Pooley

Who did you dive with Edwin? I'm back there for 4 nights next year, and may consider giving up one sunset to see the Mandarins!

I didn't do any diving there in the end, we decided to treat it to a short break both me and Mrs P cold enjoy. I spoke to DiveConcepts a couple of times and I was impressed with their honesty - they gave me about a 30% chance of seeing the Mandarins, is I decided to have fun in other ways. Lovely area. Mrs P doesn't dive any more but loves snorkelling, so we did a day at Menjangen, and I must say I was really impressed with the conditions of the reefs we went to - huge coral coverage, and I will be diving them next year when we go back. really hope if that proposed new road to Gilimanuk doesn't being in too m any day trippers because in their current state the reefs were beautiful at Menjangen.

Thanks for the comments folk Mike

Thanks, I really like this one myself - once I saw the review underwater I stayed with him quite a while Cheers Chris, yes the leaf fish was snooted from the rear of the fish Thanks Time, I dropped lucky with him - 3 yawns then we left him to it Thanks Luko, and yes with Ajiex. Superb guide as he's quick to grasp what you want to do with lighting etc. He was a little obsessed with getting me to do some colour abstract stuff like this which isn't really my thing but works now and again Mike

Here's a few from a recent trip to the sites close to Tulamben 1. Frogfish 2. Donut nudi 3. Goby with eggs 4. The ever faithful Shaun the Sheep nudi 5. Velvet Ghost Pipefish 6. Leaf-fish hiding in coral 7. Juvenile batfish Mike

I went from a D500 to a Sony A1. You will be aware of the potential IQ differences (although if you only post on the web, you're unlikely to notice a huge difference) so we can skip that. Shooting wise I don't see a massive difference with wide angle. If anything, the D500 is easier as the viewfinder has more scope shooting with the dynamic range. However, once it comes to macro, its another story. Being able to look for tiny critters, stay imposition, then review the shots and make strobe adjustments without moving and losing the critter is invaluable. In your situation I'd only got Sony full frame for macro and once you're happy with that consider WA Mike

Did you move the strobes between shots?

Cheers Grm, I'm only there 3 days and will get plenty of diving in around tulamben and its neighbouring sites, so I'm going to give the mandarin dives a miss. Mrs P has hinted maybe I should do a couple of dives around Menjangen instead, and its a foolish man who disobeys his wife! There is a great site about 10 minutes from Shaun that I was planning on going to again, but if they are in 2m here I could se potential for an EMWL shot - great info, thanks Mike

Thanks for the replies everyone. The dive centre have come back with an estimate of a 30% success rate so I think I'll just look at going and enjoying the area as a regular tourist! cheers Mike

Hi everyone, In a few weeks I'll be in Bali, doing lots of diving around the Tulamben area. I'm sorted in that area, diving with Ajax Dharma. However, we will also have 3 nights in the Permuteran / Menjangen area, where the internet informs me there are mandarinfish sites. However, when I contacted one of the dive centres that advertises that specific dive they replied that they don't do it much due to a 'low chance' of seeing the mandarins. I'm awaiting further clarification, but wondered if anyone on here had any more experience of the area thanks Mike

Nice concise review, thanks for doing this Mike

I think I need to give you a shout next time I'm over there! Done 2 dives at that location and couldn't work out what all the fuss was about but that's a great collection of critters. In particular I love the striated frogfish, once work Mike

Ok, North should be good for you then, a few wrecks plus probably some sites at Ras Mohammed, and the Straits of Tiran plus a couple of local reefs. Don't be tempted to spend too long in Cairo, once you've seen the pyramids you're pretty much done and there are far nicer areas to go to. Air temps will be up in the low 80's probably with water being high 70's. I have a 5mm wetsuit, no hood or gloves and have never been cold in the water. There was a diver from Sacramento this year just in a t-shirt. Sounds lovely but there is a but, in that it can get windy that time of year so there is a chance of getting cold as soon as you get out of the water. Best bit of advice I'll probably ever give on these boards is get straight out of the water, put your camera down, and there will likely be showers on either side of the boat. Go straight into them with a spare pair of dry shorts, shower and dry off before anything else with your gear. You can thank me later! If you're going out of Hurghada a much nicer place to stay is El Gouna which is only 20 mins north of the airport. Give me a shout when you have some specifics Mike

thanks Chip, You are unlikely to get big shoals during November, they are normally early summer time. Are you going to be land based or Liveaboard? A lot of the Northern Liveaboard routes include a fair bit of wreck diving - great if that's your thing, but not my preference. For the North I prefer the reefs where there will still be small to mid-sized subjects to go for. No muck style diving, but plenty of gobies, blennies shrimp, a few nudis etc on the small side, going up to blue spot rays, Napoleon's, etc as the largest species. If you can get to Dolphin House at sha'ab el erg there is a resident dolphin population there, but 50/50 on if they want to play. If you were to consider the southern Red Sea you've got 2 main routes- Brothers, Daedalus and Elphonstone, that can be done from Hurghada or Port Ghalib, or even further south for St Johns type routes. The Brothers Daedalus Elphinstone itinerary has excellent chances of shark sightings, I hadOceanic white-tips, hammer and a thresher, but they kept their distance from me-others has the oceanic up close and personal. Good chances for turtles and the rest of the regular Red Sea residents. Going further south has more beautiful coral. Only available from Port Ghalib. let me know what you fancy most and I'll make a recommendation Mike

If its only a prototype then I think an offer of 50 euros is fair

I went the D500 -> Sony A1 path. I have the 90mm with SMC, 28-60 with the WWL-1B and EMWL. I also have the newer 45 degree viewfinder. I love the kit I have and for the first time in living memory have no intention to upgrade as I think I've got as much IQ as I can ever see me needing. Key point though - photographers love the detail I can now produce Non - photographers only look at the photo rather than asking why there is noise in the shadows in the background Over to you as to what's important.... Mike

Not Socorro this time sadly, but a whale shark trip in the sea of Cortez isn't a bad 2nd prize! If I do liveaboards with Mrs P there needs to be some snorkelling involved so we need to speak to the crew before we book for Socorro

Hi and welcome - I'll be in Cabo in September for a week before I go on a Liveaboard in the Sea of Cortez - you may get questioned nearer the time! Mike

Great stuff there Suzan, I love the blackwater stuff - not a hot spot but hoping to get a couple of dives in later this year in Bali. If not I may have to suggest a little trip to Florida! Mike

Cheers for that Ross - I really need to turn off my autocorrect 🤣

A couple from me. Fist is little Shaun the Sheep for no other reason than I was lucky enough to get what I think is an adult and a juvenile together on the same focus plane Then next I treated myself to an EMWL after a long time telling myself it was a ridiculous purchase!. This is my favourite with it so far Happy new year everyone Mike

Love these Ross - what was your listing for them please Mike

Cheers Ian

Me too

I'm due to fly into Cabo next September. Whilst it annoys the hell out of me I have put the 'tax' into the trip budget but would love to spend the cash another way! I've not booked the flights yet but likely I'll transfer in through Mexico City - as it's classed as a domestic flight does anyone know if I need to try and be sneaky or am I likely to stroll through with a smug grin? Mike