Sardine Run mid-June 07

Hey Guys,

I've been busy and not diving, so absent from the forum for awhile.

My first dive this year was with the SEAL group on the Sardine run.

The conditions were challenging: big swells, poor viz. There were some sardines, but not as many as I'd dreamed of.

With the poor viz, photographs were a challenge and the strobe a no-no. I tried with the 10.5 and 16, with and without magic filters, at ISO200 and 400. I think the best shots were 10.5, no filter (we were snorkeling, not diving), and ISO400. The Subal ND70 handled like a dream with no strobes and the FE port. Only complaint is that the on/off and subcommand dial controls were a bit balky.

One of my less ugly shots -- it's soft but gives a feel for the action:

Common Dolphin pursuing sardines

D70, ISO400, 10.5mm, 1/200s, f5.6; ambient.

More shots of the sardine run in a gallery ; also some post-dive safari shots .

All the best,

Chris

Hey Chris,

I know how you feel, having just struggled to get a few shots in the Galapagos last week.

I love the composition of your pic #18 0f Common Dolphins.

Well done on the Cape Gannet shot Chris - I was there on Drew's boat (we saw you guys often - nice green capes ) and can attest to the conditions being v challenging. I caught a couple of gannets and some of the sardine and dolphin/shark action on video too, but your and my dreams were obviously a little over ambitious!

nice shot Chris, obviously tough conditions!

Thanks for the comments, all! I'll say *I* was toasty warm in my 7/5 semidry with built-in hood, and never had to resort to a SEAL acid-green slicker!

Chris