TimG

I know a few people comment on the problem of having to charge 8x AA batteries if you use a Booster. I can't say though that this has ever been problem even charging 16x AA for 2x strobes - and I only use 2x chargers each of which holds 4 batteries. I'd argue the extra weight is negligible. I'd have agreed the older Super Charger was bulky but, for me anyway, the extra 2-3 centimetres of the Booster is neither here nor there. But Luko offers an alternative view.

Hi jjmochi To add to Chris' comments: I've been using Retras for about 5 years and now have the ProMax combined with a Nikon D500 - so an APS-C sensor. I switched from Inon Z240s. I use the Boosters all the time perhaps because I'm often using a snoot for macro and I do find I need to boost the power with a snoot. That said, I usually find a 4-dive day shooting maybe 100-150 images a dive, the 8x batteries in the Retra with Booster will last the whole day. I can't think of any reason why you would NOT use the Booster on all dives. They take up little room and actually provide a useful handle for adjusting the strobe positioning. Their battery endurance is reassuring. Accessories: I have White Diffusers but find I seldom use them. As Chris says, the Macro Reducer Rings are very useful for wider macro; I also like the Reflector for turbid/backscattery water. My all time favourite is the LSD which I find brilliant for macro. I very rarely photo macro without it. HSS: As Chris explains, HSS is very good for sunballs: high shutter speed (say 1/2000), f11-ish, ISO100 and HSS to light the foreground. I don't use HSS when shooting below 1/250. Leak Test: there is no "Test". Retra recommends you have the strobes switched on when entering the water so that if there is a leak the alarm will go off. I've managed to achieve this stupid feat once - and for sure, flashing lights! You can't miss it. Happily the way the strobes are designed, water only enters the battery compartment and I found it easy to clean out. No damage done. Well not to the strobes anyway: my self-respect took a hit. Trigger: I use a UWT trigger. There is no way of checking battery life but UWT (Pavel) says it lasts 000s of dives. I change the 2x CR2032s maybe once every couple of years. Never had an issue. Hope that helps. I think the Retras are terrific. I'm sure you'll like them once you get used to the new functionality. Tim

Hi Tom! A warm welcome to Waterpixels. Great to have you with us.

I think we all know the answer to that, Christian. And that there's not much that individual travellers can do about it.

Hey Geoff This has come up many times and it's worth doing a search on our pages. Many people suggest checking out your home insurance first to see what that covers - and doesn't cover! Years ago I used to use these guys: https://www.divemasterinsurance.com/our-history/ for my equipment who I found good although costs can be high. Essentially you are insuring money. Check out DAN for travel insurance.

I was 10 when that movie was released and that and the Hans and Lotte Hass plus Cousteau stuff on TV was what got me wanting to scuba dive. Although there may have been homemade u/w cameras around, that Nikonos was the first I remember seeing in a movie.

Cyrille, it’s worth dropping Pavel a PM and asking him. He could give you height details etc. he may well chip-in here of course.

Hey darkmanta! Welcome to Waterpixels. You've come to the right place to find out more about underwater photography. We hope you really enjoy the forum and find the info you need. Don't hestitate to ask questions. Good to have you with us. Best wishes

Hey calbear! Welcome to your new home. I'm sure you'll see lots of folks from the Other Side over here and lots of familiar names. Great to have you with us. Best wishes Tim

Chris, I think we need a photo of you suited up with your Big Boy pants on…..

Totally agree with Dave. There are a good few folks here, whose views I respect massively, who see the Adobe subscription as a rip-off. However I’m with Dave. I’ve been using LR since it was first introduced and the gradual improvements in capability have been fantastic. It is the most significant contribution I’ve had to improving my image end results. The recent subscription increase was a bit hefty but I still think it remains an outstanding product at a fair price.

Killintime! (love the name) Welcome to Waterpixels. Great to have you with us. We hope you really enjoy the forum. Best wishes Tim

Hey John I tried to find in My Orders on Amazon what mesh pouch I had bought - but couldn't find it! On the LSD, I have a Zeagle BCD and can j-u-s-t about squeeze the LSD into the Zeagle Tech Utility Pouch - the one with a small secondary compartment. The pouch is good as, in addition to the zip closure, it has a D-ring inside which makes it easy to clip accessories inside the pouch and not worry about them floating out if the pouch is accidentally left open. I've got the Retra Reflector and Macro Rings set up so that they can be clipped inside the Zeagle pouch. No way will they all fit but I find, usually, that I am using a combination of them and can, generally, store things I'm not using in the pouch.

Yeah, like Craig @humu9679 and Lewis @Lewis88 .... just get ULCS arms and Stix. I bought mine in 2000 and they are still good as new.

Hey Fabrizio! A warm welcome to Waterpixels. Good to have you with us. You sure are in a great place to pursue the photography! Best wishes

Hey Chris I had the same sort of hunt a good while ago when trying to find a way of carrying the Retra LSD. Retra used to sell a pouch for the LSD but I don't think there was sufficient demand and they stopped. If anyone has one they don't want, DO let me know! So I hunted around and found a nylon mesh pouch on Amazon which worked pretty well. Inexpensive, flexible.... and I rigged up a couple of carabiners on to it.

The Sigma is fine with any of those domes. I suspect the Tamron will need the widest possible - so 8”.

Hi Evan Great to have you with us and a warm welcome to Waterpixels. We hope you really enjoy the forum and look forward to seeing some of your pics on the site. Best wishes Tim

Waterpixel's FansOnly?

Yeah, I agree. I don't think I've ever turned down the HSS output. Usually it's shooting into the sun and you need as much power as possible to overcome the sunlight and illuminate something that's in the shady side.

Leave the rectilinear behind, use the FE and crop as necessary? That's my usual WA minimalist-gear approach for, eg, the Red Sea

Hi Nicholas! Welcome to Waterpixels. We hope you really enjoy the forum. Best wishes

Wasn't the Spinning Jenny invented in 1764 supposed to kill off the textile trade?