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I guess this makes the question much simpler. And AI skipped this detail.

A lot of snorkelers using the Weefine ring light, it's a pretty handy thing.

It can of course be some GM glass and cost a fortune. Maybe Sony wants one because everyone else has their own 8-15. The Laowa one is probably more further down with development, as it was already shown hands on in the spring at Beijing. Laowa also has been pretty good with pricing. Just hoping this will release this autumn as Weibo/WeChat rumors suggest.

Welcome onboard Paul, good to have you here.

I would be happy to pay (within reason!) for a heavier carryon. Unfortunately Fiji Airways won’t allow it, full stop.

Yeah, all good here, thanks - Okinawa's really built for typhoons, with most places having a fortress-like concrete based brutalist architectural design. Typhoon 13 / Dolphin was supposed to be a strong one, so we really bunkered up, but it just turned out to be very long (3 days) and strange. The north of main island (Nago) was hit harder, apparently, but here we just had strong winds, no power cuts, which is the main issue here. I still see unusual swell from the window as I type this today. Just one note: typhoons started early (June), and the direction is a little unusual. There's also a strong El Niño on top of the usual climate breakdown, so everything is combining to give us extreme weather for the next couple of years, and probably a few monster typhoons. Typhoon season is typically June to October in Japan (especially Okinawa, Kyushu and Honshu's Pacific coast, where Mikomoto is), with late-season typhoons being stronger than earlier ones, so plan accordingly. Current typhoon situation this morning (it's like a pinball machine) :

The locked position is sufficient to hold the MFO3, CMC1 and MFO1 in this position underwater. I enter the water with the lenses in this position as well. It's the same design as on standard single and dual Nauticam flips, and I don't think users are having issues with the lenses flapping around, unless the flip gets old perhaps.

Hey there I’m Paul Wildman. Based in Canada. My main focus is underwater cinematography but also shoot photography. Still have lots to learn on the photography side. I’ve been shooting video underwater now for over 20 years.

Are the diaphragm blades easy to push in, or do they provide solid mechanical protection against everyday bumps and pressure? (I’m looking for something that offers protection similar to a classic lens cap.) https://explore.omsystem.com/c/en/lb-t01-lens-barrier Or use this instead? OM SYSTEMBuy CLA-T01 Converter Adapter From OM SYSTEMBuy OM SYSTEM | Olympus CLA-T01 Converter Adapter online now. Find our range of quality Tough Accessories online now. Easy returns. Free shipping on orders +$100.

I very much suspect neither of these is rated for UW use, it doesn't mention a thing about using them UW. The first one has LEDs the second features light pipes to take the flash light to the ring around the lens. I would also guess that the strobe light is quite weak after being piped in and spread around the ring on the second model. They state the first model can compromise the waterproof seals A lot of people dive with TG-7s around my dive sites and many of them now have the Weefine or Kraken ring lights. They have a model with a 3000 lumen burst triggered by your strobe. Working with that could prove tricky on the TG-7 as the camera doesn't know what the ring light is going to do, but should be manageable. The link below shows one model, the others are listed on the side bar. https://underwater.com.au/shop/kraken-ring-light-3000-v2-new-version-sale.html?srsltid=AfmBOopsV7rWxEW0QCi4Dqop191F2xrX9GQxMxLnpuUMIBHD-_zhgStD I've seen some shots produced with these lights and they look pretty nice as long as you are in quite close. I'm not sure exactly which model they are using.

Impressive! And brave. Did you have inside information on how to do this (how did you know to pull off the leather)? Did you reassemble and have a working camera when you were done? (Nice, and wise, to have a video to guide the reassembly steps!) Tim

May I ask how strong the lock is? The Saga adapter also has a lock, but it's too weak to hold, for example, the SMC1/SMC2 in a vertical position underwater.

There is a single screw through the middle of the ball mount that goes into a sturdy thread in the strobe case. There is a plastic gasket to isolate (for corrosion) and an anti-rotation pin. Very solid mounting.

When I went there was +40m vis and still only saw two hammers distant, talking with experienced divers it's very dependent on the tides. I previously dove with action cam, was planning full rig this time.

If you mean the ball mount on the Maxi, it's a 5mm hex nut through the ball. I hadn't really looked at it previously. It comes attached as far as I know.

How are the ball mounts held on?

Great, glad you liked the review! You've already bought some Maxi's, so hopefully some other readers will use this to help with their buying decisions. Your next step might be to buy some 12 and 16 inch arm segments. These can really help you get more value and flexibility from your strobes. Counter intuitively, one benefit of long arms that I take advantage frequently is effective inward lighting. For CFWA situations this is my go to move. You can get the strobes far enough away to avoid flare and glow, but you are able to get dramatic lighting without backscatter even in really poor clarity water conditions. (ask me how I know!) Long arms also enable better coverage for really large reef scenes, particularly when shooting vertical.

A lot of experts on how to empty wallets and credit cards 😁

So LG-1 is for video, FD-1 for photo? Can these two be swapped underwater? (I am cautious with AI, as it confidently tells stuff that sometime ends up in disaster.)

Thank you, excellent review. I too had the problem on my second dive that one of my strobes would not turn off, the focus light was on but the strobe would not flash. I thought it had leaked and I rushed back to the boat, pulled the batteries. No leak! Reinstalled batteries and the strobe functioned normally. Upon getting back to the resort I emailed Retra and within an hour they answered assuring me there was no problem and to reload my software to 1.0. My eyes rolled back because I am NOT and computer person and I figured this would be an ordeal! Nope! Connected to the Retra App, downloaded the software, easy! Problem solved. There is a learning curve with the Maxi due to their power and ultra wide beam especially with the diffuser. I have to put the strobes further out, turn them outward more and sweep them further back (behind the dome) to keep them and reflections out of my dome or even the more narrow FOV of the WWL. Also, unlike with previous strobes I have owned, borrowed, whatever, this is the first time I kept turning them down, down. The Maxi strobes just do not feel large in the water, I got used to them quickly and was able to remove an outer float arm and replace that float arm with a plain arm. The XStar 5000 batteries I am using just go and go and go! Pool day prep for the NA-R50 for upcoming Maldives trip.

I got frustrated with the turtle led stickers and ended up printing a box that contain them and the strobe unit. This way I mount the whole thing as one unit that aligns with the strobe ports. Not perfect, but better than fiddling with the LEDs and the filmsy connector every time

Thanks again for all the advice. While we are on the subject, since I will be on a friend's sail boat and have also time in the water beyond the whale tours, do you have recommendations for reef-snorkling and/or diving in Tonga? Thanks! Nir

Hello to all! I am thinking about upgrading my kit from a GoPro to something more professional, I am diving 99% of the time in the Mediterranean Sea from 0 to 60 meters. I found some interesting deals on the GH5 mk2 and the GH6, and both fits on the Easydive Leo3 I am planning on buy with two 15’000 lumens lights. Do you have any suggestions on which one to choose, some drawbacks to be aware of, or recommended lens? Many thanks to all!

Hi Alessio! A warm welcome to Waterpixels. Great to have you with us. I hope you get the info you need. Lots of experts here who I’m sure will be helpful. Best wishes Tim

Hello and greetings from Italy! I joined this forum to ask for some advice on which camera to buy as my first one. I’ve found some interesting deals on the GH5 mk2 and the GH6, and I’ve seen some incredible footage shot with the GH5 series. I enjoy shooting mainly videos and am thinking of buying an Easydive housing and some 15,000-lumen Easydive lights. Thanks to all!