Adrian Gresores

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.

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 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!

SOLD

SOLD

Selling two YS‑D3 Duo strobes. Both have normal external wear but work perfectly. Never flooded and serviced regularly. Each strobe includes flat diffuser, dome diffuser, and ball mount. Can sell as a pair or individually. Pair: $775 Individual: $400 Optional: 16 Panasonic Eneloop Pro AAs + 2 BQ‑CC17 chargers (+$50). Located in Texas; can ship within the U.S. Additional close‑ups available.

Purchased new and sent to Backscatter last August for routine service. They replaced it with a brand‑new housing with upgraded hardware, so this unit is effectively new. Only one dive trip since replacement. No scratches on the window, no corrosion, and all controls operate smoothly. Includes the full original kit, box, and an extra O‑ring. Retail is $999. Asking $699. Located in Texas; can ship within the U.S. Additional close‑ups available on request.

Selling my Fantasea UCL‑05LF close‑up lens. This is a +6 diopter wet lens that adds noticeable magnification for macro subjects while maintaining comfortable working distance. Great for nudibranchs, small fish, and detail work without committing to full supermacro. Optics are clean with no scratches, haze, or coating marks. Threads are smooth and corrosion‑free. Used only lightly and always rinsed and dried properly. Includes front and rear caps. New retail is $180 — asking $120. Located in San Antonio, TX; shipping included for U.S. buyers. Local pickup available.

Hey, Dave, this looks really cool! I wish I could get something like that 😜.

I think it depends on the camera/flash trigger/strobe combination. For my OM-1, AOI housing, and Ato Chris, I spoke too soon, and too uninformed. Backscatter has confirmed to me that there is no disadvantage to leaving FP on at all times that RC is on. RC will simply perform as usual before the flash sync speed of 1/250, and as HSS above that. So, essentially, it does support Auto Super FP. I apologize for my ignorance.

As you suspect, for my gear combination (OM-1, AOI housing, Atom flashes), the flash output would be reduced if Super FP (OM name for HSS) is ON, but shutter speed is below flash sync speed of 1/250. Super FP should only be used at speeds above that, then. As I understand it, other cameras might support Auto FP where this would not be true.

Having finally gotten my OM-1, AOI UH-OM1II housing, and dual Atom Flash strobes, I can verify that HSS does, in fact, work in RC/SC mode. You just switch FP on in the camera, leave the strobes on SC, and you can increase shutter speed to your heart's content (or until full power isn't enough from the strobes, at which point they beep). This is true on a tabletop, not yet in the water, though.

Maybe I just made that less of an issue...

The advantage is ditching about 300g underwater. I'm hoping to use 5" arms for macro and having a hard time arranging enough floatation, whether with float arms or STIX floats.

Well, I shoot in clear, blue water (Caribbean). Also, the target light on my strobes (Backscatter Atom Flash) do have the same beam spread as the flash itself. That's why I thought I might not need the focus light for macro.

Thanks!

That's interesting.

That's exactly the setup I have.

Hey, Dave, How do you arrange and point the OrcaTorch for supermacro, especially if snooting? Or do you not use it, if snooting? Do you have it attached to a cold shoe mount? If so, with what connections?

I love night dives, and obviously the focus light always goes with me then. I have a Kraken 1800 WSR. Great light. I'm just trying to simplify my gear wherever it makes sense. Also, I always have my wife hovering above me with her dive light, pointing things out 😊.

I always dive with a focus light for wide angle, especially since the strobes are so far apart. For macro with the strobes closer together, from fish portraits down to supermacro, I'm not sure if they are necessary. Since I dive in clear, blue water (Caribbean), could I just rely on the 1000 lumen target lights from my dual Atom flashes, both white and red, even at depth? One less item on my rig and decreased weight would be desirable. What do you think and what do you do?

I'm sorry that happened to you. It hasn't happened to me, but obviously I see that it could.

I want to clarify something. Bluewater has always been upfront with me. Also, they are the only retailer that shows whether they have an item in stock on their website, as you can see on the screenshot I just took. I have always understood that the expected shipping date they show only reflects what would normally happen if they had the item in stock. Having bought plenty of gear from them, I have never seen them misrepresent their stock status. My query was only meant to mine for others' experiences. Bluewater has NEVER been deceptive with me.

Reef Photo has now told me they have the flash. Backscatter hasn't responded yet. And Bluewater has told me they have been promised a big shipment from Backscatter early this week. I'm juggling all these guys now.

In this case, Bluewater had told me from the very beginning that these items were out of stock. In fact, I ordered the Atoms before Backscatter had them. I've also been calling Backscatter and Reef weekly, and they don't have the items. I'm just really frustrated.