TimG

2 hours ago, makar0n said:

Yeah fun times we are living in. Noticed the same about housings last year, was cheaper to buy in EU, even with the VAT, than in US without one.

Doesn't that make a pleasant and unusual change! If we could now get US-style baggage allowance on flights.....

Yep, I get the same, Wolfgang. I do see though that as I move the eyedropper across the image, the colour of the image changes in the Navigator view. But, yes, no change in the enlarged eyedropper image on the right-hand module.

I had a  look on the Lightroom Queen and no bugs are reported as yet for LRC 13.2 

I'm running the same OS as you on a Mac Studio. 

Is the port clean on the inside? Or a dirt mark on the lens?

Great to have you with us! Finally!!  A warm welcome to your new home. And the Z8. Very cool. 
 

Yep, lots of familiar names…..  

Best wishes. 

7 hours ago, JCambs said:

My partner and I recently discovered that we are expecting the arrival of our second baby girl in September. Consequently, I am having to give up my space on the Alex Mustard Red Sea Workshop for November 2024.

 

The trip includes flights from London Gatwick. Taking my place will require a name change for the tickets for which I am financially liable. No additional cost for you.

 

If you would like to take my place on the trip, let me know and we can organise it with Scuba Travel.

 

Details of the itinerary are found at the link below: 

 

https://www.amustard.com/workshops/nov-2024-southern-red-sea-workshop/

 

 

Congratulations! So, 3 months to bank up some sleep!  Very best wishes. 

For anyone else, like me, who didn’t know what IOL was: “Intraocular lenses (IOL)”. Essentially eye surgery to replace the lens. Sounds rather scary…… Really glad it worked for you RomiK. 

Hi Robert!

This list is indeed pinned in the Tutorials and How-Tos thread. 

Hey Marc

I'd be interested to hear about that too.  Like you, I have been many times and was definitely seeing a decline in the health of the reef and the consequent decline in marine life. Our last trip there was in 2019, pre-pandemic, and have to admit we were starting to get bored with the diving there - even macro life was becoming sparse.

If you're looking for something in the region, have you looked at Saint Maarten? We spend almost three years living there and loved the diving. Really good marine diversity and abundance.

Hi vkalia! Great to have you with us. Welcome! We hope you really enjoy this new forum.  We’re sure you’ll see lots of familiar names. 

Hey Tess - great to have you with us and welcome to Waterpixels. I'm sure my moderator colleague and your fellow Antipodean, Chris Ross, will be delighted to have another Aus on board. 

Welcome!

Hi DiverTess

I've been using a D500 since 2017 when it replaced my D800. So, perhaps counter-intuitively, I've moved (back) from FX to DX. And, yep, I use the Tokina 10-17mm.

I cannot see any difference in the images between the FX and the DX D500. The AF on D500 is highly-rated and is the equivalent of the then Nikon flagship DSLR D5. I cannot honestly say that the D500's AF system has ever led to me missing a shot. User error has though, of course!

I moved back from the FX D800 to the DX D500  largely because of the issues surrounding housing wide-angle lenses on FX: large domes, crappy edges, nothing really equivalent to the Tokina. The FX body with its 230 domeport was a pain to transport. This will apply to the Z wide-angle lenses if you go for a Z8.

Part of the decision making process is of course, the use you want intend for your images. If you want to blow them up beyond A3 then, yeah, maybe FX is worthwhile. But for on-screen use, I would argue FX is not worthwhile. In addition, I sell lots of my underwater images  (10,000+ through Shutterstock plus other agencies) and no-one has ever suggested that, tsk, these were shot with a DX camera.

On housing, discontinuations etc....  I've been using Subal housings since 2003 and only once have had to have one serviced and that was, dah-dah, user error with me letting a half teaspoon of sea water get in. And during the time I did several periods where I was doing 200+ dives a year. I'm sure Nauticam housings are equally robust. I would not worry too much about a housing being discontinued. Someone will be able to service it if that is necessary.

Ditto on the actual cameras. Yep, the D500 is ?no longer on sale but I'm sure it would not be difficult to get a good secondhand one if necessary or get one repaired for the foreseeable future.

I've argued for ages that we get seduced by the hype surrounding FX cameras. And I'm as guilty of it as anyone. Yes, I have FX for topside (a Z9 - which I really like). But underwater? I'd argue that the negatives outweigh the positives given the costs involved and the difference in output quality.

Go with the D500 and a good housing: Nauticam, Subal.... I doubt very much you'd regret it. And you get to keep and use the Tokina! Put the cost of the Z8 to a dive trip (two?) and get some more pics. 

35 minutes ago, makar0n said:

There is a lengthy topic on Scubaboard about these sad news but DAN has now issued a preliminary accident report with medical event being the culprit:

https://dan.org/safety-prevention/diver-safety/divers-blog/preliminary-accident-analysis/

Thanks, makar0n.

Sobering stuff and well worth a read.

The point is that we do not want members having a go at each other. Respectful communication is number 1 in our Terms and Conditions. Nor do we have any desire to adjudicate in a "He Said, He Said" dispute.

We're all adults and from the outset of establishing this forum, we asked that people treat each other with respect, avoid name-calling and if disagreements exist, just agree to disagree - and move on.

We have asked a number of times that this spat cease.

We really do not want to act like school teachers but this is the end of the road. We will lock this thread if this continues.

Yeah, worked for me too. Super stuff!

RomiK/Massimo - enough. 

Please now stop. Members can draw out of what you have both set out as they see fit. 

Please do not continue this exchange any further.

Woah, utter bummer. Anything you think Waterpixels can do to assist, do let us know.

Guys, enough already. Can we move on please?

Chris has already asked you nicely to desist.

Hi Jerry! Great to have you with us and we hope you really like Waterpixels.

As you may have read on Wetpixel, there were real concerns that the forum is going to die flowing he events surrounding Wetpixel Travel. Hence establishing Waterpixels so we still have a home.......

Best wishes and welcome!

Hi theocean 

That is quite a sale and good luck with it.
 

Really sorry to read though that ill health is the reason for you wanting to sell a very impressive setup. I just wanted to wish you well for a recovery. I hope you’re able to get back in the water before too long. 
 

Best wishes

Many thanks, guys. All excellent suggestions. Much appreciated. I'm used to using the vinegar/water mix for other things but just wanted second opinions. 👍

And, yep, as Sarthur1 asks, very slow to return to the "open position" after the button has been pushed in.

The computer has indeed always been rinsed thoroughly after use. I think this is a case of it feeling neglected after diving almost every day for 3 years and now not diving since October. Betrayal? Sulking? 

I'd welcome some advice please.....

Sticky buttons: this is actually on my dive computer, a Scubapro G2. The three chrome buttons which activate the controls are a little sticky largely through, sadly, lack of use over the last few months. What's the best thing to use to get them moving more smoothly?

I guess this could also apply to buttons on a camera housing?

Thanks!

2 hours ago, brightnight said:

Appreciate all the advice and suggestions! Looked into many options to add a vacuum sensor but they are all pretty pricey for what it is. Still, would be nice to have for peace of mind and might allow me to preemptively save my rig before the water alarm goes off. Now that I've confirmed that my setup doesn't have the capability to indicate if there is a vacuum or if the vacuum is lost, I think I might just build my own sensor system. Looks like there's plenty of room for a small board in my housing and I can pop an LED indicator up near the LCD window. Will make a DIY post so others can follow if I decide to make one.

If you build your own, do post details - it'd be really interesting.

On cost, yeah, they are a little pricey but, believe me, the cost is nothing compared to the cost of resolving a problem if there is a leak! I managed to get a half-teaspoon of water in my housing some years ago. Cost of despatch to repairer and back, $200; cost of repair etc,  $1200; cost on the wear and tear of my nerves, immeasurable. Vacuum valve? Never leave home without one.

Guys, Cerianthus’ caution are wise words. If you think someone is a scammer perhaps it would be wiser to say that a response raises concerns and doubts in your mind, rather than labelling someone as a scammer. An abundance of legal caution…..

Hey Lutfu! Good to hear from you and we’re delighted you’ve joined us. I’m sure you’ll see lots of familiar names. Welcome to your new home!

Hi rayhendricks! Welcome to Waterpixels. Great to have you with us.