Kona shots

Last shots before upgrading to 5DmkII. Nothing spectacular but I haven't posted in a long time.

More shots:

http://gallery.laityphoto.com/v/underwater/200902_kona

Thanks Jeff. Heading to Kona myself in a few weeks.

I think you may be wrong on this one Jeff. That first shot definitely qualifies as spectacular in my book. Thanks for sharing them.

Cheers,

Steve

How was the black water dive? Would you recommend it? Any tips? Thanks.

I'm with Steve - the manta shots are awesome!

Phil

yep, they are beauties!! love the night dive at Kona, hope to go back one day!

I third Steve's opinion. It is a fantastic shot.

How was the black water dive? Would you recommend it? Any tips? Thanks.

If you mean the Manta Night Dive, I did it a few years back and very worthwhile. Did a earlier dive and at the end still before sundown, some of the Mantas came by before the night dive. Extra weight to stay down in the sand, I took some but not enough.

If you mean the Manta Night Dive, I did it a few years back and very worthwhile. Did a earlier dive and at the end still before sundown, some of the Mantas came by before the night dive. Extra weight to stay down in the sand, I took some but not enough.

I plan to do the Manta Dive. The black water dive is different. In the dark. In the deep ...

Black Water Dive

Thanks for the complements.

Black water dive, we actually did it twice. The first time I was really freaked out. I was very task-loaded, too many things clipped to me and trying to focus my camera with an anemic light, maybe a bit of vertigo. The second time I left the camera and was much happier. I hope to go back with camera and try again. The dive is AMAZING, unlike anything I've ever done. Bring a very powerful focus light. I was using my Princeton Tec and that was useless. I just got a UK Light Cannon and that should do the trick next time.

I guess my advice is a huge focus light and prepare to be frustrated trying to focus. The two shots I posted were the only times my camera clicked. I also left it on center spot focus, I should have changed it back to "focus on anything you can." I'd also recommend starting the dive just getting used to things for 10 minutes before attempting a shot. (Impossible for a photographer I know.)

Thanks for the tips. I have a pair of the Fisheye HG20DX lights that I use on night dives. I clip one to my BC and swap it in when the battery in the other one dies. They are quite powerful and should suffice. I will try using all the focus points if I having trouble focusing with the centre point. I will likely do the dive twice to get the most out of it. Looking forward to it!

Jacks says that they only go on Wednesdays, and only if they have three or more people. We found them to be much more accommodating – they love doing that dive. Your Fisheye should do the trick. I just attached a UK to my new Ikelite 5DmkII housing. Woof. It's at least 30 pounds with the camera inside. And I'm thinking about doing a night beach dive with that thing. Hmmmm....