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If space or weight is a constraint I wouldn't bother with macro on this trip. You're going for pelagic actions in the channels, or for mantas at cleaning stations, not for critter hunting. Strong currents, 4 or 6:1 divers per group, dives are usually quite deep (25m, not 5/10m), and coral is in pretty bad shape overall. Definitely bring the strobes. You'd probably do 1 or 2 night dives and these will be needed. You can also use them for CFWA.

Update to that, ive decided to go R7 option. Ill wander into town later to buy one. Yup im aware the R7v2 has leaked but that will be a good while before theres a housing, if any. Now if only nauticam dealers would answer emails from someone trying to buy a housing. Tried several over the last week and no reply!

The item appears to be damaged. This may have occurred during shipping or for another reason. You will need to have the item replaced by your dealer.

How many are in your group? If it's completely freelance, then you are potentially on the hook for not just the guide, but the boat and the boat crew as well. If you've got a group of 4-6 this can be economical, if it's just 1-2 of you, it could end up being a little more expensive (per dive). One of the reasons why I only dive at Anilao resorts that have their own full time boats & guides.

Hi, Im looking at putting my S1Rii in a Nauticam housing. I want to shoot Video and stills. 60/40 Has anyone used a the Lumix 100mm F2.8 with Macro Port 27? The Sigma 105mm doesn't support manual focus in the housing or MFO-3 based on Port Chart. I want to Manual focus as well as Auto, for super macro video It comes with Bayonet Mount only (Macro Port 27), but port chart doesn't support M67 (I have Dual Flip and Diopters and MFO-3, ) - Don't want Bayonet Mount! Was going to adapt my EF lens etc, but adapting is hit and miss so not going that path. Anyone with Panasonic experience would be appreciated. Regards Hugh

Price dropped to $599. Please note that this model has an integrated vacuum system and LED flash trigger included.

Price drop: $100.00. Moving up to a Nauticam CMC-2 for my OM-1 kit, so this great starter lens needs a new home.

I'm booked on a Maldives Liveaboard in April going through Doha as well Tim - making all sorts of backup plans! In regards to to OP, Id say go with the smaller dome, easier in currents and travelling , only pixel peeping to a serious extent will show up with the different dome sizes with the 10-17 behind it. I doubt very much all divers will be in currents and I will certainly be expecting to use my macro setup at times Strobes will be very useful with large subjects like mantas, maybe not so much if you get lucky with whale sharks

I did, I let you know his answer 👌🏼

I love your check list. How many KG ? for sure more than 7 good luck at the check-in Zürich ;)

SOLD!

I now take a padded cooler bag which is collapsible on my trips, just how feasible it will be really depends on the boat I think and how much space it has, I just bought a cheap one from a K-Mart and it seems to work fine, collapsed down it's the top layer in my dive gear bag. I used it two ways depending on the trip, when we were on the tender going out to sites I carried the rig in it, no water in it and it provided protection on the tender where there wasn't anywhere good to store it, used an old towel to cover the rig after I got out out from the dive. Coming back to the main boat I used the rinse tank there briefly and transferred to the cooler bag. After the last dive I filled the cooler with water and left the rig to soak and got my gear and myself sorted before coming back to deal with changing batteries etc. You won't be able to carry the cooler bag full of water I don't think and it's unlikely there will be a water supply on any dive tender to fill it. On another land based trip we went out daily on mid sized boats. There were less rigs so I used the rinse tank there and transferred it to my cooler bag on a shelf again covering the rig with a towel. Used the cooler bag to soak at the end of the day. The one I have is a cheapy so picking it up and moving it full of water is not feasible plus it would weight 30-40kg when full. Always watch your rig like a hawk and cover the dome with your dome cover to protect it and stop it drying out till you can properly rinse it. I use a damp towel to stop everything drying out completely. So take the bag with you and sort out how you can get it to fit into the routine on the boats on site.

If you want a padded cooler, get a super cheap one like the one below from Amazon @ $26. I've used a pair of similar bags for many years for all my local shore diving and car transport. I've taken them on trips, filling them with scuba gear in my suitcase, but I don't find them so useful on a boat. You don't need to move your camera around much and they get in the way on a zodiac/panga and the crew won't like/allow it. If you want a personal rinse, sure that's a useful function. But realistically, you just need to dip your camera after each dive for a few seconds. Do a better, longer, button pressing rinse at the end of the trip or end of the day at most.

We're booked in April for La Chevrerie. It looks like this resort uses a contract/freelance operation based upon my contact with the resort and scouring forums. I have two questions: Any experiences with the dive operation. Specifically, what spotters/guides to request? Any experience/recommendations for other freelance guides to use ?

Oh, I see that now. I will consider it. Thank you.

This bag can hold water; in fact, there's a picture of it with water inside on their website.

The zippers are an excellent point. I had not thought about that. I think I am going to return the AO Cooler bag and get the Kraken Rinse Bag just for that reason. I appreciate that. However, from what I read, that bag will not hold water, and I want it to serve as a rinse tank.

Maybe it could be useful for you, I use an Yellow sub Mega tote bag from S&S for local dives. This bag can also be used as a rinsing bucket. S&S bag

Thanks all, I think I'll be bringing the MFO-1 over the SMC-3.

I didn't know the Grouper was no longer available from CineBags. But, yeah, the Kraken seems pretty much the same thing. Filling a soft rinse tank with clothes sounds a good idea. I don't know AO coolers. The only thing I think to watch out for is the quality of the zips. They need to resist salt and not jam with salt build-up. And not leak of course! The CineBag was good for that although the internal pocket zips need work to prevent them jamming.

Although I do understand Dave's point of view, I lean more in your direction. It's too easy for me to get distracted and leave my gear in a big rinse tank. I've done it at dive shops before. I'm probably better off keeping it as close to me as possible. I looked at the CineBags, but it's not available anymore, is it? The Kraken Rinse Bag looks similar. I went with the AO because it's significantly cheaper and I don't think I need all the pockets, etc. Now, I just need to decide on the logistics, keeping in mind I need to take care of my back while traveling. I might just stuff it full of clothes and then stuff the bag in a suitcase. I already have a spinner carry-on camera bag for the most critical camera gear.

Hi folks Packing for my trip next week to Raja Ampat. It will be a live aboard. I bring my 2 housings, one equipped with UWA (12-24mm), one with 100mm Macro that i can switch very easily to the 20mm Macro 1:2 for close focus wide angle. Why 2 housings? because it is not so easy to switch a 12-24 set-up to a mcro set-up in 10' on a live aboard, between 2 dives. Yet, a big part of my equipment (strobes, float arms, port etc...) travl in a checked bag, i am using as carry-on a Lowepro Pro Trekker 650 AW II to travel with 2 housing and everything needed as a safety set-up in case the cjecked bag does not make it. This bag includes non only the housing but camera, lenses , 1 strobe, the smallest port (my 100mm for the 20mm 1:2) etc... Here the photo. Wanted also to share my cchec list before travelling. It helps a lot Looking for comments

Hmmmm... I'm always super wary of rinse tanks. Dave is dead right of course - they are for rinsing not leaving gear unattended. That said, I would not mind a 1p for every time I've seen masks/computers/GoPros lobbed into the Cameras Only rinse tank; big systems dumped in without a second thought, cables tangled blah blah.... And the good few times I've been distracted whillst rinsing my camera system and had to leave it for a few minutes to come back and find gear dumped on top of it. I now travel with some of my camera gear packed in a CineBags Grouper bag. One we get to the liveaboard, I unpack it and it's then my own personal rinse tank. I can usually find some discrete corner where it sits out of the way and holds my camera - wet or dry. "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter the Dreaded Rinse Tank". I think Danté said that.

A padded cooler will not be very useful on a liveaboard. And the boat rinse tank is fine to use. Just remember the tank is for rinsing, not dumping your camera and leaving it in there unattended.

Hi everyone, I’m heading out on my first liveaboard this August—the Nautilus Under Sea in the Sea of Cortez. While I know they have dedicated communal camera rinse tanks, I’m debating if I should still bring my own personal container. I bought a 36-can AO padded cooler to use as a dedicated rinse/protection station, but I’m hesitating because of the weight and bulk. For those with liveaboard experience: Is a personal rinse bag/cooler worth the luggage space, or are communal tanks generally safe enough for a mirrorless rig (OM-1 in an AOI housing)? Is there enough deck space for everyone to have their own "tank," or will I just be in the way? I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether to pack the AO cooler or switch to a lighter, more collapsible setup. Thanks!