Marsa Shagra and Wadi Lahimi, Egypt

Hi all,

I had the chance to test the Nikon D7000 this week in Marsa Shagra and Wadi Lahimi. The reefs were deserted due to the civil unrest which was wonderful for us, concerning for the local people. Anyway, here are some favourite shots. Incidentally, I have been asked by Oonas Divers to run a workshop late September/early October in these two destinations which I have agreed to do. There are many excellent photo opportunities.

This was at Sharm Shuni an amazing cave system accesible from the shore about 20 mins from Shagra. Taken with a D7000, a Tokina 10-17 and 1.4 teleconvertor. Exposing for the natural light with a touch of flash to light the lionfish

Then we went to Marsa Abu Dabbab, no dugongs and very bad visibilitiy by Red Sea standards, almost like being in the UK. Friendly turtles happy to pose for a shot or two. Again taken with the D7000, Tok 10-17 and 1.4 Tele with a 100mm Zen minidome

The mackerel are always fun to see but tough to photograph. This group was cruising around the shore at Marsa Shagra feeding. D7000 and Tokina 10-17

Tried my hand at a bit of macro and spent 40 minutes with this 2 inch long fang blenny trying to get him to pose nicely. The D7000 has an autofocus feature which my Canon doesn't and proved invaluable for taking this kind of shot. 3D autofocus which tracks a subject as it moves around and maintains focus. Such a useful feature for UW photography I found. My Canon 7D is up for sale now as a result.

D7000 and 105mm VR macro. 2x INon Z240s (Marsa Shagra Shore Dive)

this same auto focus mode meant the camera stayed focused ont he Anthias here. Same lens as above (Marsa Shagra Shore Dive)

Classic crocodilefish eye shot taken with external diopters (FIT +5) (Marsa Shagra shore dive)

I did go back to the Canon 7D for a coupld of dives as I had the 45 degree viewfinder installed which I much prefer. Couple of shots taken with this. This was a dive site called Daisy, a single pinnalce 5 minutes from shore at Wadi Lahimi. Canon 7D, Tokina 10-17 and 1.4 teleconvertor + 10mm minidome

and equally close to shore is a site with several very well places red anemones, the classic Red Sea shot. 7D, Tok 10-17 and 1.4 teleconverter, 100mm minidome

and finally a bit of a moody one taken on a site called Angel, 25mins from Wadi Lahimi by rib. Thanks to Kat, wife and model

So, it is a great place with some amazing opportunities for photography. We were lucky to be the only ones there as it meant we were all photographers and could do what we wanted to most of the time. Hope you enjoy.

Amazing photos Alex!

I have heared that the dugong Dennis has not been seen in Abu Dabbab for more than a year now.. Glad to see that the turtles are still there

I really like the mackerel shot!

Thanks a lot for sharing!

Cheers

Karel

Lovely shots Dr. T

I'm with Karel on the Mackeral and love the Fang Blenny. Nice find.

Nige Wade

Amazing photos!! Love the first one and the blenny. That D7000 its a real tentation.

Regards.

Great pics!

The D7000 has an autofocus feature which my Canon doesn't and proved invaluable for taking this kind of shot. 3D autofocus which tracks a subject as it moves around and maintains focus. Such a useful feature for UW photography I found. My Canon 7D is up for sale now as a result.

Hi Alex,

Beautiful stuff! I'm curious about your 7D statement though. How is the 3D autofocus different from the 7D's AF servo mode? "In this mode the AF system is set to detect a moving subject, focus on it, and maintain focus as you release the shutter. This mode is ideal for subjects moving in three-dimensional space"

http://www.usa.canon.com/uploadedimages/FC..._QuickGuide.pdf

Just wondering if you should read the manual before you sell your camera.

Cheers,

Steve

Probably not Steve

How do you do it? I've never even seen the mackerel!

Lovely, as usual.

Tim

A great trip it was, Alex. Lots of fun and brilliant that it was so quiet, especially in Lahami. A few of my shots, all with the 7D in Nauticam (of course )

Just wondering if you should read the manual before you sell your camera.

Cheers,

Steve

I set the D7000 into that mode for Alex. But I don't know the 7D well enough to set that!

Although I have to say that he did make rather good use of it. Some real crackers in there Alex.

Alex

Amazing shots! I especially like the close up of the turtle.

I was wondering if those shots were taken in 2011 since your watermark indicates 2010. Perhaps when midnight struck about two months ago you didn't change the date of the watermark?

Thanks for posting these.

Ellen

Hey! Yes, I'm still stuck in 2010!

Nice one Fergus, I do like the anenomefish CFWA shots in particular!

Hey! Yes, I'm still stuck in 2010!

I guess you are lucky that Nauticam had their D7000 housing ready in 2010 then!

lovely pics...

The first one is bloody awesome... I love different takes on a well covered subject.

Dive safe

DeanB

Alex,

A great set !!!

You should share some of your shots on "le petit forum", many are waiting to see shots taken with a D7000.

Congrats

Very nice collection Alex.

You are teasing me with your D7000 shots. I have the camera and I have the Manta rays and Leopard Sharks.........just waiting on the housing! I have a very itchy trigger finger too.

Regards Mark

Thanks! Posted on the petit forum too. D7000 is a great camera! Hope you get your housing soon....

I really love the lion fish shot! a real " cracker" as you guys say! You have also convinced me to go from my d300 to the d7000. I hope you get your bonus from the company from increasing nikon sales! cheers

Hey Alex - long time. We were roomies on the Odyssea back in 2006. Looks like you continue to excel, those are some great pics. I think you were shooting a Fuji and I was shooting an Oly back in the day. If you need to unload your 7D - I'd be happy to take it off your hands : )

Hey Victor and Bruce Nice to hear from you both, like a reunion Hope you are both well!

Alex