Luko

I was NOT assuming OP had multicore 613 fiber (that's why I recommended purchasing this kind if he couldn't solve the issue). Believe it or not when I had sync issues with older fiber optics, I found that sometimes unwinding fibers caught around the clamps and even loosen the velcro straps attaching the cable around the floats (I also use velcros for 2m cables) helped, it proved it worked "somehow" better. Hence my experience is that for with lower quality fibers too much twirling does impact on the signal liability.

Had a similar issue with an old Nauticam Port which 67mm thread was completely damaged, it couldn't screw and hold anything like a macro wetlens. I used a neutral filter mount I had removed the glass before, and glued it to the damaged thead. It worked for a year and 2 dive trips, I anyway had to buy another (new) port since I changed my whole rig as well.

FWIW I've had similar issues with strobes from other brand (Fotocore) for which the strobe light detector is known not to perform that well (unlike Inon or Retra strobes for instance). Here are some actions that willl allow you to test and may improve the light transmission, at least it did on my side : (if none works, I'd suggest you purchase new fiberoptics, S&S multicore 613 fibers would be my choice) I assume you're using S&S type connectors : check your cable bush plugged into the strobe port. do not use double hole bush, it might not work (I got this hint from the owner), it seems critical that the strobe end cable is centered into the optical port, hence a single hole type. check how the cable connector is fitting in its hole (I had a loose one that didn't work). In this case I'd rather change the connector & use a new rubber bush : first cut the cable end with a sharp razor blade (not scissors!!!) and try triggering your strobe adjusting the cable end with various insertion depth into the bush (ie. cable barely visible from the bush end, protruding 1/2mm from the bush, etc.) until you get a consistant firing. Make sure your cable does not twirl too much around the strobe arms or the clamps, the light might be lost through those twirls.

I guess you know NIck More's fantastic slow shutter images of blue sharks : https://www.divephotoguide.com/underwater-photography-special-features/article/motion-blur-blue-sharks-uk/ Personally I would definitely bring a strobe, -maybe just one would be enough, just to get at least a sharp front part of the shark-, sometimes available light images look a bit washed out when you need to balance the sunlit surface and the shark itself .

NIce ones, I love shooting gobies on tunicates too, especially with the help of our mutual guide and friend Ajiex. btw I think I saw you dining at Chops & Hops when I was in T'ben 2 weeks ago with some friends (around april 28th). Did you have a good trip? I thought Tulamben was pretty deceiving this time, water was much too warm (30C!) and many critters AWOL.

Up for me as well, there was someone still posting until yesterday...

Landbased at TBD, it was the third time I tried to go then either canceled or on a (denied) waitlist. I could have been their 2nd client 10 years ago : 4 months before my planned stay, I met a manager from a very famous resort in Raja Ampat who told me Triton Bay Divers was a joke and that they'll never open in this area. Usually I don't listen to such "opinions" and like to go my own way, unfortunately I did this time. However it confirmed how some famous people of a very famous resort can be full of BS. Would never trust this guy.

Great video! Still a month to get there, can't wait.

I don't know who are are the freelancers operating from La Chevrerie. However if you can book Dennis Corpuz, besides being a very nice guy to dive with, he's hands down the best photography guide/instructor in Anilao, you'll have a great photo time. I''m not sure he can work with La Chevrerie however I already booked him while staying to various resorts such as Eagle Point, Acacia or Aiyanar some of them not mentioned in his webpage . You may still check out with him https://anilaounderwaterphotography.com/ Otherwise anyone from the Corpuz family (Obet, Ronald) can be recommended as well.

Tulamben in Bali has a lot of (freelance or inhouse) guides that cater to specialized macro photographers. Some of them are very good at lighting or snooting assistance in particular, you'll see many contest winning photos that were taken in Tulamben. Most of them are proposing one to one private guiding. PM if you want names or more specific details.

Actually I have... without knowing who he was, he was sitting next to Mikiya and describing me the endemic japanese pygmy seahorse in Osezaki.

A Japan "dive tour" is on my wishlist since a couple of years, I am also looking for all sorts of information (besides Ben and Kayo's insights), especially around this area. FWIW 2 weeks ago at Paris Salon de la Plongée (The french dive show) I discussed with Mikiya Watamatsu the chief guide from natureinn.jp an Osezaki operation (the macro site located inside the bay). He told me it was possible to organize both Mikomoto and Osezaki dives, probably they have a partnership whith Mikomoto hammers op (they were neighbors sharing the same Japan booth) It requires a 2hrs drive from Osezaki to get to the south of the peninsula where Mikomoto dives start. From the photos he showed me, it seems there is more than macro in Osezaki, like 2-3m high dendronepthya soft corals (!!) and monkfish. Maybe worthwhile mailing this op on whether they organize "best of both worlds" package or try to meet them while they're on tour attending the european trade shows (I suppose they were also at BOOT, probably Houten and Bologna too... a bit late for Tampere) .

Meaning you have to depart from Cebu City (no direct flights from France) + 3 hrs ferry ride. Almost equivalent if not worse routing if you need to take a flight back from Manila. (How come typhoons or rainstorms in november don't suprize me :) , I never dive the Phils outside Feb-May, had too much problems with weather in my stays end of the year.) Personally Sogod Bay was one of the place that didn't lmpress me at all in the Phils (been in 2022) : the top of Napantao was wiped out by Odette as most of the shallows everywhere else, their signature night dive at the pier is now closed and the so called "little Lembeh" is more "little" than anything else.

It's a drag to get to Sogod Bay! Fly to Manila (from Paris only 2 direct flights per week with AF) + domestic flight to Tacloban + 4hrs land transfer to Padre Burgos/Sogod Bay. Add on top there is absolutely nothing to do around for non divers, limited food options, snorkeling with whale sharks that happen only a few times a week with limited space and the accoms are quite basic divers resorts. Palau or Australia or Solomons : flight price from France will be crazy expensive, for Palau needs to get to Manila or Taipei + additional flight to Palau with "long haul" pricing, for Oz Paris-SIngapore + international flight., for Solomons add another flight from Oz. Manado : except for some very specific and deep dives with hammerheads (Batu Kapal on Nain) and pure luck to spot a dugong on Bangka or Manado mainland sites, no real big fish action. In Indonesia, one of the easiest and more reliable island for manta spotting/snorkeling will be Bali/Nusa Penida. In malaysian Borneo, my daughter loved snorkeling Sipadan where we went 3 times in the same year when she was 9yo : lots of reef sharks, turtles, schools of cudas, jackfish. Takes a flight to S'pore then regional cheap flights to Tawau. Closer to France, Maldives will certainly be your best bet. Otherwise Mexico on the caribbean coast can also provide whaleshark snorkeling in season (Holbox). Everybody's still looking for the easy to go, affordable flights and accoms, great sightseeing and fantastic diving place. I guess that if it might have existed once, it's not anymore.

There is no method but rather a "feeling" : if you see through your finder that the frogfish is very slightly moving its jaw like chewing on something, there are chances it will yawn within the next 2-3 minutes, it is then worth waiting. Hint : the second yawn is always more spectacular than the first one. If the froggy is quite cool and relax then it will not yawn. Each froggy has a different personnality, some will yawn others won't : I would say roughly 1 out of 10 is a potential yawner.