I've just upgraded my whole rig from a 20D to the D200. I've gotten my grubby hands on the 105VR, the 60mm and the 18-200 (topside). I've enclosed this in a subal I'm still waiting on. My question regards saving money at the moment or will I be losing some wide angle photo ops by not buying a 10.5 and subal dome. Are there any wide angle shots in PNG worth buying and lugging the extra gear? Air Nuigini is already gonna have a field day with overweight charges on me. It's not like I will be putting off the purchase for long...another trip in December warrants the 10.5 anyhow. Just wanted some opinions on PNG wide angle opportunities...seems like macroworld to me.
Thanx in advance!
John Abramo
I have not been to PNG - but from the images I have seen PNG seems to be one of the best places in the world for coral reef wide angle (some of Doubilet's best coral reef wide angles come from PNG for example). But I think that it does depend on the area you are in.
How have you got the 105mm VR to fit in the Subal? Which port are you using?
Alex
i think that would be a smart move. the 10.5 is very small and doesn;t weigh much. I know Rand has some great BW shots with it of the plane wrecks in PG.
I think you will be disappointed in not bringing it.. GO FOR IT!
Boy you 2 guys don't help very much!...there goes another 2 grand!
Alex, I just got the 105 on Tuesday...called Ryan at Reef and he immediately had me ship it to him to test out some fitting options...so, I had the lens b4 the camera...now I have the camera without the lens. My housing isn't expected to be in till the end of August. I think the combo Ryan is trying to fit for me is the 60mm port with an extenstion ring to fit the 105...trying to cut down on the number of ports I will have to travel with and buy.
Mike...somehow I knew I would regret not bringing it...guess I'd better go start placing more orders eh?
2K?!?! noooooo, the 10.5 is only about $450 isn't it?
GO place orders now.. you know you want to! haha
The 2 K is probably pretty close for the FE2 port & lens.
really? wow.. glad i don't own a Subal! hahaha
"Just wanted some opinions on PNG wide angle opportunities...seems like macroworld to me."
It is macroworld, but only because most people go there for those subjects, the boats and operators know it, and therefore most itineraries are 10% WA to 90% macro.
If you could control a boat's every movement you could easliy shoot WA in PNG all day every day. The reference to Doubilet reminds me of this. Oh to have his budgets, assistents, equipment and commissions. I wouldn't get the same quality of shot, but I'd certainly have the same amount of fun Of course I haven't earned any of the advantages he warrants either This is particulalry true when given that he, like most of the luminaries in our little corner of the photographic world, made his bones on emulsion.
Not knowing what shots you have in your portfolio, you would like to have a chance at, or how much budget plays into your determination, here's how I'd suggest you look at it:
On the Southern itinerary there is a site where there is a plane which is a great CFWA setup, but just a few feet away and 40 feet deeper are some can't miss pink pygmies on pristine gorgonia. If given that choice in the dive briefing you'd choose to shoot the macro I'd suggest skipping the WA purchase for now. On the other hand if you jump at the WA setup then certainly get the new gear.
During a trip to PNG you will be faced with that option a few times and even if they sit on the same site for two dives your answer will still be somewhat indicative of which way you might go for this particualr destination. Because when the critter options are mandarins, leaf scorpians, rhinopias, true clowns, all kinds of pipes and so on and so on the macro is a pretty attractive choice for people who live far from those kinds of waters and aren't certain how many times they'll return.
Hi John,
I'd suggest buying the 10.5. PNG has some great wide angle photo opportunities.
If you want a nice portfolio from PNG your'e not going to pull it off with just macro shots.
Besides, you are going to end up buying it anyway. Why not have it for PNG.
Todd Winner
Ok ok...you guys win...I just ordered the lens...now I gotta bug Ryan to get it in sooner than I had anticipated...sure glad hes a patient guy.
Pygmies or plane eh?...well I'm hitting Sulawesi in March...and if i have the new fisheye I just might have to pass on the lil fellas...I don't have any good WA stuff in my portfolio yet...I need practice.
thanx for all the help fella's
John
I just got back from PNG flying Air Nuguini and like every on this forum travelled with a crap load of gear. I think I checked 38-40kg of equipment.
The trick is to have your travel agent specify at time of booking that you're a "scuba diver". The weight allowance goes from 20kg to 35kg at no cost if this is done. When boarding in Brisbane they tried to charge me $400 excess, but my ticket stated "scuba diving" and I manage to avoid the payment.
After 7 PNG live aboards - the W/A is just as good as the macro!
Minimize your baggage charges by taking as much as possible with carry on, back pack, photo vest, fanny pack and a large bra!
In the end the chances of getting through with out paying extra are about 33%
If you use the 60 mm FC Subal port with the 105 VR you will probably have to remove the focus gear from the port
Will the 105 VR fit in the 60 mm port (with an extension ring) that that doesn't have a focus gear, or the 105 mm flat port without a focus gear?
I somehow seem to have acquired three Subal macro ports - two for the old 105 mm (one with and one without focus gear) plus a 60 mm port (w/o gear). I would really hate to have to buy another one.
Frogfish
thats what Ryan at Reef Photo is trying to do atm...fit the 105VR into the 60mm with an extension ring...no clue about the ring gear in or out...never having seen any subal port...but seeing the 105VR...I would have to imagine the gear being removed..damn thing is huge compared to my canon 100.
Depends on where you go in PNG but here are a couple taken with the D100, Aqautica 9" Dome and the 10.5
An early attempt at an over-under
The extension rings are being machined as we speak. I made the prototype with my dremel tool, and it works great.
Still working on getting the right size focus gear, though.
so ryan...there is still a possibility of being able to manual focus with the 105 with your custom setup? IF you get the right size gear?
There is no reason it won't happen, just a matter of sorting out the right gear.
you know you want to! haha
This is particulalry true when given that he, like most of the luminaries in our little corner of the photographic world, made his bones on emulsion.
