Photo: Which Lens to Choose for Diving? Complete Guide to Focal Lengths and Apertures Underwater

Choosing the right lens, especially underwater, is essential for successful photography. Here is a guide to help you make the right choice. Introduction Before diving, let’s recall some basics of optics and photography. My exchanges with photographers, whether novices or experts, have amazed me: many are unaware of the basic principles governing optics, especially in […]

Choosing the right lens, especially underwater, is essential for successful photography. Here is a guide to help you make the right choice.

Introduction

Before diving, let’s recall some basics of optics and photography. My exchanges with photographers, whether novices or experts, have amazed me: many are unaware of the basic principles governing optics, especially in underwater photography.

Objective 3

Characteristics of lenses

The two major characteristics of a lens are the focal length (or focal range for zooms) and the diaphragm aperture. Due to low visibility underwater (usually a few meters), using large telephoto lenses becomes unnecessary. It is preferable to choose focal lengths that allow getting closer to the subject, regardless of its size. The goal is to achieve maximum definition and color, often using a flash or a spotlight.

Objective 4
Left, diaphragm fully closed f/22; right, diaphragm fully open f/1.4

Focal Length

The focal length (or focal distance) is the distance between the optical center of the lens and the image’s focus on the sensor, expressed in millimeters. This parameter mainly determines the field of view angle.


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