Lasongo

Here’s the notice

Pacific Fleet just shared that the Mexican government has increased the park fees for Revillagigedo/Socorro Islands, effective on January 1, 2025. The new fees will be MXN$ 3.622 per person, per day, roughly USD$180 per person, per day. The prior fees were MXN$ 1.811 per person, per day, roughly USD$ 90 per person, per day.

For shark diving, go with either Gung-Ho Divers or Salty Divers: https://www.gunghodiving.com/ https://www.saltydivers.com/ For many years I went out with Emerald, but over the past 2 years they had some major turnover with feeders, DMs, etc...and its not my "cup of tea" anymore. Nick, the owner of Gung Ho Diving, worked for many years on Emerald and started his own business a couple of years ago and he's knocking it out of the park. Tell him how and what you want to shoot and he'll get it for you. All the locals (myself included) use Gung Ho now. Check the tide charts before diving Blue Heron Bridge, you want to dive at high tide. Regarding the Goliath Groupers, they will be around throughout the shark dives, you'll probably see at least 2-4 per dive. However, the really big mating aggregations occur in August, so you'll just have to come back another time!

Monterey is one of my favorite dive locations in the world. Monterey is mostly shore dives...Breakwater, Metridium Fields, Monastery Beach (check conditions first, it can be sketchy and dangerous) or Point Lobos State Reserve (you'll need reservations). Google those sites there is tons of info. Local dive shops are Bamboo Reef, Breakwater or Aquarius. They're all legit. There is one boat that regularly runs charters in Monterey, its the Beachhopper II. Again, google it, they have a website for reservations, etc... If you head to Ventura (north of LA), there are several boats that head to the outer/northern Channel Islands. Most notably are the Peace and Vision. Lived in LA for many years. My fave shore dive sites in LA are Point Dume (north of Malibu) or Laguna Beach (down south in Orange County...you'll need to arrive no later than 7am or there won't be any parking). LA is spread out, so those two locations are far, far apart. Dive boats are unfortunately in decline in LA. There is still the Bottom Scratcher, Pacific Star, Magician and Giant Stride that regularly run trips. You typically cannot book directly with the boats/charters. They sell their days to local dive shops and then you need to book via the dive shops. Google the following dive shops (Los Angeles area): Pacific Wilderness In 2 Deep Scuba Eco Dive Center Channel Islands Dive Adventures Ocean Safari Scuba Scuba Schools of America Divers West Dive N Surf They'll have their trips and dates listed on their websites. A few more pointers...most boats/dive shops won't confirm their 2025 dates/trips until this December or even January 2025. Also conditions usually aren't great in California in the spring and summer (again, usually). The water is beginning to warm and that usually leads to increased phytoplankton which decreases visibility.

My "normal' gear is a camera, housing, one lens, extension ring, viewfinder, camera sled, WACP2 or other large dome. I might take strobes depending on if I'm allowed to use them. In Cancun, they tried to get me on my housing, viewfinder, lens and WACP2. In Cabo they tried my housing, extension rings, viewfinder, strobes and lens (they never saw the WACP as it wasn't packed together with my camera gear...thank God). After an hour of me presenting counterevidence and stories, I couldn't defend my Inon Z-330s that well and they settled on those. They picked a resale value they found on Wetpixel (again right in front of me) and based my tax on that. I've never heard of them directly targeting cameras (unless you have Reds), as cameras are explicitly covered in the online customs documents. If you have a Red you are automatically assumed to be a Pro and you are in big, big trouble (financially). Carnets aren't necessary for Mexico and most other countries, for personal gear. I've only really ever used them for trade shows or demoing hardware for my other job/life...usually only when dealing with very, very expensive gear. Also, I don't mean to be rude, but online petitions are unlikely to get any change. A better option is to write a physical letter to your local Mexican consulate or embassy. I've sent letters to the Mexican Ambassador to the US and the Mexican Consulate General in Houston. Here is the mailing address for the Mexican Ambassador to the US: Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Embassy of Mexico 1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington D.C., 20006

Hi guys, chiming in as it seems like there is a bit of wishful thinking on a lot of things. I've been to Mexico three times in the past 9 months (Cabo, Cozumel, Cancun...I work as a photography guide). The Spanish documents that the dive operators (like Nautilus) provide serve the same purpose as toilet paper. According to Mexican law (you can google it), you are allowed to bring in two dedicated video or "film" cameras to Mexico. Its online in English and Spanish. What the authorities are targeting is what they consider "accessories". That would be housings, dome ports, strobes, extension rings (seriously), etc... Now on the Mexican website it does say that "accessories" are included; HOWEVER, the authorities provide some roundabout explanation about why that is not the case. I've shown them the website on my phone and had physical printouts, their response is that it is not applicable to housings and underwater gear. I was born in South America and am fluent in Spanish. I spent an hour explaining/pleading with them in Cabo and 30 minutes in Cancun. Cabo they went after everything and asked for documentation/receipts. Cancun I told them I bought the gear used/broken and repaired it myself and that worked. You can put your camera in the housing or whatever, point is, once they see the housing, they also see dollar signs. They LOVE housings. Argue all you want, they don't care...unless you can provide proof you bought it dirt-cheap used, broken, rental agreement, etc...they will go by the new sale value. As per the dollar figure, they will literally pull out their cell phones in front of you and look it up on Backscatter and Reef Photo, again, right in front of you. They don't care if your equipment clearly looks used or whatever. In Cabo this past March they dinged me on my Inon Z-330 strobes...which were discontinued a couple years ago. Believe it or not, they looked up the resale value on Wetpixel right in front of me! Your best bet is to put your gear in nondescript luggage (not Pelican and nothing that even resembles dive suitcase/luggage) and hope you get the green light. Otherwise have some sort of receipts or documentation that can prove you bought it broken, second-hand, reduced price, etc... I've heard that if you pay and sign the receipt with your name and then write "signed under protest" or "signed under duress" that you can easily get your credit card company to reverse the charges. Personally I haven't done it because I had to return to Mexico a few times and didn't want to risk further trouble on my return. That said, I'm seriously reconsidering going back to Mexico for work, its starting to be too much hassle/risk

Also, for those suggesting a Carnet, I’ve looked into it and Carnets in Mexico are only valid for 6 months. Most other countries it’s 1-2 years

Apologies for the dual post, but I didn’t see this thread before posting. I literally just cleared Cancun customs and they opened all my dive gear. They REALLY wanted to tax me on my dome port, camera lens and housing. Luckily I had used invoices and am fluent in Spanish, but still took about 30 minutes of discussions before they let me go. They were saying and using the exact same language and terminology as the customs officials in Cabo. First time it’s happened to me on the eastern/Gulf side of Mexico. …and by the way, they actually flagged my nondescript black roller bag that had my clothes/dive gear in it. They asked to open everything and that’s when they went after the camera gear.

I just got back from Cabo, yesterday. I saw it first-first hand and my friends that run operations down there also confirmed that the authorities are being particularly aggressive this year. They are instantly targeting anyone they see that has a Pelican case. People getting hit with an average between $100-1000 fines/"taxes". I've heard they are targeting people pretty reliably in Mexico City now, but can't confirm directly (I flew into Cabo). Put it in non-descript carry-on, carry your rental agreement, any sort of sales invoice, etc...that can argue the value.

Thanks @Interceptor121! I should have specified...so I shoot 90% in temperate waters that more often than not have uncertain visibility (California, New Zealand, southern South America, etc...) and a lot of those times I can't use strobes/lights for a variety of reasons (animal size/temperament, govt regulations, etc...). On my last work assignment, I used a WACP-2 with a 14mm Sony lens and wasn't too pleased with the outcome. That was mainly due to questionable vis that didn't allow me any zoom capability. Admittedly, I've since purchased a 16-35mm lens, but only used it a couple of times and have thus far been please with it when paired with the WACP-2. Also admittedly, I've only used the 16-35/WACP-2 combo on recreational shoots. That said, the FOV on the WACP-2 w/ 16-35mm (or the 14mm) (128 or 140 degrees max) isn't comparable to the FCP w/ a 28-60mm or 28-70mm (170 degrees on both according to port chart) However, the WACP-2 does let me shoot with lower f-stops while keeping everything still relatively sharp, that helps A LOT in those no-artificial-light-environments. I guess what I'm asking, is does the FCP give me extra degrees of FOV AND maintain corner sharpness at lower F-stops (like the WACP)? Or is the FCP only extra degrees of FOV, but I need to keep higher f-stops (like a normal dome)?

Ok, so here is my question...admittedly I know there are only a few who could possibly answer this question... Which is better, WACP-2 or FCP for mirrorless? Disregarding price, weight, size, etc...all things being equal. Figure shooting Whales, Sharks, etc... and CFWA shots.

Southern Right Whales Sony A1, WACP-1, 14m 1.8GM and ambient light (I reduced the image size/resolution as each original is 30mb+) Shot under special permit issued by the Argentine government

Hi all and thanks for setting this up...massive undertaking and it is assuredly noticed and appreciated!!! Been shooting for 10+ years and specialize in shooting and guiding for "non-traditional" animals. Recent profile in the Daily Mail: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-11817361/Meet-brave-explorer-takes-close-photos-anacondas-lurking-underwater-South-America.html