About
Backscatter is widely recognized as the world's largest underwater camera and photography equipment supplier, serving hobbyists, enthusiasts, and professional underwater cinematographers alike. Their extensive catalog covers underwater housings for virtually every major camera brand—including Sony, Canon, Nikon, GoPro, OM System, Blackmagic, and RED—alongside strobes, video lights, color filters, macro lenses, ports, and travel gear. Beyond retail, Backscatter differentiates itself through deep educational resources: in-depth product reviews written and filmed by divers who actually use the gear, step-by-step how-to video guides, and a housing/port finder tool that simplifies the notoriously complex process of matching cameras to compatible housings. Their team operates service and repair centers on both the US East and West Coasts, providing hands-on maintenance for the equipment they sell. Backscatter also organizes dive trips and photography classes, giving customers immersive opportunities to practice their skills with expert guidance. Whether you're a beginner looking for the best compact underwater camera or a cinematographer outfitting a professional RED or Blackmagic rig, Backscatter provides the product selection, expert knowledge, and support infrastructure to equip and educate at every level.
Key Features
- Largest Underwater Equipment Catalog: Thousands of housings, strobes, video lights, filters, and accessories covering virtually every major camera brand from GoPro to RED Cinema.
- Housing & Port Finder: An interactive tool that guides users to the exact housing and port combination compatible with their specific camera body.
- Expert Reviews & How-To Videos: In-depth editorial reviews and instructional video guides created by divers who personally test every product they recommend.
- Full Service & Repair Center: Dual-coast US service centers provide maintenance, repair, and inspection for underwater camera housings and lighting equipment.
- Dive Trips & Photography Classes: Organized underwater photography trips and hands-on classes for shooters looking to develop their skills in real dive environments.
Use Cases
- A scuba diver purchasing an underwater housing and strobe kit for their Sony mirrorless camera before a liveaboard trip.
- A GoPro user upgrading their rig with wide-angle lens adapters and color correction filters for reef videography.
- A professional cinematographer sourcing a housing and port system for a RED or Blackmagic cinema camera for a documentary production.
- An underwater photography beginner using Backscatter's reviews and how-to videos to learn which compact camera system is best for their skill level and budget.
- A dive operator sending customer housing equipment to Backscatter's service center for pre-season inspection and O-ring maintenance.
Pros
- Unmatched Product Selection: The broadest catalog of underwater camera gear available from a single retailer, spanning entry-level compact to professional cinema rigs.
- Deep Educational Content: Free reviews, buyer's guides, and video tutorials created by in-house experts help buyers make informed purchasing decisions.
- End-to-End Support: Service, repair, trips, and classes mean Backscatter supports customers well beyond the point of sale.
Cons
- High Price Points: Professional underwater housings and lighting systems can run into the thousands of dollars, making the catalog inaccessible to casual buyers.
- Highly Specialized Niche: The store is exclusively focused on underwater photography, so it offers no value to photographers shooting above water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of cameras does Backscatter carry housings for?
Backscatter carries underwater housings for a wide range of cameras including GoPro action cameras, Sony mirrorless and compact cameras, Canon EOS R series, Nikon Z series, OM System, Blackmagic, RED, and many more.
Does Backscatter offer service and repair for underwater housings?
Yes. Backscatter operates full-service repair centers on both the US West Coast (831-645-1082) and East Coast (603-432-1997), handling maintenance and repair for the equipment they sell.
How do I find the right housing for my camera?
Backscatter provides an interactive Housing Finder and Port Finder tool on their website that matches your specific camera model to compatible underwater housings and port configurations.
Does Backscatter offer educational resources for beginners?
Yes. Backscatter publishes extensive how-to video guides, equipment reviews, and buyer's guides aimed at underwater photography beginners all the way up to professional cinematographers.
Does Backscatter offer dive trips or photography classes?
Yes. Backscatter organizes dive trips and underwater photography classes that give customers hands-on opportunities to practice with their gear under expert guidance.
