If you're new to underwater photography, you may be confused by all the different components all being sold separately. In general though, most users will only need a handful of components, and many parts are unlikely to be required and are available for users who are attempting to make more unusual set-ups.
Basic lighting set-ups usually require the following components:
- Tray with handles
- Handle mounts
- Clamps
- Arms
- Lighting mounts
Note: Some housings come with handles and ball mounts and most lights/strobes come with mounts. Check the documentation for the specific product you want to use.
Which ones you require depend on the brand and type of light/tray you're using. Let's break it down!
Tray and Handles: Which mounts to use
We sell a few different trays. Which handle mounts you require will depend on the tray and/or handles you're using. Below are the most common ball mounts for each type of tray/handles we sell.
Other types of mounts (ie, YS mounts and T-Plate mounts) are less common but also available if you require them.
If your tray or handle is not featured below, we may still be able to find an appropriate mount for you - contact us and ask.
| Ikelite Tray / Handles | Inon Tray | Nauticam Flexitray | Nauticam Housing Handles |
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Use: Ikelite 1-inch Ball Mount Mark II for Quick Release Handle #4081.31 |
Use: Inon Direct Base III
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Use: Nauticam Strobe Mount Ball for Easitray and Flexitray #71311 |
Use: Nauticam Strobe Mounting Ball for Handle with Screws #25111 |
| Other options: yes, Extended Mount #4081.3 | Other options: yes, many | Other options: yes, many | Other options: yes, but 2 x #25111 are included w housings |
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Note: the tops of Nauticam Flexitray handles and Nauticam housing handles are the same, but the housing handles come with an additional part installed in the handle top - #25518 Accessory mounting base for handle with screws. Nauticam housings also include handle brackets not pictured above.
Arms and Clamps
Clamps
We sell three brands of clamp: Inon, Ultralight and Nauticam.
The left column in the below table is the most commonly-used clamp for each brand.
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| Inon Clamp III | ||||
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| Ultralight Clamp AC-CSF | Ultralight Triple Clamp AC-TCS | Ultralight Long Clamp AC-CSB | Ultralight Extra Long Clamp AC-CSL | |
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| Nauticam Standard Clamp #72501 | Nauticam Triple Clamp #72505 | Nauticam Long Standard Clamp #72503 | Nauticam Multi-purpose (MP) clamp with shackle #72502 | Nauticam Long Multi-Purpose (MP) Clamp with Shackle #72504 |
Note: Ultralight products have a lifetime warranty.
Standard Clamps (the left-most column on the above table) are mostly used with regular double ball arms.
Long Clamps and Extra Long Clamps are typically used for joining two float arms. Alternatively, they are also sometimes used without arms for mounting lights or monitors.
Triple Clamps and MP Clamps are typically used for adding a third part. In the case of the Triple Clamp, that means three balls can be joined at once.
In the case of the MP Clamp, a special Strobe Mounting Ball #72511 or Light Mounting Stem #72512 (a YS version) can be attached at the auxillary mount (where the shackle is fastened in the above pics) to allow another attachment at the joint. Unlike a Triple Clamp, this means that your third attachment doesn't loosen when you loosen your clamp, making it more sturdy. These can also be used to attach lanyards.
Arms
Arms come in a few different varieties. The most common type is double ball arms. The runner-up in this category is buoyancy arms, for those looking to offset the weight of their system underwater.
Note: We recommend using two arm sections per side for maximum maneuverability. This requires three clamps (assuming a ball mount on your light).
Other notable but less commonly-used arm types include: Single ball arms, Multi-ball arms, and Telescopic arms.
Double Ball Arms
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We like Inon Stick Arms for their small size and light weight.
Float Arms / Buoyancy Arms
Used to offset the weight of your rig. Sea Tech stocks Inon, Ultralight and Nauticam buoyancy arms.
Note: Other buoyancy products, such as buoyancy collars, and buoyancy rings, as well as the ever-popular StiX floats, which are designed to fit onto Ultralight-style double ball arms, are also available. If you're looking into buoyancy, we suggest you visit our buoyancy collection.
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Inon Float Arms are 52mm diameter
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Inon Mega Float Arms 97mm diameter
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Diameter 2" (50.8mm)
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Nauticam Carbon Fibre Aluminium Float Arms
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Diameter 50mm
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Diameter 70mm
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Diameter 90mm
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Lighting mount
There are two main types of lighting mount: YS mount and 1" ball mount. Many lights will provide both. It is not uncommon for strobes to provide neither, and for these pieces to be sold separately. Check the documentation for the individual light/strobe to see whether one, both or neither are provided.
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| YS mount on an X-Adventurer M7000 | Ball mount on a Bigblue CB7200P |
Note: X-Adventurer lights usually also include ball mounts as well as YS.
If you have a choice, Sea Tech recommends 1" ball mount over YS mount. Ball mounts provide more freedom of movement compared to YS Mounts.
If your light only comes with a YS mount but you want to use double ball arms and clamps, YS adapters are available, or you can keep your YS mount and use a single ball arm.
The final result
Important! Remember to point your clamp handles so they'll be facing towards you when you're shooting underwater. This makes it easier to adjust them.
Pictured above:
- Nauticam Flexitray with Left Handle #71207,
- Nauticam Strobe mount ball for Easitray and Flexitray #71311,
- 3 x Ultralight Clamps AC-CSF and
- 2 x Ultralight DB-05 Double Ball Arms
- The attached light is an X-Adventurer M2500 WSRBA with a ball mount.
Note: Strobes also require either Electronic Sync Cords or Fibre Optic Cables for operation. They may also require special adapters. If you're unsure, just ask.
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