Fins for photographers

[Oceanus 3]

Funny how some threads seem to live forever. There's lots of good information accumulated in this one.

 

For travel and tropical water the fairly new Scubapro Go Travel may be worth considering. They are lightweight, and very comfortable to wear barefoot. I'm a big guy, and find them a bit soft when I really want thrust, but most of my photo dives are quite slow so I can live with that.

 

For travel (to tropical water) I switched to barefoot fins years ago. When I don't need boots / socks it also saves weight, and its one less item to forget or lose. Other barefoot fins often give me blisters after 2-3 days of intense diving, the Scubapro Go Travel is the first barefoot fin I have tried that doesn't.

 

The spring strap design is actually really comfortable, and makes them fit most people.

[Brian Jacobsen 0]

+1 for the Scubapro travel fin. Very easy to wear

[ianmarsh 36]

Agree with the Scubapro Go travel fin sentiment ...very comfortable, indeed.

 

Only negative....Maybe a little lacking in power if needed.

[bnf-austin 4]

Any opinions on the OMS Slipstream fin? I see they have a new material and have slightly changed the design...

l love mine. Previously dove the Tusa split fins, the Scubapro Twinjet Max split fin, the Hollis F2 and finally landed on the old style slipstreams and pretty much wore them out, so I bought the new style in white.

 

Another possible suggestion would the IST military style fin:

http://istsports.com/web/category.php?id_category=60

 

 

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[Samir.singh 0]

At my first dive center, people swore by Aqualung stratos-1(full foot), they have weird sizing although. I remember, some staff used them for seasons together, even in current 2-3 knots. Personally, my size was a issue and I landed up with blisters a lot of the times with those so I used Mares Avantti Quattro- amazing fins but they were super heavy. Aqualung came out with a stratos 3 (also full foot) which fit me perfectly, since then I have been very happy with the propulsion. I travel with them wherever I go, quite lightweight and yet they give me the power I need, in all situations. The blade is perfect stiffness for me, but this might not be the case for everyone.
In my experience, I would say try out what works for you best, we each have different strength generated by our kicks which varies by the length of the kick, leg strength, possibly the wave, oscillation etc, and maybe various other factors too..Some say- Strong legs would do better with a stiff blade, and weaker ones need more flexible fins.

The gull's, for most they are overly flexible and personally I don't move with them but then some people really it. They sure feel good to touch

If you like a pair, stick with it

Edited May 5, 2019 by Samir.singh

[lbedogni 4]

Scubapro jetfins. Heavy but I love them

[Kelamik 1]

Hi, my favorite are ScubaPro Seawing. They provide great propulsion and I can do modified frog kick in them. One drawback to these is that you cannot do a traditional frog-kick in these. However, if I were ever in a strong current I would want to have these on. Recently I did 150 dives in these, all while photographing with a full frame Ikelite set-up. They worked great.

[Cerianthus 55]

Reviving this old topic. I use Scubapro Jet fins for drysuit diving. They are also fine with a 7mm wetsuit in colder water. However, I am going on a trip to the Azores in september. I've been looking into fins for there. I would normally go with booted fins. The freediving fins will probably have lots of power, but I am not a freediver. I would probably need socks as well.

I broke my booted plastic Seac fins. I was thinking about Oceanic Accel as travel fins, but I have some doubts on the power, would they be ok snorkeling? It is mostly boat diving. Anyone has experience with those? its about 600 grams for a single one, so 1,2 kg for a pair.

https://www.oceanicworldwide.com/us/accel-fin-color-kit/

Other options will be a bit heavier. (thinking about getting regular Mares Quattros) The open boot Quattro fins are actually heavier then the booted fins. That will be about 2 kg for the pair.

[onokai 8]

Fins-lets see-I must have 10 pair-OK that a lie I have more than that-way more.

If you love the ocean you should have some fins

Lets see fins for drysuits-fins for wetsuits-heavy coldwater suits warm tropical suits-for all sizes of booties

Fins for wreak diving salvage-fins for photo work-fins that my father had from 1953 (orginal gum rubber duck feet from the spear fisherman in Huntington Beach Ca.)-yes I have fins

Drysuit- Apollos and scubascrew jetfins with stailless springs on heels-fin sixe XL

for tropical work I have always been hating taking a heavy fin as it eats into the bag weight.Fin size XL

I also hate plastic fins as they suck- so I have alway preferred a rubber fin

Fins for bodysurfing XL with booties and without depending in water temps

Fins for free diving (extralong) size XL

Late November I spent two weeks diving in Indonesia and tried a new to me fin that was fantastic.

You need a bootie a with this fin and in my case with huge feet thats always been problem. I found a real thin 3 mm

Mares bootie online (size 13)

I thought since this fin felt more plastic than rubber it would suck but really its more rubber than plastic and light as a feather.

These are faily new  product for Scubapro especially in the XL size -Scubapro Go Travel fins-super light my size is XL

-They have a wimpy strap so I bought a spare set but after 22  photo dives I love these fins. They are a breeze to put on and off and feel great underwater.I was able to pack an extra stobe from the weight I saved taking heavy fins.

These fins are the lightest I have run acroos so far. They only come in open heal type so a bootie or a sock is needed

The straps worked flawlessly as well.I recomend them especially if you want to pack photo gear instead of heavy fins for air travel.

[rjprovo 0]

How much weight for weight belt if doing primarily snorkel photography with shorty or wet suit top?

[Zow 0]

I’m going to be in a Maldives Deep South Liveaboard this march. I have a medium compact rig with 2 YSD2 strobes and 2 12K lumens Video Lights (alternating) usage. Will do mostly wide angle shots for the trip.

Can anyone recommend fins for strong current blue water dives? I currently use a Scubapro Go Sport fins. Are freediving fins any good?

Looking forward to recommendations.


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[Spitfire 2]

Deep6 Eddy fins, light, powerful, best control ever... My personal favorite piece of equipment

[tgait 2]

I use both Mares quattros or aqualung slingshots. I like a fin that is stiff enough, or has edge blades sufficient to allow, a good back kick if I need it. I back kick when taking photos more than probably any other type of finning technique.  Anything but split fins, which don’t work well trying back kick. 

[kole 0]

I absolutely love my Apollo split fins with spring strap!  Only downside is that they are really heavy, especially carrying camera gear too ... so for shore dives that are a bit of a hike I use Scubapro Go Sport fins which are super light weight and work fine.

 

[bnf-austin 4]

I’m going to be in a Maldives Deep South Liveaboard this march. I have a medium compact rig with 2 YSD2 strobes and 2 12K lumens Video Lights (alternating) usage. Will do mostly wide angle shots for the trip.

Can anyone recommend fins for strong current blue water dives? I currently use a Scubapro Go Sport fins. Are freediving fins any good?

Looking forward to recommendations.


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Having dove the Maldives, I would recommend the deep 6 fins, or some OMS slipstreams. Definitely would not want to fight the currents wit split fins.


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[Martin.Broen 4]

Hi,

tried many fins over the year and setting up on the: Mares Avanti Quattro plus open Heel Bungee strap fin, as it has a great balance of rigidity and weight.

If you look at the cave diving community in the cenotes 30% of the people will use these fins.

They are light to travel, easy to put in, and you can push through the water with the two sidemount tanks and 1 stage easilly.

If you need to push 4 tanks overall they may be too soft for it.

[James A 2]

I find that I prefer short surf style fins when working in less than 40ft

[pbalves 47]

On 2/24/2020 at 9:25 AM, Zow said:

I’m going to be in a Maldives Deep South Liveaboard this march. I have a medium compact rig with 2 YSD2 strobes and 2 12K lumens Video Lights (alternating) usage. Will do mostly wide angle shots for the trip.

Can anyone recommend fins for strong current blue water dives? I currently use a Scubapro Go Sport fins. Are freediving fins any good?

Looking forward to recommendations.


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Hi Zow

For blue water dives, apnea / freediving long fins will allow you a powerful throttle. But when you are close to the reef they become quite messy and will make it more difficult to take pictures / make movies without damaging the reef.

Besides that freediving fins will be much more demanding for your legs. If you are not used to it or if you do not have strong legs, it will give you cramps. 

I dived Maldives 3 times already. Used TwinJet split fins from Scubapro. I got quite strong currents. With strong current you learn to use the terrain to Advance  and most important, do not fight the current. You will lose.

the fins you have I do not know them, but they look fine fins. 
 

[bnf-austin 4]

Hi Zow

For blue water dives, apnea / freediving long fins will allow you a powerful throttle. But when you are close to the reef they become quite messy and will make it more difficult to take pictures / make movies without damaging the reef.

Besides that freediving fins will be much more demanding for your legs. If you are not used to it or if you do not have strong legs, it will give you cramps. 

I dived Maldives 3 times already. Used TwinJet split fins from Scubapro. I got quite strong currents. With strong current you learn to use the terrain to Advance  and most important, do not fight the current. You will lose.

the fins you have I do not know them, but they look fine fins. 

 

I used split fins the first time I went to Cozumel and dealt with strong currents…. I switched after that experience to solid blade fins. When I dove the Maldives with strong currents, three of us were diving OMS Slipstream fins (Tech style solid blade fin) and non of us had problems maneuvering for shots that we wanted to make. Since then, I would recommend the Deep 6 Gear Eddy Fins, since they are just as effective but slightly narrower/shorter which makes them easier to pack for travel. Another good option would be the xDEEP fins, since they come in several material stiffnesses, allowing you to tailor your fin to your preferred style with a medium or stiff fin.

[Whipauee 10]

I have force fins, 3 pair. First pair at list price subsequent ones on ebay. Replaced straps with bungee straps. I use different sizes for various boots in colder water. I prefer just a dive sock and the fin. All the positives above are true for me. The exceptional features are small light weight for travel and so easy to take off. Thats a big deal to me at 70 and after a hour in the water not doing much, my legs stiffen getting back on a boat. You can turn on a dime with these fins, great for maneuvering for the best angle and light on a creature. Very easy to frog kick, seems like a completely natural move. Been in some currents not much of an issue. and on a emergency diver recall I beat 2, 26 yr olds and a 50 yr old back to the ladder. 

[joncroweucl 9]

I'm considering the Aqualung Storm fins for travel on liveaoards; no boots needed.

They're being well received by YouTube reviewers. Has anyone had experience with these fins?

Edited January 28 by joncroweucl

[JohnLiddiard 22]

14 hours ago, joncroweucl said:

I'm considering the Aqualung Storm fins for travel on liveaoards; no boots needed.

Check the weight. They look as if they could be a bit heavy with all the strap mechanism as well as the foot pocket. 

[joncroweucl 9]

On 1/29/2022 at 12:45 PM, JohnLiddiard said:

Check the weight. They look as if they could be a bit heavy with all the strap mechanism as well as the foot pocket. 

Pair size M-L ScubaPro Go = 1.2 kg/2.6 lbs

Pair size XL Aqualung Storm = 1.36kg/3 lbs

Between the Go and the Storm at size L, I think the weight is pretty much  wash.

Pair size super Apeks RK3 = 2.88kg, before considering boots.

Go have smooth foot pockets. I've heard issues of feet slipping around inside. Storm foot pocket is textured, supposed to solve the problem. I think I'll go for the Storms.

[nellietee 0]

I travel with my RK3 fins despite the weight!

[Jcbartell 0]

I have split fins which I love in general but find can be difficult to hover with.