JohnD

I don't know the details because I have never used it, but I believe there are ways to use the 12-50 lens in a 65 port without the expensive gear. Also deepshots in the UK offers a gear for that lens under $100, although I am unsure what it can do. I suspect others here can explain all of this. I have always heard far more enthusiasm for the Panasonic 14-42 mega (not the collapsing PZ) with the wwl than any of the other lenses for this purpose, but I have not compared them. That lens requires the 35 flat port. That port, with either a 10mm or 30mm extension ring then works with the various 30, 45 and 60mm macro lenses for the M43 system. In other words, with just the 35 port and the 30mm ER, you could shoot with the WWL or the 45 macro or 60 macro, saving a bit of $ on ports and less to pack for travel. Just something to think about.

Thank you. I am going to book Crystal Blue. I agree on the house reef point. I often have some new technique or piece of gear I want to learn or experiment with or some photo skill I want to learn or practice and being able to go out and on a shore dive and take my time doing that is easier than on a boat dive while the guide is finding fascinating stuff and/or I don't want to hold back the other divers. Of course, despite what I just said, I then often suffer FOMO and cannot pass on the boat dive. Living in a landlocked area, I cannot really do that stuff except on dive trips, so I am conflicted.

Good points. Thank you. If Tim does not chime in, I may send him a message. I can see that both are solid choices. Do you feel the shore dives on the house reefs are more-or-less equal or is one of them "better." Not sure I wold spend much time there given the number of boat locations available, but curious.

Thank you. For some reason, when I search, your post that you linked does not come up, although the thread does, so I did not see your description of the two places. When I searched before I did see a variety of posts about Anilao and about Mike Bartick/Crystal Blue and Photo Academy doing blackwater dives, but did not find, and was hoping for, some additional comparisons between the resorts I am considering. I did not check the old site, although I should have, I guess. Being one of those who was booked on the infamous Red Sea trip to nowhere, the website reminds me of that whole mess and I try to stay away, despite the wealth of accumulated knowledge to be found in the forums.

Thanks for your response. I am actually surprised more people did not have opinions on this, considering the popularity of Anilao.

Yes, we did, but I had some additional info and a link to a much less expensive scratch brush than Backscatter is selling, so I thought that merited a direct response.

For travel, I have a fiberglass scratch pen https://www.amazon.com/TAURISH-Fiberglass-Electronic-Applications-Corrosion/dp/B0DT9P7C62/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2V0ITNPSAKKGQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iQBCYi28DSmpLll6MvLJFJKIJ6ZCCW_ZiI-0WBcvdVj9F68Cv_CDYmKPUaPg7nTs6TEp5oQqQ-ij72dMbUV6-ML96Met5HW1jH9Eqlg8yV0apjNrmnNMt3iEVkM1y3US49AdqT9YuQkg1N0qslVNv4SVQxiA6ljDEwSDJX48xlVTy3CxqZA_kDIfwuVAMq2T_mPKLK0lon0hVmo4D60CzPvCahNgLA-_1bm-FHkwLTU.l035Urp2_-K0k6uiyXU0mtBZkI873uouugTlQRRclCU&dib_tag=se&keywords=scratch+brush&qid=1770322388&sprefix=scratch+brush%2Caps%2C257&sr=8-4 and some 6" bamboo cotton swabs (like long Q tips) and small bottle of 99% isopropyl alcohol. They fit in a baggy and weigh very little, and I have started doing a quick alcohol wipe of contacts when changing batteries or if on a small boat, later when back in room or whatever. Maybe overkill to clean that often, but it only takes a minute. Scratch pen would get used for a problem instead of precautionary. If the compartment had leaked water or a battery leaked, cola or water and baking soda would probably be needed. Only recently did I learn that especially with lithium ion batteries we now use, frequent cleaning of contacts is prudent https://www.sealife-cameras.com/troubleshooting-and-product-updates/sea-dragon-lights-updates/ https://thebw-100.com/the-importance-of-cleaning-electrical-contacts-to-prevent-corrosion/

Planning a trip to Anilao and looking at Buceo Anilao or Crystal Blue. Never been to either place and looking for input, especially but not only anyone who can compare the two. Thank you

No longer seeking the N85 macro port 65

Do you use a viewfinder or back-of-camera lcd screen?

Purchased a port from @Grantmac and it was as described and delivered promptly. Would do business with him again. 👍

Having now used this for a while (but have not tested getting it wet) I have found it very useful. I have mostly been on little boats and bangkas so have not used it on a boat yet, but really handy for topping off battery between dives or over lunch without having to open housing and swap batteries.

Like Tim said, other than dawn, dusk and night dives, I never needed a focus light with D500 and 60mm macro, but with 105mm on the D500 or Z8, a focus light is useful far more often, as I recently found out. There is a wide range of sizes, features and power available and ulcs has some lightweight mounts that fit almost anything. Not what I use, but I just threw this 120g thing together together to illustrate how small one can go: Orcatorch D560 700 lumen 3.5" light with 14500 battery on a ULCS ball mount. To paraphrase a credit card commercial, What's in your housing cold shoe?

Just to wrap this up, I only took macro stuff and except for just a little bit on APO island, did not miss the wide angle. Unlikely that I would have ever used it. Going back there I would again not take anything but macro stuff. But the MFO-3 was very useful.

Thanks. I believe I have sourced one from another member here.