Detailed Assessment of the Marelux SOFT Lite Snoot: User Experience and Impressions
Unleashing the Marelux SOFT Lite: A Lightweight jewel for Underwater Photography
For years, I put several commercially available snoots to the test while experimenting with macro photography. Each snoot offered unique benefits, but none quite satisfied my need for precision light control and easy beam diameter adjustment.
First-gen snoots, like Reefnet and Inon, required physically swapping out "nozzles" to change the controlled beam diameter. The second generation, such as Backscatter Mini-Strobe, introduced sliding perforated cards for effortless beam diameter changes. I owned all three types, but their limitations left me yearning for more control over the beam diameter.
Enter Marelux with their ingenious solution - the SOFT (Smart Optical Flash Tube) Pro snoots, boasting an infinitely adjustable beam diameter from 3mm to 50mm, achieved through an aperture dial that works much like a camera's pupil. This means photographers can easily change beam sizes to perfectly suit any subject - large or small - on a single dive. And the best part? No more fiddling with nozzles!
Level up Your Underwater Shots with Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube (SOFT) Pro Snoot - 210 grams underwater, aluminum body
Experience the Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube (SOFT) Lite Snoot - Neutrally buoyant in water, durable nylon body
Here's where things get interesting. The SOFT Pro - while an utter masterpiece - had one drawback: weight. Its metal construction added both above and below water pounds, making it a no-go for frequent travelers seeking lighter gear.
Cue the Marelux SOFT Lite, a slimmer, lighter version of the SOFT Pro, made from nylon for significant weight savings and near-neutral buoyancy. And with a rechargeable nickel cadmium battery offering 5000 amp-hours (versus the SOFT Pro's 3500 amp-hours), your shooting sessions are extended. Plus, it comes in three options for beam color: red and white (XR-W), just white (XW), or just red (XR). As with the original SOFT Pro, expect an adjustable pupil for fine beam tuning.
With a trip to Anilao, the macro capital of the world, on the horizon, I was itching to get my hands on the SOFT Lite XR-W and put it to the test. Three days before I left, that precious package arrived, complete with Inon Z240 strobe adapter for seamless compatibility.
Weighing the SOFT Lite XR-W against my first-gen Mini-Strobe (with battery), I found it a mere 1.6 ounces heavier - practically insignificant in terms of travel convenience. Deployed with the same floatation arm configuration as my Mini-Strobe, the SOFT Lite XR-W maintained the same underwater balance - a win!
In shallow waters challenges arise as ambient light overpowers the snoot aiming light. Despite this, the SOFT Lite XR-W's red beam (which is quite effective at depth) helped me see the beam more clearly than the white beam in brighter conditions. The real advantage, however, surfaced when I could seamlessly adjust the beam diameter according to subject size, from small to large - a game-changer, I assure you!
Since light intensity changes with beam diameter and distance to subject, camera settings required fine-tuning. After selecting my preferred beam edge sharpness, I locked everything in and just adjusted the beam diameter as subjects came into frame. For me, adjusting camera settings proved easier than strobe power adjustments, so I settled the camera settings for a medium beam diameter during the initial test shot, then altered ISO settings to accommodate exposure changes associated with beam diameter changes while keeping aperture and shutter speed fixed.
In conclusion, the Marelux SOFT Lite XR-W swiftly became my go-to snoot. Its ability to fine-tune beam diameter made all the difference in isolating subjects effectively, altering backscatter, and enhancing overall photography quality. Plus, its compatible quick-release bayonet adapter allows for effortless transition to full strobe macro shooting whenever necessary.
The future is bright for underwater photographers, and I, for one, can't wait to see what Marelux has up their sleeves next!
Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube Options:- Marelux SOFT Lite Snoot- Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube- Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube Professional (SOFT Pro)- Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube (SOFT) Pro X Snoot
Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube Packages:- Marelux SOFT Pro Snoot Package- Marelux SOFT Pro X Snoot Complete Package
- The Marelux SOFT Lite Snoot, with its almost neutral buoyancy in water, is a boon for underwater photographers who travel frequently and seek lighter gadgets.
- With the help of data-and-cloud-computing, I fine-tuned my camera settings to accommodate the changing exposure associated with different beam diameters during my dive at Anilao.
- The Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube (SOFT) Lite Snoot, equipped with a rechargeable battery offering 5000 amp-hours, extended my shooting sessions considerably.
- The macro photography guide was surprised to see that even with the Marelux SOFT Lite XR-W's red beam, I could still focus on small subjects with ease due to its sharp beam edge.
- Alongside the advent of the Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube options, smartphones have begun to make strides in underwater photography, offering new opportunities for amateur and professional photographers alike.
- The Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube Professional (SOFT Pro) X Snoot package, which includes a powerful Inon Z240 strobe, ensures seamless compatibility for various underwater photography needs.
- During my underwater trip, I found that the Marelux SOFT Lite Snoot's diopter allowed me to obtain superior clarity and sharpness in my macro photography, even in challenging bluewater conditions.
- In the realm of underwater photography, the Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube Pro snoots have revolutionized the way photographers control their lighting, offering an infinite range of adjustable beam diameters.
- Besides the benefits of the Marelux SOFT Lite Snoot, its ability to reduce backscatter significantly aided me in capturing vibrant, high-quality images of various marine life, with colors that popped amidst the underwater scene.
