underwater Photo Course :: (2) Equipment Guide :: Underwater Camera Housings :: Underwater Strobes :: underwater Strobe Arms

You will probably buy a flash arm when you buy a strobe and, unless you stick to the system arms, here lies another minefield. How your strobe is physically attached to your camera can also make, or break, it's performance. The traditional design is a straight bar which, although functional, is fairly limiting. It is a great advantage to be able to move your strobe. You will also want to get your strobe off camera occasionally and so disconnect systems are to be preferred.

As in the case with connecting leads, there is no standard mount for strobes and so most underwater photographers are forced to customize their favorite mounting arm to mate with their favorite strobe. The most popular design of flash arm is ball jointed.

Designs that cannot be locked in position usually require constant attention in use and should be avoided. Ensure that the arm system you buy is compatible with your strobe and housingA casing or box with waterproof seals designed to contain a camera or other equipment in such a way that it can be used underwater..

There are some arms that have multiple knuckle joints (actually hydraulic fluid piping extensively used in engineering). These arms are extremely positionable but only use them with small macroPhotography of smaller subjects shot (between 1:1 and 1:3) on macro settings or with macro equipment strobes. They will not take the weight of larger strobes!