Let’s start with the conclusion: this is a wonderful upgrade of the ZD710 dive light!
Last year I got the OrcaTorch ZD710. A dive torch that is based on the very well received OrcaTorch D710, but, as the ‘Z’ stands for, now with the possibility to change, or if you would like, zoom, the beam width. Going from a narrow beam of 8° to a wide beam of 76°. The possibility to change the beam width is a great feature if you’re diving under variable conditions. A narrow beam is much better than a wide beam when diving in murky water. But in clear water or during a night dive, you would in most situation prefer a wider light beam. And the wide beam gives a nice evenly lighted beam which made it also an option for underwater photography.
However, OrcaTorch recently brought the ZD710 Mark 2 (ZD710 MK2) on the market, so I was quite curious to see the differences.
There is an apparent difference when looking at both version of this torch. For me, the look and feel of the ZD710 MK2 with it’s round light head and characteristic orange OrcaTorch band, is an enhancement compared to the first version. But ok, that’s not what is most important. It’s the performance characteristics that matter. And when turning on both lights above water, there are some significant changes. Wherein the original ZD710 showed an projected image of the LED in the narrow beam, this has disappeared in the ZD710 MK2. Moreover, the ZD710 MK2 provides a very narrow 4° beam that is not only very bright, but also an evenly light circle. And going from 8° to 4°, it’s only half the width of the original version. The wide beam of the ZD710 MK2 is 72° wide, a bit less compared to the original ZD710, but the difference is relatively small. But again, the light is significantly brighter and, where the original version has some dispersion around the edges, the Mark 2 version has very sharp edges. Under water these characteristics are the same. The Mark 2 provides a much better defined and brighter light beam than its predecessor.
It should be noted that underwater the original ZD710 in it’s narrow mode does not show the image projection of the led; this can only be seen above water. Nevertheless, the ZD710 has a significant amount of dispersion around the edges in the narrow mode when compared to the Mark 2.
Given the very narrow beam of the ZD710 MK2, and despite the fact that I was using a wide angle configuration, I experimentally tried to use the Mark 2 as a snoot light. This indeed provides a very interesting feature for underwater photographers. As the light is very concentrated, it allows you to use a high shutter speed and/or small aperture, leaving all but the subject black. This is something I’m certainly going to experiment with further with macro photography / videography.
In all, that’s why I started with the conclusion that the ZD710 MK2 is a wonderful upgrade from its predecessor, the ZD710.
Author: Frank Lamé is in his free time a Master Instructor and part of his dives are educational dives. When overseas, Frank always dives together with his video camera, capturing the marine life (www.youtube.com/user/franklame). A number of his videos have been broadcasted, among which by the BBC.
