4 Essential Waterproof Camera Accessories

If you find yourself taking a lot of pictures near or on the water (or even underneath the water), then there’s a good chance you’ve already invested in a waterproof camera. Cameras designed for underwater use are often much more reliable – and produce better quality images – than ordinary cameras adapted for underwater use using waterproof cases.

But even with a high quality waterproof camera, there are still plenty of accessories that you can use to make your pictures look even better. Some of these accessories are highly specialized, though, so it’s important to take an honest look at how you actually use your camera before you spend any money on accessories.

1. Float Strap

If you tend to use your waterproof camera to take pictures while you stay on or above the surface (such as when boating or sea kayaking), then you might want to consider buying a float strap. A float strap attaches to your camera like any other wrist or shoulder strap, but is made of materials that have a very high buoyancy. This means that if you ever drop your camera into the water, the float strap will keep it from sinking.

2. Lighting Elements

If you find yourself taking lots of photos underwater, then you might want to consider getting yourself a lighting element. There are a number of different types of underwater lighting accessories, including flashes, steady lights and flash diffusers. In contrast to normal outdoor photographs in daylight, where a full range of visible light is available, water absorbs the red and yellow portions of the visible light spectrum, leaving most items under water looking too blue or blue green.

Even with the brightest sun directly overhead, once you go deep enough underwater you will need a supplemental flash or supplemental steady light source to illuminate the subject of your photograph. Flash diffusers can take your illumination sophistication a step further by preventing washed out images of things located close to the flash.

3. Underwater Lenses

As with traditional cameras, many models and types of underwater camera have their own types of specialized lenses. Among the most popular types of lenses for underwater cameras are wide angle lenses that allow for pictures of wide underwater seascapes. Before purchasing any lens, of course, make sure it’s appropriate both for the intended use as well as for your particular model of camera.

4. Buoyancy Control

Just because your waterproof camera is capable of taking pictures underwater, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be easy for you to handle. You can add small weights to your camera to adjust its buoyancy, and make it easier for you to control while you are taking pictures underwater.

Use your camera usage habits as a guideline to help you determine what types of accessories are best suited for your waterproof camera.