10Bar Ultra Compact Focusing Light Review
Now I have seen some 'monster' lights being used by underwater photographers, some are as big (or bigger) as the camera housing itself! I own an Underwater Kinetics HID Light Cannon 100, which is fantastic night diving light. So not being one to waste money on unnecessary u/w camera equipment (at least when the wife is watching anyway). I figured that the Light Cannon should make a great focusing light - particularly since I already owned one!
My conclusion was pretty easy to report. Sadly it is far too bright and too big (and clumsy) for use as a focusing light (which it was never designed to be). The biggest problem is its brightness! Even with the diffuser fitted this light showed hot spots in the final image, and I am sure I saw one particular nudibranch squinting when I got a bit too close; also every fish in-sight disappeared as soon as I turned the light on!
This tiny Boxer Crab carrying eggs, was my excuse for purchasing the 10Bar Ultra Compact LED Focusing Light.
Taken with Olympus E330 DSLR, 10Bar Housing, 50mm Olympus Zuiko F2.0 Macro Lens with ‘Reefnet’ external close-up lens.
I had tried unsuccessfully without a focusing light - to capture the boxer crab and its future offspring. Light conditions were so low that my Olympus E-330 DSLR was struggling. Around eight out ten shots I took were not in focus - and fairly typically the two shots that were focused, weren't composed well. The dull lighting combined with the lack of contrast in the crab's body was making it very difficult for the camera's auto focus to lock onto the crab. I needed an answer - a fast answer. Otherwise my crab friend was very soon going to be egg-less and I would be photo-less.
The LED Focusing light is as the name suggests - Ultra Compact
A week later my early birthday present (11 months early) arrived by mail, and I had to admit I was a little disappointed - it was so small. How could I show off my new light, if I could hardly see it? I quickly slipped in four AAA batteries and turned it on. Well it certainly threw out plenty of light, in a nice bluish/white colour with quite a soft, even beam. It also came complete with a mounting bracket that can be connected to Sea & Sea type strobe arms (YS mount). Well size aside, it seemed like it might do the job.
Without delay, I prepared my camera to head off in pursuit of my friend, the pregnant crab. First I figured I should try the light on a still subject before scaring the crab back into its rocky refuge. I soon found a nudibranch at around 28 metres deep under a dark ledge, a perfect test, as there was very little ambient light to aid focus. With the Ultra Compact LED Light aimed, I moved-in and watched the camera LCD screen as the Nudibranch appeared bright lit-up and sharp.
The sensor for the auto cut-out function is in the centre of the 8 LED cluster.
I surprised myself by easily finding the crab. The small white anemones that this species carry in their pincers, soon gives away their hiding spot under the side of a pebble. Ten minutes later the tiny crab emerged from its refuge and wandered down the slope straight towards me. I left the light aimed where it had been on my previous nudibranch photo, and moved in ever so slowly. The crab came into view and filled the frame - it didn't appear to be disturbed at all by the light. The camera focused very quickly and I took my shot. Wow, the eggs were clearly visible and all nice and sharp. I tried only four shots and each was pin sharp - Happy (early) Birthday Jeff!
- Powered by four AAA batteries (Alkaline/Ni-Cad/Ni-Mh).
- Battery Life: Minimum 12 hours on cheap alkaline batteries - greater with Ni-Mh high current batteries.
- Size: Length - 130mm (5") Width - Head 38mm (1½") + Body 26mm (1").
- On/Off switch - Twist Head.
- Globe - 8x LED cluster, soft/diffused blue light.
- Auto-Off circuitry built-in. (Light turns off automatically when strobe fires, then re-lights after approximately 1½ seconds).
- Mounting - Comes with Sea & Sea YS Strobe style bracket (removable).
- Waterproof - to 100 metres depth (330').
- Practical Use - Low light macro focusing, night dive focusing.
- Price - US$45
- Sales Contact - .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Jeff Mullins has been exploring under the seas of Australia, South-East Asia & the South Pacific for 36 years.
He began taking underwater photographs in 1976 and has since been published Worldwide. Jeff was awarded the
PADI Hallmark of Excellence Award for Outstanding Contribution to Photo Journalism in 1995.
Currently Jeff runs one on one Digital Underwater Photography Courses in Tulamben, Bali. He also runs guided
dive tours for small groups & individual underwater photographers or marine life enthusiastsvisit his website at http://www.###################.com
Jeff & his wife Dawn have recently published a book titled Reef Wreck & Critter - Tulamben, a pictorial guide to Tulamben's dive sites and marine life, see http://www.###################.com/Book.htm
Hi Jeff,
a very interesting review which gives hope.
Here in Germany the light is labeled under 'Nano Mini Focus light „Ultra Compact“ by Fantasea (http://www.fantasea.com) I've bought it during the BOOT trade fair in Dusseldorf and had the opportunity only of testing the light 'dry' and in the pool.
I agree to you - it works fine, only in very bright light the internal sensor didn´t register the camera flash but that are conditions when no external light source is needed for the AF. So finally I´m sure it will work properly in our local lakes.
A very useful birthday gift for me, too - even if months apart as well 
)
I thought that under water in the package fotiki.
Getting enough light while diving underwater is a common challenge faced by many divers. Most resort to taking pictures in clear water to avoid the problem, but this compact light seems to do the trick as well. Thanks for the recommendation!
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I spread my camera to precede off in chase of my individual, the enceinte rowing. Premiere I figured I should try the lit on a still master before scaring the decapod sanction into its rocky asylum. I soon initiate a univalve at around 28 metres wakeless low a twilight ledge, a perfect essay, as there was very minuscule ambient Clayey LED Soft aimed, I moved-in and watched the camera LCD obstruct as the Nudibranch appeared opaline lit-up and penetrative.
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