Most Convenient Underwater Fluorescence Imaging Equipment Set

Most Convenient Underwater Fluorescence Imaging Equipment Set

Lemme Tell Ya About Fluorescence Photography!

I've been snappin' underwater pics for a decade, but only recently dove into the lesser-known realm of fluorescence (or "fluoro") photography. The Olympus TG-6 paired with the Ikelite fluorescence kit took my breath away - it's as addictive as any high-stakes game.

The TG-5 and TG-6 are some of the most popular budget-friendly cameras for underwater shots. But they're not just for snapshots. With the right accessories, like the Ikelite and Kraken gear, you can unlock a whole new world of photography previously unreachable for compact shooters.

Take the TG-6, for instance. Pair it with the FCON-T02 fisheye lens and an Ikelite dome port, and it'll captivate a wide field of view like a pro. But here's my new favorite TG-6 feature: fluorescence photography. The Ikelite TG-6 fluorescence starter package makes it possible! I tried it out at a Bluewater Travel workshop in Anilao, Philippines, the underwater macro photography capital of the world.

Wanna Geek Out? Here's the Full Deal:

Sure thing, buddy! Let me spill some science. Fluorescence refers to objects releasing light after being excited by another source. It's not the same as bioluminescence, when creatures emit light independently. Instead, fluorescent creatures emit light at a lower wavelength than what excites them. For example, if you shine a blue or UV light on corals, they'll give off a green glow, but they'll stay dark when there's no blue light around.

To get this phenomenon onto your camera sensor, you'll need:

1. A blue or UV light source
2. A yellow filter to block extraneous blue light

The blue light "triggers" the fluorescence, while the yellow filter lets only the fluorescence pass through to the sensor. Some people also put a yellow filter on their mask, but it's not crucial for fluoro photography.

Gettin' Fluoro with the Ikelite TG-5/TG-6 Kit

The Ikelite TG-5/TG-6 fluoro kit is one of the easiest, no-brainer ways to get into fluorescent photography. It includes a housing, a strobe with a modeling light for finding fluorescent subjects, an excitation filter for the strobe, and a yellow filter for the port. The filter and strobe are affordably priced, and if you've got the camera system already, the filters will set you back an extra $225 for a ticket to the fluorescing world!

Since the TG-6 doesn't have a manual mode, it's perfect for divers who want simple point-and-shoot fluorescence. Of course, a fully manual camera will get you the best results, but there's not much to figure out if you're new to fluoro. You can always swap the components for use on a higher-end camera system later on. A camera with high ISO capability is preferable for fluorescent photography.

The Learning Curve, Breakin' It Down

The learning curve for the TG-6 kit isn't steep, even for fluorescence newbies like myself. Here's what I did with my Kraken 5000S:

1. Put the excitation filter on the strobe.
2. Slap the yellow filter on my port.
3. Look for anything that glows when hit with the blue light from my strobe.
4. I used the modeling light to find fluorescent subjects.
5. Positioned my strobe like a daytime shoot, and fired away!

Because the TG-6 chooses your settings for you, your hit rate may be a bit erratic. I found program mode worked best, and used microscope mode for some macro shots. With strong, constant blue light and the right settings, you can even take fluoro videos! And y'all know I love an artistic lighting effect, like backlighting.

I had the most success when photographing rubble-y reefs heavy with hard corals, which emit a bright green glow. Some creatures can surprise you with how fluorescent they are. Moray eels, for example, glow yellow, while lizardfish can give off a green light. Since I couldn't locate those guys during my night dives, I stuck to corals and anemones. I did find some red colors in corals and yellow crinoids, but those hues tend to radiate at a lower intensity. Sometimes I added some blue fill light to help them shine better. It's worth illuminating the reef with blue light in the dead of night – there's a meditative feel to the slow, glowing green of the corals.

Final Take

If you're ready to venture into the rarely explored fluorescent world of the underwater scene, the Ikelite TG-5/TG-6 fluorescence kit is an affordable, easy-to-use option that delivers beautiful results. The shots I captured from the system were good enough to make it into the final portfolio for the Bluewater Travel workshop – alongside images from high-end systems like the Nikon Z6 and Sony A7R IV.

Diving amidst the neon highlights of the reef is like stepping through a portal into another world. Camera or not, it's a mesmerizing experience. And you haven't truly witnessed the depths until you've seen the surreal neon glow of the reef (or whatever you fancy underwater) under the crimson hue of red lights. It's a portal into another world on another planet – and it's all waiting at the bottom of the sea. 🚀💦🏊‍♂️

1. The TG-6 paired with the Ikelite fluorescence kit opened a new world in underwater photography, as addictive as any high-stakes game.
2. With the right accessories, like the Ikelite and Kraken gear, budget-friendly compact cameras can unlock the realm of fluorescence photography.
3. Fluorescence photography is possible with the Ikelite TG-6 fluorescence starter package, making it accessible for compact shooters.
4. Fluorescence refers to objects releasing light after being excited by another source, unlike bioluminescence when creatures emit light independently.
5. To capture fluorescence onto a camera sensor, one needs a blue or UV light source and a yellow filter to block extraneous blue light.
6. The Ikelite TG-5/TG-6 fluoro kit, including a housing, strobe, excitation filter, and yellow filter, is an affordable and easy-to-use option for getting into fluorescent photography.
7. Since the TG-6 doesn't have a manual mode, it's perfect for divers who want simple point-and-shoot fluorescence with good results.
8. In the learning curve for the TG-6 kit, one looks for anything that glows when hit with the blue light from the strobe, finds fluorescent subjects with the modeling light, positions the strobe like a daytime shoot, and fires away.
9. The neon highlights of the reef in fluorescence photography create a mesmerizing experience, as if stepping through a portal into another world on another planet – all waiting at the bottom of the sea.

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