It’s the Land of 10,000 Lakes and our 2023 local dive season is in full swing!! Whether you have been diving locally for years or if freshwater exploration is new to you, our fun dives are about community and supporting each other! There are many great dive sites in Minnesota! Come out and share in the fun! See you at the lakes!
Fun dives are $25 lead by an Aquaventure divemaster or instructor. The day will consist of two dives and includes snacks, lunch, and drinks. These dives are designed to give divers a glimpse into the beautiful recreational diving that Minnesota Lakes offer. Max dive depth will be 60 feet.
Need rental gear? Aquaventure has Premium Cold Water scuba systems from Aqualung & Scubapro available for rent. PLEASE NOTE: rental systems are first come first serve basis. No refunds or transfers! Thanks!
Q: Do I need to take both Part 1 & Part 2 to be certified?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the difference between Part 1 & Part 2?
A: Part 1 is the home study, classroom review, and pool ONLY portion of the certification process. Part 2 is the open water training dive portion (4 total dives over two days) of the certification process. Both Part 1 & Part 2 need to be successfully completed to earn your PADI Open Water or Jr. Open Water certification.
Q: How long does my PADI Open Water certification last?
A: Once acheiving a PADI Open Water certification it never expires and lasts for life. It is recommended however, to take a “Scuba Review” if a certified diver has not been scuba diving within 6 months.
Q: What is the minimum age my child can get certified?
A: PADI and the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) sets the minimum age at 10 years old. This is a “Youth Open Water Certification” (limited to 40′ and must dive with a parent or dive professional). Once the child turns 15 years old they are automatically upgraded to the standard Open Water certification. We require that all 10-11 year old students enroll in either “Private” or “Semi-private” classes. This is to ensure the class goes at a pace the child or children are comfortable with.
Q: It’s winter and I’m (we’re) going on vacation to a warm weather destination – how can I get certified? A: Come do Part 1 with us (home study, and pool)! Then take the training materials that we have signed to a PADI dive shop anywhere in the world to do your referral Open Water Training Dives. This is known as the Referral Process and it works GREAT. You don’t want to spend your vacation in a classroom – do you? Of course not. Come and receive your Part 1 portion of the course with us and then dive in a beautiful tropical environment for your Open Water Training Dives. How cool would that be? Then once certified, dive to your heart’s content (within your level of training and safe diving practices, of course). If you had to procure a physician’s signature to dive, please make a copy of the document to bring with you to the PADI shop where you will be doing your referred dives (see Medical Statement below).
Q: How long does it take to complete my home study? A: Generally 10-12 hours is required for home study with eLearning modules.
Q: I’m Claustrophobic. Can I still scuba dive? A: We at Aquaventure hear this a lot! Most people that think they’re Claustrophobic have zero issues scuba diving. We recommend if you’re apprehensive to take our Discover Scuba trial class to put any fears aside.
Q: My ears hurt when I swim to the bottom of the pool. Can I still learn to scuba dive? A: Of course! During your class you will learn how to easily equalize/clear your ears while scuba diving.
Q: How many people are in each class?
Our PADI Open Water classes generally have 4 with up to 6 students maximum. No cattle classes here! We want to ensure you receive the most thorough scuba training available. Each Part 1 class with more than 4 students will have an additional PADI Instructor assist with the pool portion of the class.
Q: What equipment is provided?
We provide top of the line Aqualung & Scubapro equipment for your pool (Confined Water) and Open Water training. This includes tanks, weights, BCD, regulator, alternate air source, dive computer, and (wetsuit/hood/gloves for lake dives).
Q: What equipment do I need to bring?
While we will provide all of the equipment listed above, you need to bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins. A custom fit of your mask, snorkel, and fins is incredibly important for your comfort and safety, You should consider these items in the same way you consider your toothbrush when traveling – you want to bring your own – trust us on this! We have a full range of scuba rated equipment with a very knowledgeable staff. We highly recommend you to come into our store before the class to get properly fitted with your equipment. Please make sure that you have scuba-rated fins. Fins that you may own for snorkeling may not be powerful enough to “drive” a full set of scuba gear.
The days of your class you will need to bring a swimsuit and a towel. If you are not eating at the adjacent Subway for lunch, bring your own plus a water bottle. There will not be enough time on class days to go any farther than the Subway restaurant next door for lunch.
Q: How old do you need to be to become a certified Open Water Diver?
To be a fully certified PADI Open Water Diver you must be at least 15 years old and there is no maximum age; however, children as young as 10 years old can become PADI Junior Open Water Divers. 10 and 11 year olds must successfully complete the same requirements as an adult student so you may want to consider private lessons for your child(ren). Once certified, 10 and 11 year olds must dive with a parent, a guardian, or a PADI Professional. Those 12, 13 and 14 years old must dive with a certified adult diver. Once a Junior Open Water Diver reaches the age of 15, they may administratively apply for standard PADI Open Water Diver certification (this can be done here at the shop or directly with PADI).
Q: Do I have to be a good swimmer?
Not necessarily…you need only to be comfortable in the water and capable of swimming continuously for two hundred yards, and treading water/floating for 10 min.
Q: What is required of me before the first class?
You should complete the online eLearning program: Complete all online coursework including all interim Assessments and the Final Assessment.
You will receive a second email from PADI. This email contains a link that you need to click on and complete all digital paperwork. Read all of the documentation and complete all of the paperwork (Note: if you have any “yesses” on your Medical Statement, you must complete a separate RSTC Medical Statement and bring it to your doctor – see next question below).
Safety is our number one concern. If you can answer “yes” to ANY of the medical questions, a separate PADI RSTC Medical Statement may need to be taken/sent to your physician for signature for permission to dive prior to you getting into the pool. Please call the shop if you have any questions. Note: if you do have any “yesses” on your Medical Statement and your physician clears you to dive, please make copies of the document as you may need to bring this for your referral dives or future dives with other shops.
Q: Where are the classes held?
There’s no need to run around town! Your entire Part 1 scuba class will be held at Aquaventure Dive & Photo Center. This includes both classroom and pool portions of the class. Our custom on-site pool is a balmy 85 degrees. We are located in Maple Grove just northwest of Osseo on the north side of County Rd 81 in the same strip mall as a Subway restaurant. Our address is: 10024 County Rd 81, Maple Grove, MN 55369 (763) 424-8717.
Q: How warm is your pool? A: Our pool is kept at a comfortably warm at 84-85 degrees.
Q: Are private lessons available?
Yes. Whether you prefer one on one instruction, Semi-private instruction, or a private class for your family, private lessons can be scheduled to meet your needs. Call us for more details (763) 424-8717. Private/Semi-Private lessons are required for 10 and 11 year olds or those feeling they need a bit more time and attention. Semi-Private lessons are also terrific for couples and families! We work to your schedule and needs.
Q: How do I sign up for the class?
You can simply call us and sign up over the phone with a credit card (pre-payment required) or stop in at our store.
Cancellation policy:
Course fees are due upon class enrollment to guarantee your space in the class. Classes are non-refundable within 14 days of the class start date and non-transferrable within 7 days of class start time. One transfer is allowed for a fee of $90. All course fees are forfeited if you do not attend.
https://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Jace-Scuba-Palooza.jpg6671000Steve Philbrookhttps://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/aquaventure-dive-photo-logo.pngSteve Philbrook2023-01-06 23:37:412023-02-10 13:01:09Frequently Asked Questions About Scuba Diving
Have you ever wondered if Group Dive Travel is for you? Maybe you have some preconceived notions that prevent you from taking a trip with a bunch of “strangers”! Just know that you aren’t alone! We know it can feel risky! Aquaventure has a large group-travel following. People come back year after year, trip after trip. We wanted to know why! So we surveyed several of our travelers and here are the top 10 reasons why they believe group travel is the way to go!!
Aquaventure – Fiji 2019
#10 – It’s for Everyone!
It doesn’t matter who you are…there’s a group trip for you
We only need one thing in common: DIVING!
Introvert or Extrovert, young or old, it doesn’t matter
Do less OR do more
Meals together OR meals alone
It is YOUR vacation – do as YOU please
#9 – It’s Cost Effective
Take advantage of group rates on air, hotel, and diving – generally offering more value than traveling alone
Help finding a roommate to keep the price down
Personal Guide starting at the airport, all through the trip, and back home again
NO SURPRISES – you know exactly what is included and what is not included
Aquaventure – Cayman Brac Tootsie Pop Divers 2018
#8 – Leave Your Comfort Zone
Groups ENCOURAGE adventure
Experience more dives with groups
Try new food
Tour more topside and cultural experiences
Groups encourage relaxation – TRULY UNPLUG
Less likely to “work” or check messages
Less likely to let your mind wander back to the stress of life
Other people bring new focus for those down-times when you aren’t diving
#7 – There’s Power In Numbers
Aquaventure – Grand Cayman 2019
Travelers feel safer in groups
Tours and extra dives are easier to coordinate
Boat control – YOUR group determines where the boat goes and which dive sites to dive
#6 – Unique Opportunities
Instructors lead these trips – take advantage of continued education certifications in clear warm waters
Photography Classes
Drift Specialty
Fish Identification
Deep Specialty
Etc Etc!
We always meet the required minimum number of people to book extra excursions
Aquaventure – Raja Ampat Damaii II 2018
Horseback riding, zip lining, topside adventures
Island, nature, cultural, or historical tours
Night, wreck, or extra dives
#5 – Diver Confidence
Your leader genuinely cares that your vacation is great – they have your back
You know the experience level of others on your boat before you get there
You WILL have a dive buddy
Dive leader will help navigate a good buddy fit
Dive leader can work with the boat staff to ensure you get the most out of your dives
#4 – Problem Resolution
Aquaventure – Cozumel 2019
You aren’t alone!
A proper group leader is your flight, dive boat, & hotel liaison
Gear Problems are easier to fix on the spot
Between the leader and the other travelers, there is rarely a problem that can’t be solved
Unexpected emergencies are easier to handle with a leader and group to support you
Many sets of eyes are always looking out for each other
#3 – The Perks
Aquaventure – Cozumel 2019
Trip T-Shirt included
Pre-trip Info Meeting to prepare you properly
Free pool time to practice skills and dust off gear prior to the trip
Welcome Cocktails (often)
Post-Trip Parties
Shared pictures and videos
#2 – Stress Free Travel
Stress-free vacation anticipation – Once you’re signed up, all details are taken care of so RELAX
We know the best time of year for each destination, the areas to avoid, the best providers to use, the safest dive shops, etc.
Let’s face it: You don’t know what you don’t know
Trust someone else to do the research
Sit back and get inspired instead of stressed
Start relaxing IMMEDIATELY – let us do the work
#1 – Better Together
Aquaventure – Fiji 2019
All these people traveling with you are witnesses to your adventure
There will be many versions of your memories through other people on the trip
You will always have people to reminisce with
Your memories and adventures are intertwined forever
Shared pictures and videos from an entire group can capture more than one person could do alone
Shared experiences build deeper relationships
Deep relationships make experiences richer
Life-Long Friendships are organically created when we experience the unique and exciting underwater world together
If you have any questions about group dive travel, our staff can help you! Stop in or give us a call! If you are ready to jump into group dive travel, check out our offerings. We have several trips planned and posted as well as many more plans underway for your next group dive travel adventure!
https://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Top-10-reasons.jpg450900Steve Philbrookhttps://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/aquaventure-dive-photo-logo.pngSteve Philbrook2019-05-22 10:14:442019-05-22 11:28:02Top 10 Reasons for Group Dive Travel
If you have been a certified diver for a while you’ve probably been on a shark dive or two. Whether you’re a fan of them or not, they are undeniebly exhilarating and exciting! There are many destinations that offer shark dive/shark feeds; however, none of them are like “The Cathedral” in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji!! The interactions here are unlike anywhere else in the world! Tiger sharks, tiger sharks, and more tiger sharks! They just might be the most beautiful fish in the ocean. The way the sunlight dances off their stripes while they slowly move through the water is simply majestic!
“The Cathedral”
“The Cathedral” (a 70′ dive) is a relatively new dive site that was developed in the past few years as Beqa Lagoon Resort’s own “shark dive” site. They previously did their shark dives just outside Pacific Harbor at “The Bistro”. The Cathedral not only offers a ton of bull sharks but also white tip, black tip, reef, grey reef, lemon, and nurse sharks! All in abundance. This is one of the fishiest dives we’ve ever encountered where you may even spot a Goliath Grouper hanging out! But the main attraction here are the tiger sharks. Aaron, Beqa Lagoon’s dive shop manager, says they have had up to 13 tigers on one dive (which ended up being a very short dive!)! Our experience brought us three tigers ranging from 10′-15′ in length which was plenty for everyone. These tigers come face to face with everyone to say hi and have their photo taken. If you’re a fan of sharks and shark dives, this is a MUST DO!
Are you looking for a new kind of diving? Something unique? Or maybe you’re a photographer who wants to photograph a new subject? If so, black water diving may be for you!
Imagine yourself drifting through the open ocean at night while watching the upward migration of plankton and the unusual critters that feed on them: Paper Nautilus, Blanket Octopus, Pelagic Seahorse’s, 10-foot Salp Chains, jellyfish, Flying fish, Moon Jellies, and much more. This is Black Water diving!
Aquaventure’s Ben Moore and John Mackiewicz ventured to Analao, Philippines to try this unique dive experience. They absolutely loved it! These unusual dives took them to depths of 20′-125′ while drifting through the water near a downline marked with a glow stick every 15 feet. The dives required a light to attract the subjects, good buoyancy to maintain their depth, and a bit of luck and patience! The results are stunning and give voice to the great variety of rarely seen creatures in our magnificent oceans!
Nautilus – by John Mackiewicz
What camera gear to use?
Any underwater camera system that is set up for macro photography with a spotting light will work just fine. The little Olympus TG-5 is perfect for this!
Ben was shooting a Canon 70D with a Canon 60mm macro lens in a Nauticam housing with INON Z-240 strobes. John was shooting a Nikon D850 with a 60mm macro lens in a a Nauticam housing and INON Z-240 strobes. You can see more of John’s work @johnmackiewicz on Instagram.
Squid – by Ben Moore
Some of the best known black water diving destinations:
Anilao, Philippines
Singer Island, Florida
Palau, Micronesia
Kona, Hawaii
Lembeh Straits, Indonesia
Routan, Honduras
https://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Black_water_diving.jpg450900Steve Philbrookhttps://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/aquaventure-dive-photo-logo.pngSteve Philbrook2019-05-08 09:00:512019-05-08 11:15:02Black Water Diving
Let’s face it, watching professionally shot underwater video can capture our imagination almost as much as being there on the dive. Many of the videos we see are wide angle videos filmed with GoPro and DSLR cameras and they do a great job at this. Unfortunately due to size and other camera limitations, they do not offer the versatility and ease of use for shooting macro videos.
So what’s another option that eliminates these barriers? Well let me introduce you to our “Secret Weapon for Macro Video” – the Olympus TG-5!
Macro Video with the TG-5
The Olympus TG-5 is a small point-n-shoot cameras that excels on the macro side of things! It offers hands down the best macro in the industry with its “Microscope mode” allowing the user to photograph or video the tiniest of subjects without an additional wet mount macro lens. Its size makes it much easier to hold still while shooting macro video compared to the larger DSLR systems.
The Olympus TG-5 also offers four custom white balance banks which allows the shooter to get all the beautiful color in their videos (although most macro video looks best when shot with a small video light). The beauty of this system is its small size, inexpensive price point, and professional results that compete with systems costing thousands more!
In the short video below, all clips were shot with the following equipment:
Olympus TG-5 ($449)
Olympus PT-058 housing ($299)
Kraken Hydra WSR + video light ($189)
https://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/secret_weapon.jpg450900Steve Philbrookhttps://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/aquaventure-dive-photo-logo.pngSteve Philbrook2019-04-30 22:32:242019-05-07 15:03:41Secret Weapon for Macro Video!
INON Z-240/D-2000/S-2000 strobe supports S-TTL auto exposure simply by setting their main dial to S-TTL position.
Whilst digital cameras quickly took over film cameras for land photography, spread among underwater photographers took longer. Main reason was incompatibility of underwater strobes with digital TTL Auto making hard to benefit fully automatic strobe shooting.
INON is among the first to support digital TTL auto system with S-TTL Auto mode equipped D-2000 strobe and Z-240 strobe.
The proper name of the S-TTL is Optical Synch TTL. The S-TTL enables the strobe to perform in TTL auto exposure as same as genuine TTL strobe from camera manufacture, based on camera’s built-in flash light to use as a signal to transmit it to the strobe. The S-TTL uses the built-in flash not as a light source but as like a controller to trigger the S-TTL strobe.
The built-in flash of a digital camera makes weak flash (pre-flash) before main-flash to calculate exposure. This pre-flash is transmitted through fiber optics to an S-TTL strobe to control the strobe to make pre-flash at a subject. The reflecting light from the subject goes through the camera’s master lens to an image sensor then a processor determines main flash light amount for correct exposure. Finally the built-in flash makes main-flash which is transmitted to the S-TTL strobe to cause main-flash of the S-TTL strobe.
Digital camera’s built-in flash lights are transmitted via an optical fiber to the
S-TTL strobe to make pre-flash and main-flash instead of the built-in flash.
“I met my best friends and the people who mean the most to me!” – Jake McElmurry, Champlin Park High School
“My scuba instructor (Mark Oestreich) and marine biology teacher (Bob Ameli) not only taught me how to scuba dive, but how to love and care for the ocean.” – Becca Hyman, Chaska High School
“Going on the high school trips were far more than just going on vacation. It opened up my eyes to protecting the life in the water. It gave me a purpose and a passion for the ocean.” – Elle Hagstrom, Andover High School
“My decision to go on the high school trip changed my life. I walked into the airport with a group of strangers and having no diving experience and came back with a new passion and a group of lifelong friends. Five years later and I’m still diving! These trips are organized, educational, and eye-opening. Whether above or below the sea, you will be surrounded by beauty as well as trustworthy instructors.” – Lindsey Peterson, Andover High School
https://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IMG_3980.jpg720960Steve Philbrookhttps://aquaventurescuba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/aquaventure-dive-photo-logo.pngSteve Philbrook2018-01-10 15:26:152018-01-12 20:09:43High School Adventure Trip Reviews
Is it possible? Professional 4K video and award-winning 24mp still imaging – all in a small travel-friendly underwater package? Yes…yes it is. Meet the Sony a6500 mirrorless camera and the Ikelite DLM200 housing system.
I have been excited to shoot the new Sony a6500 and test its underwater capabilities since its release, so I jumped at the chance to take the camera and Ikelite’s 200DLM to Socorro to put the system through the paces. This review will cover the strengths and weaknesses of the camera and housing as well as the system’s versatility and compatibility in reference to shooting underwater.
The Camera
First, let’s review the specs. As Sony’s top of the line APS-C mirrorless camera, the A6500 measures up. It is an upgraded model to the popular a6300 by offering greatly improved auto-focus performance, 5-axis image stabilization, and an LCD touchscreen. It retains the a6300’s 24.2MP CMOS sensor (APS-C-size), Hybrid AF system, EVF, 4K 100mbps bit rate video capture capability and weather-sealed magnesium-alloy body.
The a6500 is easy to navigate and manipulate the desired settings. Shutter and aperture controls are independent of each other while the function (FN) button allows for quick access to white balance, ISO, exposure compensation, flash compensation, etc.
The a6500 has a max shutter-sync speed of 1/160 sec. This is relativley slow compared to the competition, which generally allows up to 1/250 sec. Being a mirrorless camera, it is odd and a bit disappointing to lag behind the mirror model cameras on the market (Canon 70D, 80D, Nikon D7200, etc.). Fortunately, with strobes connected to the camera via an electric sync cord, I was able to sync up to 1/250 second.
Image quality is fantastic and just as impressive as any APS-C size sensor camera currently available. It’s dynamic range performance yielded smooth blue water transitions even at higher ISO settings. Autofocus was equally impressive being quick and accurate even in low light situations. The a6500’s autofocus only really struggled at night with no focus light (to be expected!)
Lenses
The a6500 can be used and set-up in a variety of ways. Sony’s 16-50mm kit lens is quite versatile and inexpensive. Ikelite’s DLM 6 inch Dome Port with Zoom allows for full on land angle of coverage and zoom within the compact 6″ dome. For many, this may be all they need for the majority of their underwater imaging. However, If you’d like to unlock more of the camera’s potential with other lenses, this can be done as well!
Sony 16-50mm lens @ 16mm, ISO 320, F14, 1/125 sec with two Ikelite DS-161 strobes on 1/2 power
Thanks to Metabones and Fotodiox adapters, the a6500 can shoot Canon mount lenses. This can be a huge money saver for Canon shooters looking to upgrade without having fork out big $ for new lenses! I was able to use my favorite Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens, Canon 60mm macro lens, and I even used the Canon18-55mm kit lens to see how it performed. I used the Metabones adapter and am happy to report that autofocus worked flawlessly on all three lenses.
White Balance
If there is an area where the a6500 falls short, it’s white balance. The white balance on the Sony a6500 maxes out at 9900K (Sorry Sony, but that’s just embarrassing!). Although this isn’t a deal breaker, it is essential for those underwater photographers who desire to jump between ambient light & artificial light on the same dive – unless you venture no deeper than 20′. Shooting with ambient light will require you to commit to a filter, which is placed on the back of the lens before it is attached to the camera body. This filter can not be used with artificial strobe or video lights, hence significantly limiting the versatility of the camera on a single dive.
However, once you have committed to ambient shooting, you may custom white balance through the filter in order to get the desired results. Magic Filters work great for this. You can also use the Magic Filter “Auto Magic” and leave the camera’s white balance set to auto, but more accurate results can be achieved by setting your own custom white balance. The good news is that custom white balance is easily set on the a6500. Plus, the system can store up to three different custom white balance settings, which I found very useful while shooting video. With the filter, storing custom white balance settings at 20′, 35′, and 50′ allowed for proper and quick white balance selections at any depth.
Video
The a6500 captures pro quality 4K 30p video at a 100mbps data rate (same codec used in the Sony a7RII and Sony a7S II cameras). When shooting 4K 30p video, the camera records in 6K resolution using a smaller portion of the sensor and then down samples it to 4K resolution. This results in about a 20% smaller crop (common in many cameras) but yields a very sharp video with minimum moire and no pixel binning (pixel binning is designed to reduce noise and improve the signal-to-noise ratio and frame rate but at the expense of resolution). To utilize the full width of the sensor, the a6500 can be shot at 4K 24p. The video quality while shooting 4K is impressive; however, when shooting in 1080p, the results were not nearly as good! I highly recommend shooting in 4K and outputting to 1080p. The video quality is far better! Again, thanks to the Metabones adapter, I was able to shoot wide angle video with the Tokina 10-17mm lens. Even with the 4K cropping factor, I was still able to shoot an underwater angle of coverage of approximately 144 degrees (as opposed to the 180 degree angle of coverage uncropped). The full 180 degree angle of coverage is still possible when shooting 4K 30p with the Canon 8-15mm lens.
The Housing
Ikelite Shutter Trigger Extension
Ikelite has a long history of making high quality housings at a great price point and their new DLM series is no exception. The 200DLM marks a number of upgrades to previous Ikelite housings for mirrorless cameras.
The housing front is no longer clear. It sports a brand new ABS-PC blend (greyish-white matte finish), which provides strength and corrosion free performance. The back cover remains clear so all camera controls are visible. Allowing for easier viewing, these controls are also marked next to the buttons on the back of the housing.
The housing’s ergonomic design fits all hand sizes well. Kudos to Ikelite for a sleek design that allows very easy access to all the functions desired when shooting underwater (white balance, aperture, shutter, ISO, etc). The 200DLM also has two 1/4-20 mounting cleats at the bottom to allow for your favorite camera tray to be used with it.
Overall, the housing is comfortable, small in size, and easy to manipulate underwater. I opted for the Shutter Trigger Extension, which made for easy firing. This is a great add-on when using Ikelite’s Compact Housing Tray as it comfortably allows shutter button access without any need to search or reach for the shutter button.
Vacuum System
Ikelite Vacuum System
Possibly one the best new Ikelite housing updates is their new Vacuum System. In my opinion, this is a must have as it eliminates any anxiety about a housing’s seal integrity! It is add-on option to any Ikelite housing with a 1/2 accessory port. It can also be installed in place of the 1/4-20 top mount featured on all DSLR housings produced since 2009.
The vacuum system is easy to install and use. After the system is assembled for a dive, simply insert the pump into the vacuum valve and pump out the air within the housing until the pressure gauge on the pump reads between 5-10. Let the housing sit a few minutes, and if the pressure has not dropped on the gauge, disconnect the pump and you’re ready to dive. This not only pulls the seals together eliminating any shallow water flood, but it also eliminates the chance of your port being dislodged during an entry.
Strobe Compatibility
Ikelite has always included their standard electrical sync port on their housings to allow TTL lighting with the use of their Ikelite DS series strobes. However, they recognize that there are many lighting options on the market these days and the 200DLM now ships with two optical ports, which accommodate fiber optic TTL compatibility with INON and Sea and Sea strobes too. This is a welcomed addition and easily makes the 200DLM the most versatile mirrorless housing for strobe compatibility that we’ve tested!
As mentioned earlier, when using the fiber optic ports slaving off the a6500’s flash, TTL is compatible with INON and Sea & Sea strobes. There are some advantages and disadvantages when slaving strobes with the a6500. The TTL is quite accurate and you can take advantage of the many manual EV settings on the INON and Sea & Sea strobes. The down side to this is recycle time can become a factor in fast shooting scenarios and the max flash sync is only 1/160. 1/160 is plenty fast enough for the majority of your shots however, getting tight sunball shot with fill flash is a little more difficult. I did find that when connecting the strobes electrically, I was able to acheive a more desireable max flash sync of 1/250. Ikelite DS series strobes are the only choice if you want TTL compatibility with the electrical connection. If you’re using INON Z-240 or Sea & Sea YS-D1/D2 strobes, they can be connected electrically as well to acheive a 1/250 sync however, the strobes must be shot in manual mode.
Sony does not have the lens selection that Olympus/Panasonic has but with the Metabones or Fotodiox adapters Canon APS-C mount lenses can be used. Thankfully, Ikelite has the ports to support any of the lenses you’d want to use underwater with the a6500. While in Socorro, I mainly shot wide angle with the Tokina 10-17. I used the Modular 8 inch Dome with this set-up when I wanted to shoot at the Tokina’s widest zoom (10mm). Unfortunately Ikelite does not have a zoom sleeve for this lens yet so I had to pre-set my focal length and shoot it as a prime lens. Not a big deal…but a zoom sleeve would make this lens much more versatile, especially when shooting it behind the smaller 6″ dome for close focus wide angle shots. Ikelite has stated that a zoom sleeve is in the works. Yeah! I was also able to use the DLM 6-inch Dome Port with Zoom (for the Sony 16-50mm lens) if I set the Tokina 10-17mm to 13mm (Ikelite has a 6″ port specifically for the Tokina 10-17mm that allows the lens to be used at it’s widest setting without vignetting). I like the small dome option because the overall footprint is smaller and much more travel friendly! I also used this port with the Sony 16-50mm and the Canon 18-55mm lens. Zoom sleeves are available for both these lenses, allowing use through the full zoom range.
One port I would like to see Ikelite add to their lineup is a 67mm threaded flat port with zoom control for the 16-50mm lens. This would make the system even more versatile! With the 16-50mm lens behind a flat port, one would be able to shoot from wide to portrait through the zoom range as well as allow for the attachment of wet mount conversion lenses. This setup would offer options for shooting wide angle to macro all on one dive, which would make the system even more flexible and small for remote travel!
Sony 16-50mm lens @ 16mm, ISO 320, F/11, 1/125 sec, two INON Z-240’s at 1/2 power
The Sony a6500 impresses on many levels! Professional 4K video with top quality 24mp still images in a small package. The ability to use Canon APS-C mount lenses, and the easy underwater operation thanks to the FN button, make this camera an easy choice for an underwater photographer. Unfortunately, for the avid videographer, the a6500 may not be considered a home run due to its limiting white balance performance.
Ikelite’s 200DLM housing system for the a6500 is not only built well and ergonomically friendly but it hits a price point that is extremely attractive – and if you are one that cares about service and product support – their customer service is hard to beat as well! The housing is small, robust, and versatile. The DLM200 is able to use Ikelite DS strobes for fast TTL shooting via electrical sync as well as the ability to use INON and Sea & Sea digital TTL strobes! With the addition of their new Vacuum Kit System, and ports to support not only Sony’s 16-50mm, 16-70mm lenses but also Canon APS-C mount lenses such as the Tokina 10-17mm, Canon 8-15mm, and Canon 60mm – this system a meets the mark!
There has been a lot of buzz about the Olympus TG-4 as a great choice for underwater photography. I decided to put it to the test while in Cozumel recently to see if it lives up to the hype!
There is a sea of excellent cameras on the market right now, however, for us to consider a point-n-shoot digital camera to be a great choice for underwater photography, it needs to meet certain criteria beyond being able to take good images. Here’s our nonnegotiable list of requirements in which the TG-4 meets perfectly:
It sounds basic, but there needs to be a housing made for it! Not all cameras can be housed.
The camera needs to be compatible with wet mount conversion lenses.
The camera needs to be able to shoot RAW files.
The camera needs to be able to execute a custom white balance.
The camera must be able to shoot 1080p or 4K HD video.
The camera needs to posses other shooting modes besides AUTO. For example: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual. These modes will allow the shooter to take some control over the camera.
An added benefit to the Olympus TG-4 is its durability and versatility. Even without an underwater housing, it is a waterproof camera! Unhoused, it can be taken snorkeling or diving to depths up to 50′. When the TG-4 is housed, it can be taken to all recreational scuba diving depths and beyond. In addition, the TG-4 is shock proof, crush proof, dust proof, and freeze proof – making it a rugged camera for any vacation or weather!
Performance
The TG-4 is very user friendly and quite intuitive. After spending about 15 minutes with the camera, I was able to quickly identify all the features and functions I deem important for underwater photography. Easy access to these features is extremely beneficial underwater! The battery life is very impressive allowing 380 shots on a charge. I do not take anywhere near that many images on a single dive, so I could easily get two plus dives out of a charge while leaving the camera on the entire dive. The camera’s autofocus is ideally fast and performs exceptionally well in low light with a F/2.0 master lens.
Shooting Stills
The TG-4 is a 16 megapixel camera. Besides jpegs, the TG-4 also shoots RAW files which is advantageous for post editing. Take note that the camera only uses a 1/2.3″ sensor, so it will not compare with DSLR cameras. However, no small sensor point-n-shoot camera will compete with a DSLRs larger sensor. With that said, the image quality is impressive! Sharp with plenty of detail!
OLYMPUS TG-4 w/ INON S-2000 strobe
Another big asset to the TG-4 is it’s “Microscope” mode. This mode allows you to photograph and video subjects that are absurdly close to the lens! Minimum focus is an amazing 1cm! When shooting in this mode, the flash is disabled so strobes will not be compatible; however, a well placed video light works just fine for both stills and videos.
OLYMPUS TG-4 in Microscope mode w/ FIX Neo Mini 1000 lumen video light
Although the TG-4 does not have a Manual mode, it does offer AUTO, Program, Aperture Priority, and two Custom modes. Program and Aperture Priority are very useful underwater – especially with adjustable exposure compensation. Using Aperture Priority and adjusting the exposure compensation made shooting sunball shots a breeze! Albeit, for fast action shooting it would be nice to have full manual or Shutter Priority mode so you could select a faster shutter speed in order to stop motion. As a work around, this can somewhat be accomplished by selecting Underwater Landscape mode. In this mode the camera’s shutter speed often defaults to 1/60 as opposed to 1/30 but being able to select a shutter speed of 1/125 would be ideal.
The TG-4’s custom white balance is very accurate, easy to set, and vital for taking quality ambient light video. The camera’s custom white balance is conveniently “one touch”, which makes white balancing simple when changing depths during a multi-level dive. The camera also allows you to store two custom white balance settings. This is beneficial as well. It allowed me to store one white balance setting at 25′ and another at 45′. This is convenient for switching between the two settings when changing depth. The TG-4 also has an Underwater white balance mode. This setting worked well for depths within 20′.
Wet Mount Lens Options
The TG-4’s inherent lens is fairly wide – 25mm at its widest zoom. It’s great for shooting fish portraits as well as shooting subjects as large as sharks and turtles. However, if you desire to shoot scenics, shipwrecks, whale sharks, etc., a wide angle conversion lens is necessary. TG-4 compatible wide angle wet mount conversion lenses are available from FIX, INON, Olympus, and Nauticam. Olympus has the FCON-T01 fisheye conversion ($139.95) lens that attaches directly to the TG-4 for snorkelers. For Scuba divers, I found the FIX UWL-28M52 ($399) to be the best option for the money. This lens let’s you execute 165 degree wide angle images and is sharp corner to corner. Another great lens is INON’s UFL-M150 ZM80 Micro Fisheye Lens ($220 + $48 for M52-M67 adapter). This lens allows you to shoot creative and unique perspectives from circular fisheye images to wide angle macro images. It’s a blast to use!
Video mode is delightfully easy to use. It’s format is 1080/30p HD video and basically point-n-shoot; however, the TG-4 will keep the exposure compensation value and the custom white balance that was set in Program or Aperture Priority mode. This is an advantage as it helps to avoid blowing out highlights and allows deep colors to come through without requiring an underwater filter.
The video below has three sections of clips to show the perspective captured with the TG-4’s standard lens with custom white balance, a wide angle lens with custom white balance, and standard lens with a small video light. The video clips coloring is un-edited and straight from the TG-4.
Housings
As previously mentioned, the TG-4 is waterproof to 50′. This is great for snorkelers; however, divers will want to house this camera. Ikelite, Nauticam, and Olympus all make great housings for the TG-4. I was able to shoot the TG-4 in both the Ikelite & Olympus housing while on the trip. Both performed well, were easy to use, and allowed use of the wet mount lenses. Although I did not test the Nauticam housing on my trip, all three housings have optical ports on them so all are compatible with INON and Sea & Sea digital TTL strobes. I found myself favoring the Ikelite housing a little more than the Olympus. It’s more robust, has a 67mm threaded port, 200′ depth rating, and it is easier to service when the time comes. Both housings retail at $299. If a more rugged housing and greater depth rating is desired, the Nauticam is the best choice. However, keep in mind, the Nauticam is aluminum, as opposed to polycarbonate, and comes with a much higher price tag of $800.
Olympus, Ikelite, and Nauticam housings for Olympus TG-4
Accessories
The TG-4 camera allows the essentials that an underwater camera needs: the ability to use wet mount conversion lenses and S-TTL or DS-TTL strobes from INON and Sea & Sea. These accessories provide the photographer with all the tools needed to get magazine-quality images and eye popping video.
Summary
After spending a week with the TG-4, I was very impressed with how well the camera performed! The camera was easy to use, intuitive, and versatile. Image quality is sharp, auto focus is fast, custom white balance is accurate, Microscope mode is amazing, and the battery life is impressive! If your in the market for a great all-around camera that won’t break the bank, the Olympus TG-4 – at only $379 – is a great choice!
Pros
Olympus TG-4 camera ($379) with housing ($679)
Fast auto focus
Industry leading macro in “Microscope” mode
Long battery life
Compatible with a variety of wet mount conversion lenses
Shoots RAW files
Compatible with optical strobes for INON STTL and Sea & Sea DS-TTL
May 18 – Ice Breaker 6:00pm at Elm Creek Brewery
The Camera
