Maldives (from a Tokina 10-17 addict)

It was a good trip via the Ocean Dancer. Trip report in a week or so. Must admit I am completely addicted to the Tokina 10-17mm. My addiction is so bad I bought a second that is combined with the Kenko 1.4 teleconverter. I had all these plans of shooting profiles, close-ups, unique lighting......Didn't do any of it, lol. Really have to kick this addiction. More photos at the website http://www.aquabluedreams.com/staticpages/pid/G/74

Hi NW

Im going to maldives in july - and i have recently acquired a tokina 10-17mm- really looking forward to trying it out in the beautiful blue of the maldivian seas.

Thanks for the inspiration my man- hopefully will be able to get shots half as good as yours!

ps. curious tho'- do you think the addition of the teleconverter has improved your addiction?

Love the first shot!!!

Cheers

Karel

And WHY do you hav to kick this addiction?........lol

Cheers Mark

Appreciate the kind words. After our chilly Galapagos trip my better half wanted HOT Weather. So we went during the "doldrums" which gave us 90 degree air temps, mirror pond flat seas, and water temps in the 80s. Viz was over 60ft the whole trip. Only downside is this is not "peak" manta/whaleshark season. We did see one juv whaleshark at a safety stop, and mantas at several locations.

As for the shooting the 10-17 with the the 1.4 tele; I like this combo but feel the corners/edges are a little soft at anything less than f/11. Now I went with Aquatica's suggested extension for the D200 but later added the extension ring if just shooting the 10-17 without the 1.4 converter. Have to look and compare the shots with the different extensions. But now that my new Aquatica D7000 housing is here have a whole new kit to learn.

A few more pics. These were taken with the 10-17 + 1.4 Teleconverter.

2 and 4 in the first batch are really nice.

Stew

The soft corals in the overhangs and protected areas was a nice surprise. Some of the spots were in areas with fair current. While currents where manageable I wish I had brought a reef hook. There were a couple of spots that had the regulator rattling.