UNDERWATER · MACRO · TG-7

Small subject.
Big detail.

Practical starting settings for the OM SYSTEM TG-7 with Backscatter MF-2, MW4300 and a separate focus light.

STARTf/8ISO 100–400
EV −1.0
Use this as a starting point.No setting works every time: adapt light and exposure to distance, sand colour, depth and behaviour.

QUICK START

Three useful set-ups

Set these before the dive. Underwater, you mainly adjust light output, composition and distance.

01 · PHOTO + MF-2

Macro portrait

Mode
A · f/8
ISO
Auto 100–400
Exposure
EV −1.0
File
RAW + JPEG
Zoom
Start around 1.2×
Strobe
MF-2 manual, start low
02 · VIDEO + MW4300

Film behaviour

Video
4K · 30 fps
ISO
Auto 100–800
Exposure
EV −0.3
Light
Start at 60–80%
Clip
8–12 seconds
Camera
Hold still; do not pan
03 · FOCUS LIGHT

Lock focus faster

OrcaTorch
Low power
Direction
Just off lens axis
Focus point
Eye or contrast edge
Before shot
Dim or turn away if it creates a hotspot
Method
Half-press and reframe

LIGHT POSITION

Less straight ahead

The difference between flat light and visible detail often comes from angle, not extra power.

MF-2 strobe

Place it 20–30 cm from the port, slightly above the camera, with the edge of the beam on the subject. For a black background, pull it back and keep light off the bottom.

MW4300 video light

Aim it 30–45° off lens axis. Start at lower output and increase only when the image truly remains too dark.

Backscatter

Get closer, move the light farther off axis and reduce power. More frontal light usually makes particles worse.

BY SUBJECT

Where should you focus?

Nudibranch

Get low and focus on the front rhinophores. Light diagonally from above to keep detail in the gills.

Frogfish

Use raking light instead of flat frontal light to reveal skin texture and camouflage.

Octopus

Dim the light, give it space and wait for behaviour. A relaxed octopus produces the best footage.

Ghost pipefish

Approach from the side, limit flashes and find a high-contrast edge for focus.

ADJUST UNDERWATER

Problem → correction

White sand clipsLower MF-2 output, skim light past the subject and reduce EV.
Subject looks flatMove the light to the side; do not raise ISO or power first.
Too much backscatterReduce the water column, move the strobe out and feather the beam.
Autofocus huntsUse the focus light, target a sharp edge and hold half-press.
Shaky videoStop, stabilise the tray and record one still 8–12 second shot.

IMPORTANT

Never touch animals or the bottom for a shot. Limit flashes around sensitive species and always put behaviour before the image.

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