dhaas

I'm glad these discussions are at least happening. Everything davide and bghazzal are observing is happening in real time these days and whether or not it replaces high end large systems remains to be seen. 

 

I've probably used a smartphone underwater more than many (most?) here. I started with my iPhone Xr then iPhone 13 PRO Max in DiveVolk housings plus use my iPhone all the time above water.

 

When I pick up any camera I immediately have to "think more" whether it' exposure or whatever.....Computational capability built into any smartphone makes this process seem like the dark ages of imaging 😞

 

I still own a 1" sensor 20 MP Canon G7X II compact camera. Will take it to Cozumel next week ( thank goodness after the hurricane) and won't be using my iPhone underwater for the foreseeable future.  I've probably posted the opposite here but for now it's the direction I'm going......

 

Another thought is despite taking the occasional video clip (my Canon G7X II has really good 1080P) I'm more a stills shooter.

 

If video was my main interest I'd keep using my iPhone or the new DJI 5 (which I actually have a set up in a shopping cart as we speak.) Simpler, smaller, etc.

 

Another diver in our small group is bringing his 24MP  APS-C  Canon R50, the same camera I posted photos shot in the beautiful Nauticam NA-50 housing with a WWL-B.  It's great but he has a SeaFrogs housing with flat port for the Canon RF-S 18-45mm kit lens plus small dome port for the Canon RF-S 10-18mm rectilinear lens.

 

We will be shooting all these set ups so stay tuned 🙂

 

David Haas

 

Howard Hall with a Gates 6K (or ????) set up a few years back 🙂

 

Any M chip (M2, 3 and 4) MacBook including MacBook AIR models would be good if considering a laptop versus an iPad.

 

Wife travels with an iPad but not doing any editing, barely emailing etc. I prefer a computer and my M2 MacBook AIR 13.6" bought as a refurb runs plenty fast no matter what I'm doing.

 

Either choice as Chip says a M chip Apple product could be the ticket 🙂

 

David Haas

 

NO LONGER AVAILABLE...........

 

No lanyard except in situations too deep to go retrieve it 🙂

 

Isla Guadalupe, 200' deep below cage windows is one. Drop it and no one's going to go get it for you on a bounce dive...LOL......

 

Snorkeling or deep water where you drop it it's gone, yeah maybe.....

 

Never used one even with large SLR set ups and dual Ikelite DS160 strobes. Always just got in the way for me.....When asked I'd reply: "My camera is either on the boat or in my hands.If need be to help my dive buddy (spouse) it's much less valuable! " 

 

Those coiled lanyards with plastic ends I've seen crushed, break and let go, etc. I give them away to small point and shoot housing users. I do like adding the bungie cord through the coils though.....

 

Just one old guy's opinion!

 

David Haas

 

If anyone is interested in only the Nauticam FlexiTray II with dual handles, ball mounts and trigger assembly message me directly.

 

Happy to entertain offers.

 

[email protected]

 

USA Eastern time zone:  330-329-5981 talk / text / leave message

Virtually unused Nauticam G7XMKII housing for compact Canon G7X II. 

 

Includes vacuum system (I put in new battery and all works as shown) and has Flat N50 port with 67mm threads usable with Nauticam's 67mm adapter or bayonet adapter for  WWL / CMC lenses. Also includes Nauticam's DRY dome port that maximizes the Canon G7X II camera's native 24mm widest focal length.

 

Complete Nauticam Flexitray II with Handle Support plates, 1" ball mounts and pistol trigger assembly, spare o-rings and  manual.

 

Prefer US based sale only. This package was over $2,500.00 and for a compact shooter would provide bulletproof capability in a small package.

 

$1300.00 plus actual shipping (approximately $35.00 USD with insurance via USPS Priority.)

 

Payment via Zelle or PayPal Friends and Family gets shipping in 2 business days and sometimes next day 🙂

 

Email direct or call / text. I'm EST (Eastern Standard Time Zone) in the US. 

 

David Haas

Stow OH 44224

330-329-5981  EST  call / text

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

Mark H,

 

After many trips to Philippines 2010 - 2019 I had a few opportunities to do Mandarinfish dives. Most were over rubble areas after dark or dusk when the little lovers became more active. The smaller males flit in and out pursuing the females until one relents and they rise into the water column releasing eggs and sperm.

 

I ended up with a few shots and have seen others where a very lucky photographer even captured the eggs and sperm and fish (!!!!!!)

 

Here's one of my captures. I never owned a full frame SLR as my budget was always APS-C size 🙂

 

Photographed with a Canon T4i and 60mm APS-C macro lens. Over the years using several Canon APS-C dSLR cameras the SERVO focussing mode tracked pretty well once locked on .

 

This is of course if the subject stays somewhere in the frame!  I had better success with the dive guide using a low power light "pointing" to where a pair was likely to pop out of the rubble. 

 

Good luck and you'll find plenty of great photo ops in the Philippines!

 

David Haas

 

 

 

A friend and good photographer uses his Nikon Z6 in his Ikelite housing and installed that manual fiber optic port.  Easy to switch out and he says he gets long life from the pair of 2032 batteries.

 

He uses Ikelite DS160 strobes with the optical cord "receivers" plugged in each DS160 strobe. He has used a manually set AOI Q1 strobe plus an Inon S2000 unit successfully.

 

Perhaps order the manual optical cord bulkhead as an add on keeping the hot shoe / Ikelite's corded bulkhead if you ever sell the housing in the future.

 

The fiber optic hot shoe is just a trigger and ground pins  and works with other brand strobes but you'd need to set manual flash output.

 

DH

 

PS - I'm not sure if Ikelite is working on a TTL optical bulkhead like they developed for Canon. If so it will likely work with Ikelite strobes in TTL only as the Canon version does. 

Mike (Saudio),

 

Welcome from a fellow 70-ish diver :)

 

Check out my post trying my buddy's Nauticam NA-50 rig using the small but powerful Canon R50 in the Equipment and Techniques forum.

 

I might lighten your travel / packing load but still produce fabulous pics plus 4K video!

 

David Haas

 

 

Chip,

 

Good thoughts and here's my take.......

 

Some months back our Cleveland, Ohio 100+ year old downtown camera business Dodd Camera had a huge event with all manufacturers showing their latest models. The Canon R series were all there and I handled each. 

 

Not being in the FF budget group I looked at the R7, R10, R50 and even tiny but powerful R100. Each has advantages as you say but I think it depends how much you'll use the body out of the water.

 

The Canon R7 at a higher price has some things folks want. It's a great birding camera and for other advanced shooting scenarios. I don't believe "weather sealing" will keep even a seriously splashed much less flooded camera from becoming a doorstop. Electronics are not salt water friendly 😞 

 

IBIS while touted for most Canon shooters is a non-issue as 90%+ of Canon lenses have IS (Image Stabilization.)

 

The guy people "loves or loves to hate";  Ken Rockwell coins it perfectly and I like his opinion on many photo topics and gear.

 

He says something like:  "Going to stand outside in pouring rain and shoot pictures? Get an umbrella......Going to wade near the shore for crashing wave shots? Cover the camera body with one of those tent like coverings available for any size camera like you see at sport events."

 

For me a 1/3 or less $$$ camera body with DPAF, all the latest DigicX processor speed and enough MP to make almost any size print is fine. I could easily buy 2 or more bodies being light and small and have $$$ left over for a nice trip to go make photos!

 

The lenses is where I tell folks to spend $$$$. For the Nauticam NA-R50 system it's a WWL-B or WWL-C.  I think they would satisfy any shooter.....

 

Could I house the even cheaper, less featured Canon R100 (it's a little rocket) and save more  money ?????  For sure......The camera and 18-45mm kit lens is like $320.00 USD at Canon's refurbished store !

 

The R100 has the same 24MP, almost same number of AF points but lacks a touch swivel screen, dedicated ISO button and a couple other things which are things I like on the R50. 

 

Ikelite makes a small DLM sized housing for the R100 but skipped the R50 and I think they made a good choice.

 

Put a decent compact dome on the housing and use good UW lenses from the kit 18-45mm to a Tokina 10-17mm with EF-RF lens adapter and an extension. Or give up some edge corner sharpness and buy the super tiny RF-S 10-18mm IS STM lens. It's a great land lens on any RF-S body. 

 

Would it equal an R50 and WWL-B? Maybe not 100% but I'd bet pretty close for many folks.

 

It's all still ISO choice, shutter speed and f-stop, strobe power and getting CLOSE to "get the water out"  🙂

 

Trying my buddy's Nauticam NA-R50 in the water was great.  I have to say the Nauticam controls were incredible........Smooth, fast and right at my fingertips.

 

I know for sure I wouldn't get the same overall experience with the Canon R100 in the Ikelite housing.  But I'll bet I could make some darn good pictures with it too 🙂

 

So there you have it, my take!  

 

David Haas

 

Here's my wife with a Humphead Napoleon Wrasse years ago in the Coral Sea above the SS Yongala wreck. 

Shot with a lowly Canon Digital Rebel (6.3MP) in an old Ikelite 4 port lock clear housing, likely a 15mm Sigma lens and one single Ikelite DS125 on TTL.

 

After shooting APS-C dSLRs for years and currently a 1" sensor camera I did always long for just a bit more sensor. So the Canon R series is a worthy upgrade while not breaking the bank or physical size too much.

 

While I haven't tried it the Nauticam WWL-C lens is also usable on this set up. Gives a bit less focal coverage from the WWL-B range of 130-60mm to 116m -  52mm.

 

Still darn impressive in front of a low cost Canon R50 18-45mm "kit" lens. My friend who owns this set up actually immediately bought a 2nd Canon R50 spare as it was sooooo cheap LOL.....

 

Just a thought!

 

DH

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend purchased the almost compact sized Nauticam NA-R50D housing and WWL-B lens recently. He loaned it to me for some quick tests in our local quarry......

 

The fixed port housing requires you use a Nauticam wet lens and the WWL-B provides an astounding 130  - 60 degree coverage. It allows full zoom and will focus on the glass dome!  

 

The Canon R50 kit lens's 18-45mm focal length on the camera's 24MP APS-C sensor paired with the WWL-B blew me away as I'm a compact system shooter.

 

Additionally we barely had 8' / 2.5M of hazy crappy visibility but being able to get close and frame my dive buddy made the visibility appear better than it really was..

 

Back in the film days many Japanese underwater photographers would opt for a less expensive body and spend $$$$ on lenses. I did the same into dSLRs using a lower priced body but decent lenses especially once the Tokina 10-17mm, Sigma 15mm, etc. came along.

 

I think this set up for those wanting something simple with a DPAF focussing APS-C  24 MP camera might want to take a look!

 

Just one old guy's opinion as usual 🙂

 

David Haas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't know if this is still the case but a friend a few year's back took out his GoPro o-ring to "clean it" (it's really a flat compression silicone gasket.)

 

When he installed it back in he didn't pay attention to one detail and flooded his housing (!!!!!!)

 

He was then told by another GoPro housing user the flat gasket has one side with a very thin almost imperceptible line running down the middle. Evidently this "racing stripe" should be facing OUT towards where the door flattens the gasket.

 

Again, I'm not sure as I'm not a GoPro housing owner / user.

 

Just thought I'd share that anecdote.......

 

D

I had cataract surgery and the "full monty" 3 distance Alcon AcrySof Vivity IOL lenses implanted about 2 years ago. 

 

Since then no RX mask needed. My close up reading and medium distance is great. Can dive and read gauges no problem.

 

Farthest lens correction due to astigmatism OK enough I COULD pass driving test without corrective glasses. But I've always wanted super far crispness so have a super mild RX pair pf glasses I really only need for driving. Went with Transition lenses too so non need for separate sun glasses.

 

That part soured me a bit on getting a "full monty" correction, PLUS, it wasn't cheap.

 

In the US my Medicare covered cataract replacement except for co-pay of $375.00 per eye. The cataract part was fabulous as my left eye was getting dimmer quite a bit. Everything else is elective surgery for not small $$$$.

 

Other than cost I've counseled others in my age group considering IOL when getting cataract surgery to maybe only due one corrective lens.   With astigmatism like I have maybe get all distance or all close up. Then either contacts or glasses for the other range.

 

To be honest I likely could have bought a lot of RX masks for my remaining days diving plus wearing nice trendy progressive bi-focals for a lot less $$$$.

 

Especially since I'd been wearing glasses since age 11 or so :(

 

Heavy sigh.......

 

Just one old guy's opinion!

 

David Haas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More thoughts........

 

Last night I re-watched the 19 year old movie Into the Blue.

 

Paul Walker is no longer with us and back then actors including Scott Chan and Jessica Alba were all very good accomplished free divers. I think it was reported Caan, Walker and Alba could easily free dive to 100' / 33 meters.

 

What I always loved about the movie was the incredible cinematography done by industry veteran Pete Zuccarini. A master of the craft a lot was shot of course in shallow bright water and it's stunning. 

 

I share this to somewhat promote shallow diving as another consideration for creating stunning images. It's easier to explore using ambient light with or without flash added. You can spend more time nd also incur less deco or no-decompression obligation.

 

I realize many diving deeper wrecks, caves, etc. make for dramatic photos too and if that's your thing go for it!

 

At my age I pretty much dive a max 33M / 100' and mostly shallower than 70'.  There's plenty to see in the shallows and being closer to the surface I leave behind a lot of gear making diving simpler for me. I still feel I can capture interesting photos and enjoy myself!

 

Just some more musings 🙂

 

David Haas

 

 

 

 

I only shared my musings as subject of discussion and not to dissuade anyone from buying or using whatever device they prefer!

 

Davide's graph and information has been out there for quite awhile and those unaware how compact cameras (even the nice 1" sensor models) have virtually stopped development likely weren't considering downsizing to such a choice anyway. 

 

I still enjoy shooting my Canon G7X II (presently camera less)  and currently shopping for a "new to me" clean used one. There's thousands out there and I'm of the mindset electronic devices either work or don't. I don't fret over a few cosmetic blemishes as long as the lens is clean and it records a decent file for me to edit a bit. 

 

My choices push me into "different shooting" with a compact camera or iPhone.

 

As I've previously shared I am also extremely lazy in my approach these days LOL.......If it's not easy I'm not interested in participating in the process!

 

I wish camera manufacturers would embed certain AI the smartphones have been doing for ages like dynamic range algorthims.  

 

David Haas

 

 

 

 

 

 As an old guy who's been around the block for decades I thought about evolutions in underwater imaging especially in the last year or so.

 

Below are categories and changes I see as "coming soon". These musings apply to any ILC camera from dSLR, new mirrorless both APS-C, Full Frame and compacts.

 

Feel free to disagree!!!!! 

 

As long as people are having fun creating images and videos go for it!

 

Category #1 - Lenses and Dome Ports and Wet Lenses for wide angle shooting.

 

* While wet lenses and their optical ability have been the rage for awhile I think many shooters are considering going back to optically good rectilinear lenses paired with dome ports, extensions, etc.    Witness the interest in the Laowa 10mm with a 140mm smaller dome. This simplifies amount of gear for traveling plus a lens you might use for above water shooting. Plus split shooting which is difficult (impossible?) with a wet lens or at least not easily achieved.

 

* One well known shooter recently schooled me on choosing a rectilinear WA lens for UNDERWATER use. He recommended rectilinear lenses with a minimum focus distance of 22cm (7.48") or closer. This will allow smaller domes to rival large domes image sharpness.

 

* Fisheye lens corner sharpness is an obsession for some. Others hate the "fisheye / sperm" look of fisheyes.  Many do a simple crop of objectionable corners and  I personally would die on the hill proclaiming every photo could and should be cropped to improve the look!  In WA shooting things happen quickly. It's the rare shooter who will swear the image was composed exactly as they wanted!

 

Category #2 - Strobes

 

* Sizes keeps coming down. Flash tubes in many new offerings are back to more straight tubes whatever the configuration. Diffusers, filters, etc. are options in all shapes, colors and sizes.

 

* Batteries will evolve to LION despite the 88+ replies in recent threads on battery packs versus individual batteries, cheap versus "good"  or "Safe" battery brands etc.    I never understood someone buying an expensive $$$$$ strobe then buying cheap batteries 😞     LION has been in video lights a couple decades or more?   Whether it's an 18650 or 21700 or whatever LION will become a standard.   My own small LED flashlights and a video light have used individual 18650 for over 7 years and no problems traveling, charging, etc. 

 

* I was shocked reading the new Backscatter HF-1 strobe, Marelux Apollo models and others INCLUDE some form of S-TTL or TTL after years of people dissing automatic but + / - adjustable output automatically! LOL....Variety of shooting modes (plus the 5,000 lumen HF-1 LED Video light) are all welcome developments.   I wonder if Inon whenever their Z440 or whatever will stick with AA NiMH or maybe also go with LION (?????) 

 

* Cordless firing (yes, it requires line of sight for triggering, but it works!)  Marelux has introduced is amazing and I'd expect others may follow.

 

Category #3 - Post Production and Editing

 

* The elephant in the room is of course AI. For better or worse it will be used more and more if only by those who DON'T enter contests with rule restrictions,  are "purists",  etc. 

 

* Editing in programs whether Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, or ???? will make "getting it right in camera" almost obsolete.    I use the lowly Apple Photos which has 90%+ of  Apple's previous PRO program Aperture contained. Thousands (millions?) are happy with finalized photos edited quickly to share with family and friends. 

 

* Evolving tools will automate backscatter removal,  color correction whether a JPEG, RAW, DNG or whatever.   I personally have used a FREE App on my iPhone called SeaReal (currently iPhone only) but might be available for Android platform soon.    One simple color slider on my iPhone underwater photos or  "old digital camera pictures"  has me editing easily.  For Apple users I AirDrop back and forth from my Mac computers (iMac desktop and M2 MacBook Air laptop) which is so easy it is obscene 🙂   You can then use either the native Apple Photos App or on my iPhone the SnapSeed App.  Share any image immediately from the phone or pop it back to a computer and create whatever art you desire.

 

*The SeaReal App developer may create a backscatter removal App.        I told him color, backscatter then "effects" is all most UW shooters might ever need.    The  "effects" tools would eliminate Snooting, HSS (High Speed Synch) for brighter or darker backgrounds plus more.   While such effects are available via Lightroom or other programs editing will be faster and easier.

 

As I mentioned in opening these thoughts are mine and mine alone !!!!

 

I still enjoying being underwater, marveling at the beauty after diving for 55 years. I may grab a shot to enhance my experience but the days of "working hard at it" for what the majority of UW image hobbyists are over...... 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple   (love it or hate Apple)   comes up with an UW mode in coming years.

 

Housings for smart phones are everywhere. On my trips more and more folks have ditched any type camera for a smartphone.   Maybe they add a video light for nighttime / close up shooting.

 

Let's hear your thoughts where YOU think UW imaging is going!    The speed of evolving tech is increasing.

 

It's still an exciting time to capture the underwater world!

 

Just some old guy;   David Haas 🙂

 

 

 

SOLD...........

Pair of Inon Z240 Type 4 strobes. 

 

Includes diffusers, o-rings and Inon Silicone grease, aiming light fresnels (RED and CLEAR) and manuals for each.

 

$450.00 domestic USPS shipping included in two business days from confirmed payment. PayPal Friends and Family or Zelle only.

 

No returns.

 

Email directly with full name, address and phone.  

 

David Haas

Stow OH 44224  (Eastern Time Zone)

[email protected]

330-329-5981

 

 

I"ll only say this......I follow for informational fun new strobes and realize there's lots of choices these days.

 

RETRA, Sea and Sea D3, the new Backscatter HF-1, Ikelite DS230, SEACAM and many more.....

 

But for long term reliability and simplicity I agree with DreiFish the Inon S220 is way underrated (and undervalued.) 

 

Small size and Envelop AAs batteries make them an easy traveling and diving unit. The simple clear battery door and YELLOW o-ring you can see is sealed are other advantages too.

 

Just one old guy's opinion 🙂

 

DH

 

 

 

 

In Phil's photo I am the young guy on the far right underwater 🙂

 

I few month prior to that class I had torn my right Achilles tendon but was determined to be "dive ready" and I was 🙂

 

This was one of a very few (2?) "underwater photography courses" David Doubilet ever ran and he shared with us insights in image making that I still recall......I like to tell folks he taught to "see" or at least try LOL.....

 

And Phil's right, I was a large system guy for many years!

 

All in fun 🙂

 

DH

 

PS - The Nurse shark and Manta shots were from Maldive's trips and only dropped in as I was babbling about my choice of compact systems.......

 

Sorry for any confusion !!!!!

Pooley, 

 

I host a few trips now and then with my partner from Southern California, Evan of www.seasickproductions.com

 

After many, MANY years of organizing trips and selling underwater photo gear (Aquatica, Ikelite and Fantasea) all I wanted to do in my "senior years" was take easy going fun people diving 🙂 

 

I still host UW shooters with large systems, small rig shooters (Olympus TG6 /7 is super popular anywhere macro critters are) plus Smart Phones and GoPro folks. Everyone's welcome 🙂

 

Here's the trip and I was Group 2 of this 3rd group.....

 

https://www.seasickproductions.com/bali-61824

 

Basically it was Tulamben for all my dives. Evan has an incredible ward winning video on the www.seasickproductions.com home page all shot right out front where we dived 🙂

 

We had access to a boat for 1/2 days and alternated between that and shore guided dives. All the sites we did were barely 5-10 minuted away via their little trucks. Guides haul everything for the shore dives including bringing your tank into and out of the water after you wade in with just your mask and fins. Big camera systems too (they're experienced with them.)

 

Bali is bargain and you can find all manner of accommodations in Tulamben.

 

DH

 

 

 

PS - I sold my Canon G7X II camera for an insane $$$$ as soon as I returned home.

 

It seems "young Vloggers" think the Canon G7X II (debuted in 2017 for around $650 USD) and the Canon G7X III (debuted in 2019 around $749 USD) are simply the coolest thing going. They shoot what I think are totally unflattering full flash portraits of themselves and friends, but hey, whatever you like is fine with me!

 

The G7X III added 4K video and couple other features but not Phase detection AF like Sony's RX100 V / VA / VII models. 

 

It seems these Vloggers WOWWED by these little cameras have driven prices up for cameras that are even discontinued.

 

I don't have a trip coming up for a bit so can sit and wait until used prices come back down and have done so buying and selling several over the past 2-5 years. 

 

I still own two Fantasea FG7X II housings and Air Lenses so I'm set for whatever my next move is going forward.

 

I also sold my Inon S220 strobe to a fellow compact shooter who wanted a 2nd Inon S220. So now I'm totally "strobeless".

 

I may only shoot WA ambient light B&W (or color) in my remaining days diving. It's been 55 years blowing bubbles and I'm fine with my decision........

 

Being totally lazy on traveling light and obsessed with my "less is more" philosophy your choices should satisfy you and you alone.

 

As long as you're enjoying the underwater world I hope all travel and shoot whatever you desire too.

 

I plan on that approach 🙂

 

DH

 

 

 

To answer Chip here is all I hauled to Bali 🙂  

 

The Fantasea wide angle "Air Lens" pops on and off my Fantasea FG7X II housing restoring my Canon G7X II cameras native widest 24mm focal length.

 

As I've posted many times I know people say 24mm isn't wide enough LOL......

 

It has been for me since 2016 when I switched totally to compact shooting 🙂

 

DH