As per topic headline: I'm reaching out to those who have ACTUALLY USED AN EMWL.

The question really has to do with "best practices" and reality of getting into and out of the water with this massive chunk of glass and electronics.
BOAT ENTRY AND EXIT discussions ONLY - PLEASE

I'm aware the "textbook" recommendation is to jump in with all parts separate and assemble in the water.
That leads to my question about the usefulness of the reflex arm attachment with dual ball mounts ostensibly for use with a 3 way clamp to attach float and arm at a distant point.
I must be total fumble fingers as the thought of trying to attach a 3-way clamp, while in water, while not dropping a $2k+ lens and or my strobe, into the depths, kinda eludes me.

I've watched the video where @Alex_Mustard describes taking everything apart to clear copepods from between sections, but never actually SEEN anyone do this maneuver.


My dry-land/ pre-trip imagination has me attaching the focus unit via bayonet and covering it, while soft case carry the reflex element and optic in a pocket. Then after rig handed off to me in water, assemble the pieces.
OR
Assemble fully prior to entry and disassemble underwater to clear?

Thoughts?

Edited yesterday at 12:49 AM1 day by DocTock

It depends on the entry for me. Most of my diving is shore diving so that's easy, enter the water with the kit fully in place then as I'm heading to the site underwater I just loosen and the click back into place each component. Really simple.

For boat entries I take the EMWL off prior to going in, then enter as normal with my main rig, no different to any other entry. I'll then have someone on the boat pass me down the EMWL which I have all 3 parts attached to each other, and as I'm decending I'll put it onto the rig, then loosen and reattach each component as I'm heading to the site.

Once you're used to the bayonets it's quite easy.

Its not the kind of rig where you jump in and immediately shoot, like you might do with regular WA for dolphins or whales or seals etc so you can take your time.

The swing arm looks useful in theory and probably works well, but for me I prefer to go in with the mindset of shooting in a particular way, knowing I might miss the occasional opportunity but it keeps me focussed on my pre dive photo plan. Others might do it differently

Mike