News
Go Diving Show 2024 Exhibitor Showcase
The Go Diving Show has quickly emerged as the top live event for scuba divers based in the UK, covering an expansive area of 10,000 square meters filled with captivating activities and displays. Featuring the latest innovations in diving gear, scenic travel destinations, and the very best training resources, the Go Diving Show provides the ideal forum for divers of all levels to indulge and enrich their love for exploring beneath the waves.
Go Diving Show 2024 takes place on the weekend of 2-3 March at NAEC Stoneleigh Park, Coventry. Attendees can anticipate a professional, immersive, and educational experience, crafted to facilitate networking and knowledge-sharing within the global diving community.
Some of the world’s biggest diving brands will be exhibiting at Go Diving Show. Here we throw the spotlight on some of the exhibitors who will be attending the event and explore some of the special show deals they have to offer.
OTTER DRYSUITS
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 112
Email: sales@drysuits.co.uk / Web: www.otterwatersports.uk / Telephone: 01274 379480
Visit us on stand #112 in Hall 2 and discover for yourself why Otter Drysuits are the choice of diving explorers worldwide. The result of years of development and unrivalled experience, our award-winning suits are renowned for their quality, fit and durability. Available either made-to-measure or in a full set of standard sizes, we offer a range of materials including membrane (trilaminate), neoprene and now the incredibly tough Kevlar.
We offer every possible option on our drysuits – from multiple valve positions to pee valves and field-changeable neck and wrist seals. With each suit made entirely by one single craftsperson, we work closely with our customers to provide a customised suit at an outstanding price. As our many customers across the globe will attest, our reputation for quality, value and customer service is second to none.
Email: sales@drysuits.co.uk / Web: www.otterwatersports.uk / Telephone: 01274 379480
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
ALPHAMARINE PHOTOGRAPHY
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 308
Email: info@alphamarinephoto.com / Web: www.alphamarinephoto.com / Telephone: 0800 234 3350
Alphamarine Photography run underwater photography workshops in the UK and overseas and provide online courses in underwater photography and photo editing. We also sell a wide range of underwater photography brands and offer personalised advice to help you find the right equipment for your needs and budget. Our experience covers using any equipment from basic compact cameras up to high-end mirrorless setups. As well as being on a stand at the show the owners of the company Anne and Phil Medcalf will be speaking on the Photo Stage on Sunday and Phil is running two free workshops each day.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offer
Until the end of March, if you spend £500 or more buying underwater photography equipment from us, you’ll receive 6 months free access to one of our recorded online courses. You can choose from underwater photography courses for users of Olympus/OM System TG, compact or mirrorless/DSLR cameras or an editing course in using Adobe Lightroom Classic and aspects of Photoshop.
Email: info@alphamarinephoto.com / Web: www.alphamarinephoto.com / Telephone: 0800 234 3350
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
WRECKSPEDITIONS DIVE CHARTERS
Show Location: Hall 1 – Stand 764
Email: dive@wreckspeditions.com / Web: www.wreckspeditions.com / Telephone: 01369 703477 / 07593 088816
We are Wreckspeditions, a dive charter based in the beautiful town of Dunoon, 1 hour west from Glasgow including a short ferry across the Clyde. Surrounded by wilderness, adventure and phenomenal scenery, it sets the scene for what we can offer you.
We offer some of the best Scottish wreck and scenic diving with a variety of all-year-round sites tailored for all experiences throughout the Clyde. From massive in tact wrecks dating back to early 1800s to glorious walls and rocky reefs, we’ve got you covered.
If you fancy organising your next diving adventure with us then why not get in touch or simply book with us now!
Go Diving Show 2024 special offer
Book a dive charter with us and receive a free Clyde shipwreck map (A1) for you and your dive buddies so you can tick them off as you go!
Email: dive@wreckspeditions.com / Web: www.wreckspeditions.com / Telephone: 01369 703477 / 07593 088816
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
EASY DIVERS
Show Location: PADI Village – P3
Email: info@easydiversnorthdevon.co.uk / Web: www.easydiversnorthdevon.co.uk / Telephone: 07833 020424
There is a unique discount code for Go Diving Show visitors when you visit our stand. Look forward to meeting you soon!
MASTER LIVEABOARDS
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 312
Email: dive@masterliveaboards.com / Web: masterliveaboards.com / Telephone: 0208 099 2230
Master Liveaboards was founded to provide an unsurpassed liveaboard diving experience, delivered to you by one of the most experienced teams in the liveaboard diving industry. It all began with the Siren Fleet in 2006 in Thailand. Destinations including the Philippines, Palau, and Indonesia were added in short succession. Then, in 2015, Galapagos Master was added, beginning the Master Liveaboards name. Since then, Truk Lagoon, Bahamas, Solomons Islands, and Bikini Atoll have all been added to the roster. Recently, Master Liveaboards took over the sales and operations of the Blue O Two vessels in the Red Sea and Maldives.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
Master Liveaboards will have some fantastic deals across the fleet for departures in 2024 and beyond. Come and see the team to plan your next liveaboard diving holiday.
Email: dive@masterliveaboards.com / Web: masterliveaboards.com / Telephone: 0208 099 2230
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
TIARE CRUISE
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 46
Email: reservation@tiarecruise.com / Web: www.tiarecruise.com / Telephone: +62 811-386-586
Welcome to Tiaré, a luxurious yet traditional Indonesian Phinisi that will take you on a journey of discovery to some of the most stunning diving spots in the world.
Experience diving in the rich waters of the Indonesian archipelago and meet people from the many different cultures on the diverse Indonesian islands that you would never have the opportunity to see while staying in more tourist-heavy areas.
There is also a separate diving deck with hot water showers to warm up after a night dive.
Tiaré offers a spectacular experience for divers as well as non-divers, with bright airy cabins, spacious bathrooms and a large front deck where you can socialize, eat under the stars or just relax in the Indonesian sunshine.
All indoor and outdoor living areas, decks, and cabins are made with antique teak salvaged from old Joglos, which not only gives the feel of “real Indonesia”, but has helped to reduce the use of Indonesia’s disappearing rainforests.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
We are offering an exclusive 10% discount on trips at Go Diving Show.
Email: reservation@tiarecruise.com / Web: www.tiarecruise.com / Telephone: +62 811-386-586
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
CUSTOM DIVERS
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 416
Email: info@customdivers.com / Web: www.customdivers.com / Telephone: 01737 773000
Custom Divers has a proven track record in the diving industry, serving major clients, including military applications, as an approved supplier with an NCAGE code. The company’s equipment is globally utilized in technical, sports, and commercial markets, contributing to numerous world records. Beyond their own brand, Custom Divers designs and manufactures equipment for other industry leaders. With a passion for product design, a problem-solving approach, and robust engineering expertise, they guide clients from idea development to product delivery. Offering value for money, the company excels in turning ideas into successful products, providing comprehensive services from concept to production.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
Visit Custom Divers to benefit from special show discounts on our extensive range of high quality diving equipment along with our ever-popular S40 wing system. Everyone loves the adaptability and features of the S40 which grows with you and your diving requirements and is suitable for use from single tank, twin tanks to rebreather.
We will also be launching a fantastic new and unique product we’ve been working tirelessly on, and we can’t wait to share the news with you.
Email: info@customdivers.com / Web: www.customdivers.com / Telephone: 01737 773000
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
SEAS4LIFE SAFARIS
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand N1
Email: info@seas4life.com / Web: www.seas4life.com / Telephone: +254723639640
Seas4life is an African based sea safari operator with a presence in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa and Seychelles. Through our team of experts our clients are connected to marine conservation in each of our transformational dive experiences, some of which include diving with Manta Rays and Sailfish, Outer Islands, Seychelles; Sardine Run and Sharks, Shark Research Unit, South Africa; Sea turtles and corals, Kenya; Zanzibar to Mafia islands via Latham island, known for its pelagics, Tanzania.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
2. Stone town via Latham to Mafia Island
3. Pemba Island to Stone Town
4. Africa Media Photography and Videography Course
Africa Media Photography Course
Africa Media Videography Course
5. Sea Turtles and South coast Kenya (enquire at show)
Email: info@seas4life.com / Web: www.seas4life.com / Telephone: +254723639640
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
OYSTER DIVING HOLIDAYS
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 244
Email: holidays@oysterdiving.com / Web: www.oysterdiving.com / Telephone: 0800 699 0243
SEA THE WORLD
With Oyster Diving
Oyster Diving offer holidays to all of the world’s most famous diving destinations. Whether you are looking to dive with Hammerheads in the Bahamas, enjoy a shark week on a luxury Red Sea liveaboard, we are able to put together the holiday you are looking for.
As members of the TTA and holding our own ATOL, you can also be sure your money is secure.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
Horizon 3 – £300 off Maldives Liveaboard February 2024
Scuba Scene – 30% off departing between March 1-August 31 2024 and 10% early booking discount for 2025 bookings. Confirm with deposit by April 15 2024
Email: holidays@oysterdiving.com / Web: www.oysterdiving.com / Telephone: 0800 699 0243
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
O’THREE
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 332
Email: sales@othree.co.uk / Web: www.othree.co.uk / Telephone: +44 (0) 1305 822820
Join us on stand 332 for an extra exciting show this year as O’Three is celebrating 35 years of making great Drysuits, Wetsuits and Neoprene Accessories.
We will have all our suits available to see and try on, from our latest suit the O’Three 90Ninety Tri-lam, to our workhorse Port10 we have suits to fit your diving style and budget.
The O’Three team will be on hand to help and take any measurements needed to create that perfect fit drysuit, ‘Made to Measure’ or our ‘Off the Peg, Made to Fit’ service will guarantee you ‘Come in from the Cold’.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
To commemorate our 35 years we will be offering a massive 35% off all our Base Layers when bought with a new O’Three Drysuit at the show. We will also be offering our limited edition 03-35 t-shirts at two for £35.00.
Email: sales@othree.co.uk / Web: www.othree.co.uk / Telephone: +44 (0) 1305 822820
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
ROOTS RED SEA
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 408
Email: info@rootsredsea.com / Web: www.rootsredsea.com / Telephone: 0020106540900
Roots Red Sea, the multi award winning divers destination in the Red Sea, will be showcasing their new for 2024, SPLASH RED SEA – FAMILY SUMMER CAMP! Daily water programme of Snorkelling, Free Diving and Scuba Diving, for all ages and all abilities, total beginners to experienced divers.
Have fun, adventure and excitement as a family or leave the kids with the SPLASH RED SEA team while you relax or go diving! Make it a 2 week adventure and join the special Big Blue Family Liveaboard Safari to Fury Shoals with guaranteed dolphin encounters.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offer
Book a Big Blue Liveaboard Safari at the show and we pay your onboard taxes, a saving of up to €175. Offer strictly limited to new bookings placed with deposit paid at the show. Come along and check out what trips are available.
Email: info@rootsredsea.com / Web: www.rootsredsea.com / Telephone: 0020106540900
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
AP DIVING
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 410
Email: info@apdiving.com / Web: www.apdiving.com / Telephone: 01326 561040
AP Diving began life over 54 years ago as a small family business. Today we are an award-winning internationally respected dive manufacturer with a legacy of pioneering and landmark products – from the AP Valve, the TEKWING and the COMMANDO BCD range to the constantly evolving and world-beating, closed circuit rebreather – the INSPIRATION CCR. Our mission has always been to help divers dive better, explore further, stay longer, and enjoy the adventure. Come and see us at Go Diving 2024 to chat with the engineers, divers and designers who can help take your diving to the next level.
Email: info@apdiving.com / Web: www.apdiving.com / Telephone: 01326 561040
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
SSI – SCUBA SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 412
Email: gbr@divessi.com / Web: www.divessi.com / Telephone: 01539 790205
Scuba Schools International (SSI) was established in 1970 with the vision of making it possible for anyone to learn how to dive safely. Today, SSI is the world’s largest professional business-based training agency, with 3,500+ Training Centres and over 100,000 SSI Professionals.
For over 50 years, SSI has provided high-quality training programs for Recreational Scuba, Extended Range, Freediving, Mermaid, Swim, and Lifeguard from beginner to Instructor Trainer levels. With digital and printed materials available in more than 40 languages in over 3,500 international SSI Training Centre and Resort locations, SSI enables people to experience the underwater world across the globe.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offer
WIN A MARES SXS 62X AND A DIGITAL SSI DECOMPRESSION DIVING KIT
Visit us on stand 412, DOWNLOAD or Show THE SSI OR MARES APP TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PRIZE DRAW!
The prize will be drawn at 3.30 pm on each day of the fair at the MARES & SSI stand. Only competition cards that have been completed and handed in on the day in question can take part.
Email: gbr@divessi.com / Web: www.divessi.com / Telephone: 01539 790205
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
MARES
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 412
Email: contact@mares.com / Web: www.mares.com / Telephone: 01539 790205
75 years of diving excellence – Since 1949 Mares has been a world leader in the manufacturing and global distribution of dive products. Ludovico Mares founded Mares due to his desire to share his extreme passion for the sea with the rest of the world. Mares has grown from humble beginnings into the world’s leading dive equipment manufacturer. This passion still drives the spirit of Mares on the relentless quest for innovation, reliability, the best technology and state of the art performance.
Our mission is to enjoy diving with advanced performance through superior technology.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offer
WIN A MARES SXS 62X AND A DIGITAL SSI DECOMPRESSION DIVING KIT
Visit us on stand 412, DOWNLOAD or Show THE SSI OR MARES APP TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PRIZE DRAW!
The prize will be drawn at 3.30 pm on each day of the fair at the MARES & SSI stand. Only competition cards that have been completed and handed in on the day in question can take part.
Email: contact@mares.com / Web: www.mares.com / Telephone: 01539 790205
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
THE SCUBA PLACE
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 63
Email: hello@thescubaplace.co.uk / Web: www.thescubaplace.co.uk / Telephone: 0203 515 9955
We are expert dive travel agents, specialising in creating custom-built itineraries, introducing you to off the beaten track destinations, and managing dive club, group and school travel. With over 15 year’s experience in doing what we do, we know our destinations personally, we know diving, and we know travel.
Most importantly, we know how to focus on understanding and providing what our Clients want – the smallest of details are often the most important. We are so confident in our ability to deliver excellence that we even host our own trips several times each year. Our flight inclusive itineraries are ATOL Protected.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offer
Puerto Galera, Philippines: The highest concentration of marine life on the planet! Muck, reef, drift, wreck and shark diving. Flights, baggage, transfers, 9 nights in resort, full board accommodation with gourmet food at an on-the-beach location. 3 amazing boat dives per day in the Coral Triangle, night dives every night plus a three-tank excursion to Verde Island for some excellent wall diving. FROM £1999 per person! ATOL Protected. Why would you go anywhere else?
Email: hello@thescubaplace.co.uk / Web: www.thescubaplace.co.uk / Telephone: 0203 515 9955
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
DIVE WORLDWIDE
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 216
Email: reservations@diveworldwide.com / Web: www.diveworldwide.com / Telephone: 01962 302087
With over 20 years of experience, our friendly team of dive experts search the globe for the finest diving and snorkelling destinations. Tailor-made and small group diving adventures plus unique UK access to world-class liveaboard charters.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
Visit our stand to find out!
Email: reservations@diveworldwide.com / Web: www.diveworldwide.com / Telephone: 01962 302087
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
REGAL DIVE
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 216
Email: info@regaldive.co.uk / Web: www.regal-diving.co.uk / Telephone: 01353 659999
Organising quality scuba diving holidays since 1988, Regaldive offers liveaboard and resort-based holidays to more than 25 top diving destinations worldwide and specialises in the Red Sea.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
Visit our stand to find out!
Email: info@regaldive.co.uk / Web: www.regal-diving.co.uk / Telephone: 01353 659999
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
BUNAKEN OASIS DIVE RESORT & SPA
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 144
Email: georgie.bartlett@bunakenoasis.com / Web: www.bunakenoasis.com / Telephone: 07557105593
Welcome to Bunaken Oasis, an idyllic retreat on Bunaken Island, Indonesia’s marine paradise. Dive into vibrant coral reefs steps from your door or relax in luxurious accommodations. With world-class diving, exquisite dining, and personalised service.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offers
Stay 7, Pay 5! May 18th – June 2024. Or 7 Nights, Price of 6 until May 2025. Ask at the booth for more information. Book by end of March 2024.
Email: georgie.bartlett@bunakenoasis.com / Web: www.bunakenoasis.com / Telephone: 07557105593
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
PRODIVERS MALDIVES
Show Location: PADI Village – Stand P7
Email: info@prodivers.com / Web: www.prodivers.com / Telephone: +960 662 0337
Embark on an extraordinary underwater adventure with our distinguished dive centre in the Maldives, boasting a rich legacy of over 35 years. As a PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, we curate an immersive experience for all levels, from beginners all the way to those aspiring to become PADI Instructors.
Our Dive centres serve as a gateway to a marine wonderland in both Lhaviyani and South Ari Atolls. Picture yourself gliding alongside turtles, encountering whale sharks, and swimming with manta rays. For the adventurous souls, our dive centre introduces the exhilarating world of scooter diving, the perfect way to see the action packed channel ways teeming with sharks, rays, and big fish life.
SEA & SEA LIMITED
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 510
Email: david.millin@sea-sea.com / Web: www.sea-sea.com / Telephone: 01803 663012
Sea & Sea LTD was established in 1979 and is the UK’s leading independent distributor of underwater photography equipment, recreational and technical diving gear.
We carry a strong variety of brands and offer high calibre equipment to all divers across the country through our extensive network of stockists. Sea & Sea LTD also supply a comprehensive range of quality products to the military, emergency services and industrial sectors.
We are committed to supplying quality service with constant improvement and are an ISO 9001: 2015 accredited company.
Our aim is to be able to fully kit out a diver with equipment which provides confidence. From cold water diving in Iceland, to warm water diving in the Maldives we can supply you with formidable kit, whatever your needs.
Here at Sea & Sea LTD we offer some of the most advanced underwater strobes in the world along with tried, trusted and ergonomic camera housing systems. If you are a recreational diver whose just learnt to dive, we do just the brands like Oceanic, Zeagle, IST and Orca. Maybe you are a technical diver and want new kit, the proficient technical brands are Dive Rite and Hollis.
For the most serious life challenging conditions, reliable gear is a must. We always provide what you need to get the job done.
Email: david.millin@sea-sea.com / Web: www.sea-sea.com / Telephone: 01803 663012
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
TDI – SDI
Show Location: Hall 2 – Stand 422
Email: david.millin@sea-sea.com / Web: www.sea-sea.com / Telephone: 01803 663012
TDI
TDI is the leader in technical diving and has been since 1994. TDI offers a wide choice of programs available to continue your technical dive training.
TDI is the largest technical certification agency in the world. As one of the first agencies to provide training in mixed gas diving and rebreathers, TDI is seen as an innovator of new diving techniques and programs which previously were not available to the public. Training with TDI has provided divers with the opportunity to see such wrecks as the Andrea Doria, Lusitania and the Prince of Wales. TDI divers have explored underwater caves in Spain, Australia and Mexico and assisted as support divers on world record freedives done in the Red Sea.
SDI
Unlock the door to the underwater world with the SDI Open Water Scuba Diving certification, your first step into scuba diving freedom. Learn online at your place, develop skills in the pool and experience the thrill of open-water dives, as you earn a passport to dive the globe.
Email: david.millin@sea-sea.com / Web: www.sea-sea.com / Telephone: 01803 663012
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
XDEEP / SEAL / KISS / NAUTILUS
Show Location: Hall 1 – Stand 838
Email: info@nautilus.uk / Web: www.nautilus.uk / Telephone: +44 (0) 333 444 0104
For over a decade XDEEP has innovated in the scuba industry sector and evolved into a manufacturer reknowned for cutting edge design and development. Born from the need to explore, the design and implementation of advanced exploration equipment has made its way into the recreational and technical diving arena, much as Formula 1 motorsport. Now each product is recognised as ground breaking in its design and being the most effective in its class. Premium components and the most advanced manufacturing techniques mean reliability is second to none whilst retaining both function and form.
Go Diving Show 2024 special offer
Free t-shirt with every wing purchased!
Email: info@nautilus.uk / Web: www.nautilus.uk / Telephone: +44 (0) 333 444 0104
BOOK TICKETS TO GO DIVING SHOW HERE
News
Excerpts from Jeff Goodman’s Book Action Camera Underwater Video Basics, Part 1 of 6: Choosing a Camera
Unlike DSLR or dedicated video models, action cameras are far easier to choose and understand. One of the joys of these small devices is that they can produce excellent quality results in their full auto mode even if you have no prior knowledge about video or photography. Other than the positioning or mounting of the camera there seems to be very little else for you to do except press ‘record’ and sooner or later ‘stop.’ However, this does put the camera and the technicians who created it in full control of how it shoots the scene or action that you are filming. the camera is making the decisions for you. this can work pretty well, but does not always produce the best possible results. these cameras are remarkably clever, but alas not intelligent enough to know what it is exactly you are trying to achieve. So with just a little extra knowledge you will be able to choose the right gear, take control of the settings and create video and photos much more to your own design.
A very basic rule is that you get what you pay for. So the more expensive the camera then the more options and add-ons you would expect to be available. At the time of writing, top-of-the-line cameras can cost upwards of £300 (roughly $400) whereas a lower end model may come in at £20–100 ($25–130) and do the required job reasonably well. Let’s look at the basic requirements and discuss additional features which will make your video life far easier and more rewarding.
They will also govern the overall quality of your video. If you don’t already have a camera these are some of the optimal things to look for.
Screen
Most action cameras have a screen so you can see exactly what you are filming. Some do not. As we look to move forward from the basic point-and-shoot way of using action cameras, a screen becomes important. It gives you certainty that all the action is happening within your frame and you are not clipping off anything important. A screen will also show you how your lighting looks. this is especially important when mixing an artificial video light with ambient natural light.
If you have a camera without any sort of screen, I recommend practice and experimentation to get to know exactly what angle your lens covers at any given distance from a subject. Take a shot on land and when you play it back on an independent screen look carefully and note how much of the picture you thought you were taking is actually in frame. Try this for distance shots as well as close-ups.
Depending on what kind of optics your camera has, you will find that underwater the angle of coverage decreases by around one quarter. this is also affected by any additional lens you attach to the outside of your housing — see ‘Accessories: Lenses’ later in this chapter.
Depth rating and construction
Not all action cameras on the market are suitable for diving. Some are only designed to be water resistant, which is good for surface sports such as skiing, cycling or canoeing. Others are fully waterproof but only down to a depth of ten metres, which is good for snorkelling or surfing. For example, the GoPro or the Insta 360.
Be sure you pick a camera (or camera and housing) that has a depth rating suitable for your diving intentions. Most housings are guaranteed down to depths of 30m (100ft) or more, but do be sure and stick to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Before buying, take a good look at how the housing seals are made and function. Are the closing clips flimsy, or substantial and well-made? The same question should be asked of the hinges.
Resolution and quality
Many cameras offer video resolution of 720p or 1080p. Most also do 2K and 4K. Starting at the lower end, 720p is ‘High-Definition’ (HD), but is only half the resolution of ‘Full HD’ 1080p. This means 1080p has twice as much image detail and produces images that are twice as large in terms of overall pixel count. However, 1080p also takes up twice as much storage space on your memory card. There then follows the issue of having enough computing power to play back the larger resolution files. This especially applies when filming 4K, which has four times the resolution of 1080p. Although you should be able to play these very ‘high-res’ video files on your TV through your camera, it is not guaranteed that your edit computer will have enough processing power to play the files smoothly.
This becomes particularly noticeable when trying to edit and add effects.
720p has 1,280 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 720 pixels down the screen vertically. this gives us 720 horizontal lines on the screen. Before HD came in the normal resolution was 480p, standard definition (SD). SD is now seen as very poor quality.
For most people 720p produces a very high quality image and is excellent for editing and posting e.g. on YouTube. If you are able to process and edit 1080p and have a good speed on your internet, then this is the best option for even greater quality. If you are able to process and edit 2K and 4K then the world is your oyster. In short, film at a resolution that you can edit. Do a test. Film something at 2K then try to play and edit it on your computer. If it works well without any pixelation, breaking up or freezing of the image then try 4K. If the 2K doesn’t work then go lower, try 1080p and so on.
However, although 720p is usable at the time of writing this book, technology moves so fast that it is probable this resolution will no longer be used in the near future and be fully replaced by the higher alternatives.
It is possible to edit 2K and 4K on low specification or old computers by using proxy files and online editing. This copies video files to a lower resolution which your edit software and computer can deal with. then before exporting the final edited sequence or film the proxy files are replaced with the original full resolution versions. But this is for those who are experienced with editing software and is beyond the purposes of this book.
An alternative solution is to film everything in the best possible resolution and archive those files for future use. Meanwhile, convert the files you want to edit now into low resolution copies with video converter software. Free versions can be accessed on the web, for example Any Video Converter and Freemake Video Converter.
When shooting at higher resolutions, the image size can be expanded or increased in the edit without too much noticeable loss of quality. This is particularly useful in re-framing your image or taking part of it to use as a close-up. Somewhere between 25–40% is usually as far as you can go before quality loss starts to become noticeable, but this does depend on the overall standard of the original frame where sharpness, contrast and image density are all factors. Higher resolution images are also better for extracting single frames to print out as photos or to use in publications.
NEXT WEEK:
Part 2 of 6 – Underwater Lighting
Action Camera Underwater Video Basics by Jeff Goodman is available now from DIVEDUP Publications:
https://www.divedup.com/shop/action-camera-underwater-video-basics-the-essential-guide-to-making-underwater-films/
About Jeff Goodman
Jeff is a multiple award-winning freelance TV cameraman/filmmaker and author. Having made both terrestrial and marine films, it is the world’s oceans and their conservation that hold his passion, with over 10,000 dives in his career. Having filmed for international television companies around the world and as author of two books on underwater filming, Jeff is Author/Programme Specialist for the Underwater Action Camera course for the RAID training agency.
Jeff has experienced the rapid advances in technology for diving as well as camera equipment, and has also experienced much of our planet’s marine life. He has witnessed, first-hand, many of the changes that have occurred to the wildlife and environment during that time.
Jeff runs bespoke underwater video and editing workshops for the complete beginner up to the budding professional.
In a video created exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman reviews the Covert XT BCD from Zeagle.
Find out more abut Zeagle products at www.zeagle.com.
Sea & Sea is the home of Zeagle and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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