humu9679

Aloha and welcome @Francy1505

I was about to add that the Backscatter's HF series is small, great battery life, and that you may use high speed sync with the right flash triggers. Great for macro, and some have used it pretty successfully on larger subjects (see Phil Rudin and Dave Hicks forays into using these flashes). The OM-1 ii I believe already has an x-sync speed of 1/250th, which puts it right up there with most. A couple of other things to note - again, lens size! Many APS-c lenses are sized right for their systems, but oftentimes the lenses are large which happens with Canons and Nikons. It’s like hauling around full frame cameras with their added size and weight. Also, I was thinking about your desire to have a monitor. They are nice to look at, and I like having one to shoot video topside, but have you considered just composing on the standard screen? I have also tried using 45 and 90 degree viewfinders - great in some instances - but again, these add bulk and, in my view, are a throwback to film and DSLR days when live view was horrible.

What TimG said. I’m a Sony shooter now, but rue the day I gave up my Olympus in a fit of sensor envy. Sony is great for topside photography, too, but all in all, if I had to rebuild my system, I’d go Olym, er, OM Systems. Just have a look at the 8mm Panny or Olympus fisheyes and the 60mm macro, and you will marvel at their size. Good stuff, too! OM System ticks all your boxes I’m sure, except maybe the monitor? The Panasonics will do that. Focusing and such aren’t as good in m43 versus the current Sonys, Canons and Nikons.

Aloha and welcome @Deemoo

Agree with all the above. I started with Canon FD series (F-1, T90, new F-1), then various iterations of the EOS series (EOS-1), DSLRs like the 6D/7D. The newer cameras, especially crop sensors, are smaller, lighter and faster. The lenses can be similar in size to the old EF lenses if you shoot full frame but can be very small if you opt for smaller sensors like those you find with micro-fourthirds. Autofocus and the ability to track subjects is a game changer. Amazing dynamic range is also a thing. Size and weight for travel is a thing. You’ll be able to make nice photos with the old 7D but you’ll be missing out of seriously excellent tech.

Aloha and welcome @Russell

Aloha and welcome Nir!

I quite like Tamron lenses for topside photography. Lightweight, very sharp and good value.

Lauren - Can you take apart the plug? There may be a very tiny screw and also the o-ring is likely holding the insertion end together. When the two halves are apart, you will likely have to bend the cable to fit the channels within the plug. — Craig

Aloha and welcome @gnarliest_gnome You're going to like the interchangeable lens OM cameras. Nice photos with the TG!

Aloha and welcome @HugzzPictures !

I’m also not sure about the video lights for still photos. You might consider just getting one strobe to start out. The Atoms sound great, but you can also do all right with used Inon z240s/330s, Retras or something similar. The wide angle wet lens is a must.

Very cool Dave! That’s how I clean my suckers, too.

@StephenP That's lovely. Thanks.

Aloha and welcome @StephenP !

Aloha and welcome @HamsteRfury How can we help you spend your money?

Aloha and welcome @lancelot365 !

It does seem that the flash just overpowers what you might see in existing light. Try no flash, long exposure or higher ISO. Where does this anemone live?

Aloha and welcome @Jyk The z330s are still good, but having the option to do high speed sync might be something to look at with other strobes. The A6xxx series is fine and can make a lighter, smaller travel kit. Putting the 90mm or 100mm macro in the mix will work, but you will have a 135mm or 150mm equivalent and some might find this too long. You can try the 50mm Zeiss or Sony macro, which will be 75mm and lighter and easier to carry around but some find the lenses a bit slow to focus. This is better with the newer bodies, like the A6600 or A6700. Another system to consider is OM System. Their bodies are small and ergonomics great. Their macro lenses, like the 60mm (120mm equivalent) is tiny. Great for traveling, sharp and you likely will not be disappointed unless you develop the desire to have a bigger sensor. Craig

Really nice. Thanks.

Aloha and welcome Nick @andersonsmog ! If you’re going to be serious about underwater photography, you might want to spend more money, so the Ikelite may be your ticket. The housings are bigger and more buoyant but they work well, and Ikelite services what they make, which can be an issue with what may be one and done Sea Frogs housings. Later, you may be seduced with the more svelte aluminum housings (Sea Frogs make these, too) made by Nauticam, Marelux et al. I’m on Oahu if you want to DM me.

Nice work!

Aloha and welcome @kdgonzalez

Aloha and welcome @Don Silcock !

Aloha and welcome @jofische !