TESTCENTRE
Compact combo for quality footage
ReefMaster RM-4K Pro 2000 Set
COMPANY : SEALIFE PRICE : £ 610 WEB : WWW . SEALIFE-CAMERAS . COM
While the action camera boom originated among surfers as a means to record their exploits , these devices were immediately adopted by virtually every sport you could care to imagine .
For divers , these miniscule marvels proved particularly alluring . Their compact size and ease of use , combined with a relatively inexpensive outlay was a fraction of that of a conventional entry-level underwater setup and a lot easier to use .
While infinitely more suited to video , their ability to shoot stills as well as video held even more appeal , particularly with beginners and those just happy to point and shoot .
Action cameras do suffer from limitations and these are the very same factors that affect even the most expensive housed DSLR systems .
The loss of light and colour with increasing depth will lead to washed-out green or blue hues beyond the first few metres . So , for many divers , the initial excitement of seeing their underwater adventures is soon tempered by the disappointment of less-thancolourful results . The simple answer is to add an artificial light source with a means of attaching it to the camera such as an arm and tray .
Adding these optional – even essential - extras after the event may well turn an inexpensive foray into underwater photography into a slightly more expensive one .
SeaLife has been producing underwater cameras , housings and lighting systems for over 25 years . In addition to these standalone products , the company also offers them in kit , or set , form . For the buyer this means that camera , housing , tray and light come in the one package with a substantial saving on the individual components purchased on an ad hoc basis .
The company ’ s ReefMaster RM-4K Pro2000 Set consists of a matchbox-size compact camera capable of 14MP still images and 4k / 30 fps video . This is protected within a robust four-button external housing , and to give colour to your imagery , a Sea Dragon 2000 Lumen / 120-degree constant video / stills light .
The housing and light are swiftly attached - and detached - to one another using a standard tripod thread mount . The light ’ s arm , which also provides the perfect grip , can be sited left or right . Charge up the camera ’ s removable battery via USB cable and the Pro2000F ’ s battery pack in the supplied charger , then you ’ re ready to roll .
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