First Go with a DSLR

I recently got a housing for my D300 and got it underwater for the first time Jan 6-17 in Raja Ampat. I would like to share some of the photos from the trip with all of you, and get some feedback if you don't mind. I realize looking through the photos now that they are really of the "this is what I saw" variety, rather than anything too special, but you got to start somewhere.

So ah, yeah......., it's a lot harder than it looks.... Wow, what a humbling experience.... I have SO MANY throw aways and "almosts", and you might even say that the my keepers are really "almosts"... There are truly some serious artists here on Wetpixel...

I was on Paradise Dancer with Martin and Julie Heyn (NWDiver), and I have to say that Martin was amazingly helpful to me. He put up with all my incessant questions throughout the trip, and always had a smile on his face. He helped with my gear when i didn't know what went where, he had spare batteries when i needed them (just the right kind), taught me how to shoot manual when my TTL convertor shorted out, critiqued my photos and gave me instant feedback, and even looked out for me underwater. Martin is the kind of guy that would help anyone that asked, but I think it helped that i actually knew him (his online identity anyway) from Wetpixel, and had been to his website. It was really cool to meet someone face to face that I knew from Wetpixel. Julie is awesome too, and I had a great time diving with them. Such nice people. He even gave me a toothbrush to clean my o-rings with.... Who knew you had to do that? I never read that in the books....

So here are a couple of my favorites:

You can find the set on Flickr here: Raja Ampat Set

Hope to meet some more of you in the future!

Thanks!! Mike

Super job Mike, especially for your first attempt. How did you like the new boat?

Thanks for sharing,

Steve

Great shots for your first attempt Mike! You nailed that pygmy photo.

I know what it's like, I went through the same thing a few months ago with swiching to a dSLR, think I'm finally getting the hang of it (although there's lots more to learn). Keep up the good work.

Ryan.

"He even gave me a toothbrush to clean my o-rings with.... Who knew you had to do that?"

Love the images Mike...but tell me more about the toothbrush because I don't know that either!

I use a toothbrush to clean the threads of my sync cord. Do you use it on your o-rings? I usually just wipe them off with my finger or carefully with a paper towel, making sure I don't stretch them.

I use a toothbrush to clean the threads of my sync cord. Do you use it on your o-rings? I usually just wipe them off with my finger or carefully with a paper towel, making sure I don't stretch them.

Yeah, me too. I use the toothbrush on threads and a foam makeup sponge (sans-makeup ) to wipe down o-ring grooves and even to clean o-rings of any old grease before apply new with my fingers. If there is a better way, or something else I should be doing to better maintain my equipment, I want to know!!!!

Mike, reality is about the only person I could help is someone with a new set-up, right out to the box and taking it out for the first time! But at least you learned there is life after TTL. I can't remember who told me about the toothbrush, but I use a "soft bristle" one to go over all o-rings prior to closing up and so far so good.

very nice! It's sure is a challange learning the d300. I've only got to use mine one trip uw, soon i'll be in coz and give it another go.

What lens did you use? Scott

Very nice pics. Im jealous, one day I will get there, I swear I will!! What lens were you shooting with?

Mike, reality is about the only person I could help is someone with a new set-up, right out to the box and taking it out for the first time! But at least you learned there is life after TTL.

Well, that was me, so....

Lenswise, I was shooting the 105mm VR for Macro and the Tokina 10-17 for wide-angle. My feeling at the end of the trip was that it would be nice to have something in between these two extremes as well. The 105 was great for me to take pictures of wobegone eyes and pygmies and stuff, but was hard for me to get a fish portrait (although i did get a little better at it). For example, we saw this HUGE krait on a night dive and I must have chased that snake for 15 minutes, and ran out of air, just trying to get a damn focus on it. Never did get a shot. I learned pretty quick that it worked better for me on Shutter Priority, rather than Focus Priority. I think that's pretty much the only setting i changed.

Another rookie mistake? The first couple dives I had the 105 set to focus from .5m to infinity only. I remember complaining to Martin, "Dude, what is the working distance on this thing anyway!" Didn't i feel like an idiot when i noticed the setting.

The 10-17 is pretty cool, but you need to be CLOSE to your subject, a lot closer than i realized at first. And since I had the strobes extended far out, it was tricky to get any decent lighting. I still haven't really figured this out yet.

Martin got some really nice results from the Sigma 17-70 macro, so i am thinking about adding that lens for my next trip... what do you all think?

Thanks for all your support!

Mike

Martin got some really nice results from the Sigma 17-70 macro, so i am thinking about adding that lens for my next trip... what do you all think?

I love mine Mark, have found it great for those mid range shots, ie fish, turtles, eagle rays, even leopard sharks (although something a little wider would've been nice at times). A bunch of my photos are from this lens, and I'll put up some more in the next few days.

Ryan.