TimG

Ahhhh, so true…..

id agree with that. But even then I’ve seen folks pulling together superb video compilations very quickly using iMovie in between dives.

Hey Shelby You pose an interesting question. I’d suggest age has quite an impact. From my experience, Older divers tend, generalising, to use stills-based equipment with possibly a GoPro ad-on. A hangover from DSLR and compact days. Younger divers are far more likely to go with video systems of the GoPro variety or the 360-degree systems. Although income could be part of the picture , I’d suggest that the younger users are more SM savvy and want to post video. I’m on my way back from a Red Sea liveaboard trip and this trend was really noticeable. It left me wondering about the future of underwater stills photography and the impact for equipment manufacturers. The other noticeable trend is stills photography by using housed smart phones, such as the SeaLife for iPhones. Again though I thought this seemed to be the choice of the older diver.

I can’t compare the two as I’ve never used the BS one. I can’t say I’ve ever had an issue with lighting any subject with the LSD. I have an LSD-fitted Retra Max on my left hand held with a 5” + 8” ULCS arms fitted with Stix floats. As Chip suggests, don’t clamp them down to hard but just enough so they are easy to move with your left hand. I use the LSD tube as the manoeuvring handle. Fitted with one of the slide masks, and away you go….

Get the Retra LSD. The combination with the ProMax is terrific. I’ve never had a problem with manoeuvring it in tight spaces.

Hey guys i’m looking at planning a dive trip for a large group in August or October 2026 to Belize or maybe Roatan. I’m thinking of using Aggressor IV. Any thoughts or recent experiences would be most welcome. As an associated, and slightly odd, issue…… has anyone used Aggressor III and how was the cabin experience? The reason to ask is that I see that, as opposed to Aggressor IV, all the cabins have a double bottom bunk bed with a single top bunk. I ran a trip in 2020 with a similar set up (not Aggressor) and most of the team found it awful: coffin-like and barely able to turn over! I have no wish to repeat that. But I’m told Aggressor is very good so I wondered. Many thanks.

We’re heading there in April with Emperor Divers in the MV Harmoni. Looks good but can report back after the trip.

Great to have you with us, sridiver! A warm welcome to Waterpixels from “the cool kids”! Craig: “kids”?, ”cool”?? Really??? This is us you’re talking about…….

Yeah, Wetpixel is getting deluged with them. Nothing the mods can do. Skin diving?

Thanks Ido I guess they are not going to re-open then! You have to wonder whether this lens is ever going to return to the market. A pity.

Woah, you are one tough, dude! Good luck with that. I had to put a jumper on to even read that. I'm off to the Red Sea fairly soon: 28C degrees.... 😎

Chris is a whizz at humidity/fogging issues and I'm sure will chip-in. What's the air temperature? Based on my own experience, I reckon leaving the housing closed up (not open) overnight in the normal ambient temperature is usually the way to go.

Great to have you with us, Nando. Welcome!

Good to have you with us, Superego (great Username!). We like to convert Lurkers to Members. Welcome to Waterpixels.

Hi Superego The contacts I have are: subalhousings@gmail.com - which I exchanged emails with Harald in June/July and karl@subal.com - I emailed him about two weeks ago and have had no response Like you, not much of an issue until the last couple of weeks. Can you post how you get on, please? Tim

I have to put my hand up as having gone through the route Z240 - Retra ProX - Retra ProMax. I’ve never regretted for a second the move from Inon to Retra. I loved the Z240s but the Retras are way ahead in terms of power, ergonomics, build quality, functionality, light quality, accessories. I moved to the ProMax about a year ago. The reduction in size of the additional battery pack was a prime driver. Yes, they are significantly more expensive than the Pro X but value for money is, I think, a bit of a subjective term. I think they’re well worth the cost. I got a pretty decent price for my Pro Xs so was happy to find the extra. I find the Retra strobe/LSD combination fabulous, their reflector a super bit of kit. I use HSS a lot shooting into the sun. All in all, I’m really happy with what I have and zero buyer’s remorse. If the price of the Pro Max doesn’t represent VFM for you, how about second hand Pro Xs. They are to be found and I really doubt you’d regret getting them.

That’s really clever!

Sounds like youve had a problem with housing handles?! I take spare o-rings, batteries, Allen keys, fibre optic cable and connectors- and a spare strobe trigger. That’s about my lot. Space and weight are always the issue.

I seem to remember someone was using the Z14-30 with the Sea&Sea correction lens. @RichN was that you?

Great to have you with us Maria! A warm welcome to Waterpixels. You’re quite the legend for smaller sensor camera photography underwater. We look forward to hearing lots from you……

What a super idea! I've not had the problem of the cables getting trapped (yet?) but this is a clever way around it. Thanks, Michael.