Kategorie: News
Lamp test for wide-angle, macro and snoot photography
Diving torches are becoming increasingly better and more versatile. Not so long ago, flash units were the only sensible option for underwater photography, but now more and more video torches are coming onto the market that offer reasonable light output when used correctly. The performance data is still a long way from that of a flash unit. Nevertheless, when used correctly, diving torches are an absolute asset in underwater photography.
Test report by Gerald Nowak
Good video lamps offer a light output of 2000–5000 lumens, and a few even offer 10,000 to 22,000 lumens, while an average-sized flash quickly reaches 80,000 to 100,000 lumens. Some even significantly more. This quickly explains why an underwater photo taken in sunshine just below the water's surface with a flash produces bright colours, but the same image taken with extra-strong LED lamps only shows the colours that you would see without lamps. The sun shines so brightly into the photo that the lamps have no chance of brightening the shadows. Due to the strong sunlight, the aperture must be closed and the shutter speed increased significantly. With lamps, this is usually well over 1/250 sec. This means that the light emitted by the lamps is simply too weak to brighten the shadows.
When used correctly, diving torches are an absolute asset in underwater photography.
Not only can you see underwater subjects in their true colours, you can also use the light for photography. If you get close enough to a subject, powerful torches are enough to bring colour into the picture. A 5000 lumen lamp is sufficient even at aperture 11 and a shutter speed of 1/200 sec. when using a fisheye lens and the subject is only a few centimetres in front of the dome port. To illuminate as few suspended particles as possible, the lamp should be mounted directly above the dome port. This results in perfect ‘point shooting light’ and reduces reflective suspended particles to a minimum.
Lamps are particularly useful in macro photography. The constant light allows you to immediately see in the viewfinder or on the screen how the light is working and how the subject is being illuminated. The angle of incidence and intensity of the light can be adjusted as required. As diving torches are becoming smaller and more convenient thanks to ever-improving LED technology, they have become an indispensable part of underwater photography.
It is easy and straightforward to always carry a lamp with you and use it quickly when needed. Especially when diving, where you don't know exactly what to expect, it usually makes sense to use a wide-angle lens and flash. Nevertheless, there are always macro subjects that are too small to be photographed with a wide-angle or fisheye lens. If you also have a small compact camera (e.g. Olympus Touch TG7 in a housing) with you, all you need is a good lamp to perfectly photograph the nudibranch or small crab. Handy lamps with focus or snoot attachments are ideal for this.
Test ORCATORCH ZD710 MK2
On my first dive with the lamp, I wasn't quite sure how to use it at first, as I almost exclusively use lamps to illuminate subjects for photography or videography. But the lamp combines two things. You can really use it for photography, because in focused mode at 4°, it's almost like a snoot lamp and you can use it to illuminate subjects very precisely. But it's also great for videography. If you're a little deeper, the wide beam with its 77° works quite well as a video lamp. I would probably need to use two of them to get a well-lit video. So I use the lamp more for viewing subjects and as a spot light for taking photos. I hardly used the booster mode, as I always have to stay on the switch to get full power. Nevertheless, the standard ‘high’ setting was sufficient. A nice lamp with three standard settings plus booster mode. The zoom function is also helpful. But I was more impressed by the battery, which does not require a charger, and the three O-rings, which prevent the lamp from filling with water when turned. But even here, you can break something, because if you turn it too long, this lamp is also open. It is always important to read the instructions before using it for the first time.
Basically, the Orcatorch ZD710 MK2 is a versatile underwater diving torch with an adjustable beam angle, a maximum beam intensity of 212,500 cd and a beam distance of 920 metres (above water). The three standard settings are 880 lumens, 420 lumens and 150 lumens. Pressing and holding the power button switches to turbo mode and the torch shines at 1500 lumens. The adjustable beam angle (4° to 72°) offers flexibility for a variety of underwater lighting requirements, whether exploring caves, observing marine life, underwater photography, etc. The ZD710 MK2 is equipped with a 5000 mAh 21700 USB-C battery for convenient charging (directly on the battery without a charger). It has a safety lock to prevent accidental switching on, making it the ideal companion for dives where you want to carry a light and possibly take photographs. It is waterproof to a technical depth of 150 metres.
| ORCATORCH ZD710 MK2 |
| - Adjustable beam angle from 4° to 72° for different dives - Max. 212,500 cd, maximum range: 920 metres - 4-step brightness control, adjustable as required - Requires 1 x 5000 mAh 21700 USB Type-C battery - Easy to operate with a titanium alloy side pressure switch - Secure lock function to prevent accidental operation - Intelligent overheating and deep discharge protection - Battery indicator to show remaining charge - Waterproof to a depth of 150 metres - Reverse polarity protection to protect against improper battery insertion - Made from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminium - Hard anodised surface for durability and corrosion resistance - Double-sided coated tempered glass with high water pressure resistance |
| Lighting times - White Turbo (approx. 1500 lumens) = only while the button is held down. - White High (880 lumens) = 2 hours 10 minutes - White Medium (420 lumens) = 3 hours 15 minutes - White Low (150 lumens) = 12 hours |
| Facts - 180.5 mm x 26.4 mm x 57.5 mm (head) - 362 g (without battery) - 185 g underwater (including battery) - 21700 lithium battery with USB-C charging port directly on the battery (5000 mAh) - Maximum beam distance: 920 m (on land) - 3 O-ring seals - 150 m diving depth |
Test ORCATORCH D710V – MK2
The D710V was only recently launched on the market. It is equipped with three LEDs. A neutral white main LED with 2000 lumens and a beam angle of 120 degrees. Good for underwater photography in the close-up and macro range. With a small diameter of only 36 mm, it is also ideal for use as a snoot lamp. If only it weren't for the arrangement of the LEDs in the lamp head. The neutral white (5000K) main LED is not positioned exactly in the centre, so when using the snoot head, the light output is not perfectly centred. Basically, this is hardly noticeable with dimensional subjects, but on a flat surface it is quite clear that the light is not emitted evenly. I discussed this with representatives from Orcatorch at the trade fair in Düsseldorf, and now I have a modified version of the lamp with 5 LEDs in my hand. One centrally positioned, neutral white LED with 2300 lumens. Around it are four more LEDs. One red LED for light-shy animals plus three underwater LEDs for fluorescence photography. Now, when using the snoot attachment, the light beam hits the subject directly and evenly. The circle of light is perfect and exactly as it should be.
The battery indicator is also good, displaying the charge status directly in the switch by means of a multi-coloured LED (green = full, yellow = less than half the lighting time, red = low remaining lighting time). I am also impressed by the three O-rings on the battery compartment. This provides much better protection against accidentally turning on and flooding the lamp than just one O-ring. I have seen too many flooded lamps because the user turned the lamp instead of pressing the power button.
I am still testing the new version, but so far I am very impressed with the results. If the output were to be increased from 2300 lumens to 3000 lumens (as with its sister lamp, the D710 (without V!)), it would almost be the perfect all-rounder (as we say here in Bavaria). Let's see if the engineers in Hong Kong will play along and incorporate this variation before the torch hits the market.
| ORCATORCH D710V MK2 |
| - Five LEDs: 1x white, 1x red and 3x UV - Neutral white, approx. 2300 lumens, 120° super-wide beam angle - Requires 1 x 21700 lithium-ion battery - Easy to operate with side-mounted titanium alloy push switch - Battery level indicator - Secure lock function prevents accidental operation - Clever overheating protection - Deep discharge protection - Waterproof construction, depth up to 150 metres - Reverse polarity protection to prevent improper battery insertion - Made from high-strength A6061-T6 aluminium - Hard anodised surface to Mil-Spec Type III for durability and corrosion resistance - Double-sided coated tempered glass with high water pressure resistance in deep water |
| Lighting times - White high (approx. 2300 lumens) = 1 hour 20 minutes - White low (750 lumens) = 2 hours 40 minutes - Red (150 lumens) = 4 hours 10 minutes - 3x UV (3x10 lumens) = 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Facts - 142 mm x 25.5 mm x 35.5 mm (head) - 145 g (without battery) - 21700 lithium battery with USB-C charging port directly on the battery (5000 mAh) - 150 m diving depth |
Test ORCATORCH D530V Snoot attachment
The snoot attachment consists of two components. The rear part connects the snoot to the lamp and has a D30 thread. This makes it compatible with all lamps that have this thread at the front of the lamp head. The snoot body contains a lens that focuses the light from the lamp and directs it through the narrowing channel to the snoot head. This head reduces the light from a 24 mm beam to a 9 mm beam. The head is screwed on (D24 thread). This allows the snoot to be used with two different beam sizes. However, the D24 thread seems to be a little short, as I lost the snoot head straight away. It is advisable to secure the snoot head or even glue it in place. The technicians at Orcatorch should also be able to resolve this issue shortly. The D530V spot attachment is suitable for the OrcaTorch D530V and D710V underwater diving torches.
| ORCATORCH Snoot attachment - Perfect for D530V and D710V - Easy to use - Reduces the light cone to 24 mm and 9 mm - Specially designed for macro photography and videography - High-strength aircraft-grade aluminium - Latest diamond-coated, hard-anodised and seawater-corrosion-resistant surface |
Test DIVEVOLK Dive Light 2000 Lumen SL20
Another small hand lamp with impressive performance values is the DIVEVOLK SL20. The short lamp fits comfortably in the hand and is easy to operate. The lamp has two power levels with white light (2000 lumens and 1000 lumens) and one level with red light. In high-power mode with 2000 lumens, the torch burns for 150 minutes on a full battery charge. In low-power mode with 50% power, it still has 1000 lumens and burns for a good 300 minutes. The red light function prevents light-shy marine life from being scared away, allowing you to observe them in peace.
The LED has a service life of up to 50,000 hours. The charging time is approximately 3 hours. The operating time indicator is colour-coded: between 100 and 70% it lights up green, between 70 and 30% yellow and below that red. The front lens is made of 4 mm hardened, ultra-clear glass with a diamond coating. The lamp body is made of aluminium alloy, which is particularly useful for intensive use in wreck diving. There is no need to worry about the lamp being damaged or even destroyed; it is practically indestructible. A great tool for professionals and amateur photographers to illuminate a video or take photographs.
| DIVEVOLK SL20 |
| - High-contrast images thanks to focused light - Simple mounting design with threaded structure - High-intensity lighting thanks to integrated lens structure - Compatibility with colour filter wheels for vivid colours - Versatile results in professional quality |
| Lighting times - White high (approx. 2000 lumens) = 2 hours 30 minutes - White low (approx. 1000 lumens) = 5 hours - Red (approx. 260 lumens) = not specified |
| Facts - Beam angle: 100˚ - High CRI 83 - 5600 Kelvin - 131 mm x 32.5 mm x 42 mm (head) - 260 g (without battery) - 26650 lithium battery (5000 mAh) - 100 m diving depth |
Test DIVEVOLK Snoot for SL20
With the DIVEVOLK SL20 Snoot, the lamp can also be used creatively to conjure up beautiful lighting situations for macro subjects. With a 40 mm thread, the attachment can be screwed onto the SL20. The light is guided to the snoot head through an integrated lens structure and a tapered channel. Here, there is a screw-on attachment that is secured with R-rings to prevent accidental opening. The attachment tapers the light channel to 10 mm and bundles the light into a focused beam. The screw thread allows the head to be removed and additional discs to be inserted to taper the channel even further. This makes the system extremely flexible and versatile.
Those who enjoy playing with light will have fun with the colour filter attachment wheel (Divevolk Colour Filter Wheel / £99). The attachment is screwed onto the snoot and by turning the wheel, different filters can be rotated in front of the snoot. A practical light toy that conjures up a wide variety of moods in the image.
| DIVEVOLK SL20ST - Beam angle: 20˚ - Material: aluminium and optical glass - Connection: M40 thread - Compatibility: SL20 underwater video light Colour Filter Wheel - 5 filter colours can be used via a rotating wheel - Material: aluminium and optical glass |
Test XTAR D30 1600 Lumen Dive Light
The XTAR D30 was one of the first lamps that I not only tested, but also used for a long time as a video light on my dives with the small TG6. The lamp is perfect for illuminating small subjects and, depending on how the light is directed, you can create great effects. Thanks to its compact size and harmonious light distribution, you can't tell the difference between photos taken with this lamp and those taken with a flash. A perfect companion on dives.
With a maximum light output of 1600 lumens in three white power levels (1600, 800 and 400 lumens) and three additional light colours – red, blue and UV – the lamp is incredibly flexible. Its high CRI value of 95+ (colour rendering index – describes the colour rendering of an artificial light source compared to sunlight) is particularly noteworthy. The beam angle of 130 degrees is also impressive for a small lamp like the D30. The power button can be secured against accidental operation by turning it. The burn time is a good two hours at full power. At the lowest setting, it is even 6 hours and 40 minutes. To monitor the charge status, there is an LED charge indicator directly above the power button, which lights up green until 35% battery power and red until 10%. Below 10%, it flashes red. The lamp is made of hard-anodised, seawater-resistant aluminium and is waterproof to a depth of 100 metres. A diving torch that is small, compact and should always be carried with you.
| XTAR D30 |
| Lighting times - White high (approx. 1600 lumens) = 2 hours - White medium (approx. 800 lumens) = 3 hours 10 minutes - White low (400 lumens) = 6 hours 40 minutes - Red (260 lumens) = 3 hours 15 minutes - Blue (130 lumens) = 3 hours 15 minutes - UV (6 lumens) = 3 hours 15 min |
| Facts - Beam angle: 130˚ - High CRI 95+ - 142 mm x 33 mm x 46 mm (head) - 230 g (without battery) - 18650 / 26650 lithium battery (5200 mAh) - 100 m diving depth |
Test XTAR D40 ZOOM
The XTAR D40 ZOOM is a new version with an adjustable light cone. A professional diving torch that meets the diverse lighting requirements of the significantly better. As a pure diving torch for night diving with a wide light cone, as a navigation light for cave diving or as creative lighting for underwater photography – the D40 ZOOM is flexible and adapts to various situations.
The lamp's zoom ranges from a narrow 4° to a wide 77°, enabling a virtually seamless transition from focused spot lighting to wide floodlighting. Comparisons with lamps from other manufacturers come to mind, so I take the opportunity to try out the lamp in practice. The 1600 lumens are not really much in shallow water on a sunny day, and you can only see the light cone at close range, but as soon as you go deeper and the surface light diminishes, you can also see the light cone of the lamp. In 4-degree zoom mode, the light is much easier to see. This setting is particularly advantageous for spot lighting.
In combination with a powerful 21700 battery that can be recharged via USB-C, it does not require any external chargers, which can be very helpful if you don't have your own charger to hand and can simply charge quickly via USB cable. Thanks to its powerful performance, long runtime and intuitive controls, the D40 ZOOM is ideal for recreational and technical divers, but also for underwater photographers as an additional light source.
The battery indicator integrated into the switch shows the charge status at all times (green steady = full, red steady = approx. 30 min burn time, red flashing = 10 min remaining burn time). The switch has a twist function to prevent accidental switching. Two O-rings ensure a secure seal on the battery compartment. Press and hold the power button to switch to strobe mode. The lamp will then flash at 800 lumens for up to 7 hours. This innovative feature can help you be found more easily in an emergency.
| XTAR D40 ZOOM |
| Lighting times - High white (approx. 1600 lumens) = 2 hours 20 minutes - Medium white (approx. 800 lumens) = 3 hours 30 minutes - White (flashing light - 800 lumens) = 7 hours 15 minutes |
| Facts - Beam angle: 4˚ - 77˚ - Colour temperature 6500 Kelvin - Waterproof: 100 m - 194 mm x 30 mm x 52 mm (head) - 350 g (without battery) - Maximum beam distance: 700 m (on land) - 21700 lithium battery with USB-C charging port directly on the battery (approx. 4800mAh) - 100 m diving depth |