What's in My Underwater Photography Gear Bag // Bill Hawthorne 2026 [VIDEO]

Featuring Bill Hawthorne

Bill Hawthorne breaks down his compact and powerful underwater camera setup. From the bag he uses to travel the world, to the underwater strobes that light up the unseen. 

Scroll down to see Bill's full gear list and read the video transcript.

 

Bill's Gear

• Sony a7CR inside a 200DLM/A Underwater Housing # 69124
• Sony 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS Lens
• Sony PZ 16-35mm F4 G Lens
• DLM Extended Flat Port # 5516.50
• DLM 2.2 Inch Port Extension # 5516.70
• DS232 TTL Underwater Strobe with Video Light # 40232
• DL2 DS Link Sony TTL Converter with Ikelite Connector # 46043
• Wide Angle Ball Arm V2 for Quick Release Handle # 40782
• Red Cable Grip for Housings # 4080.09
• Vanguard Alta Sky 51D Camera Backpack

 

Camera Gear + Camera Bag

I have a Vanguard 32L bag. This is a nice rugged bag with a great rain fly to keep me dry in the rain. Inside I have the 200DLM/A Housing for the Sony a7CR. I absolutely love this setup. It is small, compact, with no trade-offs to resolution and performance. Right now I have it set up with the Sony 90mm macro, and I usually shoot this setup with a EMWL. 

When Bill's not using the Sony 90mm macro you'll find the Sony PZ 16-35mm F/4 lens on his Sony a7CR, for shots like this reefscape in Raja Ampat. © Bill Hawthorne

 

Strobes

For lighting, I use two DS232 Strobes. I love these lights, I think these are the best performing lights on the market. They are strong, powerful, they have a really nice, even light and the batteries on these last forever. I can shoot for multiple days at a time without ever having to worry about recharging them.

 

Accessories 

I also use a carrying handle. This is really nice, I constantly find myself in small little streams and something like this is great for picking up your camera and walking from spot to spot. 

I use the TTL converter for rear curtain sync, that way I can take slow shutter speed photos and the motion blur looks a lot more natural.  

Rear curtain sync is a powerful tool for motion blur photos, learn about The Art of Motion Blur. © Bill Hawthorne

I also use this setup with a little mirror that I 3D printed. The a7CR allows you to electronically rotate and flip the viewfinder and so I can basically use this camera right up against the ground while looking directly down from above and still see what I'm shooting.

I really love this setup because it is so small, fits in my bag nice and easy. It's lightweight to carry through the woods or to hike up streams. Everything on this housing is right where I want it, it's very ergonomic. The buttons feel great, it feels great in my hand, very comfortable to use underwater and very nice and easy to carry above water.

 

Follow Bill

If you'd like to check out some more of my photography, I am @billhawthornephotography on every platform. 

• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• TikTok
• Website

Shot with the Sony a7CR and 90mm macro lens. © Bill Hawthorne

 

Additional Viewing

From Research to Outreach: Underwater Photography as a Tool for Science

What Secrets Lurk Underwater in the Florida Springs at Night?

Creature Feature: Hellbender Salamander

Featured Customers | Bill Hawthorne The Turtles of Florida

Choosing an Underwater Housing for the Sony a7C II or a7CR

 

  

Bill Hawthorne is an aquatic ecologist specializing in the study of the freshwater springs of Florida. Bill focuses his studies and photography on freshwater species, most notably turtles. By sharing his underwater images, Bill hopes he'll expand his viewers' passion toward these unique environments and animals. Check out more of his work on his website, Instagram @billhawthornephotography, TikTok, and YouTube.