Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo

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!

04/21/2026

Ready to take your underwater images further than you ever imagined? Join us this June in picturesque Little Cayman for the Digital Shootout — the largest and most immersive underwater imaging event in the world. Enjoy two unforgettable weeks of diving, 25+ unique seminars, coaching from the pros, test-diving cutting-edge gear, and nonstop inspiration alongside the most passionate and supportive community environment.

Sign up today!

https://www.thedigitalshootout.com/

04/14/2026

A spotted ratfish cruises through a squid run in this image by Sage Ono shot using the Nauticam WACP-C.

The WACP-C is the compact version of Nauticam’s renowned WACP series of wide-angle correction ports. Designed specifically for underwater use, these optics convert a 28mm equivalent lens into a 130-degree field of view underwater while maintaining sharp corners and zoom capability.

In this configuration, the WACP-C provides a versatile 28–70mm zoom range, allowing you to move easily from wide environmental scenes to tighter close-ups on the same dive. That flexibility makes it possible to capture the full story of moments like this.

04/10/2026

In this review Team Backscatter takes to the field to put the new Octo 3500 Video Lights through their paces, from the cold, nutrient-rich waters of Monterey, California to the mucky macro wonderland of Lembeh, Indonesia.

The Octo 3500 is a compact video light that doesn’t hold back on performance. With 3500 lumens and a wide 100° beam, it delivers the bright, even coverage needed to bring back color, contrast, and clarity when shooting with action cameras and compact systems.

But the Octo 3500 isn’t just about wide-angle video. Its small size makes it an incredibly versatile lighting tool. Pair it with the Backscatter Color Filter System for vibrant creative backgrounds, add the Fluoro Excitation filter for glowing night dives, or mount it to a larger camera rig as a powerful, low-profile focus light.

Watch us dive the Octo 3500 in real-world conditions and see if its the next upgrade for your underwater video setup.

Read our full review article here: https://www.backscatter.com/reviews/post/Best-Underwater-Action-Camera-Video-Light-Backscatter-Octo-3500

0:00 Intro
1:12 Diving the Octo 3500's
6:03 Octo 3500 VS Macro Wide 4300

🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more underwater photography tips and gear reviews!

🌐 Visit our website for more details: www.backscatter.com

04/07/2026

Creating a clean macro image like this nudibranch requires precise lighting control. By using a snoot, the flash beam is narrowed into a tight spotlight that illuminates only the nudibranch while keeping the background dark, clean and free of distractions. In this image, photographer Todd Winner carefully lit the subject to bring out its color and texture against a dark background.

This image was captured using Backscatter Mini Flash 3 and Snoot combo. The Mini Flash 3 includes a super bright built-in aiming light that makes aiming the snoot beam extremely easy, allowing for true what-you-see-is-what-you-get performance. Combined with automatic flash modes for Sony, Olympus, and OM System cameras, shooters can now focus on composition and strobe placement, rather than adjusting strobe power.

If you want to experiment with dramatic snooted macro lighting like this, learn more about the Mini Flash 3 and see how it can fit into your underwater macro setup through the link in our bio.