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Hi everyone, Disclosure up front: I work with CYME, a French software company building tools for photographers. We’re currently testing Specio, an offline desktop tool / Lightroom Classic workflow that helps identify species in wildlife and underwater photo collections. I’m posting here because marine identification is exactly where expert feedback matters most. Fish, nudibranchs, crustaceans, corals, juveniles, regional variants — these are the cases where we need real underwater photographers to tell us what works, what fails, and what should never be guessed. What Specio does: analyzes photos locally on your computer, with no cloud upload suggests species identifications across batches of images lets the photographer review or correct results before applying anything adds common names, scientific names and taxonomy as Lightroom keywords helps explore a photo archive through the taxonomic tree The goal is not to replace expert knowledge. It’s to make large underwater photo archives easier to identify, search and reuse, while keeping human validation at the center. We’re looking for a few underwater photographers willing to test the beta on their own images and give honest feedback, especially on marine species accuracy and whether this fits naturally into a Lightroom workflow. If you’re interested, you can tell us a bit about your workflow and apply here : https://survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/U3CA15?Source=Forum&[email protected] I’d also be very interested in hearing opinions directly in this thread: which marine groups or regions do current ID tools struggle with most?

Thanks a lot for your answer ! I'll have a look at this post, if you personally want a software to try now or just help me to get your workflow, you can apply here to try it : https://survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/U3CA15?Source=Forum&[email protected]

Ok, we're working on video features, so I'll come back to you once it's done :) A huge thanks for your commitment !

Hi everyone, I’m curious how underwater photographers handle species identification and keywording after a dive trip, especially when working in Lightroom Classic. After importing, culling and editing, do you manually add species names, scientific names or taxonomy to your photos? Or do you mostly keep images organized by trip/location? We’re testing an offline desktop workflow that helps recognize species in underwater and wildlife photo batches, then lets you review the results before adding common names, scientific names and taxonomy as Lightroom keywords. We’re looking for a few photographers willing to share their workflow and possibly test the beta on their own images. If interested, you can tell us a bit about your workflow here: https://survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/U3CA15?Source=Forum&[email protected]

It seems to me that the Inon lens (and I imagine its AOI cousin as well) literally sucks. IMHO unusable for wide shots. On the other hand, the GoPro without an additional lens does a great job. Did you have dive mode in the last clip too? In these dives a URPro filter or even a Keldan gel would work miracles in post. Interesting that the turtle searches for Cymodocea leaves among the cursed Caulerpa

I merged several topics on this camera

How is the M1 Pro for photography in the 60 metre housing? (when shooting things at about 2-3 metres range without any accessory lenses). Reason for asking is am wondering whether it is going to be an improvement over the Hero13 for photogrammetry work?

My take on the philippines Visayas which I haved dived regularly these 15 past years : Depend on whether you have itchy feet and want to see a lot or you want to settle in 1-2 places. In two weeks you could do at least three spots (even a fourth one if that is on the road and you optimize your itinerary, but let's not spoil it), traveling in the Phils is quite easy. It will also depend on the way you fly out (either Manila or Cebu) I would list thise potential places for diving with their pros and cons : Malapascua up north of Cebu is known for threshers, sometimes tigers, some macro it's a nice sandy beach island, however IMO there is not much., I would say plan 3-4 days diving not more of you want travel to other spots. Problem is that it will take you some time to get there in and out since it's 1hour boat+4 hours car drive from Cebu. You should go there first to secure your fly out since it's far out in the sea and not the most reliable place. If ever there is a storm or a typhoon you may not be able to cross the channel (been there, done that). Alona beach on Panglao/Bohol provides all range of resorts from small villas to huge 5 star resorts and restaurants. It's also a good starting point for sightseeing Bohol (chocolate hills, tarsiers, etc.) True it's busy, however to me it provides the best coral and blue water diving on Balicasag island, which has a limited number of diver per day. You'll find there schools of Jacks and Cudas as well as great corals, somtime sin feb if you're lucky a whale shark roaming around. ideal for both diving and family snorkeling. YOu'll have to be selective with the dive center and book your Balicasag trips beforehand, I can wholeheartedly recommend Philippines Fun Divers german/japanese run dive center (think reliable), they answer very fast and they are also very flexible., Since they own two large bankas they always have more "allocations" going to Balicasag, even other dice center join on their boat They will also dive other islands around such as Pamilacan or even Cabilao on demand. Alona local dive sites are not that interesting except for Napaling with sardines schools as well, sometimes a jack school at Doljo. You could stay anythying from 4 days to a week in Alona if you do some land tours with the family, it's also easy to get to since there is an airport that flies internationally or to Manila and a ferry at Bohol Tagbilaran port that takes 2hrs going to Dumaguete (Dauin). Otherwise Anda on the same island is only 2hours drive. It's much quieter (I would say too quiet) than Alona, has good beaches, However I was really disappointed with meh diving consisting of boring uncolorful tan/beige corals with limited fish life, although turtles are plentiful or white sand macro not nearly as productive as Dauin. Your family might like the place personally I haven't seen anything exciting to me. Another option off Bohol is Cabilao island, extremely quiet, used to have great wall diving with lots of coral and snorkeling option for the family but I don't know how it went after Odette typhoon in 2022. Cabilao divers at Cabilao Marine sanctuary beach resort would be my top choice. Excellent accoms and very flexible dive center. Only worth 3 days max on h s small island though. If you take a ferry from Bohol to Dumaguete on Negros island, you easily get to Dauin which is mainly black/whie sand macro diving, black sand beaches. there are a few upmarket options to stay there as well as mid range. Negros is quiet and tidy, however if macro is not your thing, I wouldn't recommand diving Dauin. Apo island is not far away (and day trips can be arranged with the dive centers) tahta said it doesn't compare with Balicasag with regards to schools of fish and fish life in general. Another less traveled option would be Sipalay which is on the opposite side of Negros. Good sandy beach, Good midrange accoms and dive center at swiss run Easy Diving. Deeper diving (in the 30-40m range) is great with schools of fish, however the shallower dives are not that spectacular, a mix of coral, white sand and algae rubble. It takes something like 4 hours car drive to either go to Dumaguete or Bacolod in order to fly out of Negros. Moalboal on Cebu is not that far from Cebu city, I wouldn't stay there with a family (been through I've been 5 times there) it's devoid of beaches. and used to have some "bar life". Lots people coming from Cebu in the morning by busloads or some other men staying overnight with "paid company". However Moalboal hosts two main dive attractions : the sardine school with is a shore dive in front of Savedra and Pescador island which for me used to be the best coral wall dive in the Phils (incredible colored soft corals on the southwestern corner of the isalnd). That said I wouldn't give it more than 2 days diving to flee the mix of backpackers, taiwanese & korean divers, the advantage is that you can do Moalboal just before coming back to Cebu for your flight out (4 hours drive from Mactan airport). I am ruling out Padre Burgos/Sogod Bay which IMO is too far to get to, doesn't provide any beachside and wouldn't advise to take your family too due to uncomfortable resort options (My non diver wife did not like at all the place although she was Ok with all the other ones and honestly I thought that divewise it suffered a lot from Odette typhoon)

The Tokina 10-17 reborn!

.... can a Pom wish you a warm welcome? If I don't whinge about something?

In case any Sony users with Isotta housing are looking at upgrading - I've been using a Sony A7IV in an Isotta A7IV underwater housing and upgraded to the Sony A7V. Thankfully the A7V fits perfect in the older housing without any issues. It's enough cost to upgrade the camera without then having to upgrade the housing so I was feeling relieved.

Welcome from another Aussie!

I am still learning about the M1P and Inon lenses. This is a short comparison on a wide scenery capture with the GR140 Pro.

Hi Russell, welcome to the forums, good to have you here. Good seeing another Aussie joining up.

Hi All Just joined, I'm based on Bellarine Peninsula not too far from Melbourne. Use a Sony A7V in an Isotta housing and do shore dives that we are lucky enough to have a variety near us. Thanks

Why don’t someone just make a classic 15 mm fisheye lens for the new mirrorless bodies. Optimally a 15-30 fisheye zoom, but that would be too much asked for. I’ll take a 15 prime thank you.

I'd be happy to but unfortunately I only shoot video, so I'm probably not the ideal tester. I could only submit image captures from video clips, rather than actual pics.

Is this book available also in conventional form (I would prefer to have it on my shelfs)?

I came across an incredible video made by the NASA one year ago. It's one of most detailed visualizations ever created of Earth’s ocean currents. NASA’s ECCO model pulls data from spacecraft, buoys, and other measurements. The map reveals massive rivers of moving water, swirling eddies hundreds of miles wide, The Kuroshio Stream and the powerful Gulf Stream carrying warm water from the Gulf of Mexico across the Atlantic. P.S. And yes, after seeing it, we all thought the same thing 😉

I've merged the other thread on this lens over in General Chat with this thread.

Hi, where exactly do you want to go in the Philippines? Just Cebu? Moalboal and Malapascua are the main spots for diving there. However, there are virtually no super-luxury resorts in those areas. I would not recommend the west road on Malapascua. Lot`s of long strechted villages and most of the time no way to overtake very slow trucks. East road is quicker, but you must path Cebu city which can be very painful depending on daytime or weekday (from my opinion sunday is the best travel day). You could combine Cebu with Dauin (Negros), though; it’s a very short ferry ride away. Diving in Dauin is primarily macro-focused, but operators run day trips to Apo, where you’ll find corals and turtles. There are few good resorts in Dauin if that’s a priority for you, If you’re looking for beautiful beaches and beach resorts, Boracay is the place to go— but busy with beach party, banana boats......though the diving is... well, let's just say it's not the main draw. Bohol/Panglao offers some good dive sites and excellent resorts, but the diving there is incredibly busy—mostly with Korean divers, as there are now direct charter flights from Korea. I’ve attached a photo of Alona Beach taken before 7 a.m. so you can get an idea of how many people jump into the water later in the day. I counted arround +/- 500 Cylinders walking Alona early morning. On Bohol, I’d actually recommend Anda instead; it’s quieter,beaches are nice and the diving is decent. Just quick info. Let me know if you need any more info. I Best regards, Markus.

CWB is still a big IF. It calculates WB from the entire frame but how who knows. Gerald mentioned it briefly and I didn't find any other mention. On FX6 you are supposed to zoom in to fill the frame and that won't quite work underwater in one man one hand operation... little details make or break 🤔

Sorry, I meant a shorter ext of course, to position the lens further into the dome... Compromise reached was 45mm total inc adapter (no shade). At 35mm, shade vignetted, but not the dome. At 55mm, dome vignetted badly (no shade) - not water tested. It is possible that in addition to fixed aperture, you might get away with fixed focus (at f11), provided you aren't trying to do CFWA... I also tested this lens with the 8.5" dome, but vignetting is worse, as expected, since the OC is approx 25mm behind the port flange. I won't be buying the AF version until / unless others can show it works well without vignetting, on FF. The Laowa 8-15 AF is still on the cards, so hopefully it won't be quite as wide FOV as this 7 Artisans. Over to you, Phil, if you are getting one!