Illuminated Kraken Footage Captured on Camera
Kraken Sports, a pioneer in underwater video lighting innovation, offers a range of high-quality products that cater to the needs of both beginners and professionals. Known for their versatility and advanced features, Kraken video lights stand out in the market.
Key Features of Kraken Sports Underwater Video Lights
High Lumen Output and Versatile Lighting Modes
Kraken's flagship models, such as the Hydra 18,000 WRGBU, boast an impressive 18,000 lumens continuous flood with a burst mode reaching 20,000 lumens. These lights come equipped with multiple color modes including white, red, green, blue, UV, and adjustable RGB, providing a wide range of underwater imaging conditions and marine life observation.
Wide Beam Angle and Color Temperature
The Hydra 18,000, for instance, offers a 120° underwater beam angle and a colour temperature near 5600 K, resulting in broad and natural illumination suitable for video.
Depth Rating and Durability
Kraken lights are rated to 100 meters (330 feet), making them suitable for both recreational and technical diving.
User Controls and Display
These lights feature push-button and dial controls, along with OLED or LCD screens showing mode, power level, and burn time, as well as fiber optic-triggered burst modes.
Charging and Power
Kraken lights support USB-C PD fast charging with GaN chargers, offering convenience and quick recharging times.
Mounting Options and Ergonomics
The lights include YS and ball mounts for rig attachment and have compact, lightweight designs for easy maneuverability underwater. For example, the Hydra 3000 weighs approximately 350g.
Comparison with Other Brands
Compared to other well-known underwater video light brands like Sola and Big Blue, Kraken Sports offers a unique combination of high lumen output, diverse colour modes, wide beam angles, and modern digital controls. While Sola and Big Blue also provide strong, durable lighting with high lumen outputs, Kraken's focus on colour flexibility and burst modes offers added utility for underwater videography and marine life interaction.
| Feature | Kraken Sports | Sola | Big Blue | |--------------------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------| | Lumen Output | Up to 18,000 lumens (Hydra 18,000) | Typically 3,500 - 16,000 lumens for video lights | Up to ~18,000 lumens (in high-end models) | | Color Modes | WRGBU (white, red, green, blue, UV, adjustable RGB) | Some models offer multiple colours but generally less varied than Kraken | Multiple modes available, including colours but variable by model | | Beam Angle | Wide flood (120°) typical | Usually moderate flood beam (~110°) | Variable, often narrower spot/flood options | | Depth Rating | 100 m (330 ft) standard | 100 m or more, depending on model | Around 100 m standard | | Control Interface | Push-button + dial + display screens | Push-button with some models having LCD displays | Push-button controls | | Battery and Charging | USB-C PD fast charging, GaN compatible | Proprietary or USB charging, varies by model | Standard rechargeable batteries, charging varies | | Weight and Size | Compact and lightweight (e.g., 350g for Hydra 3000) | Typically compact but some are bulkier | Generally heavier, more industrial designs | | Special Features | Burst strobe via fiber optic trigger, multiple mounts included | Known for reliable, high-quality construction and balanced light | Often designed for rugged technical diving |
In conclusion, Kraken Sports video lights emphasize a combination of extremely high lumen output, diverse colour modes, wide beam angles, and modern digital controls, positioning them very competitively against Sola and Big Blue, particularly for underwater videographers seeking colour versatility and advanced features.
Additional Features
Some Kraken video lights have a built-in burst mode that mimics a strobe, increasing in power when triggered by a fiberoptic cable. Additionally, Kraken lights often include extra features such as red beams for sneaking up on animals and UV beams for visualizing fluorescence.
Recently, Kraken has upgraded the Solar Flare Mini 12,000, increasing its lumens by 4,000 for the same price. The Solar Flare Mini 12,000's module is waterproof with a vacuum sealed battery compartment, making it flood-resistant.
Sola light & motion lights are smaller lights with a high-quality build and an ergonomic design. They feature a single switch that controls power and colour settings. Big Blue video lights are slightly larger lights that deliver high-lumen output at a lower price point.
- Kraken Sports' Hydra 18,000 WRGBU underwater video light offers an impressive 18,000 lumens continuous flood with a burst mode reaching 20,000 lumens.
- The Kraken Sports Hydra 18,000 comes with multiple color modes, including white, red, green, blue, UV, and adjustable RGB, perfect for various underwater imaging conditions and marine life observation.
- The Hydra 18,000 provides a 120° underwater beam angle and a near 5600K color temperature, ensuring broad and natural illumination suitable for video.
- Kraken Sports lights are rated to 100 meters (330 feet), catering to both recreational and technical divers.
- Kraken video lights feature push-button and dial controls, OLED or LCD screens showing mode, power level, and burn time, and fiber optic-triggered burst modes.
- The Hydra 3000, for instance, weighs approximately 350g, making it compact and lightweight for easy maneuverability underwater.
