Underwater Photography Equipment Checklist: 20 Items You Need From An Award-Winning Photographer

Underwater photography can be complicated enough without worrying about having all the right equipment. That’s why I decided to create a quick and easy guide covering all the equipment you need. 

If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here - otherwise, let’s get straight into the details.

Photography Essentials

Let’s start with the essentials, the absolute basics that you need to make sure you have before you head off on your next diving trip.

You can see my selection of best underwater cameras for scuba diving here for more information.

1. Camera Body

The first thing you need is your camera body, as this is the foundation of the setup for capturing underwater images.

2. Batteries and SD Cards

Batteries and SD cards are an absolute must as well, always bring backups as well.

This will make sure your camera stays powered and give you plenty of storage for high-resolution images.

3. Lenses

The next thing is lenses.

Obviously, this is an important one for underwater photography, and there are a few types of lenses I recommend:

• Wide-Angle or Fisheye Lens: Ideal for capturing reefscapes and large marine life.

• Macro Lens: Perfect for detailed shots of small subjects like nudibranchs or shrimps.

• All-Around Lens: A versatile option for a range of underwater conditions.

• Telephoto Lens: Useful for topside whale watching or photographing distant subjects.

I have actually written a full guide on the topic of the best lens for underwater photography, so feel free to check that out for more info on the topic.

4. Action Camera

Lastly, I recommend bringing an action camera.

These are super versatile and are great for capturing wide-angle video or secondary footage underwater. 

Underwater Housing & Accessories

Now, let’s focus more specifically on the equipment needed to deal with water.

5. Underwater Housing

Choosing the right type of underwater housing is absolutely crucial for underwater photography.

This not only protects your camera from water pressure, but it also allows you to actually use the camera while underwater.

It’s worth investing in good quality housing to make sure your camera doesn’t get damaged.

6. Handle + Wide-Angle + Macro Ports

A good handle will allow you to grip better, especially in difficult diving conditions.

Wide-angle ports are great for taking pictures of larger oceanic life, like sharks or reefs, and macro ports are a must for compatibility between different devices.

7. Vacuum Pump For Housing

Vacuum pumps are another must-bring item, as these are used to create a secure seal and prevent leaks. They’re also a super easy way to check for airtightness to make sure there is minimal risk of damage to your camera equipment.

8. Extra Sets Of O-Rings And Lubricant

Always bring an extra set of O-rings and lubricant.

Backup O-rings will always come in handy if the housing isn’t sealing properly, and lubricant helps to prevent wear and tear and maintain the health of the seal.

Lighting Setup

External lighting will make or break your underwater images.

Here is a rundown of all the pieces of equipment I bring to make sure I can get the best images possible, even in challenging conditions with dim light.

8. Underwater Strobes (Two)

Strobes provide compensation for color loss by restoring reds and oranges, and I prefer to use two strobes for balanced lighting while reducing shadows and backscatter.

If you want to capture vivid color, don’t sleep on this.

9. Fiber Optic Cables

These cables are a must for connecting the strobes to the camera for a synchronized flash.

10. Ball Arms and Clamps

Make sure you have ball arms and clamps ready to position your strobes and other accessories correctly.

11. Focus Light + Clamp + Battery

A focus light, with clamp & battery, is your best friend when it comes to getting focus in low-light conditions.

Power And Maintenance

Okay, these ones are pretty boring, I’ll admit.

However, they’re very important to make sure you have with you on any diving trip where you plan to take photos.

12. 2 Sets Of Rechargeable Batteries

 I always bring at least two sets of rechargeable batteries.

This gives me enough power for strobes and other equipment, as well as a backup for longer dives.

13. Cleaner Kit And Lens Caps

Always bring along a cleaner kit and lens cap so you can keep the optics and housing clean.

This isn’t just for vanity, it will actually help you take better images.

14. Chargers

It goes without saying that you need to bring chargers with you to keep everything on full battery.

It’s incredibly frustrating to miss out on taking an amazing photograph due to a lack of battery power, so make sure you test your chargers beforehand and always bring them along.

Diving Equipment

In terms of diving equipment, you obviously need to bring all of your usual kit.

15. Dive Computer

The only extra thing here I would recommend for underwater photography specifically is a dive computer.

Having a dive computer makes it easier to keep track of time, depth, and other important information when you may be more focused on taking awesome pictures.

Safety And Backup

The next pieces of equipment to consider are those used for safety and backups.

A lot of divers, especially beginners, overlook the need to keep their camera equipment both secure and insured against losing a specific part.

16. Camera Straps And Clips

Always keep your camera strapped and clipped in securely.

The last thing any ocean photographer wants is for their camera to go missing, so this one is an absolute MUST.

17. Spare Parts Kit

Always pack a spare parts kit, which includes extra O-rings, screws, and small tools for emergencies.

Storage And Transport

Storage and transport need to be taken into account with any underwater photography trip.

18. Bag for Housing, Ports, Camera and Lens

I like to bring a pretty large bag with separate compartments for my camera, housing, lens, and ports.

I don’t have any particular favorite brands, just look out for lots of functional cushioning and something easy to carry around.

Post-Processing Tools

We’re almost there!

The last parts of the checklist are for post-processing. 

19. Editing Software

Editing software can be controversial, but I highly recommend investing in good editing software such as Adobe Lightroom to touch up your photos afterward.

20. Laptop

I like to bring my laptop on all of my dive trips so I can quickly transfer the images across and see how they turn out.

It makes it easier to quickly edit the images and keep track of them as well.

Wrapping It Up

I hope this guide has given you a solid checklist of all the items you should bring along with you when doing underwater photography.
The next step is to head out there and practice your skills - my guide to underwater photography is a great starting point.