Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo

09/01/2026

Introducing Backscatter’s In-Depth Underwater Strobe Review.

We spent hundreds of hours testing 20+ strobes so you don’t have to.

Our ground-breaking interactive strobe comparison viewer lets you compare the beam patterns and brightness of any two strobes side by side, underwater.

We didn’t stop at beam patterns and brightness. We put every strobe through the same tests to measure guide number, recycle time, color temperature, flash duration, and more.

This is our most in-depth resource yet for comparing underwater strobes before you buy.
Explore the comparison viewer, read all the details and see how your strobe stacks up.
https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Best-Underwater-Strobes-Tested

08/19/2026

Want to get perfect flash exposures with every shot using your Olympus or OM System TG camera? The Backscatter Atom Flash has you covered!

Get more from your Backscatter Atom Flash and Olympus TG with the right Smart Control TTL settings.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up your Atom Flash for accurate, automatic flash exposure, so you can get more consistent results in your underwater photography.

Check out the full guide for all of our Atom Flash how-to videos covering the key settings and features you need to get the most from your flash.:

https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Backscatter-Atom-Flash-How-To-Setup-Guide

08/14/2026

Did you know you can customize your Backscatter Atom Flash to fit your exact shooting needs?

In this how-to guide, we’ll show you how to set up Custom Mode and personalize your mode selection so you can get the most out of your Atom Flash.

Watch the full video here, then visit our article below for all of our Atom Flash video guides.

https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Backscatter-Atom-Flash-How-To-Setup-Guide

06/12/2026

Get creative with us TONIGHT at June meeting of The Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS), hosted by Backscatter!

We're excited to have Ron Watkins presenting via zoom on in-camera tips, tricks, toys & techniques. We will also be hosting a watch party in the shop with drinks and snacks.

📅 Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
🚪 Doors Open: 7:00 PM Pacific Time
🎤 Presentation Starts: 7:30 PM Pacific Time
📍 Where: Join us in-person at Backscatter OR online via Zoom!

🔗 Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84553800196?pwd=h58ji6MfSBaAdbLYSJQ6RcitUetv87.1

Meeting ID: 845 5380 0196
Passcode: 978657

Award-winning underwater photographer, writer, speaker, and instructor Ron Watkins is an adventurer with a passion for capturing incredible images—and helping others do the same. As a Backscatter Photo Professional Affiliate, Ron leads photo trips, reviews gear, and teaches photography workshops around the world.

His work has earned honors from competitions including Underwater Photographer of the Year, Ocean Photographer of the Year, and Nature's Best Photography Awards. Through his photography and storytelling, Ron inspires others to explore, appreciate, and protect our oceans. 🌊📸🦈

See you there!

05/22/2026

Is the new Sony 100mm the best underwater macro lens we’ve seen in years? We took this highly anticipated lens underwater in a wide variety of shooting conditions to see if it’s a worthy upgrade from the classic Sony 90mm.

See the full article here: https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Sony-100mm-Macro-Lens-Underwater-Review

05/19/2026

If you’re diving into black water photography, having the right optics is everything. The Nauticam MFO-3 (Mid-Range Focus Optimizer) is an absolute must-have accessory for these demanding blackwater dives.

Here’s why: The MFO-3 is a specialized water-contact optic that essentially transforms longer macro lenses—like the Sony 90mm and 100mm, Nikon 105mm, or Canon 100mm—into a wider 60mm equivalent. It gives you a much more manageable field of view for fast-moving pelagic subjects and allows you to focus right up to the glass port. By correcting for flat port distortion, it significantly improves your autofocus tracking speed and edge-to-edge image sharpness.

Want to learn how to dial in your black water photography and capture alien subjects like this? Join .photovideo in Lembeh for the Capturing Critters Workshop in January 2027! We’ll be diving deep into gear optimization, lighting, and advanced shooting techniques.

Check out the link below to secure your spot:
🔗 https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Capturing-Critters-in-Lembeh-Underwater-Photography-Workshop

05/07/2026

Last chance to submit photos and videos for tomorrow night's Northern California Underwater Photographic Society (NCUPS) Critique Night!

NCUPS Critique Night – Get Expert Feedback!

Join the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society, hosted by Backscatter this Friday for an evening of professional insight and constructive feedback. Active members can have their work reviewed by our expert panel: Jim Decker, Becca Boring, and Bruce Sudweeks.
Whether you’re prepping for a competition or just want to level up your underwater imaging, this is the night for you!

How to Participate:
    •    Submit: Up to 3 images OR one 1-minute video.
    •    The Review: The panel will choose one piece per person to critique live.
    •    Where to Send: Email files or links (Dropbox/Google Drive) to [email protected].
    •    Deadline: Midnight, Thursday, May 7th.

Event Details:
    •    When: Friday, May 8th @ 7:30 PM
    •    Where: In person at Backscatter or online via Zoom.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82087016894?pwd=WVRabSIONTWJlzoWhJnf7LMrp4Srwc.1
    •    Meeting ID: 820 8701 6894
    •    Passcode: 481779
See you there!

05/05/2026

Double the magnification, zero extra gear.

The OM System 90mm Macro is hands-down one of the sharpest macro lenses on the market right now. The real game-changer for underwater shooters? It captures a 2:1 reproduction ratio—that’s double life-size—natively on the lens. No need to stack external diopters or wet lenses to get those mind-blowing super macro details.

Killer capture by Jim Decker.
Check out the full specs and grab yours!
https://www.backscatter.com/OM-System-90mm-f-3.5-M.Zuiko-IS-Macro-Lens

05/04/2026

NCUPS Critique Night – Get Expert Feedback!

Join the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society, hosted by Backscatter this Friday for an evening of professional insight and constructive feedback. Active members can have their work reviewed by our expert panel: Jim Decker, Becca Boring, and Bruce Sudweeks.
Whether you’re prepping for a competition or just want to level up your underwater imaging, this is the night for you!

How to Participate:
    •    Submit: Up to 3 images OR one 1-minute video.
    •    The Review: The panel will choose one piece per person to critique live.
    •    Where to Send: Email files or links (Dropbox/Google Drive) to [email protected].
    •    Deadline: Midnight, Thursday, May 7th.

Event Details:
    •    When: Friday, May 8th @ 7:30 PM
    •    Where: In person at Backscatter or online via Zoom.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82087016894?pwd=WVRabSIONTWJlzoWhJnf7LMrp4Srwc.1
    •    Meeting ID: 820 8701 6894
    •    Passcode: 481779
See you there!

05/04/2026

NCUPS Critique Night – Get Expert Feedback!

Join the Northern California Underwater Photographic Society, hosted by Backscatter, this Friday for an evening of professional insight and constructive feedback. Active members can have their work reviewed by our expert panel: Jim Decker, Becca Boring, and Bruce Sudweeks.

Whether you’re prepping for a competition or just want to level up your underwater imaging, this is the night for you!

How to Participate:
Submit: Up to 3 images OR one 1-minute video.

The Review: The panel will choose one piece per person to critique live.

Where to Send: Email files or links (Dropbox/Google Drive) to [email protected].

Deadline: Midnight, Thursday, May 7th.

Event Details:
When: Friday, May 8th @ 7:30 PM

Where: In person at Backscatter or online via Zoom.

Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82087016894?pwd=WVRabSIONTWJlzoWhJnf7LMrp4Srwc.1

Meeting ID: 820 8701 6894

Passcode: 481779

See you there!