Underwater Camera Recommendations from Team Salt Life
Freediving and SCUBA diving are arguably two of the most mesmerizing water-based sports. Each can be life-changing activities for first timers as well as experienced professionals. For experienced divers and those leading amateurs on their first adventure beneath the surface, having a solid underwater camera can be a huge benefit. It enables you to capture your experience and can also be used as training material as you progress in the sport.
So in that spirit, we went to the greatest source for professional diving gear recommendations - team Salt Life. Here’s what they had to say about the underwater cameras they use when exploring the ocean.
Cameron Kirkconnell
Cameron Kirkconnell is a professional diver and holder of 18 personal spearfishing world records. He has also assisted in 25 spearfishing world records for his clients! It’s safe to say Cameron knows a thing or two about how to dive, especially without an air tank.
When it comes to underwater cameras, Cameron recommends the GoPro Black Hero. This is his go-to camera for filming underwater due to its high ease of use and great video quality. It’s compact, rugged, and able to hold up to the test of time and the ocean. The accessories for this camera are inexpensive, and it beats out the video quality of other underwater cameras in its class.
A GoPro Black Hero will run you between $350 and $500, depending on where you buy and if you can land one on sale. The full accessories bundle will run another $400 - $660, also depending on when and where you make your purchase.
Chris Gillette
As a predatory animal behaviorist, Chris Gillette has an interesting day job. It’s certainly not one that many have (props to you if you know another predatory animal behaviorist), and it leads him all over the world to study and capture these wild predators. He works primarily with alligators, crocodiles, sharks, and snakes, which means he’s studying and filming both on land and underwater. Chris’ underwater photography has been featured on and in some heavy hitting networks and publications including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, The History Channel, NatGeo, CNN, and countless other travel, adventure, and animal media outlets.
Needless to say, Chris only trusts the highest quality underwater camera to capture his subjects. In his case, that camera is the Canon 90D. It features a big, durable, and secure housing and is capable of shooting high quality footage at deep depths. It can also take abuse. If you’re traveling with your camera, Chris recommends an Outex housing because it’s extremely lightweight and can be easily transported.
Owning a professional-grade underwater camera isn’t cheap. The Canon 90D will cost you a solid $1200, but you may be able to find one on sale or used if you’re willing to do some searching. Regardless, Chris says it’s worth every penny.
Shawn Jackson
Shawn Jackson is a professional underwater photographer and lifelong SCUBA diver. His goal is to use the medium of fine art to connect people (even those who don't spend time underwater) to the underwater world in the hopes of increasing awareness and understanding. His hope is that, as more people see the beauty and mystery of the world beneath the waves, more will be invested in protecting it. Shawn dives regularly with sharks and other large underwater species, but is equally happy photographing the tiny creatures that inhabit the reef. His work has been featured in countless publications like SCUBA Diving and Sport Diver, as well as in galleries around the world. He serves as the official photographer for the Roatan Marine Park (with which Salt Life partners in conservation efforts) and is also the Salt Life team photographer, photographing the Salt Life team members both above and below the surface.
Because photography is his profession, he is more partial to professional DSLR cameras used with housings in order to capture underwater images in a fine art capacity. Jackson favors a number of Nikon cameras and pairs them with the Ikelite Underwater Systems housings (for which he is a brand ambassador). Nikon DSLR cameras can range in price from $3,000 - $6,000, and Ikelite housings for these models run $1,800 - $2,000 plus ports and additional strobes. Shawn is quick to point out that those hoping to venture into the world of underwater photography should first perfect their SCUBA diving skills as perfect buoyancy is necessary before adding large amounts of camera gear. Starting with cameras and housings before you're ready as a diver can lead you to accidentally damage the reef or yourself.
Take Your Best Shot
We love to see people living their best Salt Life. So if you’re snapping photos or shooting underwater footage, send your work our way by tagging us on Instagram @RealSaltLife. We look forward to seeing you out there diving and exploring the beauty of the ocean!