Heading off to Palau (finally!) in less than two weeks for a liveboard trip. This will be my first time...
Would like to hear some tips from those who've been there and even specific lens recommendations per dive site.
For blue corner, would the 18-50 be a better choice than Tokina 10-17? How close do the pelagics get? Would the 17mm FE be too short?
Any worthwhile macro dives? Or should I just leave all my macro ports and lenses at home?
WA lenses
Tokina 10-17 FE
Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX
Canon 10-22 (not happy with the corners especially at 10-15mm on my setup so far... bringing as a backup and for topside)
Macro
Canon 100mm macro
Canon 60mm macro
Woody diopter
I would take the 100 macro because you will be doing night dives and maybe the Mandarin Fish Lake. For Blue Corner (or any of the shark dives) I would try first with the 18-50 (or even the 60mm) because it´s very frustrating to be hooked up with the 16mm and only getting far away shots. The sharks get closer as current increases but they won´t bump in your dome... I was much happier with the 17-70 (but I didn´t get much current).
If I were you I would only leave at home (if any) the 10-22...
Any worthwhile macro dives? Or should I just leave all my macro ports and lenses at home?
You're kidding, right? I used the Canon 60mm macro extensively. Lots of great subjects. Check out my Palau gallery for examples.
My experiences at Blue Corner agree with David's. There are lots of sharks and some rays at Blue Corner, but the ones swimming at the edge of the drop-off rarely came very close. I would end up with my 10-22 lens set at 22 mm most of the time. However, the guides were able to entice the large bumphead wrasse to come very close.
David/ John, thanks for advise guys. Will bring along one of my macro lenses.
I used the Canon 60mm macro extensively. Lots of great subjects. Check out 
