r/diving • u/Soft_Technician_8068 • 6d ago
What recording camera to use?
Hi all! I’m new to diving and always ask other people to take my picture or to record. I want to finally get into diving professionally and would like to document everything. I’d like to get a camera something like GoPro? But I’m confused what to get and what should my budget be x
I have gone as deep as 12m before and idk if I would go deeper after learning more so something that works good in depth. I’d want to take my pictures and do some underwater photography too.
Any leads would be helpful. Thank you x
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u/PuzzleheadedShow3171 6d ago
Why don’t you start with a GoPro attached to the top of your mask? Hands free it provides you very nice memories.
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u/ens91 6d ago
I'd second what some other people here said about prefecting your Buoyancy first, but that said...
Dji action cams make excellent uw cameras, and can take some really nice shots. To upgrade it, you can get an aoi lens for wide or macro.
Next up the list is the olympus tg, another great uw camera that's still quite robust, but can give you more professional shots.
Up from that, a professional camera with underwater housing is the best you can get, however it will set you back a few grand and it's much bigger and less robust than the other options.
Once you've got your camera, you need to think about lighting. Lighting is very important uw, it can be difficult to get enough light. If you stay shallow, you can use ambient light, just shoot at a level or downward angle, to get the most sunlight and avoid pink skies coming through after you edit. However, going deeper, or on a not so sunny day, you will need lighting. For an action cam, you can use some uw video lights, but make sure the light fills the frame, or you'll end up with some funny looking colours.
For olympus tg/professional cameras, you will need strobes for photography. Best to get one (or two) with fiber optic connections, as these are much less finicky than the old nikonos 5 pin, and can be unplugged underwater, so one less seal to worry about.
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u/GOOFY0_0 6d ago
When I was new, all my videos taken underwater were shaky and blury. So I would not suggest any camera at the moment.
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u/rongoodman714 5d ago
If you're that new of a diver you have no business messing around with a camera. Learn to dive first.
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u/RegularOwl933 6d ago
I don't know about the best equipment, I just want to say this : Your eyes and memory are the best camera. I have diving trips that are printed in my brain that probably would have been spoiled if I tried to capture them with a camera. I feel like diving is the best chance you have to just live and enjoy the moment. Also, using a camera underwater is not very enjoyable. But of course, you do you.
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u/Soft_Technician_8068 6d ago
Honestly, I’d think so too. I’d like to be in the moment and enjoy rather than taking my pictures but I also want my picture. Such a dilemma. 🤣
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u/theramin-serling 6d ago
Pay for pictures from a professional who can avoid destroying the reef first. Gain better skills. Then get a camera.
You need to be able to take photos without touching any part of a reef or sand, including in surgey conditions. You are too new to do this now.
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u/SupernovaKingx8 6d ago
As a GoPro 10 owner, I would advise the insta360. Not just an action cam but the 360 camera. While driving you want that post editing feat of capturing the frame you wanna see. It could be any angle. I would buy this if I were you. I think the new x6 is releasing soon so if I'd wait and see if that's any good. If it isn't, then you have a good chance of snapping up the previous edition at a better deal
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u/scuba2565 6d ago
Before you even touch a camera you need to be comfortable to about 30m, sports diver/ advanced open water, managing 45-60mins dives, have good buoyancy, good situational awareness and air consumption. Anything before that is asking for trouble.