Diver's Advice - Intrusive?

Hello all,

I'm looking for a diver's advice . . . . I bought an underwater camera/scuba mask (it's made by Liquid Image -- it's a scuba mask with a built-in HD video/still picture camera). You can buy side-torches (lights) that snap on the side of the mask in order to brighten up your images (and therefore probably get a more accurate picture of the colors). I'm interested because I would love to get the best images/video possible......but then I got to wondering if a bright light is ethically wrong. I know I'm already scuba-diving....but I'm wondering if the light is too intrusive? I don't wanna hurt the fishies :-). Or is there any possibility that a dive shop would tell me that I can't use it? Thanks for your assistance and advice . . . .

You won't hurt the fishes. You really need lights at depth for HD.

Thanks for your help - I really appreciate it. If I may ask a second question . . . . the torch that goes with this mask sells for $89. Is it worth it to get something that mounts to the mask and keeps my hands free, or should I pick up a cheaper hand-held underwater LED torch (like a flashlight?). It looks like the prices of those range from pretty cheap to $50 or $60. Should I save a few bucks and go that route or get the one that mounts on the mask? (it swivels in different directions if that makes a difference). Thanks again for the help!

Ask this on the Diving Branch too, they may know more details about types/makes etc

Yes, I did -- thanks :-)

you're probably the guy coming at me with his "brights" on... won't dim them... probably have those blue xenon babies that blind me, too...

naw... just kidding! I've got to believe that any fish worth his saltwater will swim away if the light is a problem. I'm not sure how I'd feel about it if I was one of your fellow divers - but I'm not a diver.

Just so you don't keep your left turn signal on the whole dive...

I don't have any experience with this particular set up, so curious if the light will turn on when you're filming and then turn off when you're not? It's not like you're going to film the entire dive in one shot from start to end, so having a light that you can turn on and off would be better.

Like the above people have said it's not really the fish you have to worry about so much as shinning a light in other divers eyes... especially if it's attached to your mask. every time you look at your buddy you'll be shining it in his face. Another thing to consider is battery life... if you can't turn the light on and off through out the dive you may eat up a lot of battery life.

Lastly... you may also prefer to have a light you hold in your hand as you'll be able to aim it exactly where you want... think critter is holes and stuff like that.