Samsung S23 Ultra Underwater Video
A Touchscreen Compatible Case for Scuba Diving!
Why Choose DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max?
The DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max has revolutionized underwater smartphone photography. This innovative device allows your phone to dive up to 60 meters deep, making it a top choice among divers. Unlike other housings that rely on Bluetooth, this one maintains touchscreen functionality. At just $199 (฿7000 approx), it’s affordable and compatible with most modern smartphones, including iPhones and Androids. If your phone doesn’t fit, Bluewater Photo offers custom 3D printed trays for $10 or a free STL file.
Our Testing Experience
We tested the DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max with a Samsung 23 Ultra in Thailand, along with several accessories, to see if it could replace our traditional camera setups. Here’s what we found:
- The housing allows full use of your phone’s native camera apps.
- Significant differences exist between the SeaTouch 4 Max and Bluetooth-controlled housings.
- Extremely fun to use with various camera and video setting
- Loved the screen quality and real estate seeing our shots in real time.
- Convenient massive phone storage and integration to Adobe Lightroom which on mobile can also edit videos.
Samsung S23 Ultra Underwater Images
DiveVolk Case
Key Features and Specifications
- Depth Rating: 60 meters
- Touchscreen Compatibility: Full control of phone and apps
- Weight: 0.5 kg
- Dimensions: 12 x 6 x 4 cm
- Universal: To the degree, there is a tray for your phone model. Major brands and models are covered well.
- Adaptability: It is highly versatile. As an underwater camera with a tray and light rig, its lens is perfect for high-quality video. On its own, it provides excellent protection while snorkeling, at the pool, or during Thailand’s Songkran water fights. We used it to capture amazing footage, with the housing offering robust water protection both underwater and on land!
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Key Features and Specifications
- Dimensions: 78.1 x 163.4 x 8.9mm
- Weight: 233g
- Display: 6.8” Edge QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display (3088 x 1440)
- HDR10+ certified
- 120 Club: 120 FPS & 120Hz refresh rate
- Cameras
– 12MP Selfie Camera
– 12MP AF 120˚ Ultra Wide Camera
– 200MP 85˚ Wide Camera
– 10MP 11˚ Telephoto Camera
– 10MP 36˚ Telephoto Camera
- Space Zoom: 3x, 10x Dual Optical Zoom
Super Resolution Zoom up to 100x
OIS (Optical Image Stabilization)
Laser AF - (HEIF/Raw copies/UW shape correction)
Accessories We Used
DiveVolk Lens & Filter Adapter
This adapter is essential for adding color correction filters and lenses. It also helps attach an underwater tray and lighting system.
DiveVolk Underwater Wide Angle 0.6x Conversion Lens
Designed for your phone’s normal 1x camera, this lens offers a wider field of view, ideal for capturing large subjects and enhancing detail and color.
DiveVolk Red and Magenta Filters
These filters correct underwater colors:
- Red Filter: Best for blue water (5 to 25 meters).
- Magenta Filter: Best for green water (5 to 15 meters).
What We Liked
- Universal Phone Trays: Use any smartphone.
- Simple Operation: Use your phone’s touchscreen as you would on land.
- Large Rear Screen: Provides better visibility of shots and videos.
- Touchscreen Focus: Includes pinch zoom and on-screen camera settings.
- Reasonable Price: Affordable compared to other options
What We Didn’t Like
- Lens/Filter Combo Air Layer: Creating an air layer can be problematic. Flooding the layer works, but unscrewing lenses underwater is risky.
- Phone White Balance: The Samsung S23 Ultra lacks a full manual white balance setting, that is crucial for the best underwater photography using natural light. However, with little post-production we’d say the results were good and with the option to shoot RAW format this point may not be a deal breaker
- Lens/Filter Holder Size: Despite any being able to use any phone you can get a tray for, The DiveVolk lens filter holder may not fit all phone cameras perfectly, leading to visible lens rims in shots. This requires adjusting the camera setup.
What We Were Indifferent About
- The Touch: To be fair the touch screen function worked a lot better than expected. Is it exactly like using your normal touch screen, no, of course not, but id say I had more fluid response time on the unit than I experienced glitches or miss commands. (preparation helps with this setting the phone up in a way that is optimal for case use.
- Double Screws: Coming from camera rig set up with handle tray with a single screw mount realising I needed 2 screws was a set back but it really is best to secure it properly due to its length.
- The Membrane: Some care must be taken to protect the touch screen gel membrane and a cover is supplied. However, we felt more care and attention must be taken than with normal housing just to be safe.
- Depth Rating: The unit is rated for 60m. We have no intention of diving this deep so we will take this rating to mean it’s good to 30m for sure! and we did dive it to 30m multiple times already with no issues.
Conclusion
We love it, We still love our camera too but this rig now has a spot in the lineup, especially for videography. We found the DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to use their smartphone for underwater photography. It’s simple, safe, and easy to use, supported by a wide range of accessories. With its increasing popularity, it’s no wonder this housing has taken the diving world by storm.
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