I have never had a set up like my new Nautican NA6400 plus WWL-1 (and Inon UWL100+dome) and I knew in advance it would be heavy both in and out of the water. My previous UW camera rigs leaving out home made stuff going back to around 1974 has been a Nikonos and then a Nikonos III (strobes plus 28mm and 35mm lens) with tray, Ikelite "Bubble" and dome port with Nikon FM SLR and then an Ikelite with Olympus 5050, followed Ikelite with Canon A570 and finally a FIX housing with Canon S90. The later three used with a variety of wet lenses and strobes including the all glass Inon UWL100+dome. All three of these could get a little heavy and front heavy with the Inon glass lens but nothing I could not deal with.
My couch potato rough calculations indicate the new rig could be as much as 34 ounces negative (not counting strobes and arms etc.) and with the WWL-1 float collar installed about 18 ounces negative. I can probably deal with the 18 ounces (float collar installed) but 34 ounces, probably not. The WWL-1 float collar is a nice chunk of foam and I will employ it but what if I do not want to install it? Or forget it?
Basically, my question is, for UW photogs with negative rigs, what solutions are being employed to reduce UW weight? I see float arms, float collars (for lenses) and various pieces of foam tied around. I kind of want something that looks professional (even though I am not) and is easy to set up and transport. Any ideas appreciated. Thanks.
James
My couch potato rough calculations indicate the new rig could be as much as 34 ounces negative (not counting strobes and arms etc.) and with the WWL-1 float collar installed about 18 ounces negative. I can probably deal with the 18 ounces (float collar installed) but 34 ounces, probably not. The WWL-1 float collar is a nice chunk of foam and I will employ it but what if I do not want to install it? Or forget it?
Basically, my question is, for UW photogs with negative rigs, what solutions are being employed to reduce UW weight? I see float arms, float collars (for lenses) and various pieces of foam tied around. I kind of want something that looks professional (even though I am not) and is easy to set up and transport. Any ideas appreciated. Thanks.
James