An underwater snoot generally looks how it sounds. It is a device or a tube which is meant to narrow down a beam of light from your underwater strobe or video light in order to highlight your subject. Underwater photographers employ this creative tool to produce very striking and creative photos with sharp contrast and often black backgrounds. Because the beam from a snoot is small, it highlights a small area, leaving the rest of the image to exposed (or not exposed) by ambient light.
When you are shopping for an underwater snoot, there are a few things to keep in mind. Aiming a snoot beam is very difficult. Some snoots have a built-in targeting light that helps you aim the beam on your subject before you take the shot. Other underwater snoots are compatible wih the targeting light from a certain strobe that they can also use to aim. Some snoots don't have targeting lights, but they do have flexible arms to help aim their beam. These snoots are called "fiber optic snoots," and they use a bundle of fiber optic cables to move light from your light source to the subject. All snoots take some time to get used to.
SNOOT OPTIONS FOR UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY:
Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube
*High-End Snoot, Adjustable Aperture, Built-In Aiming Light*
The Marelux Smart Optical Flash Tube s a revolutionary, new high-end snoot for underwater macro photography. It can be adapted to most modern strobes and features a built-in aiming light (that can shut off automatically when the strobe is fired), an adjustable iris/aperture, and a quick release mount. The focus point is 170mm from end of the tube. The light diameter can be adjusted from 2mm to 60mm.
- Excellent Build Quality
- Adjustable Aperture
- Built-In Aigning Light
- Uses 18650 Battery
Reefnet Fiber Optic Snoot
*Flexible for Quick & Easy Aiming, Choose 1 or 2 Light Points*
The Reefnet Fiber Optic Snoot has a simple yet very effective design. It is built from a 3D printed strobe mount with locline arms and fiber optic cables that carry light through the center of each arm. The fiber optic cables are bundled into multiples for optimal light transmission. The flexible arms are also an advantage for easy and quick aiming. An optional second arm can be attached which gives you the versatility of having two light sources for more creative options. While the Reefnet snoot doesn't have a targeting light, we find it to be easy to use after some practice. We recommend visualizing the distance between the snoot and practice subject and use the same visualized distance on real subjects.
- supports up to two flexible arms which gives you options of have more points of light.
- Fiber optics provides good light transmission
- Compact and Lightweight
- No electronics and durable
- No aiming or guide light
10Bar Snoot
*Laser Guided Aiming for Superior Accuracy*
The 10Bar Snoot is made from machined aluminum material which also features a guiding laser to provides great accuracy when shooting. The diameter of the snoot can be adjusted by unscrewing the small tube from the body. It is also lightweight and easy to travel with.
- Easy to aim with its laser guide
- Adjustable diameter of light beam
- Easy to travel with
- Afforable price
- Batteries are required for the laser guiding system.
Kraken Sports Hydra 1000 Focus Edition
Free Snoot Attachment and Multi Color Filter
*Small & Compact, With Burst Mode*
The Kraken Sports Hydra 1000 Focus Edition is one of the best focus lights on the market. Aside from the affordable price, it has lots of great features. It is small and compact, yet packs a 1000-lumen punch. It also has a long burn time of 85 mins. One noteable feature of the focus light is its burst mode allowing it to act as a mini strobe. The focus light also now comes with a snoot attachment which is excellent for macro and super macro shooting. It also comes with a multi-color filter which gives you infinite options for creative shots.
- 1,000 Lumens
- 100° Beam Angle
- Burst Mode of 1500 Lumens
- Color Temperature 5500K
- Single Button Operation
- Free Snoot & Multi-Color Filter
Read our review of the Kraken Sports 1000 Focus Edition
Sea & Sea YS-D3 Snoot (Strobe Not Included)
*Designed for YS-D3, Removable Underwater*
The Sea & Sea YS-D3 Snoot is an awesome snoot attachment for the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe which allows you to concentrate the light source to a single point. It is lightweight and can be attached and removed underwater. It also has an internal prizm which aligns to the strobes pilot light to help target your subject when shooting.
- Lightweight & Compact
- Can be attached and removed underwater
- Designed to be used with Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe
- 25mm snoot opening
Read more about the Sea & Sea YS-D3 Snoot Here
SNOOT OPTIONS FOR UNDERWATER VIDEO:
DivePro M10 SuperMacro Snoot Light
*Compact, Includes Optical Condenser, Multiple Beam Angles*
The DivePro MP10 Snoot Light is a small, powerful, & compact snoot light, specifically designed for shooting supermacro video. Don't be deceived by its size - it packs a punch with its power output of 1,150LM. It's a versatile snoot device, allowing you to screw in various attachments to reduce the beam angle (72°,24°,3°) and uses optical lenses that condense the output. The snoot light can serve as your backup dive light (without any attachment). The battery life is also awesome - it has a run-time of 110mins.
- Lightweight & Compact
- Includes Optical Condenser
- Multiple options of Beam Angle - 3° best suited for super macro
- AI Stepless Dimming
- Memory Function - It retains the last power setting used.
- CRI: 80
- Color Temperature: 5000K
DivePro MP30 Snoot Light
*Small & Compact, Narrow Beam Angle, Easy to Operate*
The DivePro MP30 Snoot Light is a compact & small yet powerfulsnoot light with a narrow beam angle of -5. This is our favorite snoot light for underwater video because it uses a series of internal lenses to condense the light. This is the only snoot light on the market that will allow you to capture video with acceptable shutter speeds and ISOs - espeically if you want black background video. It's very easy to aim because the beam is traceable and looks like a search light underwater.
- Lightweight & Compact
- Includes Optical Condenser
- Narrow Beam Angle - 5°
- Single Button Operation
- Illuminated Battery Indicator
- Powerful Output: 210,000 Lux (High), 100,000 Lux (Mid), 15,000 (Low)
Kraken Sports Hydra Optical Snoot
*Fantastic Snoot Attachment for Kraken Sports Hydra Lights*
The Kraken Sports Hydra Series Optical Snoot is designed to be used with the Hydra 4000, Hydra 6000 and Hydra 8000 and condenses the video light's beam to a smaller point for high contrast, snoot lighting! This is the perfect tool for capturing video with black backgrounds or a great snoot for taking photos. Simply screw on the snoot to your hydra video light and you're ready to shoot. Because it's a continuous light, it is very easy to check if your subject is illuminated before shooting it. It also features an aperture mask - you can choose the desired size of the output, perfect for your subject.
USEFUL WET LENSES RESOURCES:
THE NEXT STEPS AFTER YOU PICK YOUR WIDE ANGLE LENS:
STROBE BUYERS GUIDE | FOCUS LIGHT GUIDE | WET MACRO LENS GUIDE