Chasing M2 PRO - ROV underwater drone light arms.

Kit moves the led light away from the camera lens helping to mitigate the issues with the stock led lights located to closes to the camera lens and illuminating the particles in the water directly in front of the lens. No modification needed just remove the factory light screws and install the factory lights in the extension arm sockets. Carbon fiber pin rods hold the arms in the M2 rails. Each M2 side rail has factory mounting holes the kit slides into. No need to leave parts off the M2 or make modifications. Built for the commercial user in a rugged environment. When not in use arms fold in and are designed to match the couture of the M2. When folded they will fit in the standard case. Kit comes with plug for the original location of the lights but no not need to be installed. Two GoPro Style mounts located on the end of each arm for any add on devices. Kit comes with two Thumb GoPro style tightening thumb screws

Larger Size M2 Pro version in Orange (see standard version for additional pictures)

Check out the feedback on the M2 Facebook page. we have shipped these to every continent except Antarctica. From Greenland to Australia 

PROBLEM: BACKSCATTERWhat it is: When particles suspended in the water are illuminated by a strobe, they can appear as distracting white particles in your photo. The particles can be either small specks or larger white blobs that take on the shape of the lens aperture, depending on how focused the particles are.

What causes it: If the strobe is too close to the lens, particles will be illuminated and exaggerated by the full frontal light. Sometimes the water is simply too dirty to get a photo free of backscatter no matter where the strobe is placed.

How to fix it: The angle at which the strobe is held can make a significant difference in minimizing backscatter. It is far better to move the strobe away from the lens, typically at a 45-degree angle above and to the side of the subject. Remember the effects of refraction under water, and aim your strobe slightly beyond your visual perception of the subject’s location.

When the water is very dirty, particles may still appear in your photo regardless of strobe placement. Note in Photo 1 that the particles are most apparent in the upper portion of the photo, leading me to assume that a good wide-angle shot that includes open water was probably not possible under these conditions. Instead, I would have been better off using different optics to shoot close-ups of subjects like the starfish. By doing so, I also could have reduced the amount of water between lens and subject. I also could have found a background better suited to camouflaging the particles.

Overall lessons on backscatter: (1) Aim your strobe properly to minimize the number of particles you illuminate in front of your lens. (2) Let local conditions help determine the best kind of photos to take in order to minimize backscatter.

When a strobe is too close to the lens and provides full frontal light (left), particles visible to the lens are illuminated, causing backscattter. To minimize backscatter (right), place the strobe at a 45-degree angle above and to the side of the subject, thereby illuminating the sides of particles not visible to the lens.

STEPHEN FRINK UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHYFacebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/212776627091348

install video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk5gWe7Pt1I&t=45s

Condition is "New". Shipped with USPS. M2 PRO ROV not included. Prop guards sold separately. Kit contains: Two front Light arm light holders. Two back arm braces. Two Locking Stainless Steel pins. Two caps for removed and relocated factory lights