ericstrege

Appreciate the comment! Yeah that’s how I feel topside too. Without a camera something is just off haha

I want to put together a service kit for my UW kit. what should all be in a “save a dive” kit for photography? What’s the best silicone for cleaning and moisturizing o-rings? Any tips for maintaining UW gear for a newbie? Thanks!

Anyone have experience buffing out scratches on an acrylic dome? The kit I bought used came with some buffing pastes but am curious if anyone has seen good results with this. Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who has been sharing their insight. I officially picked up the Sea and Sea 5dmkiii housing v2, an acrylic dome, macro port and even came with the Sigma 15mm 2.8 fisheye. Here are some pics of the new rig!

Thanks! How does the 5Dmkii autofocus do underwater? There are a ton of housings out there for mkii not so much for mkiii. Because of that I’d thought about getting a mkii (even though I have a mkiii) since there is so much available gear.

Thanks! Not too shabby for a first outing. Thanks, Jurgen that’s very kind. Appreciate your comment!

I really appreciate your thoughtful response! Thanks so much. Also, I’m a pretty verbose person myself so I enjoyed the ride haha. Seems like you and I have been on similar gear journeys with digital. Started out with the canon 5D series then switched to Sony not too long ago. I now shoot with an A7rV and A7rIV for topside work (landscapes, wildlife, client work). I loved the files I got out of the 5D cameras and particularly like the idea of putting the ol' girl back into the field. Your galleries look great BTW. Checked out your website a bit.

Hello from Loveland, CO! Good to have another Coloradoan in the group.

Okay, so I guess the first would’ve actually been with an underwater disposable snorkeling as a kid. Be that as it may, this is the output of my one and only dive with a real camera. I borrowed my brother’s TG-6 setup on a dive at Breakwater in Monterey. I’m a total beginner here, and these images are nothing too special but I’d love some feedback on composition, lighting, anything you got. Thanks in advance, photo fam!

Hey! Loveland, CO over here. Great to meet ya!

Thank you! It was my first pro camera so it would be great to use it again in this way.

Thanks, Chris! I was thinking of using 5-pin connectors like what I attached. Think this is a good option? https://www.backscatter.com/Sea-and-Sea-5-pin-Dual-Sync-Cord-Single-Nikonos

Thanks for the reply! That’s what I was thinking too but wanted to get some other perspectives. I appreciate yours!

Hey underwater photo family, I'm looking to build my first underwater camera system and have the opportunity to pick up a kit for my old Canon 5D Mark III. The kit includes Sea & Sea underwater housing (recently serviced by Backscatter), dome port, macro port, and a Sigma 15mm EF lens, all for $550. I already have some Sea & Sea strobes, so this would likely go a long way to kitting me out. Any thoughts on the viability of an older DSLR for underwater photography in 2026? Am I silly for not picking this up instantly? Sidenote: I just registered for the 2027 Monterey Shootout and am looking forward to trying my hand in the "Beginner" category! Thanks ever so much, Eric