Nemrod

Would the (E mount) still be around 160 plus degrees on a crop sensor Sony? If so that is a useful increase in FOV over my very much loved WWL. And a better lens than the 16mm pancake with the FE adapter attached.

Riviera Maya News & EventsQuintana Roo Opens Customs Talks After Cozumel Diver Char...Quintana Roo tourism officials have opened discussions with federal customs authorities following complaints that visiting divers are being charged import taxes on underwater cameras and other equipme Click the link to open the news article.

Does Backscatter have a data set? They say they test every strobe they sell with a standard set of metrics.

Here is the document attached. Adios.

Trust lost is hard to regain. I have not seen anything official looking either and I would not go to Mexico right now until there is an official statement welcoming scuba divers and photo divers. An apology and a refund to those who got robbed would be nice also. That release and the info being distributed does not appear to be on an official letter or statement, I would not trust that and then get waylaid at customs on your "professional" scuba gear. What this is really an admission of is that gusts have been hassled at customs over their scuba gear. The latest below, does not sound good. Reference: Office of the Secretary Official Letter No.: SEDETUR/DST/22-0005/VII/2026 Subject: Communication to the tourism sector Chetumal, Quintana Roo, July 22, 2026 “2026: 40th Anniversary of the Creation of the Anthem of the Free and Sovereign State of Quintana Roo.” To the Diving Tourism Community of the State of Quintana Roo: I am pleased to inform you that on Monday, July 20, I held a working meeting with General Luis Antonio Balcázar Bustos, Head of Customs in Cancún, along with his team. General Balcázar Bustos showed a strong willingness to address the needs of this important segment of international tourists. As a first step, work will focus on two areas: * Informing the diving community and diving service companies about the requirements for the temporary importation of equipment under the ATA Carnet. This is an international customs document that allows the temporary import and export of certain goods in more than 78 countries without paying customs duties or taxes and without the need to file import/export declarations. * In coordination with diving industry specialists, a proposal will be developed for a list of equipment used in diving activities in order to promote updates to Mexico’s General Foreign Trade Rules. From the Quintana Roo Ministry of Tourism (SEDETUR), we will continue to follow up on these matters and any others that may arise concerning this issue. Thank you for your attention, and I send you my cordial regards. Sincerely, Lic. Bernardo Cueto Riestra Secretary of Tourism State of Quintana Roo

Best thing to do unfortunately at this time is to not go to Cozumel unless you are okay with 19% taxes on cameras, computers including dive computers and other expensive gear like rebreathers or anything with a new value over $500. And let them know why you are not going. And give no tips to anyone if you are there now and where taxed for bringing in personal items. Whatever is going on there, the stress takes the fun out of the adventure, there are other places to go.

I have had no problem with coiled 613 cable with any strobes (Inon, Retra, Marelux) but I have had with YS. I would use single bushing ends, not doubles, make sure you have quality multicore 613 type cable and fresh ends that are not recessed up into the bushing or plug.

Perhaps not a concern, but how strong is that cold shoe mount on an acrylic AOI housing? I am not confidence inspired by those even on my Nauticams to support anything heavy which might be prone to getting a whack. I might favor a cross bar solution.

See if you can purge the housing before closing with dry compressed air from a tank (gently). Or one of those cans of nitrogen for blowing dust from equipment and electronics. And then close up and pull the vacuum.

You did not say what system you have. Unless you are shooting an OM Systems camera or a TG you will not have TTL capability with the Backscatter strobes. Possibly with a Sony only if the housing has room for a rather large and clunky and expensive and proprietary trigger to insert. Probably beyond your needs but the Retra Maxi has the largest power range of any current strobe from barely a flash to huge power! And has universal TTL. The price Delta between the HF1 and the Maxi is not that much considering the two products. The Maxi is maxi! And neutral in the water without floats.

Age is a state of mind.

You know, these days, 50 yo is barely grown up.

Cozumel. Fly by shooting, lol. Between dives now, heading back out shortly and may even leave the camera in the room since I already have it set up for tomorrow. What fun is that!

Just an update. Have the incredible Retra Maxis strobes in the water now for two weeks and several more dives yet. There is a learning curve with them. But the reason for the post, the sleeves I made from an old wetsuit arm and especially the @Dave_Hicks bumpers are performing fantastic to protect my beautiful, shiny silver Retras from all that nasty marine stuff! Thanks.

I like the turtle and the snapper. Nice shots. Those who have never dove Cozumel might not appreciate how difficult it can be to deal with the current. Pretty much fly by shooting often difficult to get framing and settings adjusted, one chance at a shot and zoom away.