetting, of course, all the chargers, batteries, cords, memory cards, etc. that go with it... Now, for terrestrial photos, I don't bother with extra equipment anymore, my current iPhone does the job perfectly.

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Before 2010: the Canon Powershot A95, my first underwater camera

My pre-2010 camera equipment was a compact APN. The Canon Powershot A95 accompanied me everywhere, for several years. He has stopped working in 2009... I took it underwater for my underwater shots, with the waterproof housing designed for this model: the WP-DC50.

I didn't have any additional lighting at the time, I only used the built-in flash. This limited me to underwater macro photography.

But I was pleasantly surprised, right from the start, by the quality of the underwater images obtained with this minimal equipment. I used it for four-five years and learned a lot with it. All the underwater photos below were taken with this little APN...

Photographing with a smartphone

The advantage of a smartphone for terrestrial photos: it's discreet and doesn't take up much space. These days, everyone has one in their pocket (which wasn't the case on my very first trips). You can pull it out at any time without attracting attention...

I invested in an iPhone X a few months after its release and was blown away at the time by the quality of the sensor, more than sufficient for the photos intended to illustrate this blog. Subsequent models have performed even better. I switched to an iPhone 12 Pro in 2023.

Diving equipment

Regulator

I have a single regulator, acquired many years ago: the Aqualung Legend LX ACD in INT version, with Legend octopus and basic pressure gauge. Super-comfortable inhalation and exhalation, ACD system which prevents water from entering the second floor, I've never had any complaints. Its only drawback is that it's a bit heavy (2.1 kg).

The small, lightweight Mikron model hadn't yet been released when I invested at the time, and the stirrup mount was the most common in Asia, my main diving destination, hence my choice. Today, I'd opt for a DIN model, reputed to be safer. If necessary, adapters are readily available.

Diving computer

I now have two dive computers. In 2024, I spoiled myself with the Descent Mk3 from Garmin in 43 mm, taking advantage of a big promotion at the Salon de la plongée. The screen is easy to read, despite its "watch" size, and the connected functions are brilliant, allowing you to have your diving log directly on your iPhone (in addition to your other land-based activities).

This makes me redundant with my Quad of Mares (large, easy-to-read characters, nitrox mode available, you can change the battery yourself). The latter is still perfectly functional since it replaced my Puck, of the same brand, which I had quite unintentionally left somewhere at the bottom of the Red Sea in October 2016... I regretted it, I'd had it for quite a few years, it worked perfectly.

For the veterans: my very first dive computer was a good old Uwatec Aladdin, with its famous "fridge" look, which suddenly unlocked itself and went diving into a drawer on its own...

Buoyancy Control Device (nicknamed "BCD" by divers)

My BCD is a basic Seac Sub (it's not even listed anymore) on the BCD web page of the brand), found a long time ago, for very little money, in a large chain of sports stores (Décathlon).

Very sturdy, it's been working perfectly for years (it's my first, I've never changed it). It weighs only 2.8 kg, but I'm considering investing in a travel BCD or wing if I can get a lighter configuration.

Fins

To travel, in 2023 I tested the Scubapro Go Sport Boot-Fit, light and short (easy to carry), flexible just right, effective in the water. I approve!

I have long used a longer pair of Mares Volo Power, I really liked their great flexibility, but the fin part is starting to show signs of fatigue.

For drysuit diving, I ended up using adjustable fins RK3 HD from Apeks (in size M). They're short and a little heavy, ideal for weighting down your feet where you don't want air to accumulate in this configuration.

Booties

For a long time, I kept trying new booties... All of them hurt me, there was always a seam or a reinforcement that created a blister in the long run.

Except for Ellie Ergo from AqualungI've definitely adopted them since 2015. No seams or zippers. The neoprene is super-soft, so they slip on like socks! But they are fragile: after a few dives, the inner lining frays and the reinforcement on the top of the foot comes off. So I replace them regularly.

For drysuit diving, I have "rock boots" adapted to my Fusion drysuit.

Mask

I've had Aqualung's Micromask Technisub (small, easy to empty, well-suited to my face) for ages. With its yellowed silicone skirt, you can tell it's not brand new, but it's still functional.

It doesn't seem to be on the market any more, but you can find the equivalent in many other brands: look for small masks with little volume, designed for freedivers, such as the X-Free from Mares which I also have, in redundancy.

Wet suit

For waters that I consider "warm" (i.e. above 25-26° C), I always wear 5-6 mm wetsuit. I add a shorty above it or a neoprene undergarnment beneath, or both, when the temperature drops into the 20-24° C range. Since 2015, I've adopted the Focea Comfort by Beuchat, the cut fits me well (size M).

Dry suit

For my dives in "cold" waters (14-20° C). After testing Aqualung neoprene drysuits, on loan or rental, I bought an old, second-hand Whites Fusion.

Whites is a Canadian company that was taken over in the 2010s by Aqualung of France, which then marketed Fusion drysuits for several years. In financial difficulty, the Aqualung group was subsequently bought out by various investment funds (the British Montagu at the end of 2016, American Barings end 2023). As a result at the end of 2023, Whites reclaimed its brand, with plans to relaunch the manufacture and marketing of Fusion drysuits. The company is now called Whites Drywear.

I hope we'll soon find Fusion again in France, as I like the design. I'm thinking of buying a more modern version of mine one day soon. The ones now on the market in the US feature a high-quality bilaminate coating for the waterproof shell, as well asand Si-Tech sleeves that you can change yourself. To be continued.

The special feature of this wetsuit is that it consists of a fairly large watertight suit, with a sort of elastic second "skin" over it, made of very thin neoprene. This makes for great ease underwater, as the elastic overlay holds the air bubble tightly around the body, without constricting or impeding movement. It's ideal for my underwater photography contortions, and feels as comfortable as a wet suit.

This design also has an advantage over tailor-made or tight-fitting drysuits: you don't have to change it if you get fatter or thinner. Of course, you need to dress warmly underneath, as the second "skin" is 1 mm thick and offers no thermal protection. After a lot of trial and error, I adopted thermal clothing Kwark (Polish brand)...

Accessories

In bulk: a stick or "pointer" (a metal rod used for a variety of purposes, very useful for a foothold on the sand when photographing underwater, to avoid touching anything), a 2.5mm neoprene and/or a Sharkskin top that I can put under the wet suit, hook, parachute, small flash-light, whistle, mirror, blade, octopus attachment, snap hooks diverse and varied, hoody and headbands-scarves for hair...

And to transport all this?

I equipped myself little by little, both for diving and for underwater photography. As a result, my luggage has gradually grown too. I'm not at all a backpacker anymore...

I've reviewed my logistics for transporting all my little junk and opted for wheels! I invite you to read the two articles below where I talk about it:

➜ Packing: Which Dive Bag Is Best for Travelling?

➜ Luggage for divers: out with the backpack, in with the roller bag!

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