Yap and the Aquatica D70

Happy New Year to all.

Finally found some time to post a few shots from Yap.

THese were taken with the Aquatica D70 housing, i like the housing, everything is where it needs to be, nice and light underwater, except when i am also carrying my video camera at the same time...

So here is a few examples.

THe Mandarins are with the 60mm and a +4 filter, one strobe.

The two mating is full frame, the single vertical is a crop.

THe Lionfish is the 60mm with a +2, one strobe, full frame.

Mantas, 18-70 on 18mm full frame with a +1. I do not like this lens!

Really need to get the 12-24 pronto as the Manta mating season is upon me! We had 18 mantas lined up head to tail on the 31st, what an awesome sight! Only had my video though...

As for the Mandarins, they are mating everynight! HOrny little buggers, great dive for all of 10 feet of depth though...

All shots taken from the jpeg when shooting RAW plus basic, haven't converted from RAW yet. Too much damn video editing

Love the D70 for macro, fish shots etc.

But hate to tell you guys that am certainly not convinced for wide angle with sun in the frame. If you have ever looked at my website you will find that a ton of my photos feature a bright sun in the background. Unfortunately not getting the same results with the Dig as i do with my Nik V and film. This is not to start an argument or anything, just my thoughts on Dig.

Enjoy the shots,

MIke (Yapmike, i'll change that some day...

The other 3

Hi Mike,

Great shots of the Mandarins. I especially like the last one and the DOF is really great. Kind of seperates the rubble really well.

I've been just getting into the D70 as well. And my sunballs are leaving a lot to be desired. But my feeling is, it's more a matter of experimentation and practice. (At least I hope) The following are shot with the 10.5. Which may be just a little too much lens for the sun. That lens really gathers the light in.

I'm thinking of trying a 15mm next. Maybe these should go to another thread but I'll post them here for now as I'd like to share my most recent efforts with you since you seem to be a "Sun guy" like myself.

f8 @ 1/2500 (yes, 1/2500)

f10 @ 1/400

f 7.1 @ 1/320 (at about 70')

Rand

Alright Rand...give it up....shutter and f-stops? :shock:

Mike, nice series of shots....the sun is hard for all digitals to handle at this time.....Rand is on to something though

Karl

Sorry to go off topic, Mike, but Rand those sunbursts are sure looking good. Soft coral is my fave. Alex

I love the Mandarins!

Also the sunbursts demonstrations are great.

Mike,

Can you elaborate a bit on your dislike for the 18-70 lens? I have one that has not been underwater (yet), and don't want to waste $$ on a port for it if it doesn't perform well.

Anyone else have good or bad performace experience with this lens??

Sieg

thanks for the comments folks.

Rand, nice shots. Guess i will have to find some time to experiment more. Just ordered the 12-24 so that will help too. Not for the sunbursts just for piece of mind...

Sieg, i just hate the whole min distance thing with the 18-70. I shoot a load of Close focus wide angle stuff and having to put on a + filter always bugs me. Especially when it comes to shooting an anemone one shot and then a manta the next. Coming from the 15mm Nikonos i have a lot of expectation from a wide angle lens and this lens is basically the equivalent of the crap 28-105mm. I hate skimping on glass, much more important than the actual camera itself. However, the Aquatica that i have uses the same port for the 12-24 and the 18-70 so you shouldn't have a problem with buying a port depending on your manufacturer. Just buy the biggest one they have and it should fit the 18-70 plus whatever wider lens you get and so shouldn't have to worry about your port too much

Mr Visa card loves me this month

MIke