The Ultimate Guide to In-Water Surf Photography Equipment

The Best Equipment for In-Water Surf Photography

1. Camera Bodies: Mirrorless Dominance

Top Pick: Sony A7IV
This mirrorless powerhouse offers 30MP stills, 10FPS burst shooting, and 4K/60FPS video. Its compact size and advanced autofocus make it ideal for tracking fast-moving surfers.

Budget Option: Sony A6300
A cost-effective choice with 8FPS burst and 4K/30FPS video. Pair it with a 16-50mm lens for versatility in the lineup.

2. Lenses: Prime vs Zoom

Sony 50mm F2.5 G: The go-to prime lens for crisp action shots with beautiful bokeh.
Sony 24-105mm F4 G: For flexible framing in changing surf conditions, though bulkier to swim with.
Pro Tip: Use URTH circular polarizing filters to reduce glare or UV filters for low-light scenarios.

3. Housing Systems: Your Camera's Armor

LiquidEye Housings: The gold standard with pistol grips and full control access. Compatible with Sony/Canon/Nikon systems.
Key Features:

• Plastic composite construction (lightweight yet durable)
• GoPro mounting options for dual shooting
• Depth-rated for wipeouts and duck dives

4. Essential Accessories

Fins: DaFins provide propulsion and maneuverability in strong currents.
Headwear: Kaiola Surf hats for sun protection or Gath Helmets in heavy conditions.
Magic Wax: Rub a candle stick on your lens port to prevent water droplets from ruining shots.

5. Pro Shooting Setup

Camera Settings:

• Shutter Speed: 1/1000+ to freeze spray
• Aperture: f/4-f/8 for depth control
• ISO: Auto (let the camera handle exposure shifts)

Showcase Your Work

After perfecting your shots with this gear, share your best captures with the surf community on surf-snaps.com – the premier platform for wave photographers to gain exposure and connect with enthusiasts worldwide.