My South African Ikelite System for Sony a1 // Logan Wood's Underwater Photo Gear [VIDEO]

Featuring Logan Wood

Ikelite Video Producer Logan Wood traveled to the opposite end of the World to photograph the South African kelp forests and sardine run with Ambassador Jacques de Vos. Find out what he packed to capture cinematic footage of seals, dolphins, sharks, penguins, and more.

Camera & Underwater Housing

My main camera for filming and shooting some photos underwater has been the Sony a1, and that comes in the 200DL Underwater Housing for Sony a1 # 71476. It's kind of my go-to, either the a1 or the a7S III, and they fit in the same housing, so that's great.

WATCH: Sony a1 a7S III Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing Assembly

The Sony a1 and a7S III are two of the most prolific mirrorless cameras underwater thanks to their incredible video performance and large selection of lenses. You can use these cameras interchangeably in our 200DL housing # 71476.

Lenses

My lens of choice: I was shooting the 12-24mm, that's kind of what I went into it thinking I would shoot a lot. But after looking at the footage and some of the photos, I realized it was a bit too wide for what I’m shooting. So I switched to the trusty 16-35mm f/2.8. That comes with a few extensions and I chose the full size DL 8" Dome Port # 75340.

GoPro

In addition to that, I do have a GoPro on the top. I have it mounted just with GoPro Top Mount Kit # 2602.5. And this is the GoPro Hero 11, it’s just been great for rolling some video, so I just have kind of my whole dive on video.

WATCH: Adding a GoPro to Your Ikelite Underwater Housing

Trim Weight System

Other than that, I have the Trim Weight System for DL Housings # 47140 on here. I am doing natural light video and photos, so the trim weight just kind of helps keep the system a little bit more balanced in the water. 

WATCH: Trim Weight System for Perfect Housing Stability Underwater

The Ikelite trim weight system is super easy, I was able to just grab an extra weight off the boat, strap it on the bottom, and I was good to go.

Carry Cable

I also have the Red Cable Grip # 4080.09 on here attached to my handles, and this has been great just for handing it up to the boat. Either they grab the handles or the carry grip, and it makes it really easy.

USB-C Bulkhead

Probably the biggest addition that I have onto this housing, which I found very useful on this trip, is the USB-C Charging & Data Transfer Bulkhead # 46007 right here on the top. And if you haven't heard of it, it makes it really easy to offload and charge your camera without taking it out of the housing. That's been really nice because I got back from the boat maybe 30 minutes ago, and my system's basically already set up. I just have to charge it, put it under a vacuum, and I'll be good to go.

WATCH: Never take your camera out of the housing! // USB-C Charging & Data Transfer Bulkhead

With Ikelite Ambassador and creator of Oceans Around Us Jacques de Vos 

Topside Camera Gear

For topside, I have the Sony a7C II with a 24-105mm. It's super sunny here most days. We get a little bit of cloudy days, but today was super sunny, so I just have an ND on here for some video work.

I chose to bring this camera because I have the smaller 200DLM/A Underwater Housing # 69124 for the a7C II, just in case I wanted to get something a little bit lighter. Especially since we're doing a lot of free diving, having a bit more of a streamlined system is always helpful.

Alright, so this was just a really quick rundown of the system and gear that I'm using for this trip. If you have any questions, you can shoot us an email at ikelite@ikelite.com.

Featured Gear

• 200DL Underwater Housing for Sony a1, a7S III Mirrorless Digital Cameras # 71476
• DL 8" Dome Port # 75340
• Trim Weight System for DL Housings # 47140
• Red Cable Grip # 4080.09
• USB-C Charging & Data Transfer Bulkhead # 46007
• GoPro Top Mount Kit # 2602.5

Additional Viewing

Chasing the Sardine Run Underwater in South Africa [VIDEO]

Diving the Cape Peninsula // South Africa Underwater [VIDEO]

My Must Have Underwater Housing Accessory // Cable Top Handle Grip [VIDEO]

Sony a1 Photos from the Pacific Northwest with the Ikelite Underwater Housing

Photographing Dolphins on a Sardine Run with Jacques de Vos [VIDEO] 

Logan Wood is a published photographer, cinematographer, and Producer at Ikelite. Stemming from a great appreciation for the outdoors and living an active lifestyle, his work focuses on capturing and sharing the natural world through the latest technologies. When not in the studio, Logan can be found cruising on his bike, going to concerts, and researching where to go next. You can see more of his work at loganwood.net and on Instagram @jlowood