If you’re like me, you love capturing memories, especially when exploring the vibrant life beneath the waves. But trying to shoot video or photos underwater without proper lighting can be incredibly frustrating. Colours get muted, details vanish into the murky depths, and you’re left with footage that doesn’t do justice to the incredible sights you witnessed. This problem isn’t just annoying; it means lost opportunities to share the true beauty of the underwater environment. Without a reliable source of illumination, you’re essentially fumbling in the dark, hoping to get lucky. That challenge is exactly what led me to consider an underwater video light in the first place.
Stepping into the world of underwater photography and videography often highlights a fundamental issue: the lack of natural light once you descend below the surface. Water absorbs light rapidly, particularly red and orange wavelengths, leaving everything looking blue or green. This is why someone would seek to buy an item in the underwater light category – to restore those lost colours and brighten up shadowy areas, transforming dull footage into vibrant memories. The ideal customer for a product like this is an enthusiast or hobbyist diver, snorkeler, or even just someone who wants to use their action camera or SLR near or under the water’s surface for casual recording. They likely use a GoPro, DJI Osmo, Akaso, or even a Canon/Nikon/Sony SLR in a waterproof housing and want to enhance their visual results without investing in professional-grade, expensive lighting systems.
However, this type of product might not be for someone needing reliable, professional results at maximum depths consistently, or perhaps those who only plan to swim in very shallow, well-lit conditions. Professionals might require more robust, high-output lights with perfect sealing guarantees. Before buying any underwater light, you need to think about several key factors: the maximum depth rating (and if it aligns with your planned activities), the light’s brightness (measured in lumens or lux) and beam angle (wide flood vs. spot), battery life and charging method, compatibility with your camera setup (mounting options), size and weight (for portability and handling underwater), and importantly, reliability and waterproofing integrity, especially considering the potential consequences of failure underwater.
- Perfectly compatible：Suptig waterproof lights For Gopro hero 12/11/10/9/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1,hero session gopro max, gopro fusion, Dji osmos, Akaso action cameras and Canon Nikon Sony Olympus Panasonic...
- 180ft Waterproof(55m): Suptig underwater lights waterproof to 180ft(55m), You can shoot the photos and videos you want at the bottom of the sea to bring you the perfect visual effect. Even in heavy...
- Built-in rechargeable battery: Use The 2500Mha lithium battery, You can use the charging cable at any time to charge. Suptig Diving lights used 30-leds high-brightness LED desing, Bright/wide angle...
Introducing the Suptig 30 LED Video Light
So, what exactly is the Suptig 30 LED Video Light? At its core, it’s a compact, rechargeable lighting unit designed to provide supplemental illumination for cameras used underwater or in low-light conditions. It promises to bring back colour and clarity to your underwater footage and photos, with a stated waterproof rating of up to 180ft (55m). When you purchase the Suptig dive light, you typically get the light itself, a charging cable (often USB), and maybe a standard mounting accessory like a GoPro-style buckle mount or shoe mount adapter. This specific underwater video light is explicitly designed for broad compatibility, intended for use with popular action cameras like the GoPro Hero series (up to 12), DJI Osmo, and Akaso, as well as various Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus SLR cameras when paired with appropriate mounts or housings.
This Suptig light is generally aimed at the recreational diver or snorkeler who wants a simple, relatively affordable way to improve their underwater visuals. It’s likely not intended for deep technical dives or professional cinematography where absolute reliability and maximum light output are paramount, differentiating it from much higher-priced professional lighting solutions on the market.
Here’s a quick look at some pros and cons based on my experience and available information:
Pros:
* Provides wide, bright light to restore colours underwater.
* Decent battery life on lower settings for typical recreational dives.
* Rechargeable built-in battery is convenient.
* Wide compatibility with action cameras and SLRs.
* Compact and lightweight design.
Cons:
* Reports of inconsistent waterproofing, with some units failing well above the stated depth limit.
* Potential issues with build quality, such as mounting points or internal components leaking.
* Brightness levels between modes might not offer significant variation on some units.
* Reliability for repeated deeper dives can be questionable based on user feedback.
- Powerful functions, diverse colors, 21 button mode remote control, 7 kinds of lamp color change, adjustment of light brightness, automatic mode, three speed timing, etc., to meet your needs for...
- Super Bright Flashlight: Updated XM-L2 Led, the maximum range up to 100 meters. The diving light can be submerged up to 80 ft. So diving flashlight provides you ultra-bright light when underwater...
Exploring the Light’s Capabilities and Advantages
Let’s delve into the specific features of the Suptig 30 LED Video Light and how they translate into practical benefits for anyone wanting to illuminate their underwater adventures.
Depth Rating and Water Resistance (Waterproof 180ft/55m):
The headline feature for any dive light is its ability to withstand pressure and remain sealed at depth. The Suptig 30 LED light boasts a waterproof rating of 180ft or 55 meters. In theory, this should make it suitable for the vast majority of recreational scuba diving limits, typically up to 40 meters (around 130 feet). When holding the light, it feels reasonably solid, constructed from apparently durable PC material and stainless steel components intended to prevent corrosion in saltwater. The battery compartment and charging port area are sealed, usually with O-rings and a secure closure. The benefit here is obvious: the ability to take the light down with you to significant depths to illuminate subjects that would otherwise be lost in the blue. This allows you to capture vibrant corals, shy marine creatures hiding in crevices, or explore wreck interiors with your camera, significantly improving the visual quality of your recordings below the surface. However, it’s crucial to address the reports from users who have experienced leaks at depths significantly *less* than 180ft, sometimes even in relatively shallow water. This inconsistency is a significant disadvantage and suggests that while the stated rating is high, real-world reliability might vary, meaning it’s wise to test it cautiously and perhaps not rely on it for critical shots at its maximum claimed depth without rigorous prior testing or as your sole light source.
Illumination Power and Quality (30 LEDs, 1300lux, 5500k):
Equipped with 30 high-brightness LEDs, the Suptig 30 LED Video Light is specified to output 1300 lux at 5500K colour temperature. In practice, 1300 lux is a decent amount of light for a compact unit, sufficient to make a noticeable difference in visibility and colouration at typical recreational diving depths. The 5500K colour temperature is close to daylight balance, meaning it should provide a natural-looking light that helps restore the red and yellow hues absorbed by water, making marine life and coral appear more vibrant in your photos and videos. Unlike narrow beam spotlights, this underwater light is designed to provide a wide-angle floodlight effect. This is a major benefit for video, as it illuminates a broader area in front of your camera, reducing harsh shadows and providing more even lighting across the frame. This helps avoid the “spotlight” effect common with narrower beams and is excellent for capturing wider reef scenes or larger subjects. Several user reviews corroborate that the light does indeed illuminate a wide area effectively, improving video quality significantly compared to shooting without a light.
Lighting Modes and Versatility (4 modes: High, Mid, Low, SOS):
The presence of multiple lighting modes adds valuable versatility. The Suptig light offers High, Mid, and Low constant illumination modes, plus an SOS flashing mode. The benefit of having adjustable brightness is primarily battery management and adapting to different lighting conditions. On a shallow, bright reef, the Low or Mid setting might be sufficient, conserving power for longer dive times. In deeper or darker environments, the High setting provides maximum illumination. The SOS mode is a safety feature, allowing you to signal for help in an emergency. While the concept is great, one user did mention that the difference between the High and Low settings wasn’t very pronounced on their unit, which could be a minor drawback if you were hoping for a significant step down in brightness or a major increase in battery life on the lowest setting. However, having the options is still better than a single on/off mode.
Power Source and Battery Life (Built-in 2500mAh rechargeable battery):
The Suptig 30 LED Video Light features a built-in 2500mAh lithium battery. This is a convenient feature as it means you don’t need to carry spare disposable batteries or deal with external battery packs. It’s charged via a USB cable, making it easy to top up the power using a power bank, laptop, or wall adapter between dives or overnight. The advertised battery life is approximately 2.5 hours on High, 3.5 hours on Mid, 5 hours on Low, and up to 9 hours on SOS mode. For many recreational dives which typically last between 45 minutes to an hour, this should be sufficient to last for one or even two dives on the Mid or Low setting, depending on your usage. The benefit is hassle-free operation and charging. However, some users who experienced unit failure didn’t get to test the battery life extensively, so its real-world performance over many charge cycles on functioning units is key. For those whose units worked correctly, some reported finishing a 45-minute dive still showing a full charge on the medium setting, which aligns well with the stated battery life and is a significant plus. After using in saltwater, properly rinsing and cleaning the external charging contacts is essential to prevent corrosion and ensure continued charging capability.
Compatibility and Mounting:
A key selling point of the Suptig underwater light is its broad compatibility. It’s advertised to work with numerous action cameras like GoPro models (Hero 12 down to Hero 1), DJI Osmo, and Akaso, which typically use a standard two-pronged mount. It also mentions compatibility with Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus SLR cameras, likely implying use with cold shoe adapters or other mounting systems on SLR housings. This wide range of compatibility is a huge benefit, meaning you can likely attach it to your existing camera setup without needing specialized adapters (beyond what might be needed for your specific camera/housing). The physical size (8L x 4.2W x 4H cm) is compact, making it easy to integrate into small camera rigs or mount alongside your camera on a tray or handle. However, one user did report issues with a potentially defective mounting bracket out of the box, which prevented them from attaching it to their float handle. While likely not a widespread issue, it highlights the importance of checking all components upon arrival.
Durability and Construction:
The use of stainless steel for crucial components and ultra-durable PC material is intended to provide resistance to the corrosive effects of saltwater and withstand the pressures of diving. A dive light needs to be robust to handle being bumped against rocks or equipment. The compact, unique patented design adds to its manageability underwater. The benefit is a product that should, in theory, last for many dives. However, the reports of units leaking and failing after only one or a few dives, even at shallow depths, severely contradict the idea of long-term durability for *some* units. While some users have had flawless experiences down to significant depths, others have faced immediate or rapid failure. This inconsistency suggests a potential quality control issue that affects a portion of the production, making the purchase feel like a bit of a gamble for some users seeking guaranteed reliability.
User Perspectives: What Others Are Saying
Having looked around online forums and reviews, it’s clear that experiences with this particular Suptig dive light are quite varied. Some divers report overwhelmingly positive results, praising the light’s ability to effectively illuminate wide areas and restore natural colours, even on medium power settings during relatively deep dives (like 80 feet). They’ve found it performed flawlessly, with no leaks and surprisingly good battery life holding up through entire dives. On the other hand, a significant number of users have unfortunately encountered severe issues with water ingress, leading to the light failing completely after only one or a few dives, sometimes well below the stated 55-meter depth limit. Some reported lights malfunctioning, becoming uncontrollable, or showing condensation and browning internally after getting wet. There were also isolated reports of manufacturing defects like problematic mounting tabs or inconsistent brightness between modes. This stark contrast suggests that while the light *can* perform well for some, there might be inconsistencies in manufacturing that affect the waterproofing integrity for others.
Wrapping Things Up
The challenge of capturing vibrant, clear footage when exploring underwater is real. Without adequate lighting, the beauty of the marine world is often lost in blue or green monochromatic images. This lack of light compromises the quality of your videos and photos, failing to truly represent the incredible colours and details you experience firsthand. Having a dedicated underwater light is essential to overcome this problem.
The Suptig 30 LED Video Light offers several compelling reasons why it could be a good fit for recreational users looking to enhance their underwater video and photography. Its wide beam and natural colour temperature effectively combat the colour loss that occurs at depth, significantly improving image quality. The rechargeable battery and multiple lighting modes offer practical usability and flexibility for typical recreational dives. Furthermore, its broad compatibility means it’s likely to work with the action camera or SLR setup you already own. However, it is important to be aware of the reported inconsistencies in waterproofing reliability. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option to potentially improve your underwater footage and are willing to accept that some units might have issues based on user feedback, this light could be worth considering. To learn more or check it out for yourself, Click here.
Last update on 2025-07-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API