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I just stuck a bunch of tire balancing weights to the bottom of mine. It helps a lot. I have ~100 grams worth on it but could add more. I don't know what you would need for the A7Cr with 20-70 though. Good luck!

@Waso - totally agree - I got that completely backwards!!! 🙃

Prior to 2022 (or was it 2021) it was a chaos, but the Mexican authorities have recently cracked down big time on unscrupulous boats and unlicensed boats. First time I went was in 2010 and it was ridiculous. I went two more years before I gave up. Took about a 10 year hiatus and got hired to go back in 2023. I've now been back in 2024 and 2025. Taking this year off (I have other jobs I got hired for), but will be back in 2027 because my daughter wants to go see them. The rules are now two guests, per boat with a guide (3 total per boat) in the water at one time. Other boats will report violators, so there is also an aspect of self-policing going on. Plus there are enough sharks around that there are more than enough for the three per boat. There is always at least one boat from the Mexican government on location observing. They typically stay on-site until around 12pm-1pm. Most of the snorkel boats leave around 12pm-1pm. There are a few operators that will linger a bit longer, and I would HIGHLY recommend going with them. After most boats leave around noon, you can easily find yourself out there with only 2-3 other boats and 100+ whale sharks. I can give you some recommendations if you PM me (I don't want to be seen as giving preference to anyone). Here are pics I took last July 2025. Notice the tons of back ground divers (sarcasm). I didn't have to wait long to get these shots. Prior to the new regulations these shots would have been very difficult to get. Also notice, I'm not trying to sell you on the trips I guide (I will if you want). Just trying to recommend what I believe is the best location for seeing whale sharks.

Depressing instagram post https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU9X8SegftG/?igsh=b3ljNDV4cXV6c3Zs

Hi all, Working on counterweighting my setup- I am currently running with a sony A7CR and sony g 20-70 f4 in a marelux housing with the 50mm extension ring/ 180mm dome port. The dome is slightly positive and attempts to always flip upwards. In works with a savy 3D printing friend to build a weight collar on the extension ring to offset the current buoyancy. does anyone have experience with this or a similar system that could help me get a rough idea of how many grams I should begin testing with? Was going to begin with fixing ankle weights to the rig, so anything more specific would be very helpful! Cheers!

Same for me, no issues with that lens in a Nauticam mini dome either

I just saw this post. Without a 3d printer, this was my solution on my AOI housing

I shoot with the A1 and upgraded from the 90mm to 100mm macro (shiny new gadget, woooh). I'll be one to say that the 90mm is fine, generally, yes it focus hunts occasionally but not that much on the A1. I used to shoot the 90mm on an A6000 (which didn't even have phase focusing) and the A1 is just night and day. The 100mm is better but it's not like it instantly focuses either. I also probably prefer the 90mm focal length. Definitely upgrade to the latest firmware of the A1, version 4+. They have added new focusing range areas, and the XS is very useful. I've been happy shooting in AF-C, XS tracking, center focus point, and using focusing+recomposing. A wider focusing area makes it harder to focus on a specific feature. A focus light is useful. There's definitely more hunting without it.

Great video! Still a month to get there, can't wait.

only very slightly jealous watching this from my outpatient clinic this morning....

your CV to date is making me feel pretty pedestrian.....

And here’s one of the dilemmas of u/w photography. I think we’ve all been there: don’t want to spend big bucks, compromise, get more experienced and….. then realise you should have spent the big bucks. Argh. Not easy. But if it’s any consolation, which it isn’t of course, you’re not alone.

Once you are sure the screw is as unscrewed as it can go, it’s just a case of pulling with a gentle twisting motion. You’ll get there! Maybe regrease the o-rings when you next put them back on.

How do I open the battery compartment on the Retra Flash Pro Supercharger? I tried twisting and pulling it upward, but it doesn't seem to open.

Hi, interested in diving and staying at Triton Bay? Watch my video from my latest trip: Scuba Triton Bay...remote but worth it!

Yes - because sharing whale sharks with 100's of your "best friends" is an experience everyone is looking for ;) The Isla Mujeres whale shark "experience" is somewhat similar to the Oslob whale shark "experience." Neither is ideal for photography, with Isla Mujeres benefitting from more whale sharks most of the time.

They're so far behind the competition now time wise this has to work or the company is finished.

Hey, so to be fair, I'm not a big fan of tropical diving...I'm a professional photographer/guide who specializes in weird, off-the-wall stuff. That said, I have tons of friends who love tropical diving and Cozumel is one of their highest rated dive locations. Eagle rays, the Mesoamerican reef (2nd largest barrier reef in the world), reef sharks, etc...etc...but the scuba in Cozumel, not Cancun/Isla Mujeres...scuba off Isla/Cancun is mediocre. However, if you look at the map, Cozumel is a large island just south of Isla Mujeres/Cancun. There is daily ferry service directly between the two islands...or you can also rent a car or take a bus (legit and comfortable) from Cancun to Playa del Carmen (about 60 minute drive). There is regular ferry service to/from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and to/from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. If you google that stuff, its all online and you can even buy your tickets for the ferry and buses online. I can vouch for the Whale Sharks off Isla Mujeres. I've guided numerous trips there and the fewest I've seen at a time was about 20 individuals and the most we estimated at 300. 80-100 per day seems to be about the norm. They migrate to the area to follow the tuna who are spawning and when they locate a tuna spawning aggregation, they cruise across the surface sucking up the eggs. They literally just go back-and-forth across a particular area (like mowing a lawn). My recommendation would be to spend 2-3 days with the Whale Sharks and then relocate to Cozumel and do a couple of days of scuba/reef diving there.

Reducing to $600 plus shipping.

Thanks for your input @Grantmac. Yea, I think I'm pretty aware that if I really want to get serious seafrogs isn't really the deal, but let's see! Wasn't ready to spend a fortune yet!

Aloha and welcome @DuncanB - I’m sure you’ll find shooting macro underwater is a challenge. Hard enough to see them much of the time!

@rwe I have mostly been using Mickey Charteris' book, and that was my conclusion as well. This was a fairly small one, so perhaps it hasn't developed the spot yet. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

Open to negotiation for offers. Need to get this sold.

Shoot in AF-C mode instead of AF-S—that will definitely work better. The MF-O 1 helps reduce the minimum focusing distance and improves the quality of your lens; personally, I haven’t noticed any improvement in autofocus. One more thing: the 90mm struggles more to focus in low light; a small flashlight might help.

I'm just getting started shooting this lens on an A7RIII and the hunting is a challenge. I don't really want to go down the focus limiter route since I do occasionally want to shoot larger subjects. I find myself right at the limits of close focus regularly which then tends to make the lens go to maximum focal length when it hunts. Would a mild diopter help?