TimG

I didn't know the Grouper was no longer available from CineBags. But, yeah, the Kraken seems pretty much the same thing. Filling a soft rinse tank with clothes sounds a good idea. I don't know AO coolers. The only thing I think to watch out for is the quality of the zips. They need to resist salt and not jam with salt build-up. And not leak of course! The CineBag was good for that although the internal pocket zips need work to prevent them jamming.

Hmmmm... I'm always super wary of rinse tanks. Dave is dead right of course - they are for rinsing not leaving gear unattended. That said, I would not mind a 1p for every time I've seen masks/computers/GoPros lobbed into the Cameras Only rinse tank; big systems dumped in without a second thought, cables tangled blah blah.... And the good few times I've been distracted whillst rinsing my camera system and had to leave it for a few minutes to come back and find gear dumped on top of it. I now travel with some of my camera gear packed in a CineBags Grouper bag. One we get to the liveaboard, I unpack it and it's then my own personal rinse tank. I can usually find some discrete corner where it sits out of the way and holds my camera - wet or dry. "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter the Dreaded Rinse Tank". I think Danté said that.

Activities in Iran/The Gulf and flights permitting (we're booked to travel through Doha!), I'm in the same position. I'm planning to take a 10-17 Tokina for my D500 with a 100mm domeport - plus a 60mm macro. I've used both there before successfully. The 10-17 worked very well for manta shots.

Great to have you with us,VT. A warm welcome Waterpixels. Best wishes Tim

Wreck diving might become good in the Straits…..

Metal credit cards? I'm impressed, Walt! I'm still on plastic......

Walt, I believe there are a couple of credit card companies who, for a minor fee, issue cards made of titanium. Would that help?

He was a legend in Lembeh - probably not just Lembeh! - for how much gear he had. I was told he'd have 3/4 complete setups underwater and whatever he needed was shuttled to him by dive guides. Must have been nice! Beats having to finger out how to setup for a particular dive.....

Great to have you with us, Terry. A warm welcome to Waterpixels. Best wishes Tim

Like you, Beni, I’ve flown into Indo many times including Bali. Never had the slightest issue. Let’s hope, as you say, it was a one-off.

Hey Luca! Great to have you with us! A warm welcome to Waterpixels. Best wishes Tim

Love that patriotic loyalty to Air France! I use them a lot and love their chic style. I’ve found both AF and sister company KLM good on baggage allowance and cabin loading.

Count me in!

@JB_Cazajous ”I really struggle to keep it above water. Even with the added equipment I explained earlier, my camera still sinks.” Yep, exactly! Even with scuba it can be the same problem. Housings with all their attachments are very heavy out of the water. Floating it on a partially inflated BCD solved the problem.

Well good to get you off the sidelines, Paul. A warm welcome to Waterpixels. We hope being a member is better than sneakin' a peek. Good to have you with us. Best wishes Tim