Fins for photographers

I took Drew Wong's suggestion and tried out a pair of Vortex V6 on our recent trip to Malaysia. Having only used Mares Quatros before it was a revelation. There was a whole lot less resistance on the foot, but after a couple of dives I had the flutter kick down and I was moving faster than I ever did with the Quatros. Even chasing schools of barracoota in a current that had all 8 divers in the group going backwards (yes even those with Jets), I was able to keep up and nail a few shots...

Depends on what you want to do I guess, but I wouldn't be taking a set of split fins into a cave or a wreck. If you want straight line speed, why not go for a set of freediving fins? I've dived with a few people using them for 'normal' diving, and in open water they're very impressive!

Just back from observing divers in numbers at DEMA and from this I would advise: Before you alter the pitch of the prop, tune the motor!

I have used freediving fins, and they are faster.

But I tried them in the Galapagos, and they were not the pair to use.

for all of the speed advantages, the disadvantages were great.

First, the fins were like a big sail in the current

second, the extra drag because of the scuba tank and the camera systems practically negated any speed advantage you may get.

I will have to try the fins in a different environ without the current running.

second, the extra drag because of the scuba tank and the camera systems practically negated any speed advantage you may get.

Umm, wouldn't that be independent of the fins you use though, and therefore having a faster fins would be beneficial in offsetting the drag?

the drag would be the same independent of the fins, but in the fast current at Wolf and Darwin, I was just getting pummeled. I switched to split fins and it was much more manueverable and useful.

again, i will have to try them out in much more gentler environs

Ever tried the fullfoot Mares Avanti Quattro Power? Not as long as free diving fins, but longer than normal ones. Much better than the Mares Quattro. Excellent in fast current. Only problem is really difficult to find them since Mares seems to have stopped manufacturing them, so it would be left over stock. I am keeping 2 spare pairs in the safe!

. I am keeping 2 spare pairs in the safe!

Can i buy a pair?!?!?!?!?

i just tried to get some and couldn't find any....

Just seen a sample pair of new Excel full-foot fins (with longer blades) that do the same job. So wait a few months for Mares to get stocks.

Mike

My Malaysian friend found 10 pairs of Mares Avanti Quattro Power for myself and some of my friends in the Maldives earlier this year from the biggest dive shop in Penang, Malaysia. I cannot remember the name of the dive shop but they still had 4 or 5 pairs left after we bought them a few months ago and nobody was buying them, so the shop was really happy to get rid of the slow moving stocks! Will try to find out the name of the shop, but if you have any friends in the area, it's worth asking them to check.

J

Mike

http://www.scubaland.fr/voir_P4456440.html

http://www.gbuwhshop.co.uk/index.asp?funct...p;productid=187

Was just looking at Google. These two websites seems to suggest they still have stock of the Mares Avanti Quattro Power

Hey Eric, post that sequence to show everyone what we thought of Norb's fins... or should I say Norb's bizarre way of wearing fins!

Personally I've never worn and would never wear split fins. I know fins are a very personal decision but I've noticed I can always out-swim a diver wearing splits in a current while wearing my Cressi Master Frog fins, the ones I've worn on 90% of my dives. Plus I feel blade fins are better for photographers because the "blade" is easier to "feel" as far as position in relation to the bottom. I've seen photographers in split fins and if they have floppy tips on their split fins they can easily contact the bottom without the photographer even being aware of the position of the tips of the fins. Although divers who wear split fins have told me they are easier on the ankles.

Here is an excerpt from the new NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Diving Safety Board Meeting of Jan 2007 results:

"7. Prohibit the use of split fins for diving when heavy exertion may be required and/or when wearing a drysuit."

It has now been implemented.

Just interesting data that is now protocol for some of the better trained divers in the US,

Carol

Hey Eric, post that sequence to show everyone what we thought of Norb's fins... or should I say Norb's bizarre way of wearing fins!

1. Norb's wonderful fin-wearing technique:

2. See the attached image (too large for embedding) for a blow-by-blow I like to call, "Graham Abbott vs. Norbert Wu."

That's hilarious Eric and Graham!!

What do you think NOAA's safety board would think of Norb's way of wearing fins? Maybe there is a secret propulsion technique going on there we should all know about and adopt??

Thanks for the blow by blow!

Carol

dooh, nevermind... responded to 3mos old post...

... I've seen photographers in split fins and if they have floppy tips on their split fins they can easily contact the bottom without the photographer even being aware of the position of the tips of the fins...

I dive regularly with several very experienced divers who wear Biofins (heavy split-fins), and they really have a hard time hovering in photo situations without their fins migrating downward and kicking up silt/sand. Since they provide very little thrust at "stopped" speeds (i.e., when you're not swimming), it seems easy to unconsciously keep kicking with little apparent result. I don't know about other split fins - those that are wider (have more flat "fin" surface area) and aren't as heavy might be less of a problem. I'll stick with my Force Fins, which are VERY effective in tight spots with little kicking - just slight flicks of the fin with knees bent.

As I stated long ago (when both I and this thread were much younger ), I use two different pairs of Force Fins - Tan Delta's when I don't anticipate ripping currents (e.g., Caymans, Lembeh, etc.), and the longer Tan Delta "Extra" Force Fins when I expect lots of current (e.g., Cocos, Galapagos, Komodo, etc.). They may look funny, but I haven't seen anything easier on my feet (no blisters), my legs (little or no cramping because all the thrust/pressure is on the downstroke where leg muscles are naturally stronger), and functionality. If you are on at trip with someone who has FF's, ask if you can trade fins with them for one dive to try them out; I do that with people all the time.

I first saw Force Fins when I was a Peace Corps vol in Tonga, when visiting pearl farming consultant from ICLARM busted out his red tan deltas and told me they were actually worth the $500 he spent on them. He certainly had a much easier time in currents and doing our week's worth of underwater oyster farm work than I did with my ridiculous old ScubaPro Veloces, which always killed my ankles and took up a ton of space in my luggage. When I left Tonga I gave my ScubaPros to a finless friend and later got Force Fin Pros before heading to Honduras to get my Divemaster. The FFs drew some incredulous looks and "duck boy" comments, but I went farther, faster, and stayed down longer than just about everyone else. I also found that I could walk forward with the FFs on because they are relatively short. This meant I could don all my gear in one place and get in the water quickly--no loitering on the step or waiting for someone to pass me my fins. I also found it was very easy to maneuver with the FFs while taking u/w pics, including "backing up" from subjects (just use your ankles). And I never kicked the coral. They're also so compact that they're not a burden when traveling.

To make them comfortable, I bought the foam inserts and a pair of thin neoprene ankle socks. I think the foam inserts or neoprene booties are a must with FFs.

One caveat: the FF originals, pros, and tan deltas are pretty bad when you're swimming at the surface (ie. snorkeling), b/c the power stroke is essentially above the water. Perhaps the FF split fin and excellerator are better at the surface.

For me it has to be Cressi Masterfrogs...

I've used these on last two trips. I do like them, a good agility moving within close quarters, yet good power when needed, at a good price and lightweight. The sizes run small. I wear size 12 shoe, but wear size 9.5-10.5 in these flippers for a good (bare-foot) fit.

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_...SFVR.html?Hit=1