D70 and Socorro pictures

Hello Everyone -

Added a few photos from recent trip aboard the Solmar V. Lots of Mantas to play with and a few other critters as well.. Enjoy!

http://homepage.mac.com/mikepalasz/PhotoAlbum11.html

Michael and Keri Palasz

It looks like you're getting some very good results with the 18-70....also like the mantas, particularly the first one. Very nice work!

As Larry wrote, good results with the 18-70.

I love the Mantas shots.

Mike, nice job....

I especially like the Triggerfish and Hawkfish.....nice to see someone getting excellent results with the 18-70mm :wink:

Karl

Thanks everyone! Wish I had better luck with the 12-24 and could post more photos with this lens but the 18-70 and 10.5 seem to be working better for me.

M.

Thanks everyone! Wish I had better luck with the 12-24 and could post more photos with this lens but the 18-70 and 10.5 seem to be working better for me.

 

M.

Can you expand about the 12-24 issue?

Hey Arnon -

I think the two issues which bother me the most are the f/4 rating on the lens and corner softness. Topside the lens is a good performer...behind a dome and U/W is another issue. There have been several other threads on this forum related to this issue. For me, a +4 diopter behind my nexus dome is next. Nexus also has a dome specifically designed for the 18-70 and 12-24 coming soon!

How is that sb105 doing?!

M.

The SB is working great.

The problem is that I don't have much time to dive this days, too much work :? and bad weather.

I really hope to go diving next week for 2-3 days.

Hi Guys,

I was pretty happy with the 12-24 behind the Aquatica dome. Corners were pretty good.

Here are a few shots - I'll see if I can get corner crops some other time (when I am home w/ the computer):

But then there are these:

Look how soft the upper left coral appears.

Cheers

James

Hey James -

Those pics. are way better than anything I've got from my 12- 24. What size dome are you using? Diopter? Maybe I should dig that lens out of the waste bin.....for one more chance..

M.

Hi Starbuck,

Those are uncropped pix using the Aquatica 8" dome with a 15mm extension ring. No diopter.

Here's another pic from the 12-24 that is think has pretty good corners, and it shows off my dive buddy and UK-Germany setup...:-)

Cheers

James

I knew you were gonna say 8" dome. Ike and Nexus dont have that and Im wondering if that is the problem. Maybe the new dome from Nexus will work when it arrives...

Thanks for posting those pictures.

M.

Hey Michael; great shots! I have a few questions as I am going to the Socorros in 2 weeks (2nd trip). I see where the Mantas are back. Did you shoot them all at the Broilers? Did you get to Roca Partida? Which lens did you find the most useful? The 10.5x, 12-24, or 18-70? Why? What kind of water temperatures did you get? Unfortunately do to misfortune I may be only able to shoot a Nikonos this trip.

Did you see any whale sharks?

Thanks for any heads up you can give me.

Dave

Hey Dave -

The best sites were Roca Partida and Boilers.. Mostly shot the 10.5 for the Mantas and the 18-70 at Roca. Roca has a mix of macro and medium to wide angle so the 18-70 was helpful. Unfortunately, we only stayed there (Roca) for one day and conditions were fantastic..no current and good viz... I just have not figured out the 12-24...

Water was 78 degrees at all sites...5mm no hood.. We did 3 - 4 dives a day...very relaxed...some whales cruising around and a Tiger shark.

Mexican army was a suprise when they boarded with their guns...what is up with that?

I liked the manta action...too numerous to count and Solmar did a good job dropping us off in the middle of the action. just hang at 20-30 feet and wait for them to swim over to you. I think my wife and I shot about 200 photos of just the mantas. we eventually stopped and opted to just play around with the fellows.

Have a great trip!

M.