Nexus D90- First Dives.

Greetings Wetpixies,

well I've finally got my housing, done the obligatory tests and then gone for some dives with the camera

Having come from a compact E900 rig the switch to using a viewfinder was a bit of a rude shock and I did find framing very challenging. Overall though

the rig gets a BIG Due to budget restrictions I've started off with the 60mm AF-S lens and a single Inon Z240 strobe. This suits my current style of

photography anyway and I'm used to single strobe lighting so it's the best place for me to start. Here's some of the better images from the 3 dives I did.

First dive was a night dive and I inadvertently tested the camera out on ISO 1600 but was still really impressed with the IQ.

Southern Spiny Gurnard.

Potbelly Seahorse eyeing off its dinner.

Did a couple of daytime dives at Blairgowrie Marina and started to improve on my settings.

Swimming Anemone detail.

Short-head Seahorse.

Tasselled Anglerfish.

I'm now lusting for an Inon 45 degree viewfinder although how much do these really help? Can you see more of the overall frame with one?

Cheers,

Jim.

Great images Jim.

Love the lighting you have achieved with the single strobe.

I also recently went from compact to dSlr and still getting use to using the viewfinder underwater.

Was also wondering just how must benefist a 45deg viewfinder will be and for which scenarios it won't be a good option.

How big was that anemone, I was able to get that kind of close-up with my compact and two stacked inons, but with just the 60mm I feel lacking more strength...maybe its just me not using it properly.

Nice pics, Jim. thanks for sharing.

I bought similar gear a few months back, same thinking on the 45 degree...wondering.

Liking the 60mm I see. Planning the same lens before my next trip. Not done any macro yet.

I tried the ZP1017 dome with the Tokina 10-17 for my first diving and loved it but lots for me to learn yet.

Hi Jim,

Some lovely images there, makes we wants to head down south to those cool waters again.

Good to see the D90 is getting a good workout. Enjoying my D90 as well.

All the best

Nigel

WOW!!!

Dude the difference is amazing. those are awesome shots. Do you have a dome port for the nexus?

Cant wait to see more.

Cal

Great images Jim.

 

Love the lighting you have achieved with the single strobe.

 

I also recently went from compact to dSlr and still getting use to using the viewfinder underwater.

Was also wondering just how must benefist a 45deg viewfinder will be and for which scenarios it won't be a good option.

 

How big was that anemone, I was able to get that kind of close-up with my compact and two stacked inons, but with just the 60mm I feel lacking more strength...maybe its just me not using it properly.

Hi Aqua Soul, I'm sure the 45deg viewer will help ergonomically in just curious what kind of view you get of the frame with it. I guess that will partially depend on what mask you are wearing.

That particular Anemone was partially open and about 250mm long and 150mm wide. I love the texture and details of them so was very happy to find one to test the new rig with.

Nice pics, Jim. thanks for sharing.

I bought similar gear a few months back, same thinking on the 45 degree...wondering.

Liking the 60mm I see. Planning the same lens before my next trip. Not done any macro yet.

I tried the ZP1017 dome with the Tokina 10-17 for my first diving and loved it but lots for me to learn yet.

Dave I found the Macro Port a little front heavy on the 1st dive so added some strips of neoprene scrap to the bottom of the port and some pool noodle to the strobe arms.

Its now perfectly weighted for shallow dives and very easy to handle. How have you found the buoyancy and trim with the 1017 dome? In answer to your question on other

thread I got the same port as you so I can use the 18-55mm as well for now. I hope that wasn't a bad move with the reduced working distance.

Hi Jim,

Some lovely images there, makes we wants to head down south to those cool waters again.

 

Good to see the D90 is getting a good workout. Enjoying my D90 as well.

 

All the best

 

Nigel

Sure is a great camera Nigel, if the weather permits I'll be out again this weekend too. Got a jolt though with the 12 deg waters after a 9 week break.....

WOW!!!

 

Dude the difference is amazing. those are awesome shots. Do you have a dome port for the nexus?

 

 

Cant wait to see more.

 

Cal

Hey Cal I just got the flat port to use the 60mm and 18-55mm for now. Planning get the Tokina, compact dome port and 2nd strobe later on.

One of our local favorites, Tambja verconis.

Cheers,

Jim.

Does the 18-55 work with the MP60-6 port? Do you like that lens? Recommend it? I use the 18-200VR for above water but that obviously does not work u/w.

As to your bouancy question with the 1017 port: I use ULCS 5" and 8" arms on each side with Z-240 on each side. I use 2 XL stix floats on the 8" and one large stix float on the 5". With the 1017 port, the rig is about 1 lb negative in fresh water (based on fish scale test) and well balanced. In ocean diving, it feels nearly weightless but is sligtly negative. I liked the feel and ease of use.

I found that same arm/float assembly to be quite positive with the 105mm, MP60-6 and 40mm extension in pool testing. The port portion was very positive and wanted to force the port up. Actually felt the need to add weight to the port. Did not get to testing with some floats removed to get to negative to see how that felt.

Felt the 'stock' viewer was sufficient for the dives I did recently. Had a sandy bottom and full wt suit so laying on the bottom to shoot up was no problem. Would have been more difficult to do that with reef below me and trying to shoot up while not hitting the reef, I suspect. Flipping on my back to shoot up at the passing sharks might have been more difficult with a 45 degree viewer but perhaps not if one is very used to it...same comment for the portrait view shots.

Does the 18-55 work with the MP60-6 port? Do you like that lens? Recommend it?

Hi Dave,

so far I've only tested the 18-55 at home and there is no vignetting within its zoom range. As to whether it will be a good lens behind a flat port

remains to be seen. My thinking was it will be a while till I can afford a FE lens plus a dome and the 18-55mm lens, MP60-6 port combo would give me some

width if desired. I'll post some images from that combo as soon as I've taken it for a dive.

Cheers,

Jim.

Looking forward to seeing you in action with the new kit Jim

Very nice!!!! I just bought my D90 with the Aquatica housing. Going to try it out at the end of the month down in Playa del Carmen. I was a tad worried, after selecting the 60mm over the 105mm about results. After seeing your shots, I feel a little more at ease...LOL. I am curios though about the float issue. I have 2x -8" ULCS arms for each strobe, and I'm now wondering if I need floats.

Greg

Very nice!!!! I just bought my D90 with the Aquatica housing. Going to try it out at the end of the month down in Playa del Carmen. I was a tad worried, after selecting the 60mm over the 105mm about results. After seeing your shots, I feel a little more at ease...LOL. I am curios though about the float issue. I have 2x -8" ULCS arms for each strobe, and I'm now wondering if I need floats.

 

 

Greg

Hi Greg,

you will need some buoyancy compensation as it will be a little heavy in the water. I'm just using some pool noodle sections

for now which are fine in the shallows but will be getting some Stix floats for deeper diving as they wont compress like the noodles do.

Cheers,

Jim.

Hi Greg,

you will need some buoyancy compensation as it will be a little heavy in the water. I'm just using some pool noodle sections

for now which are fine in the shallows but will be getting some Stix floats for deeper diving as they wont compress like the noodles do.

 

 

Cheers,

Jim.

Jim,

Thanks for the heads up, I'll talk to Dave at Backscatter, see what he recommends and order some

Cheers,

Greg