The tools of the trade
What I present here is my current setup, the result of a journey made of tests, mistakes, and continuous improvements.
The most important invitation is: to experiment, to try, and to find your own way.
GoPro
My primary GoPro is the HERO13, which I use with an extension pole or a dual-handle grip. For the point-of-view shots that I’m a big fan of, I use the HERO12 with the Chesty mount. During a diving holiday, especially on a liveaboard, the days are hectic and the phases follow one another without a break: you go from snorkeling to diving, and then perhaps to a deserted beach. It’s a continuous change of scenery and conditions.
Having to constantly change the GoPro’s settings, open the housing, and maybe switch mounts is a waste of time that risks making you miss the perfect moment.
For this reason, I dedicate my HERO11 exclusively to external shots, while for diving I rely on the HERO12 and 13.
Which GoPro do I suggest for someone starting from scratch?
To achieve maximum flexibility and quality, I recommend models from the HERO11 onwards: the 8:7 sensor and 10-bit color indeed guarantee excellent results. In particular, the almost-square 8:7 format captures a very wide portion of the scene, offering great versatility in editing and allowing clips to be cropped both vertically, for social media, and horizontally, for YouTube or websites.
Furthermore, a decisive advantage is provided by the new GoPro Labs functions for diving, available only for HERO11 or higher. Among these, a specific stabilization for the aquatic environment and the ability to increase the intensity of only the red channel, or blue, according to depth stand out.
For an average user, buying brand new, the HERO13 does not represent a substantial leap in quality compared to the HERO12. The differences emerge at a more advanced level, that is, if you use color profiles like Log or Flat, which require dedicated post-production, and in the customization of Presets, which with the Hero13 has become much simpler.
Protective housing
The original GoPro case, guaranteed waterproof up to 60 meters, offers excellent protection and is easy to use.
With the case, the “mode” and “shutter” buttons remain operational, and the LCD screen is visible but with touch functions disabled.
Unfortunately, GoPro does not sell spare O-rings for its cases. As a temporary solution, the O-ring from the “skeleton” (the open one) back door, provided as an accessory with the case, can be used. However, it will eventually be necessary to purchase a new case.
For technical dives, metal cases are required, designed to withstand pressures far higher than the standard ones.
Battery and battery charger
To avoid the risk of leaving the GoPro on the boat, it’s important to always bring an adequate number of batteries on vacation.
I personally only use original GoPro batteries, which protect me from risks associated with third-party products (such as overheating and reduced battery life).
To optimize recharging between dives, a multi-battery charger is essential, always checking the compatibility of power outlets and voltage in the destination country and, if necessary, acquiring the appropriate adapters.
Since charging batteries in the cabin is not allowed on most boats, I suggest distinctly marking each battery (I use a special marker), to avoid easy equipment swaps with other guests.
MicroSD card
A suitable microSD guarantees smooth recordings and error-free footage.
I have always used SanDisk Extreme PRO 64 GB, but Lexar Silver Plus and Samsung Pro Ultimate are excellent alternatives.
The cards must be Class A2 V30, UHS-3 or higher, and purchased only from trusted dealers, as fake versions are very common.
How to avoid fake memory
CardsThe microSD market is saturated with counterfeit products that can cause data loss and malfunctions. To avoid unwise purchases, it is advisable to follow a few guidelines.
An unrealistic price for a brand-name card is the first warning sign. It is essential to purchase exclusively from authorized resellers and official channels, always verifying the seller’s online reputation.
The product’s appearance also provides clues: low-quality packaging, with blurry prints or errors, indicates a probable counterfeit.
The definitive proof, however, is to test the card’s actual capacity immediately after purchase. Using specific software (like H2testw for Windows, or Blackmagic Disk Speed Test for Mac) is the most reliable method to confirm the product’s authenticity and expose any fraud.
In this blog post, I explain exactly how to run the test.
Extension pole
I only use the extension pole only in particular situations, such as when I want to take selfies during a dive. The longer the pole, the harder it is to keep it stable, so I try to use it as short as possible. To protect the marine environment, I always fold it during finning or when moving in tight spaces.
When choosing the pole, I always opt for lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials like anodized aluminum or carbon fiber.
To create a solid attachment point for the carabiner, I use a tripod eyelet with a 1/4″ external thread.
Double arm tray
This system, composed of a central support on which the GoPro is fixed and side arms with grips, offers a very solid structure, also allowing for the attachment of any lights for night dives. The base with handles allows for more stable shots and also helps to reduce hand and arm fatigue during filming. Despite a higher cost compared to the classic stick, it proves to be one of the most effective investments for anyone aiming for a leap in quality in their videos.
Chesty
The Chesty, a reliable diving companion, enables point-of-view (POV) footage capture, also providing the capability to carry a backup GoPro unit. Conversely, the stability offered is not consistently high, and achieving precise framing control can be challenging.
Between the GoPro and the Chesty’s mounting base, I utilize a 60 mm ball-joint extension arm with a Flat Load Adapter, which permits flexible adjustments to attain the optimal shooting angle and also allows for a quick swap to my main GoPro if the battery runs out.
Tripod
Although locating a stable deployment surface can be challenging, particularly in the presence of water currents, the tripod has proven instrumental in capturing unique video sequences.
For instance, it was utilized to film the highly elusive garden eels (Heteroconger hassi) at Mahibadhoo Rock, Maldives. It also proved valuable for capturing full-body self-recorded footage, intended to display the complete finning motion, as can be seen here.
Lanyard spiral clip
To avoid losing the GoPro, I always use the clip with a spiral lanyard. The spiral, preferably with an attachment clip, allows its length to be extended only when needed, without creating unnecessary bulk. The weak point of this system is normally the carabiners that are supplied with it, almost always made with cheap materials; for this reason, I have replaced them with much higher quality mountaineering models.
Anti fog inserts
Condensation occurs when entrapped moisture within the housing deposits onto the lens, thereby compromising image sharpness. Anti-fog inserts are small rectangular elements designed to trap excess moisture. Post-trip, these inserts are regenerated by placing them in an oven at 150°C for 5 minutes.
Two inserts are typically utilized per housing, positioned clear of the display screen and the lens element.
For cleaning the GoPro lens optics and the housing, microfiber cloths are employed to prevent abrasion of the delicate surfaces.
Backup disks
Post-dive, my immediate priority is to offload the captured footage. Additionally, each evening I execute a secondary backup procedure, which I consider my safeguard against data loss. For primary storage, an SSD is utilized due to its superior data transfer rates and enhanced shock resistance; for the backup, however, an external hard disk drive (HDD) is employed.
Concerning backup solutions, cloud storage services (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) are theoretically ideal, enabling online file archival. However, these necessitate a stable, high-bandwidth internet connection, a prerequisite seldom guaranteed within a Liveaboard operational environment.
Laptop
For an underwater videography expedition, a laptop computer is an indispensable tool. As will be elaborated in the After Dive section, the captured footage requires review after each dive. Furthermore, the computer facilitates immediate file organization, thereby saving valuable time post-trip.
For my video post-production workflow, I utilize a MacBook Pro equipped with an Apple M3 Pro chip and 18GB of unified memory. This configuration capably handles the majority of the workflow. However, even with this processing power, the system can exhibit noticeable performance degradation when applying resource-intensive plugins, such as the Neat Video noise reduction plugin.
It is imperative to always pack the power adapter and all necessary cables, including those for external drives.
My GoPro Equipment Checklist: Download here
