S.U.P.E.R. Part 2: Mares EOS 12RZ Dive Torch
In our ongoing series S.U.P.E.R. (Scubaverse’s Underwater Photography Equipment Reviews), Nick and Caroline Robertson Brown from Frogfish Photography will be reviewing new underwater photography equipment, general diving equipment, and some older favourites too.
For the second instalment of S.U.P.E.R., Nick and Caroline will be looking at the EOS 12RZ Dive Torch from Mares.
The Mares EOS 12RZ dive torch was designed as a dive torch, but we have been using it for a few months now as both a modelling light and as a photo/video light mounted on our camera systems. It is extremely versatile due to a host of features – and even better, it comes in at the great retail price of £178.
The EOS 12RZ features three high-power LEDs generating 1200 lumens of light intensity. The highlight for us is the innovative zoom system that makes it possible to modify the beam of light as needed. You can zoom the focus to alternate from a very broad beam to a tighter, more intense light beam. This is great for underwater photography and videography, as you can alter the torch beam to suit whether you want a more snoot like shot, or whether you want to illuminate a wider scene or even to use the light as a spotting light.
It also looks great when you hand over this torch to your underwater model. Again you can use the ability to create a tight, bright beam, or a wider light flood, to alter the look of your images.
The magnetic switch offers a full power, low power and strobe function, and thanks to a USB cable and the LED charge indicator, the torch can be charged using a plug or computer. The torch has never run out of power on us, even on a 4-dive day (although we rarely keep a torch burning for a whole dive). Mares say that at full power it will burn for 2 hours and, at reduced power, for more like 5 hours.
In order to mount this dive torch on our camera system, we had to buy an additional torch mount, as this does not come with the Mares package. We went for an Ultralight Torch Holder which cost £32.99, making our package of a versatile dive light and mounting system come in at the amazingly good value of £210.99. The 12RZ is the top of the range, but if you are on a tighter budget, there are less powerful options available, still with the zoom capacity, at even lower prices.
We have a number of different options for a constant beam light in our equipment room, although one fewer now that Caroline managed to drop our FIT light into an abyss on a recent trip! This Mares torch is an excellent addition.
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