Underwater Macro Photography – Up Close & Personal
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Jaunts S11 Dive Light with Snoot Review
Multi Functional, Compact Dive Light with Quality
This is my first time using Jaunt Diving Lights after using an array of diving lights during the 10 years as a full time dive pro, id like to think i know what I like and dont like about certain diving lights. I decided to pick up a Jaunt dive light after seeing some promotional activity advertising a cool light with Snoot Adaptors, and thought, hmmm that is a cool feature! We hadn't heard of Jaunt Dive Lights before and after some research i could see that their dive lights were positioned on par with some specifications and design features akin to some really big brand lights such as Big Blue and Light & Motion but I wasn't sure whether the lights would deliver. So we gave them a shot! I'm always trying to stay ahead in new developments in equipment and i decided to give Jaunt a try. This is my review of The S11 Dive Light with Snoot made by Jaunt Diving Lights.
Lets Talk Jaunt S11 Dive Light Specifications
LED ::: CREE XPL LED (Max 1380 lumens)
Color temperature ::: Cold white light 6500k
Runtime ::: High: 1.5hrs; Low: 8hrs
Light levels ::: High> Low> Double press enter Strobe > SOS
Body Material ::: Durable Aluminum Alloy
Surface Treatment ::: Premium Type III hard-anodizing
Color temperature ::: Cold white light 6500k
Runtime ::: High: 1.5hrs; Low: 8hrs
Light levels ::: High> Low> Double press enter Strobe > SOS
Body Material ::: Durable Aluminum Alloy
Surface Treatment ::: Premium Type III hard-anodizing
Body Color:: Black
Battery ::: 1*18650 rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Protections ::: over-discharge, polarity reverse, Low voltage
Depth Rated:: IPX-8 (100 meters)
Impact resistance:: 1.5 meters
Weight:: 145 grams ( with battery )
Battery ::: 1*18650 rechargeable Li-ion battery
Battery Protections ::: over-discharge, polarity reverse, Low voltage
Depth Rated:: IPX-8 (100 meters)
Impact resistance:: 1.5 meters
Weight:: 145 grams ( with battery )
Jaunt S11 Lighting Modes
The Jaunt S11 provides 5 lighting modes. Full power or dim are controlled by a simple yet robust press button switch. The button itself is light surrounded giving colour changes relating to the level of battery charge. What can i say, press it once, big light, press press again, dim level 1. Double Tap to enter strobe mode double tap again to enter SOS. Keeps it easy and simple, no complex button patterns that leave you pressing multiple times trying to get where you want to.Wait! You said 5 modes and listed 4!
Well, the lights functions via button offer the 4 lighting modes i described above, However The Jaunt S11 ALSO offers a set that comes with a snoot! The snoot adapter when applied offers the 5th lighting made. Incase your thinking "What the fish is a snoot!?" a Snoot is the thin nozzle you see on the front on the dive light in above images. The snoot is actually a 2 piece adapter that nicely screws onto the front of your dive light allowing you to create narrow the beam of light and some rather groovy lighting effects that highlight your subject and blackout the background. Ths S11 Snoot has two pieces to it which give you even more control and give you 2 steps of narrowing the light source! You can pin light subjects that are different sizes more effectively using either stage 1 for 12mm diameter light beam or both stage 1 and stage 2 together to refine it down to a 6mm diameter. If you haven't tried this before its a really cool to use Macro lighting technique.
JAUNT S11 Impressions
Out of the box first impressions, this light has a good build quality and premium feel. Upon switch on, its range and brightness on land were pretty impressive for its size! (Skipping forward in our timeline I can also confirm underwater did as good a job also.) for someone looking for a versatile dive light in that you can use it as a regular dive light or backup light as well as for photography or even videography with your Gopro ( Because if you dont know, Light is the Magic) this is a good option. But why choose this over a similar sized / prices dive light? For me this answer was simply, I saw the additional Snoot Features and knew that i could make good use of this light in my camera rig especially in my macro photography using the Snoot adaptor as well and carry it as a regular dive light back up also, two for one! Take a look at our Top 10 Macro Tips and how you could get creative in your Macro Photography with a Snoot Light in Your Underwater Photography Arsenal.
Jaunt S11 With Accessories
Not All S11's are made Equal! Jokes, aside, i felt it was important to mention that you do have a range of offers when buying the S11 dive light, in that you can purchase the stand alone S11 light only, S11 torch + 1x18650 battery and charger OR S11 DIve Light torch + 1 x 18650 battery +1x USB charger + 1X Ball mount +2 x snoots +6x Diffuser +1x silver ring!For my personal needs and tastes, it was the snoot and diffuser options that attracted me to try this light so that's what I got but with that said, I think I would be happy with the S11 Standalone just as a regular dive light but if you are going to by a light that you can use for photography aswell then i have to recommend you buy the full monty set with snoot, diffusers and ball clamp right off the bat!
Diffusers are important When looking for underwater lighting for use with Photography or videography what you really want to avoid where you can, are hot spots. This is where the light beam is brighter in the center than the edges.
Now, This Jaunt S11 in its naked configuration does indeed have a slight hot spot ( Please note all standard dive light do except those designed specifically as a video light usually) this isn't a problem as it is designed as a multifunctional dive light but just remember if you are specifically looking even balanced lighting with no hotspots to go for the model with diffusers which I am please to say do a wonderful job without dampening the output too heavily.
