In surf photography, the game is usually shot from water or land. The best all round surf photography camera for anyone on a budget is the Sony a6000. But eventually I would like to purchase the Sony A9 and some G Master lenses. Taking surf photos is so much fun. Brian Bielmann has traveled the world working with a wide range of clients such as Guinness, Red Bull, National Geographic, Volcom, Western Digital and many more. SPL a-series – I’ve used a couple of SPL housings with my older Canon DSLR cameras. Few surf photography techniques can be as rewarding and simultaneously frustrating as … Water shots are really fun, but require a bit more effort and equipment. If you’re starting out, or coming from an older interchangeable lens camera set up, and you’re on a budget, don’t hesitate, go for the Sony a6000. Please email us at [email protected]. The most common surf photography … I’ll be adding more information on the courses’ content in the future. There are certain times to use full manual and aperture priority modes, … Photography and Camera News, Reviews, and Inspiration. Zoom lenses are those that can be adjusted between focal lengths, however they sacrifice image quality for versatility. I’m asked about surf photography gear a lot, and each person has a different set of needs and a different budget. I didn’t like the extra size and weight over my 55-210mm, but the image quality is better, and it’s easier to shoot in a housing because the lens doesn’t change length when you zoom. So you want to take some surf photos? There are typically three ways to photograph surfing. Prime telephoto lenses, however, are rather expensive. We would very easily recognize a distracting element in a portrait. Buying from a reputable used camera dealer offers some peace of mind. Getting the right camera and lenses; Quick start settings for surf photography; Aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focus modes for surf photography; Working with surfers; Basics of shooting surf from the land; Find out more about the Essentials package. I will be honest in that I do not really like the GoPro for surf photography, but you can definitely get creative with it. Check at Amazon. Summary: apsc is still the best sensor size for surf photography, and Sony make the best apsc cameras for surf photography There have been several new cameras announced recently which would be suitable for surf photography. If you’re in a rush, here are my kit suggestions: You can often buy high quality preowned cameras for less money than a brand new one. Canon 15mm fisheye – not great on a cropped sensor, I used it briefly on a 5D and was happy with the results. Just something to get your feet wet. I have done some … I like the results, but found I prefer fisheye and 35mm in nearly every situation. :) I shoot all my models with a variation of this setup too, using the D800 instead with the 70-200 mm VR2. Hopefully as photographers, we are all fairly obsessed with … If you have lots of water around the surfer, it's not usually going to be an exciting shot (unless it's a wave face filling the space around the surfer!) Zak Noyle is one of the best and most recognized surf photographers in the world. I have done some research and it seems as if the Sony A6000 is a popular choice for beginners. This will enable you to catch the subject in the best looking position during whatever maneuver they are doing. In surf photography, you’re at the mercy of the swell and the ocean. Camera Water housings for surf photography. Private Surf Photography sessions based on Sydney's beautiful beaches. https://www.surfinghandbook.com/the-best-cameras-for-surf-photos-and-video 243 likes. Surf Photography sometimes, isn’t about how good the camera is, but how good the photographer is. Summary: The Sony a6000 is still the best value camera for surf photography, there are housings for all budgets and lenses for any type of surf photo. Amazing glass. Posted on October 12, 2015 by handcraftedvideowaterhousings. Housings range from cheap to thousands of dollars. The kit lens for the a6xxx range of cameras, the Sony 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS lens is supported by all the water housing manufacturers, it can get you great photos and has a decent zoom range in a tiny size. I’ve been using the Sony a6500 for nearly a year, and if it’s within budget, it’s a better buy than the Sony a6000, but not by a huge margin. Obviously this is bigger and heavier than the previous water shooting options. A little creative positioning will give any camera a decent chance of getting the shot. From different camera angles to shooting at different times of the day to traveling to new places, the creativity of their work is endless. Settings: Depending on the camera, you should be able to control some basic functions manually, and this can make or break your session of photography. so zoom in, and get close! This can also affect photography as you track your subject, however it’s less important. Ensure you get a UV lens protector for your lens! Personally I can’t justify the cost of this lens, and the 55-210mm plus teleconverter performs adequately for me at a fraction of the price and size. I recommend the Amazon Basics tripod. Generations of photographers grew up cutting their teeth for surf photography wielding these water tight beauties. If there’s anyone you want to be getting surf photography tips from, it’s Fran Miller. The Fuji XP 130 is a digital point and shoot that allows you to take more traditional looking photos without the fisheye or wide angle influence. Many Digital SLR cameras have come down quite a bit in price but still have some amazing features and technology. Therefore it's best to limit what the camera needs to do before a photo… Take a deep breath and plunge headfirst into Zak Noyle's world of water, waves and impossibly beautiful photographs. First, you can shoot from the beach or a nearby pier. Professional surf … A great waterproof camera for those who would love to kick off a surf career as a surf photographer. You’ll find lots of links to other pages on this site where I go into more detail on the items and how I use them. Cameras for Surf Photography? Not Now. Shooting surfing seems relatively easy. Backscatter is your expert resource on water housing for surf photography and waterproof cameras. You can find all the details here: Learning surf photography online course. Online store for purchasing art prints, apparel, books and products. I like the expression “It’s not the arrow it’s the Indian.”  I’ve seen photographers that have $10,000 worth of equipment but their surf photos suck (sorry!). I always shot at 10mm and got some of my favourite shots with this lens. You don’t have to have the $10,000 telephoto lens to get a great surf photo. I’ve used their a6000 housing, but they make them for a large range of cameras. I made a video all about the 7artisans lens, and how it compares to the other fisheyes I’ve used, watch it here: 7artisans 7.5mm fisheye – budget friendly diagonal fisheye for Sony e-mount. In the Era of Self there are few things more important with capturing your day to day and we've got a bunch of camera mounts and accessories for phones and go pros to make sure you get the shot. With options for video and photo and a litany of attachments and mounts, the GoPro is also one of the most supported cameras to use for photos and videos. It’s really what you do with your camera and not all the bells and whistles. Believe it or not, there … Most of our water housings are designed for diving use to 130 feet or deeper. Learn how to shoot surfing and wave riding. I’ve used this lens in tiny shorebreak waves and big reef break waves with a defined channel. Cameras for Surf Photography? You already own a great point and shoot camera–your mobile phone. Required fields are marked *. SurfEars Review – The Best Earplugs For Surfing? I shot it with the hand made housing I manufacture. Tokina 10-17mm fisheye – fantastic, relatively inexpensive fisheye lens. You will definitely fall in love with amazing qualities … I need to know what would be the best type of camera and lens for surfing photography. There will always be artsy exceptions to the rule, but often you need to capture … Official site of award-winning Hawaii shorebreak wave photographer & artist Clark Little. I am looking to get into surf photography and am looking for nice set up to start with. The composition of a surf photograph needs to balance the obvious focus and interest on the subject of the photo, along with the beautiful landscape of the surrounding waves, piers, rocks, other people, etc. Page Transparency See More. After hot action and good lighting, sharp focus is the most important element in surfing photography. I didn’t include it in the main recommendations above because it creates a circular image, rather than filling the rectangular frame. Canon 28mm f2.8 – At the time I loved it, but it was old and had a few quirks, I’d avoid it these days. I’ve written a lot about his lens and teleconverter combo, so I recommend reading through the links below if you’re interested. Geo Tagging Capability - Choose whether location data downloaded from your smartphone is embedded in pictures as they are taken on your XP130, Photo Quality Viewing Glass <> Cold Shoe Lighting Mount, Protects Your Camera Out Of Water From Mud, Dust, Snow And Rain, Easy Accessible Knobs And Controls To Use All Camera Functions. There are some accessories that don’t change as much as lenses or camera bodies. I wasn’t sure how much water photography and videography I’d be doing, so I didn’t want to drop a lot of money on an expensive SPL housing. If you’re trying to shoot video, I definitely recommend this tripod. For 14 years, Brian Bielmann worked as the senior staff photographer for TransWorld Surf Magazine. Surf Photography is getting me the closest to riding the stand up barrel. Surf Shots Sydney. What camera do you usually shoot with and why? If you photograph spots that break a long way from the shore then you might want to look into getting a much longer lens (or a superzoom camera), but this will be the best option for most surf photographers. I reckon it’s still a better option than even the latest Sony a6400 camera. Harsh lighting in the middle of the day tends to be the worst time for taking photos. These are basically boxes that keep your camera dry. Like underwater photography, surf photographers use a variety of lenses to suit a variety of purposes. You don’t want this to accumulate directly on your glass. Typical cameras used for surf photography are higher range SLRs with the highest frame per second speed available. Most of our water housings are designed for diving use to 130 feet or deeper. Reply. I#ve produced an online, video based course that goes through everything that I’ve learned in the last 10 years of surf photography. Whether from land or from the water, there are a few options for those looking for something simple to those looking for a more complete setup. The best way to support the running of this ad-free site is to make your next Amazon purchase through this link: You pay the same price and I get a small commission that goes towards running this site. The latest version, the GoPro 6, improves upon the camera in several different ways. A lens that creates images that roughly recreate the normal viewing angle for humans are called ‘normal’ lenses. There are two lines, the A Series and the Splash. share. I like this very budget friendly rectangular fisheye, but you might struggle to find a dome port that will work with it, as it’s shorter than other fisheyes. But to start out, a medium-range focal length is ideal: The 50mm lens is among the most … When a surfer isn't riding, turn your camera and capture the scene around you. Forgot account? User #85752 8200 posts. Looking for a camera for surf photography under $750? Buy now $79.99. I actually own one of these, and I really like it. There are two colours, silver and black, and also a V1 which is slightly shorter. They say it’s not about the camera being used, but the person using it—and that could not be truer when it comes to surf photography. It’s small, light, inexpensive and performs really well in all the areas that you need for surf photography. For higher budgets: I am a huge fan of Manfrotto. The 1st port fits the tokina 10-17 fisheye zoom lens. This is a great budget friendly option, giving you quality images with a couple of sacrifices. Backscatter is your expert resource on water housing for surf photography and waterproof cameras. However, it lacks versatility and mounting options. Get ready to become an award-winning surf photographer. Posted on October 12, 2015 by handcraftedvideowaterhousings. Starting out with something small and simple is a great way to dip your toe into surf photography. 600 people follow this. However, a DSLR in a housing will result in the best and most professional looking photos. All you need is a camera and to pay close attention to Chachi’s pointers and tips below.] Any recommended surf photography gear page needs to mention fisheye lenses. About See All. the camera will take when you hold down the shutter button. What a treat. No matter how hard you try, you can never be in complete control of everything going on in the water. It’s almost impossible to take steady photos by hand with a telephoto, plus the lenses are heavy. I want to help surf photographers like me get the right gear and improve their surf photography. Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera 16MP Vision 3 Underwater Waterproof Camera 170° Wide Angle Wi… Water Housing Users Guide – Part 2 – Which port? Camera Water housings for surf photography. Taking good quality surf photos has never been easier thanks to improved technology. It’s small, has OSS built in which I find really useful for shooting video on the a6000, and a fast aperture, which helps in low light and when you want a shallow depth of field. Third, you can get in the water and shoot … I don’t use them on all of my lenses, but I do use them for my surf telephotos because they need to be cleaned often due to the salt air that accumulates on the camera and lens. Sigma 60mm f2.8 – much like the Sony 50mm, but I think I prefer the slightly longer focal length of the 60mm. A surf water housing will offer options for interchangeable ports to accommodate different lenses, and some sort of pistol grip so you can shoot one handed, this is a big advantage when shooting photos in waves. Liz Carlson, of Young Adventuress, talks about her time in Svalbard and shares her tips for capturing some impressive Polar Bear images. Lisbon Surf Photography. They offer the widest variety of ports. When you’re shooting form the beach, you need a long lens. Watch my video and read a blog post all about this housing here: Sea Frogs Salted Line a6xxx series waterproof housing – First impressions. A camera body is just that; everything but the lens. This K&M Bundle Includes All Standard GoPro Accessories + Limited 1-Year Warranty (through Manufacturer), GoPro HERO 8 Box Includes: GoPro HERO8 Black, Rechargeable Battery, Curved Adhesive Mount, Mounting Buckle, Thumbscrew, USB-C Cable, Limited 1-Year Warranty, GoPro Hero 8 Features: HyperSmooth 2.0 Video Stabilization, TimeWarp 2.0 Stabilized Time-Lapse Video, Live streaming in 1080p, RAW in all Photo modes, Night lapse video, Waterproof to 65ft/20M, freeze proof to 14 Degree/-10 Degree, Shockproof to 5.8ft/1.75M, and dustproof, Fujinon 5x (28-140mm) wide angle optical zoom. Surf photography is unique because there are so many elements moving simultaneously. With your choice of beach and time, I want to capture what surfing is for you. Camera/Photo . Both of these first two options use a telephoto lens to shoot from a distance. They make a high quality product and have the best network of dealers around the world by far, so you’re much more likely to be able to get your housing serviced, or buy additional accessories like ports, wherever you are in the world. it doesn’t autofocus as well as a Sony lens, but I didn’t have any big issues with mine. There are a few housings out there for iPhones at different price points, however the folks at Aquatech do one job and do it very well. Notice how each photo in their portfolios is a work of art. But the Polaroid housing is probably the lightest housing for a full DSLR camera out there. Sea Frogs Salted Line a6xxx series waterproof housing – First impressions, Newmona NP-FW50 battery and Dual USB charger – $23.99, SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I Card, Meike 6.5mm circular fisheye for Sony e-mount first impressions, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary for surf photography, Sea Frogs Salted Line RX1xx water housing, New Sea Frogs Salted Line a6xxx housing design – 3 major updates, Which camera should I buy for surf photography – September 2019 Update, Liquid Eye PGXII and PGXsII Pistol Grip – first impressions, Aquatech Elite II and Aquatech Base II – updated water housings, The best surf photography workshop or course.