I'm done lurking. Looking for feedback

I've been lurking here for a few months, and thought it was time to step up.

Background:

I've been a recreational photographer for some 30 years. Developed B&W film in my bedroom/darkroom as a child, collage newspaper photographer, year book …

Purchased my first Nikon 15 years ago, and started collecting lenses. I finally upgraded to a digital body two years ago, and am LOVING the quality and speed. The ability to use all my lenses is just icing on the cake. (Quality glass is worth the price!)

My first intro to digital was mid 90's and turned me off. The quality was not there. My next foray was a coolpix point and shoot. I still have it and use it. Nikon had a UW housing, so I got that the next year. It's great for high light environment, and does great down in the Caribbean. Digital lag sucks though.

Finally, I broke down and got a L&M housing for my D-200. I'm in love!!!!! The housing is a bit of work, but I love the outcome. I've been lurking to find out about strobes and synch and lens selection and techniques and …

First, thank you all for the great info! Without having to ask a question, you have answered questions that have haunted me for months.

Second, I'm always looking to improve. I've posted a few shots on my blog. I'd be interested in feedback on ways to improve the images, and processing. Our diving conditions vary considerably. 20 foot of visibility is s average. 40-50 is a GREAT day.

If you have a few moments to check it out, and provide feedback, I'd be grateful

http://sjue.com

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave,

Glad you decided to join in the fun. Welcome. I enjoyed very much reading your blog and going with you vicariously on yours dives. It's tough sledding in that green water and there are many others here with more experience than I with your situation, so I'll leave it to them to offer photographic suggestions. One thing you might consider on your blog is putting something to identify the area of the world you're diving. It wouldn't be obvious to the uninitiated. I'm guessing it's the area around New Jersey but couldn't really find it. Just a thought.

Thanks for putting it up, for me two hours at 40 F borders on the maniacal but I'm glad your having fun.

Cheers,

Steve

I can't help you with all that stuff but I just want to say welcome and I look forward to seeing your photos. People are great here and give me lots of help. They even answer my stupid questions.

I've been lurking here for a few months, and thought it was time to step up.

 

Background:

I've been a recreational photographer for some 30 years. Developed B&W film in my bedroom/darkroom as a child, collage newspaper photographer, year book …

 

Purchased my first Nikon 15 years ago, and started collecting lenses. I finally upgraded to a digital body two years ago, and am LOVING the quality and speed. The ability to use all my lenses is just icing on the cake. (Quality glass is worth the price!)

 

My first intro to digital was mid 90's and turned me off. The quality was not there. My next foray was a coolpix point and shoot. I still have it and use it. Nikon had a UW housing, so I got that the next year. It's great for high light environment, and does great down in the Caribbean. Digital lag sucks though.

 

Finally, I broke down and got a L&M housing for my D-200. I'm in love!!!!! The housing is a bit of work, but I love the outcome. I've been lurking to find out about strobes and synch and lens selection and techniques and …

 

First, thank you all for the great info! Without having to ask a question, you have answered questions that have haunted me for months.

 

Second, I'm always looking to improve. I've posted a few shots on my blog. I'd be interested in feedback on ways to improve the images, and processing. Our diving conditions vary considerably. 20 foot of visibility is s average. 40-50 is a GREAT day.

 

If you have a few moments to check it out, and provide feedback, I'd be grateful

 

http://sjue.com

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

 

Hi Dave

Sorry about the above post, hit the wrong button. For wrecks you might want to try usong black and white, either in camera or in an image editor. This works well in water with a lower vis and gives it a more erie feeling sometimes.

Mike

Steve,

Good point! One day I real realize that neither Al Gore nor Bill (666) Gates invented this internet thing, and I have to identify my location.

Thanks for the warm fuzzy that I'm doing Okay.

Beach Bum,

I've seen the B/W or GS technique. I'm not sure I like it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate you input, but I would like to hear from a few others on it's application. Personally I find the result very cold. Erie, is one thing, but again I find it cold.

I'm not trying to be critical. I'm trying to get input. What do you all think!!!!

Hi!

In green water you should go as wide as possible (10.5mm on a D200) and get as close as possible. Two strobes, one on either side of the lens and angled about 30-degrees outwards, cover this lens best, unless you are close to a wall on one side, when using one strobe above the lens and reducing its power is better.

A greenwater Magic filter is an alternative.

Or you can shoot macro with a typical macro set up as described in all good websites/books etc

Tim

Tim,

I'm using the Nikon 20mm. Do you notice that much difference with the 10.5? Is it worth the investment?

For macro I have the 105, but have not had it in the water much. I mostly use it for my wife's orchids.

Thanks for the input.

I'm using the Nikon 20mm. Do you notice that much difference with the 10.5? Is it worth the investment?

For macro I have the 105, but have not had it in the water much.

The quality from the 10.5mm is amazing, but you do have to live with the distortion and a large-diameter dome port:

20mm equivalent

10.5mm

I'm learning the 105mm, but because of the distance from your subject many people think that the 60mm is better in green water, as you have to get closer, however you can sit back with the 60mm for fish:

60mm macro

60mm from a foot away

Tim

And for wrecks, the 10.5 is unsurpassed:

greenwater wreck (100 feet)

inside a warm-water wreck

underneath a deep wreck (180 feet)

A narrower lens won't let you see as much, or light it by getting close with strobes.

Tim

Great shots, and great points. Thanks!

I did some research, and found that I'll need an new dome port for the 10.5. This is going to cost more than the price of the lens.