Photographing Cenotes with the Marelux Z9 Housing and Marelux Apollo III Strobes

I recently had the privilege of testing the MARELUX underwater housing designed for the Nikon Z9, and it left a profound impression on me in various aspects. Despite the Z9 being a relatively bulky camera, Marelux has remarkably crafted a housing that is surprisingly compact and ergonomically designed, making it an excellent choice for underwater photographers who desire both powerful performance and ease of handling without the unwanted extra size.

The housing's design feels solid and robust, providing assurance that it will withstand challenging underwater conditions while still maintaining portability.

Support our content and order your Marelux Z9 Housing from Bluewater Photo 

Marelux has excelled in the ergonomics department. The controls are intuitive and strategically placed, enabling easy access to essential functions even when wearing gloves. The buttons and dials offer a satisfying tactile response, making it straightforward to adjust settings swiftly underwater without any hassle. This is particularly crucial in fast-paced underwater environments where quick adjustments can significantly impact the outcome of a shot.

In terms of functionality, the Marelux housing performed impeccably. All of the camera's functions are fully accessible, and it feels natural to use without any cumbersome or overly intricate mechanisms. With the Nikon Z9's capabilities, this housing truly allows you to harness the full potential of the camera, capturing high-quality images and videos with utmost ease.

Its compact size, coupled with thoughtful ergonomic design and reliable performance, makes it a joy to use. For anyone seeking to utilize the Z9 underwater without compromising on control or portability, Marelux has delivered an outstanding option. Furthermore, when paired with Marelux's Apollo III strobes, it adds another layer of excellence.

The Apollo III's immense power is a game-changer, featuring an underwater guide number (GN) of 44—a significant jump from the typical GN 33 found in professional wide-angle strobes. This 25-30% increase in power is especially beneficial for wide-angle photography, where competing with strong ambient light in shallow, clear water is crucial. During my dives, I found the strobe produced a stunning beam that enhanced both macro and wide-angle shots with balanced, vivid colors and precise illumination.

The Apollo III's innovative triangular flash tube design delivers an even, high-quality beam, ideal for capturing intricate details and expansive subjects alike. Additionally, the Apollo III is incredibly fast, with a full-power recycle time of just 0.6 seconds. This level of performance allows you to shoot bursts at or near full power without compromising exposure consistency. For action photographers working with rapidly moving subjects like sea lions, sharks, or dolphins, this strobe offers the speed and power necessary to capture every pivotal moment.

During my dives, I managed to achieve around 500-600 full-power flashes on a single set of batteries, which translated to two full days of shooting across six dives in both wide-angle settings. The strobe's efficiency means that even during extended shooting sessions, you'll rarely have to worry about running out of power.

With its unparalleled power, near-instantaneous recycle time, and impressive battery life, the Apollo III can tackle almost any lighting situation, from clear, shallow waters to challenging, low-light environments.