Whiskeyjack

Yeah I already have the Backscatter system and don't really have any issues with it, it does what I want it to... but if they are about the same then I'll likely offload the Backscatter stuff just to have lest gear to haul around! Thanks everyone for the opinions.

Thanks for the opinions! I do like the compact size of the backscatter setup but I can't help but think the Retra will give better light. Does the LSD have more flexibility with the distance the strobe needs to be from the subject?

Has someone used the Backscatter Snoot on the MF1/MF2 and the Retra LSD? I'm curious how they compare. I currently have an MF1 and an MF2 with the snoot and quite like using that setup, but recently picked up some Retra Pro max strobes for wide angle. If I could reduce my kit to only having the Retras that would be great. I'm kind of concerned the Retras with the LSD would be so much bulkier than the backscatter MF2 + strobe it would be harder to position/maneuver into tight sports, etc.

Yeah this guy's videos are impressive.

I use the Oly 90 and can't imagine using a diopter with it! You coudl get some crazy magnification though I'm sure...

Yep, like he mentioned doesn't matter much for macro in Anilao, Dauin, etc, but if you're going to hit Bohol, Malapascua, Moalboal then the better vis is definitely nice.

Perhaps marginally warmer in March, especially the 2nd half. By April things are definitely warmer.

I just pulled out my teric logs to confirm I wasn't off on my temps. I have low temps of 24.5C in Feb of 2020, 25 in Feb 2021, 26C in 2022, 26C in 2023, didn't dive this Feb. So it likely won't reach 23C but 25 I would expect. Outside Feb-March it would be similar to Indonesia at 27-30C

I don't think they would return to the resort between blackwater dives but I could be wrong. Are you talking about air temps or water temps? Feb is the coldest water temps here in PH, I would expect 23-26C in the water. Air temps don't really go below 26C. I run warm but dive a sharkskin (2mm equivalent) down to about 22C with no issue. It's rare to see 5mm suits here and I've never seen anyone diving 7mm. Most people have 3mm suits and perhaps a hooded vest if they run cold.

I'm pretty sure the resorts that do blackwater (Crystal Blue, Anilao Photo Academy) will do blackwater any night you want to. There might be an additional charge if you're the only diver since they have to take the boat out. I've only done 1 dive per night but they might do 2, you'd want to contact them as suggested.

There is lots of blackwater in Anilao (Crystal Blue is a good spot for that as others have mentioned, the owner Mike likes to do blackwater dives), and it's also offered in Romblon. Anilao also has what they call "bonfire" diving which is similar in concept, but they stay shallow and place the lights in the sand instead of on ropes out in the blue. I would try to contact Ram Yoro if you're interested in bonfire, he's the guy who pioneered it and offers courses, etc. It's generally cheaper than blackwater dives as you don't need a boat.

One of the resorts in Anilao has mandarin fish on the house reef, I think it's the Aiyanar house reef? It's been a few years...

I live in Manila and have been to every place mentioned so far. Anilao and Puerto Galera are going to be the easiest to get to. Fly into Manila, 2-3 hours by van to Anilao, PG is just a 1 hour boat ride away. You'll get lots of macro in Anilao and more variety in PG. You could fill 2 weeks at these two places. I really like Malapascua, and recently tiger sharks are common along with the threshers. However, the other areas you mentioned in conjunction with this will be a full day travel in between. For example, to get to Malapascua you fly into Cebu, take a 3-4 hour van ride, then a 45 minute boat to the island. To get to Moalboal from there you are looking at the same boat back to the main island, then probably another 3-4 hours by van. Then you would take a 2-3 hour bus back to Cebu city, and from there either a 30 minute flight or a 2 hour ferry to Dumaguete/Dauin. You'll have to decide if that much travel is worth it. Unfortunately the common theme here in PH is going to be lots of slow land travel to get between places. The roads are bad, domestic flights and ferries are more often delayed than not. Romblon was one of my favorite macro destinations mostly because there are many fewer divers. The reason for this is that you have to take an 8 hour ferry to get there and there's only 2-3 resorts on the island that offer diving. Bohol is another interesting option, you could do a few days in the Panglao are and dive Alona beach/Balicasag island, etc to get your fill of walls and reef diving, then head to Anda by van and do your macro and muck diving there. If you don't mind the land travel, I would personally do your Moalboal/Malapascua/Dauin trip. Dauin has my favorite muck diving (I prefer it to Anilao mostly because I like the beach and the resorts in Dauin more, and Romblon is too hard to get to), the sardines in Moalboal are a cool thing to see, and Malapascua is one of the only places in PH you'll 100% see sharks, and there is good macro diving there as well for your afternoon dives. Be aware the shark dives will elave at 5am, something to consider if you're not a morning person.

I found one a while back. Thanks

Thanks, this is really helpful. That shot looks quite nice so maybe my fears are unfounded.