So far as surf images goes, it’s exhausting to beat capturing from the water. Getting moist reasonably than capturing from the seashore allows you to get near the motion, nail that down-the-barrel shot, or just have enjoyable studying a brand new talent. It was that in case you wished to take action, you’d should make the leap on an costly digital camera and waterproof housing, after which threat mentioned setup within the waves, doubtless with none expertise doing so.

Nonetheless, waterproof telephone instances and housings current a way more cost-effective technique for making an attempt in-water surf images earlier than you go all in, and as telephone cameras proceed to shut the hole on skilled cameras, they’ll even be a longer-term answer for the informal surf photographer. Though some telephones today are waterproof, they aren’t dependable for lengthy intervals of submersion. Fortunately, there are some strong telephone instances particularly made for in-water images that can preserve your telephone protected and assist you to seize all of the motion.

What are the most effective waterproof telephone instances?

AxisGo ($200)
SeaLife SportDiver ($350)
Willbox Diving Case ($45)
ProShot Contact ($120)
LifeProof FRE ($70-90)
Joto Waterproof Cellphone Pouch ($10)

What makes an excellent waterproof telephone case?

For starters, I would like a telephone case that’s totally and reliably waterproof. Moreover, I desire a case that’s simple to make use of, works at depth, and takes nice pictures.

Waterproof
If the telephone case isn’t waterproof, it’s not doing its job. My telephone is a staple in each my work and social life, so I actually don’t need my telephone to get water harm. I would like a case I can depend on.

Ease of Use
I’m not tech savvy. I would like to have the ability to take good pictures of my pals shredding, however I don’t need to spend hours making an attempt to determine the best way to work my new case. It must be self explanatory and straightforward to make use of within the water so I don’t miss the shot.

Depth Ranking
Some instances are meant for floor stage images, whereas others are designed for deep submersion and can be utilized for each scuba diving and browsing. I don’t want a case that may make it to the underside Mariana’s Trench, however I would like one thing that may face up to a bit of stress so I can a minimum of take it on shallow dives.

Photograph Readability
Whereas your telephone would possibly include an superior digital camera, it’ll solely be nearly as good because the case you’re overlaying it with. A few of the instances under have high-quality, and even anti-reflective, glass overlaying the digital camera. Others have lower-quality plastic coverings that can produce first rate sufficient pictures, however nothing close to professional-quality.

What else ought to I search for in a water-proof telephone case?

Compatibility
Some telephone instances on this listing are common, which means they’ll match any smartphone inside purpose (phablets, just like the iPhone Max sequence, could be a totally different query altogether). Others are designed for a selected model, and even mannequin, of telephone. For instance the AxisGo instances, under, are solely suitable with iPhones and supply particular instances relying on mannequin. Select properly.

Grips/Equipment
For skilled surf images, a pistol grip is the gold normal, letting you dangle your digital camera over the sting of a wave for a down-the-barrel shot, and offering a safe grip in your treasured cargo when the waves get tough. A few of these choices include a grip or have one built-in, others don’t. The AxisGo case, under has one you should purchase individually.

Buttons
Should you’ve ever tried to faucet a display with water on it, you’ll know what I’m speaking about – it’s irritating to say the least. And in case you’re going to take pictures underwater, your touchscreen will likely be unusable, so that you’ll should depend on both your quantity buttons to nail the shot, or a button built-in into the case.

Waterproof: 5
Ease of Use: 5
Depth Ranking: 4
Readability: 5
General: 4.75/5

Designed particularly for iPhones, the AxisGo is all about holding your telephone protected whereas permitting for the proper shot. To make use of, you merely place your telephone within the case, snap the safe locking clip, and also you’re able to go. The telephone case gives full touchscreen entry, permitting you to make use of photograph apps, take selfies, and immediately share your pictures with contacts. The case is depth rated to 33 toes, so along with surf images you may take it on shallow dives. The AxisGo has suitable equipment accessible for buy, together with a Bluetooth pistol grip which permits customers to take pictures with the press of a button and a dome which helps create beautiful over/underwater pictures – I’m a giant fan of each equipment. General, this case felt tremendous dependable, was simple to make use of, and created superior pictures. I’m excited to proceed utilizing it and enhancing at in-water and underwater images.

Purchase right here.

Waterproof: 5
Ease of Use: 3
Depth Ranking: 5
Readability: 5
General: 4.5/5

Though the worth is a bit of steep, SeaLife’s SportDiver case is probably the most superior case I’ve come throughout. The case matches most Android and iPhone fashions and is waterproof to 130 toes, so it’s excellent for scuba, free diving, and surf images. The heavy-duty case is constructed from Polycarbonate, stainless-steel, aluminum and optical grade glass, which means your telephone is ultra-safe. The free app makes use of Bluetooth and means that you can simply swap between photograph and video whereas underwater and use settings like regulate zoom, publicity (EV), auto/handbook focus, white stability, tint, lens choice, RAW and JPEG mode, reside photograph, and background mode. The superior digital camera settings assist you to get inventive along with your pictures and take the most effective shot potential – I actually appreciated the zoom for capturing pictures of my pals browsing.

Different considerate options embody a detachable underwater color-correction filter, holding spring and rubber grip tabs to make sure your telephone stays securely in place, an anti-fog design, and a twin leak alarm ought to the waterproof seal be compromised. Whereas this digital camera is wonderful for scuba and takes unbelievable pictures, it’s a bit of heavy for surf images and doesn’t embody a deal with, so that you want a agency grip on it always. General, I used to be impressed with the totally different options the case supplied and by the standard of pictures it permits for.

Purchase right here.

Waterproof: 5
Ease of Use: 4
Depth Ranking: 4
Readability: 5
General: 4.5/5

One other “universal option,” the Willbox diving case is made for use with each iPhones and Samsung’s line of Galaxy smartphones. A lanyard attachment gives an added layer of safety, and a tripod mount means that you can join the case to a tripod or a suitable telephone pole (for selfies) or a pistol grip. The case additionally boasts its personal facet grip with a shutter button, so it’s simple sufficient to make use of with out added equipment. Rated to 50-feet, the case is a strong choice for shallower dives, although in case you’re trying to go deeper, it’s possible you’ll need to take a look at the SeaLife case, above.

Purchase right here.

Waterproof: 5
Ease of Use: 4
Depth Ranking: 4
Readability: 4
General: 4.25/5

The ProShot Contact case has every thing I would like in a water-proof telephone case with an easy-to-use design. To make use of the case, you merely slip in your telephone, lock the case, and also you’re good to go. The contact display doesn’t work whereas underwater, however the case comes with a suitable app and when you obtain it, you may simply swap from photograph to video whereas within the water. The one problem I had whereas taking pictures was that the app saved switching to sleep mode after which would take a few seconds to get again in focus – I’m certain I’ll get higher at utilizing it with time, but it surely triggered me to overlook a couple of pictures. The case comes with a floating hand grip and a wrist strap, which made it a lot simpler to swim and take pictures. Regardless of being one of many smaller and seemingly less complicated instances, the ProShot case is waterproof to 50 toes, so you may simply take it on a shallow dives along with capturing pictures within the surf.

Purchase right here.

Waterproof: 5
Ease of Use: 3
Depth Ranking: 2
Readability: 4
General: 3.5/5

LifeProof’s FRE case is designed for on a regular basis use and is sturdy sufficient to face up to an adventurous life-style. The FRE case options 360-degree safety with a built-in display cowl that seals it from grime, mud, snow, and ice. The telephone is submersible for 2 meters for an hour, so you may positively take it within the water, you simply have to observe your time and depth. Though all the telephone options work whereas contained in the case, it takes a bit of additional effort to textual content and take pictures with the contact display but it surely doesn’t work whereas underwater. I like this case as a result of it retains my telephone protected always, but it surely’s higher suited to pictures from the boat once you want one thing to guard your telephone from the occasional splash. Should you’re on the lookout for a case for in-water images, it’s potential with the LifeProof FRE, however isn’t probably the most dependable choice.

Purchase right here.

Waterproof: 4
Ease of Use: 4
Depth Ranking: 2
Readability: 3
General: 3.25/5

Joto’s waterproof telephone pouch is without doubt one of the easiest designs on the market, however surprisingly efficient. The design is form of like a high-tech Ziplock bag and it’s rated waterproof to 100 toes, although I most likely wouldn’t take it that deep. You’ll be able to use your contact display by the pouch however in case you’re trying to take pictures underwater, you’ll want to make use of the amount button because the contact display doesn’t work whereas underwater. I’ve but to have any points with the case, however I’d personally use it as extra of a water resistant choice to take pictures from the boat or within the splash zone, reasonably than totally submerging it – it’s designed to be totally submerged, however at $10, I’m a bit of skeptical of how dependable it really is. The photograph readability can even be considerably affected. For the worth, it’s an amazing choice for making certain your telephone stays protected must you encounter rain or splashing when you’re utilizing it, or in case your telephone is already waterproof and also you simply need some added safety.

Purchase right here.

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