tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197807502024-03-07T01:26:30.649-08:00Optical Ocean: Above and Below.Scuba diving and sailing - journals, commentary and photos of Jack Connick.Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-47652536210682641392018-06-01T08:40:00.002-07:002018-06-01T08:40:19.891-07:00South Pacific Dreamin': Yap & Palau Trip Report<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYTR5Rv5-8SjiuTlI37fYrmj35FWEhEEjIHojQ__R_wsFYuVJnb0N7U3yCCp6t0lAA214cxC1lWLk0CqgV-tgG_9msx87UPFRFlB3E3LQOrUQzJ8X9CemdWBU814bbjuhoRXI/s1600/Yap+Day+1-39-1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYTR5Rv5-8SjiuTlI37fYrmj35FWEhEEjIHojQ__R_wsFYuVJnb0N7U3yCCp6t0lAA214cxC1lWLk0CqgV-tgG_9msx87UPFRFlB3E3LQOrUQzJ8X9CemdWBU814bbjuhoRXI/s400/Yap+Day+1-39-1.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dropping into the warm, crystal clear water</b></span>
we spotted at least 3 or 4 species of sharks all in good numbers. We
were on a shark dive on the remote outer reef of the Micronesian island
of Yap. Grey reef sharks of moderate size, lots of smaller black tip
reef sharks and quite a few larger silvertips were nosing around us
looking for their afternoon snack. Good for us it was a small
“chumsicle” of frozen fish, which they eagerly attacked on the bottom.
For the next 45 minutes we excitedly clicked away and enjoyed the show.
While the sharks were definitely curious about us, they kept their
distance. Certainly, a great dive.<br />
<br />
After many hours of
flights on through the night and day, fifteen of us had arrived early in
the morning the day before to this small island paradise for the first
stop in our 2018 OOS South Pacific Photo Expedition.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1TSEIUeEhbr8R9RwgUafP7P5DgavKBV26OUi2DzHN8edF_WLE7CJe3iMn8Yjg7_J2dtUlcJ7VQIlWjPu1bhJzj4lI8nFyOFIEzRAavFcZg8d3zju3u760OlXaGS3gi5PPZ-q/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="1600" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1TSEIUeEhbr8R9RwgUafP7P5DgavKBV26OUi2DzHN8edF_WLE7CJe3iMn8Yjg7_J2dtUlcJ7VQIlWjPu1bhJzj4lI8nFyOFIEzRAavFcZg8d3zju3u760OlXaGS3gi5PPZ-q/s640/IMG_2996.JPG" width="740" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-roBuEeBNDZkW15iLgfzNBq3Av8wEuNLsqSeW8Rr_3p04SY4QeK-FMdDDIvvYJ18y8M5io9zn1gC6yTIwmuBomgOoCfhiMVRSgldhsVN7wQC6cbatpqw1I30yQ44fTY5UvTsO/s1600/Yap+Day+1-87.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-roBuEeBNDZkW15iLgfzNBq3Av8wEuNLsqSeW8Rr_3p04SY4QeK-FMdDDIvvYJ18y8M5io9zn1gC6yTIwmuBomgOoCfhiMVRSgldhsVN7wQC6cbatpqw1I30yQ44fTY5UvTsO/s320/Yap+Day+1-87.jpg" width="212" /></a>
Manta Ray Bay Resort on Yap was very well-organized and had us in our
rooms quickly and up and diving by late morning the next day. The hotel
is getting old now, and while it could use some updating, was spacious
and comfortable. Meals were taken in their converted wooden sailboat
anchored permanently on-site. They were surprisingly good, with lots of
choices, even pizza!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BNyghuaKSMDyGDTFugqSZCoLg4k1rARlcG3hXElK4lzGwZUC26RmUk4Oi3FXD6FXrKPA7zBM6U_BVUcVroMwzQEVl5kfeGP3_oP17rXZkdKgub2rEVYduzO8Z6BNJpQVfq8H/s1600/Yap+Diver+Boat.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BNyghuaKSMDyGDTFugqSZCoLg4k1rARlcG3hXElK4lzGwZUC26RmUk4Oi3FXD6FXrKPA7zBM6U_BVUcVroMwzQEVl5kfeGP3_oP17rXZkdKgub2rEVYduzO8Z6BNJpQVfq8H/s320/Yap+Diver+Boat.jpg" width="320" /></a>
Yap Divers had excellent facilities featuring “VIP” service where they
take complete care of all your gear other than your wetsuit. There was a
large camera room, and rental dive gear was available. The guides were
excellent, and nitrox fills were included in our 3 dives a day package.<br />
<br />
The
diving in Yap is nearly all hard coral on fringing reefs. This mostly
necessitated long boat trips out through the mangroves, and winding
channels along pristine coral reefs out to the blue.<br />
<br />
The
first day was somewhat cold and raining hard to our surprise. It meant
we had to go pretty far out to get away from the run-off and green
water. The hard coral reefs and walls were pretty, and the geography
spectacular underwater, but besides fish, there was little invertebrate
life or colorful soft coral. Still the dives were fun, well run and
organized which made my job as group leader easy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbS6k2BZ_b7m_MZypPCugd9QJwrbpNmksX7RVetQEIC1wM92VTw-9X8PI1rj7iOGAX9F0Au4pJHFSA9wwUwOP_ur86b9l-fYyOJxSEOjyaL07pF5eLVFHag-hhoRp9QXMheqg/s1600/Yap+Day+3-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbS6k2BZ_b7m_MZypPCugd9QJwrbpNmksX7RVetQEIC1wM92VTw-9X8PI1rj7iOGAX9F0Au4pJHFSA9wwUwOP_ur86b9l-fYyOJxSEOjyaL07pF5eLVFHag-hhoRp9QXMheqg/s400/Yap+Day+3-1.jpg" width="400" /></a>
The next day we ran out to see if we could find some mantas, as Yap is
noted world-wide for these huge gentle fish. The mantas there are mostly
“reef” mantas, and smaller than the large pelagic versions, but quite
numerous. Or so we’d been told. The green water runoff to the lagoon
made visibility pretty poor and the mantas stayed home. <br />
<br />
The
following day we went back and after waiting nearly 45 minutes, we were
finally rewarded with a couple of mantas dancing around our heads for
10-12 minutes and we nailed a few keeper photos. Along with the shark
dive that afternoon, we had a great day of it.<br />
<br />
After
more dives in clear water, and a fun tour and picnic on the Manta Bay
Resort’s private beach, we were ready for the next leg of our trip to
Palau.<br />
<br />
United Airlines in their wisdom has decided that
you can’t just take the old short “hopper” flight directly from Yap to
Palau. You now have to return to Guam, wait most of a day, and then fly
to Palau. This is a lot less than convenient, and Guam is not my
favorite place to hang out. And of course, the street in front of our
airporter hotel was blocked by a once-a-year marathon race and we had a
heck of a time getting to it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwrydSChRfAwhfxCkV5eDBucib8NzbnYyp0vH42vrmRtmFwy58ZHBqxSTJhXZDzMesAE35GG6uHCRBxsmntbmAHxJdZTutSTnsK72YphaXouTR2kwTsjQbWTvqaKFs0GKZrQf/s1600/0.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwrydSChRfAwhfxCkV5eDBucib8NzbnYyp0vH42vrmRtmFwy58ZHBqxSTJhXZDzMesAE35GG6uHCRBxsmntbmAHxJdZTutSTnsK72YphaXouTR2kwTsjQbWTvqaKFs0GKZrQf/s400/0.jpg" width="400" /></a>
But all the logistics worked out, and we arrived in Palau later that
evening and were met and taken to the Rock Islands Aggressor for our
week’s long trip around the islands there.<br />
<br />
This was the
second OOS Aggressor Palau trip and having enjoyed a great trip 3 years
ago, it seems like Palau is one of those destinations that bear
repeating. I think what is most interesting from a photographers’
perspective is the shear diversity of shots and situations you
encounter, from pristine walls and reefs, sandy “bommie” covered
bottoms, unique dives in German Channel, the caves and caverns of Blue
Hole and Siaes Tunnel and world-famous high current dives on Blue
Corner, Big Drop Off and outlying walls on Peleliu.<br />
<br />
Besides
all the great reef and wall diving, there’s also a multitude of WWII
wrecks and every dive has surprises; sharks everywhere, mantas, eels,
huge schools of every fish imaginable, and lots of macro and
invertebrate life.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0NEzSLMhH6mdzZoZx1pHwIYCMbizCjohdnESeb-r85jHbIUsmXvDDUaJI9LZ0UvHYwigEuLt_hg2V5C02Na-n5lrkCJevxelgwEopPUp8Jr6cLpDPMAP3dYRHKie8IihoyE3/s1600/Palau+Aggressor-0322.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0NEzSLMhH6mdzZoZx1pHwIYCMbizCjohdnESeb-r85jHbIUsmXvDDUaJI9LZ0UvHYwigEuLt_hg2V5C02Na-n5lrkCJevxelgwEopPUp8Jr6cLpDPMAP3dYRHKie8IihoyE3/s200/Palau+Aggressor-0322.JPG" width="200" /></a>
Which is pretty much what we enjoyed that week on the Aggressor! These
boats are huge catamarans, created as dive boats and are very
comfortable. We were short a few divers, so the fifteen of us spread out
a bit in the eighteen-passenger boat.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkNta_Oi2rv7Xz1V0ZMEKyubAI8VLV7bBzUCYL1hURIX-nXUzj2p93eyDDahEIbXE8DZyvfZqDsBy2MdndlxVoYAJIxz6U3G2RahKEVr0IrL-e-0MgXTEsCXog0zQi0aWVzIu/s1600/RIA+Dingy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkNta_Oi2rv7Xz1V0ZMEKyubAI8VLV7bBzUCYL1hURIX-nXUzj2p93eyDDahEIbXE8DZyvfZqDsBy2MdndlxVoYAJIxz6U3G2RahKEVr0IrL-e-0MgXTEsCXog0zQi0aWVzIu/s320/RIA+Dingy.jpg" width="320" /></a>
The dive deck is a bit smaller than you’d think, as all the tanks and
dive gear other than your mask and wetsuit, stays on the auxiliary hard
boat dive skiff. Divers just walked on board the skiff, loaded up
cameras and the skiff is lowered into the water on a hydraulic lift! No
death-defying leaps into inflatables, or difficult to crawl up ladders.
We also could all backroll into the water in two groups, which meant
that we could get our entire boat load into the water in a couple of
minutes. A definite plus for bluewater, high current dives.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy4AOjeYGpOY5SCyoDvN5ERPIWZG_kOjf4KcCONZVJew7sdVWUnpnUqZodAlOW_WP23sa5zZh_ARftaf7ejEy1LqOAQUNJ6X8VEEJDkO_g2e_HGWoia5aFFAbIHPL1Fw5tlv5/s1600/Blue+Holes+Divers+HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy4AOjeYGpOY5SCyoDvN5ERPIWZG_kOjf4KcCONZVJew7sdVWUnpnUqZodAlOW_WP23sa5zZh_ARftaf7ejEy1LqOAQUNJ6X8VEEJDkO_g2e_HGWoia5aFFAbIHPL1Fw5tlv5/s640/Blue+Holes+Divers+HDR.jpg" width="700" /></a></div>
They’ve
gotten rid of the large circular camera table that wasted a lot of
space and replaced it with 3 long tables with 2 shelves which work out
much better. Besides a comfortable lounge and bar (with free beer and
wine), there’s also dinette tables. Meals on the Aggressor have improved
from their already good service to absolutely outstanding! Our chief
prepared breakfasts to order, lunches with lots of great selections like
sushi, pizza, salads, soups, and mouth-watering fine dining dinners
served at your table. I felt like they had really stepped up their food
from the last trip.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPx4OTnR6yrksf68FsIrNNHOTISTudT7kdav2vfDgVkwxmXBbFcWkB4Ch0qdh4kTPIrvdoCucp_LJ7BIA9rgWk4_DgGe91TLKxd-fnsD5boYEtdiJsLzk1SbOXtuykDuMC-PV/s1600/Palau-10.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPx4OTnR6yrksf68FsIrNNHOTISTudT7kdav2vfDgVkwxmXBbFcWkB4Ch0qdh4kTPIrvdoCucp_LJ7BIA9rgWk4_DgGe91TLKxd-fnsD5boYEtdiJsLzk1SbOXtuykDuMC-PV/s320/Palau-10.jpg" width="213" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm3CVrsABACPp4PtSG6464PWyATFJ1BdAMZ4aikw-S-BgdnKMxJ0BqGCXyIX0uw5adu44J6BoOq-LJQL9C2oZKIT95keKPqylAakbxpNqHd3wiCoUKjgTO5esZODLnPqgLAEW/s1600/Palau+Aggressor-5003.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm3CVrsABACPp4PtSG6464PWyATFJ1BdAMZ4aikw-S-BgdnKMxJ0BqGCXyIX0uw5adu44J6BoOq-LJQL9C2oZKIT95keKPqylAakbxpNqHd3wiCoUKjgTO5esZODLnPqgLAEW/s200/Palau+Aggressor-5003.JPG" width="200" /></a>
The cabins were generally comfortable, and the a/c now well controlled
(many boats don’t have good thermostats). I think the only drawback to
the layout of the Palau and Rock Island Aggressors is the old-style bunk
bed cabins. They’re fine for couples, with a larger double below but
for singles, they are uncomfortable as older customers don’t like the
climb up to the narrow upper bunks. We also had some smelly holding tank
issues with the boat showing its age, but, to be fair, it was going
into annual maintenance the following week.<br />
<br />
But back to
the diving. One of the problems with Palau is that it’s a bit
over-loved by close-by Asian nations. These groups tend to be culturally
exclusive and use their own hotels, dive operations and guides. As
groups they also aren’t usually the most experienced divers. The day
boats have long rides in the morning and afternoon, so the good thing is
that from a liveaboard it is easy to avoid these multitudes of divers
by being able to dive earlier and later in the day. Or we could get to
outlying dive sites, not accessible for the day from Korror. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvP7xQlQHEr8QlLjwUdlWPxOSROegUdzLDDEPQfrp71j07JtNbAJcckbgzM2unUcE7KK0DRd_3JtrIqhaMT3rQZInpvP-NB8bFC3R68Mi5BX7GwrWyg414coJrA3DE3JoiyYn/s1600/Palau-13.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvP7xQlQHEr8QlLjwUdlWPxOSROegUdzLDDEPQfrp71j07JtNbAJcckbgzM2unUcE7KK0DRd_3JtrIqhaMT3rQZInpvP-NB8bFC3R68Mi5BX7GwrWyg414coJrA3DE3JoiyYn/s400/Palau-13.jpg" width="266" /></a>
For divers wanting a more remote experience, it’s getting harder to find
on Palau. Several times we were over-run by these eager, but
inexperienced groups, or had to wait for them to leave the sites before
we could dive. But we got lots of dives in and were able to do 4 dives a
day, with a few night dive opportunities as well. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKODgVbxXByDptJ3MdbovqXwc9jJpcEeUm-AyN9-IvSEZfGgUK8cAj14iuraDMNPPSMh-OUDt99avg0EWxjG2OR7NI_qu6H-V6cgUwf3mMRSldVcBDdBH094FaD5nYonWm2DF2/s1600/Longfin+Snapper+Spawn-3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKODgVbxXByDptJ3MdbovqXwc9jJpcEeUm-AyN9-IvSEZfGgUK8cAj14iuraDMNPPSMh-OUDt99avg0EWxjG2OR7NI_qu6H-V6cgUwf3mMRSldVcBDdBH094FaD5nYonWm2DF2/s320/Longfin+Snapper+Spawn-3.jpg" width="320" /></a>
We had an outstanding dive on Peleliu with the clearest visibility of
the trip. We lucked out and were able to experience the once-a-year
mating congregations of long-finned snappers with thousands of fish
moving along the bottom of the wall like a freeway, then bunching up and
forming a vertical mass. We had the same luck finding a once-a-month
congregation of bump-headed parrot fish with hundreds of the large fish
massing together and shooting to the surface spewing eggs and sperm. It
all happened so fast it was nearly impossible to take photos of, but
they were a very unique experience that we all enjoyed.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_gJvvFZc-waSKTnB67kPkiAa-ZKiOXuXItZatA31ZNKqoZtfVQ99aRA-OPWLoApfDSnAf75Q7Kr3vTcQJyIE_UDRPARU17SbywJKupSzQC-pConNRo3daOv6knNdabU5vh13/s1600/Palau-22.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_gJvvFZc-waSKTnB67kPkiAa-ZKiOXuXItZatA31ZNKqoZtfVQ99aRA-OPWLoApfDSnAf75Q7Kr3vTcQJyIE_UDRPARU17SbywJKupSzQC-pConNRo3daOv6knNdabU5vh13/s320/Palau-22.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBb6-dR1az5FYvJ3Km28pH2vFIqLTiqbHcmMknJILMd5zm6Ic_y7j3X3b1qB4u2rosl4IbMiU4Cq__-t87PbP4ciOon_OiCGxgdGaO7Sed24Ox9rZ9EStjULXMxAX_97D5YS2/s1600/Palau+gorgonian+fan.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBb6-dR1az5FYvJ3Km28pH2vFIqLTiqbHcmMknJILMd5zm6Ic_y7j3X3b1qB4u2rosl4IbMiU4Cq__-t87PbP4ciOon_OiCGxgdGaO7Sed24Ox9rZ9EStjULXMxAX_97D5YS2/s400/Palau+gorgonian+fan.jpg" width="266" /></a>
Blue Corner didn’t disappoint with lots of grey reef sharks swimming by,
huge schools of jacks and a very gregarious and friendly napoleon
wrasse hamming it up for photos. Siaes Tunnel (really a cavern) is deep,
with the entrance at about 90’ but we were surprised by a large school
of jacks hiding there and the four unique small macro fish were spotted,
living nowhere else on the reefs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpIj2Wcg-RyoRUEEKpmrZIXS973mv-HPuitXAJ7537okNZGkxKRpDUNHZlNxIQTZ-0behIa4OrV4_f3pf0SKw22JSgSBAjtJK1VQEwi6TGYFsjaSLIjZuv1rA1MRJYfXfzdJY/s1600/Pajama+Cardinalfish.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpIj2Wcg-RyoRUEEKpmrZIXS973mv-HPuitXAJ7537okNZGkxKRpDUNHZlNxIQTZ-0behIa4OrV4_f3pf0SKw22JSgSBAjtJK1VQEwi6TGYFsjaSLIjZuv1rA1MRJYfXfzdJY/s320/Pajama+Cardinalfish.jpg" width="320" /></a>
Jellyfish Lake is still closed as the jellies have died off, originally
due to drought or overuse, but now nobody is quite sure of the issues
there. However, we had a great dive on the Jake Seaplane with good
visibility in the lagoon, and we finished the trip with an excellent
macro dive right outside of Chandelier Caves with lots of unique finds
like mandarinfish, two-spotted gobies and pajama cardinalfish posing for
our lenses.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrYDe10fRuuH2JULgBLmYDzNXpDwgwvH583xjL8GlZYjDDs0C8BcYmhBSJwADAjpCLGWFKt5KtEkaiOEoQfmMWqMx2J3OZUGhIiDldvR1jnj80lRFEtk8XRfdMh9TYlXh1TOr/s1600/Jake+seaplane.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrYDe10fRuuH2JULgBLmYDzNXpDwgwvH583xjL8GlZYjDDs0C8BcYmhBSJwADAjpCLGWFKt5KtEkaiOEoQfmMWqMx2J3OZUGhIiDldvR1jnj80lRFEtk8XRfdMh9TYlXh1TOr/s320/Jake+seaplane.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once
back to Korror, the crew on the Aggressor dropped us off to a very nice
new rooms at The Cove Resort until our trips home started that night.
On the way back, a few us stayed over in Honolulu and enjoyed a quick
trip to the Pearl Harbor Memorial for the morning. All in all, the 2018
OOS South Pacific Photo Expedition was a very successful trip with lots
of great dives and hundreds of photos to edit!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRNA4qOAaZ6fGpbffr_T4sjcO4hkVQoo6RobAgErFsvGHJ2RL7qqdkxsS7-IMOIPGqsh4GsaHWS_N2WkAXdljwWYv3Dnuid7GclV7MN0F7d0p-a0LgDTzizKhwe0Ow7kaSjGy/s1600/Palau+Sunset.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRNA4qOAaZ6fGpbffr_T4sjcO4hkVQoo6RobAgErFsvGHJ2RL7qqdkxsS7-IMOIPGqsh4GsaHWS_N2WkAXdljwWYv3Dnuid7GclV7MN0F7d0p-a0LgDTzizKhwe0Ow7kaSjGy/s400/Palau+Sunset.jpg" width="382" /></a><br />
<i>Photos taken by Jack Connick with a Nikon D850 with <a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/nauticam-d850-underwater-housing.html">Nauticam NA-850 housing</a>. View more photos <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/opticalocean/albums/72157665923086987">here</a>.</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9tmy2TWHDiUUsEG9xfWncyetwwMQC-wTcZxYcOrTSkJ6rcCVEDUSYougKnUEDXn6EWHBlaCjlIinuQO_AoBBbStr2Ub7jUUxrkAMJ_oI_NlCxk8JCuBmtJtFoevvJYlg8Wno/s1600/KBC_7913.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9tmy2TWHDiUUsEG9xfWncyetwwMQC-wTcZxYcOrTSkJ6rcCVEDUSYougKnUEDXn6EWHBlaCjlIinuQO_AoBBbStr2Ub7jUUxrkAMJ_oI_NlCxk8JCuBmtJtFoevvJYlg8Wno/s320/KBC_7913.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-6655092525016512532017-04-20T23:45:00.002-07:002017-04-20T23:45:53.910-07:00Komodo Trip Report: Biodiversity Amid Nature’s Fury<div style="text-align: left;">
<h4>
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3807/32238441334_d25cdda787_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3807/32238441334_d25cdda787_z.jpg" width="286" /></a><i>(Or Hell Hath No Fury Like a Dragon Scorned)</i></h4>
</div>
Komodo National Park lies near Bali, between East & West Nusa Tenggara islands in Indonesia. Our intrepid group of Optical Ocean Sales photographers managed to survive a cold wet season dive expedition there last February on the Damai 1 liveaboard boat.<br />
<br />
Cold and wet aren’t what usually comes to mind when thinking of Komodo, which is hot and dry most of the year. But during the short winter months things reverse. The north becomes cold and the south becomes warmer. Which can be fine; the southern sites are some of the best. <br />
<br />
Except when there’s a typhoon blowing off the south of Australia. Then the area can all be very exposed. Which is what greeted us on and off during course of the trip.<br />
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/593/32238436274_10859f7345_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/593/32238436274_10859f7345_z.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Visibility in the water suffered at times, but good diving was found amid changing conditions of wind and rain. However, we were limited to where we could go. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2003/32927931422_61d45c82a2_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2003/32927931422_61d45c82a2_z.jpg" width="320" /></a>Denise and I managed to get colds on our layover in Bali, but the rest of the group started diving in Padar Bay. After that with a narrow weather window, we made our way south to the shelter of the south end of Rinca Island and anchored behind Pulau Kode doing multiple dives at Cannibal Rock, Torpedo Alley, Yellow Wall and Palau Pisang. We especially liked the good visibility we enjoyed at that site, pretty walls with lots of animals to photograph.<br />
<br />
In the evening, we motored into the beach and (from the safety of the boats) we enjoyed watching the wild pigs, monkeys and Komodo Dragons. The dragons are huge, slobbering beasts, testing the air with their forked tongues as they slither across the sand. They are afraid of the pigs and it was funny to watch them run away when the pigs appeared.<br />
<br />
As wet as it was, we were pampered by the Damai crew with amazing service, great food and comradery. The friendly crew would dress and undress us from our wetsuits, even taking the cameras from the individual rinse stations, drying them and returning them to the large camera room inside the boat. I dove with Indra, the son of a guide I had dove with in Raja Ampat on Damai II. He was just as good as his dad, and excelled in finding tiny nudibranchs, coleman shrimp and other small critters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2737/32927931122_bf9e8180fe_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2737/32927931122_bf9e8180fe_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We had good opportunities for macro and some wide angle there. With the weather dying off a bit, we set out to the north to find some mantas at Karang Macassar. We were in luck on the first dive, with several reef mantas flying over us in hazy conditions and strong current. Motoring back to Rinca Island, we anchored the calm of Wainilu and had one of the best macro dives I can remember - spotting a wonderpus octopus, large cuttlefish, several nudibranchs, and a ghost pipefish - all on one dive.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/275/32701975550_1598e7e7b3_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/275/32701975550_1598e7e7b3_z.jpg" width="221" /></a>
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3919/33042257756_dd0d92180c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3919/33042257756_dd0d92180c_z.jpg" width="400" /></a>The next morning we took a boat ride and hike on Rinca Island to see Komodo National Park. A ranger led us along muddy trails to their station where the Komodo dragons hang out to eat leftover meal scraps. Although they are lazy, they can move very quickly – up to 40 mph! Our rangers kept a sturdy long forked stick to keep them away, but they weren’t necessary. I think the cooler weather kept them somewhat sleepy. We also set off on a cross country walk along the trail and encountered another smaller dragon along the way, yawning in the morning light.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/276/33042258536_298fc80070_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/276/33042258536_298fc80070_z.jpg" width="400" /></a>
Back on the boat, we decided to go back and try for mantas in a clearer tide the next morning, but although the filming conditions were perfect, there were no mantas to be found. A second dive in hazy conditions was very successful. Mantas love to feed and one of the challenges in shooting them can be poor visibility from the swirls of krill they love to eat.<br />
<br />
In deteriorating conditions, we went back to Padar Bay and did a few dives around that area over the next couple of days. The area was rich with lots of fish life and several giant frogfish, schools of surgeonfish, and lots of invertebrates.<br />
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3942/32238439784_e684203043_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3942/32238439784_e684203043_z.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/308/32238436504_86869eef41_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/308/32238436504_86869eef41_z.jpg" width="130" /></a>
The last day we dove at a small protected island on the way back to Labuan Bajo, which was reported to have some mantas. Not seeing any, we had a long dive, but surfaced to crashing waves and high wind. Indeed, a small fishing boat had sunk and our guide Gusti had spotted the 3 poor fishermen in the water and rescued them while we were down. They were very lucky as it was a remote spot, and they were in the water 3 hours before he spotted them!<br />
All in all, it was a good dive trip, but if I had to go back I would go in late spring when the weather is better. For an incredible diversity of life, Komodo is hard to beat.<i><b><br />-------<br />Photo Notes: </b>On this trip, I shot the new <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/olympus-om-d-e-m1-mkii-camera-body-black.html" target="_blank">Olympus E-M1 MKII camera</a> in their <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/olympus-pt-ep14-underwater-housing-for-the-om-d-e-m1-mkii.html" target="_blank">PT-EP14 housing</a>. I shot the 8mm FE Pro lens, 60mm macro and for a different look - the 12mm f2.0 lens. The new Olympus <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/olympus-ppo-ep03-macro-port.html" target="_blank">PPO-PP03 macro port</a> worked very well with the 60mm macro lens along with <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/sagadive-trio-lens-system.html" target="_blank">SagaDive’s new TRIO switchable diopter</a>. Switching between 3 powers of magnification on the fly made life easy when Indra found a teeny nudi to challenge me my abilities.<br />I also tried out the <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/olympus-tg-4-ihs-digital-tough-camera-red.html" target="_blank">Olympus TG-4</a> with the new <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/weefine-macro-underwater-ring-light.html" target="_blank">Kraken (Weefine) 1000 lumen ring light</a>. I could then set up the larger Oly for wide angle and use the small TG-4/ringlight setup for macro. The best of both worlds!</i><br />
<br />
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-2095019445766100472016-05-27T23:17:00.001-07:002016-05-27T23:17:17.736-07:00Congratulations to Kona Underwater Photography Shootout Winners!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13235517_1009982489078156_8513422820385246964_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13235517_1009982489078156_8513422820385246964_o.jpg" width="740" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">1st Place overall and 1st Place Wide Angle</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=1618831724&type=mediatag&media_info=6.1009982489078156" data-tag="1618831724" href="https://www.facebook.com/bo.pardau">Bo Pardau</a></span><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=110736375658861&type=mediatag&media_info=6.1009982489078156" data-tag="110736375658861" href="https://www.facebook.com/lmdive/"><br /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were happy to be a sponsor of the 1st Kona Underwater Photo Shootout along with <a href="http://www.konahonudivers.com/">Kona Honu Divers</a> and other leading manufacturers! Some great photos and good fun! Congratulations to the winners!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13243702_1009986582411080_2092810495178496369_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13243702_1009986582411080_2092810495178496369_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd Place Wide Angle<span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> — <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=100000155575569&type=mediatag&media_info=6.1009986582411080" data-tag="100000155575569" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Deron Verbeck</a></span></span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> <br />and a $100 gift certificate from</span></span> <span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=94479919111&type=mediatag&media_info=6.1009986582411080" data-tag="94479919111" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Optical Ocean Sales</a></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
The results of the 2016 Kona Underwater Shootout are in! A big THANK YOU to our sponsors for this year's event; <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=89051937767" href="https://www.facebook.com/SEAandSEAUSA/">SEA&SEA Underwater Imaging</a>, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=292821596640" href="https://www.facebook.com/WaterproofUSA/">Waterproof USA</a>, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=94479919111" href="https://www.facebook.com/OpticalOceanSales/">Optical Ocean Sales</a>, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=110736375658861" href="https://www.facebook.com/lmdive/">Light and Motion Dive</a>, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=104266151227" href="https://www.facebook.com/tusa.diving/">TUSA</a>, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=730730433607721" href="https://www.facebook.com/cressigear/">Cressi</a>, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=167836516574408" href="https://www.facebook.com/MARESjustaddwater/">MARES - just add water</a>.<br />
<br />
<a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=114493555237219" href="https://www.facebook.com/SeaLifeCameras/"></a><br />
Twelve contestants gathered from Oahu, California and Kona at the
headquarters of Kona Honu Divers on Friday May 20th to celebrate the
start of the competition. The contestants had 2 days to shoot wherever
and wh<span class="text_exposed_show">atever they wanted, as long as the images were uploaded by midnight on Sunday the 22nd<br /><br /> </span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
By the end judges, Doug Perrine and <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=508492120" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Jeff Milisen</a>,
had the difficult choice of trying to determine which images deserved
top honors. With such varied subjects as models, baitballs, moray eels,
blackwater critters and even minute brittlestars, the choices weren't
easy to make. Nonetheless, the winning images emerged in each category
and with an overall combined score the winning photographers picked
their prize out of a pile of gifts ranging from wetsuits, dive
computers, gift certificates, light, strobes, regulators, masks, dive
bags and lots of other goodies.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13254672_1009982552411483_4534316234084733501_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/13254672_1009982552411483_4534316234084733501_o.jpg" width="740" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Honorable Mention Macro by Tim Ewing</span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"> and a $100 gift certificate from </span></span><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagList" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"><span class="fcg"><span class="fbPhotoTagListTag tagItem"><a class="taggee" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/hovercard.php?id=94479919111&type=mediatag&media_info=6.1009986582411080" data-tag="94479919111" href="https://www.facebook.com/OpticalOceanSales/">Optical Ocean Sales</a></span></span></span>!</span></span></td></tr>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-25116801934909025332016-03-31T21:39:00.005-07:002016-03-31T21:39:45.442-07:00Egypt & The Red Sea Aggressor Photo Expedition<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILV1xxh8AORzEd0Hl68slbkir2T2eFPD6rx3x7_FCFawPsJ8XgAfx_nB2bxsYLqAZPvj1425PyUKNd7oMNdxtNc_RJauVmyc7qkAVC1QKrCo_o70hXrpF1rMMXRX0qK-zlGj4/s1600/Giza-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILV1xxh8AORzEd0Hl68slbkir2T2eFPD6rx3x7_FCFawPsJ8XgAfx_nB2bxsYLqAZPvj1425PyUKNd7oMNdxtNc_RJauVmyc7qkAVC1QKrCo_o70hXrpF1rMMXRX0qK-zlGj4/s400/Giza-1.jpg" width="266" /></a>The last time I saw the Egyptian Pyramids was 18 years ago. A lot has changed, and a lot hasn’t, having already all ready lasted 5,000 years. One of the things that was new is the lack of tourists, mostly due to misplaced fear. Fear of different cultures, and fear of the unknown. Some is founded on media hype, and some is due to mistrust, but most of it is misplaced.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPY2dyEi5pZGYH55TJ-tMoe8Dts7zMKSDb508efJGWlfm4SpBnVhqyqhpi2S01kYtpLXL5IbHJXByKJ2rYGtg0vH2dcJvZvCHCIFwXto1ufX8bo_5ptc20q9NTNq7I4V6wn4C/s1600/Luxor-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPY2dyEi5pZGYH55TJ-tMoe8Dts7zMKSDb508efJGWlfm4SpBnVhqyqhpi2S01kYtpLXL5IbHJXByKJ2rYGtg0vH2dcJvZvCHCIFwXto1ufX8bo_5ptc20q9NTNq7I4V6wn4C/s320/Luxor-31.jpg" width="213" /></a>Divers, however, are a strange breed. When somebody yells “shark”, most people run away, but divers say “Where?” and jump in the water. Underwater photographers are even worse. They’re experienced divers who want to take shots of the most unusual animals and situations. They may be apprehensive and careful - that’s a good thing - but never so scared that they miss a great opportunity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57qN6n5J5MacpxLxQgle5VzsmcfA7rHNDq2BoEC_lRV3gPq6dJakrzUoMWHzxqLfSPIkAME54WfzuVrMuhUAft3ClNeCXi2EljTWaoFuwpwMuPkWYNWtUWCZhsnS71BYDCUMd/s1600/Cairo+%2526+Giza-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57qN6n5J5MacpxLxQgle5VzsmcfA7rHNDq2BoEC_lRV3gPq6dJakrzUoMWHzxqLfSPIkAME54WfzuVrMuhUAft3ClNeCXi2EljTWaoFuwpwMuPkWYNWtUWCZhsnS71BYDCUMd/s320/Cairo+%2526+Giza-1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our <a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/photo-expeditions-and-travel/" target="_blank">Optical Ocean Sales Photo Expedition</a> was for two weeks; Feb. 22 to March 7th, 2016. Twenty people had signed up, but as usual we had a few drop out due to work conflicts or health reasons, and a few join in. Several dropped out, however, because they were afraid of the political situation or for their safety. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggafiMArGOJcZrzq5-g1kXzf4Gh2kef4azcsnHFMaAchByG2b-GqusbGqUetPcn7wWZ8a4NbSvBNLdk9mjxtoyZkYIAPr6gQiK5LO2Vgi-v-YPx6NPdgNcuG7Z0kfxTb6BaDMT/s1600/Cairo+%2526+Giza-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggafiMArGOJcZrzq5-g1kXzf4Gh2kef4azcsnHFMaAchByG2b-GqusbGqUetPcn7wWZ8a4NbSvBNLdk9mjxtoyZkYIAPr6gQiK5LO2Vgi-v-YPx6NPdgNcuG7Z0kfxTb6BaDMT/s200/Cairo+%2526+Giza-12.jpg" width="213" /></a>And I’ve had several inquiries since we’ve been back asking if we had problems or if the Egyptian people were hostile to us. We all found that the answer was quite the opposite. We had a great time. We felt quite safe. People were extremely warm and friendly, just as they were on my last trip to Egypt, 18 years ago. Some things in Egypt, like the Pyramids, don’t change. It’s all a matter of perspective.<br />
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We started out our land tour in crazy, raucous Cairo (“why use your turn signal, when you can use your horn?”). This is a terribly over crowded city, with heavy, 24/7 traffic. Cairo is the very definition of urban sprawl with 24 million people. It now surrounds the Giza plateau, which was once well out into the desert.<br />
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We toured the Egyptian Museum, Pyramids, Solar Boat and Sphinx at Giza and had a great dinner at a Thai food restaurant. Seriously, one of the best Thai dinners we have ever had was at “The Birdcage” in the Cairo Intercontinental Hotel.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_-fUTeJbTGmyVk7kL4lShKZfUC2fhdxeybUrVWGgAPaQAEG5t8tn9OKBVdQDZmgTSpwU8rD45C_ETbMighP-tyvRBmIXw7_3Nl77xj3BNKBz7AZnlLA8RNbBOLPSVlQrQBu5/s1600/Luxor-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_-fUTeJbTGmyVk7kL4lShKZfUC2fhdxeybUrVWGgAPaQAEG5t8tn9OKBVdQDZmgTSpwU8rD45C_ETbMighP-tyvRBmIXw7_3Nl77xj3BNKBz7AZnlLA8RNbBOLPSVlQrQBu5/s320/Luxor-3.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our group then flew down to Luxor, where we stayed at the Jolie Ville Hotel. It was busy and disorganized, having been mostly vacant for a while. They had an oncology conference in progress, where about half of the doctors were smoking like fiends. Public smoking is still pretty much the norm in Egypt; I guess Joe Camel lives on.<br />
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One of the highlights of our trip was the next morning when we went hot air ballooning. Taking off just before dawn, with the heat of the burners warming us, we watched a spectacular sunrise from 2,000 feet over the Nile. We looked down on farms, and the tombs of the West Bank, where we would spend the rest of the day touring. Visiting 5,000 year old tombs, with vibrant paintings as fresh as yesterday, the ancient temples of Karnak, Luxor and Medinet Habu, gave one a sense of perspective. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S8PTNsfQQyAeUaopmOm_rYjMcdlnSCvbP44bbSKInudoCqNhR6_rtW4ZzZwKSGTrPhIVnoaRIldn2OP9nA1Lx0bwEJkrXAQPRAYWmPiw5KN0OmT0nikraLK9EE7Z0TWaTI_Q/s1600/Luxor+Temple-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S8PTNsfQQyAeUaopmOm_rYjMcdlnSCvbP44bbSKInudoCqNhR6_rtW4ZzZwKSGTrPhIVnoaRIldn2OP9nA1Lx0bwEJkrXAQPRAYWmPiw5KN0OmT0nikraLK9EE7Z0TWaTI_Q/s320/Luxor+Temple-1.jpg" width="213" /></a>
Many times young Egyptian school kids, practicing their English, asked politely to have their pictures taken with an American. We couldn’t have felt more welcome in their country.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFnOlRrYk6lSVi3_VgRdAhJUH2wq1a6N7jkONboFCk6XathdCThpcKSy0za68CoDkmNEK-HuV52zat02Fchr8YSoNQfdG7nyHQCx9TKIbnkaLxyE8NxkA_VbPaiG70XDLLxoq/s1600/Red+Sea-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFnOlRrYk6lSVi3_VgRdAhJUH2wq1a6N7jkONboFCk6XathdCThpcKSy0za68CoDkmNEK-HuV52zat02Fchr8YSoNQfdG7nyHQCx9TKIbnkaLxyE8NxkA_VbPaiG70XDLLxoq/s400/Red+Sea-48.jpg" width="266" /></a>But on to the diving: We left the next day on a long 5 hour bus ride to Port Ghalib, near Marsa Alam, where we met the Red Sea Aggressor liveaboard. We came across large hotels, condos and resorts without anyone in them as we drove along the coast. They were like ghost towns. All very sad, as this was high-season. Reaching the boat at dusk, we were welcomed aboard and shown our cabins on this luxurious ship. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNLz9ZrOiwMPGav7PKl83gvVRSDXr2aaErK_LX2kiTYbM1-BxHoK8Ch6S1ae-TM0HRBYbrJ1xmBp5rClhjSpwvbu7sAoG1uJrFa59v_F_rEwzoLG7viD6KvbyrHTemimzJ5lo/s1600/Red+Sea-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNLz9ZrOiwMPGav7PKl83gvVRSDXr2aaErK_LX2kiTYbM1-BxHoK8Ch6S1ae-TM0HRBYbrJ1xmBp5rClhjSpwvbu7sAoG1uJrFa59v_F_rEwzoLG7viD6KvbyrHTemimzJ5lo/s320/Red+Sea-27.jpg" width="213" /></a>The Red Sea Aggressor was rebuilt a couple of years ago and is very comfortable. Although our cabins were pretty small, the dive deck and various sun decks and the salon were very nice and newly appointed. The camera tables were a bit small for our large group, but we managed, with a couple of us using the cocktail tables up near the bar on an upper deck. Throughout the week we were treated to amazing service (better than the other Aggressors I’ve been on) with excellent food, served in a fine dining atmosphere. I’ve been on a lot of liveaboards, and I could see how well the crew had been trained; not just to do their jobs, but to take care of guests anyway they could.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Akl3TffAPu96gN2wfCsI2R3824vPHUjAJ1Z3HZvpamlmddVMUf_xLUjcihZN8_tnj2VOE-MOhHCNnu7PNobpaMfAIHR2vzi1IfTJJflCak_N9mBfodv5xZ1I30fjVNsaBhn/s1600/Red+Sea-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2Akl3TffAPu96gN2wfCsI2R3824vPHUjAJ1Z3HZvpamlmddVMUf_xLUjcihZN8_tnj2VOE-MOhHCNnu7PNobpaMfAIHR2vzi1IfTJJflCak_N9mBfodv5xZ1I30fjVNsaBhn/s320/Red+Sea-46.jpg" width="213" /></a>
The next morning the boat headed out of port to a couple of close dive sites to test our weighting and settle into our skills. The water was a bit brisk at 74F, but with 5mm suits and beanies on, we were pretty comfortable. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TXyd4uumIyxQf5bwG5Y9uL7DUJfL8l3bCYaKOHy5pHx2ClaFrxjStmzRaD5uULZ3tr3tI_B6we1REEtcfJ8AUKrpvvDMYjgshvW0g6-dQHehBAFUHiO0drh81nFd7vyATX1e/s1600/Red+Sea-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TXyd4uumIyxQf5bwG5Y9uL7DUJfL8l3bCYaKOHy5pHx2ClaFrxjStmzRaD5uULZ3tr3tI_B6we1REEtcfJ8AUKrpvvDMYjgshvW0g6-dQHehBAFUHiO0drh81nFd7vyATX1e/s320/Red+Sea-40.jpg" width="320" /></a>The weather this time of year is pleasant, in the upper 70’s and low 80’s. Some days we had some wind, but it wasn’t too bad.<br />
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We then steamed most of the night to Daedulus Reef. It was a bit of a bumpy ride, so most of us didn’t get much sleep. However, we were up at dawn and woke up in the cool depths after a zodiac ride out to the reef.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkz_0jIr-P3IyX3fx5WjV5T9xP9K9cqI8fXnEiv8FZwjgfrh5XjRpwZQMmBIy6Vmf7lwmkfMhyU04uAiWvxoYZRE_f5d-vv_iLCs_viwqk1QjrQCaeL8vS56ew6C6vcohEBL9/s1600/Red+Sea-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkz_0jIr-P3IyX3fx5WjV5T9xP9K9cqI8fXnEiv8FZwjgfrh5XjRpwZQMmBIy6Vmf7lwmkfMhyU04uAiWvxoYZRE_f5d-vv_iLCs_viwqk1QjrQCaeL8vS56ew6C6vcohEBL9/s320/Red+Sea-16.jpg" width="240" /></a>
Daedulus is a coral atoll out in the middle of the Red Sea with an old lighthouse on it, first built in 1863 and rebuilt in 1931. We were hoping to see some hammerhead sharks and other pelagics there, but were skunked, only seeing one silky shark (I am told it swimming under my feet while I surfaced on the last dive). But the walls were nice, and there were lots of great hard and soft corals of every hue, in very clear water. That afternoon, we took a break to hike up the dock to the lighthouse, where we climbed our way to the top. A few of us almost lingered too long; the keeper had us locked in!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J3F_0V1GDPwRoNAzp78g76ZI41z-uJEQzboAY9CTtSFe-aPuU7nk3A-IIKhM0EBgpRMowQ3ZD2cSuguWZ8pJbPL9voMzz5ZQvdzB-_sB_ocgQVNzFAPIJagZgytq3btQJ6Rj/s1600/Red+Sea-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J3F_0V1GDPwRoNAzp78g76ZI41z-uJEQzboAY9CTtSFe-aPuU7nk3A-IIKhM0EBgpRMowQ3ZD2cSuguWZ8pJbPL9voMzz5ZQvdzB-_sB_ocgQVNzFAPIJagZgytq3btQJ6Rj/s320/Red+Sea-44.jpg" width="320" /></a>Steaming our way further south that night, we arrived at the St John’s reef area, where we had some spectacular dives in the caves and swim-throughs located there. We then moved a little north to a great spot that had some pinnacles covered with soft coral and clouds of orange Anthias. Although the current was ripping, it meant the corals were open and the photography opportunities abundant. Also on many dives we were seeing jellyfish, and had a great time on the surface shooting them and each other. Some divers practiced their blackwater dives and got some great night shots of squid and other small squishy critters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViGCYdcQnJi-rdqwwiVDe95cMWXEZ7OutlKhdc5cggmIq5nwhEvTR0U9QyLaqGE_Thyphenhyphen7K9ecLyHXmiJ9fe5zmv1tyqdEb28-oxfxs5VgqZVuRybCg3q6cH8HmEUBkEKYT3wst/s1600/Red+Sea-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViGCYdcQnJi-rdqwwiVDe95cMWXEZ7OutlKhdc5cggmIq5nwhEvTR0U9QyLaqGE_Thyphenhyphen7K9ecLyHXmiJ9fe5zmv1tyqdEb28-oxfxs5VgqZVuRybCg3q6cH8HmEUBkEKYT3wst/s320/Red+Sea-38.jpg" width="240" /></a>
The next couple of days we hit a few atolls and reefs along the southern coast, then moved up to “dolphin reef” lagoon, hoping to snorkel with some dolphins. They weren’t home, so we did a couple of easy dives enjoying the scenery. After surfacing, we found that another boat had anchored next to us. Much to our dismay, a group of snorkelers were standing on the reefs, not really understanding the damage they were causing. <br />
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The last day we hit famous Elphinstone Reef for a couple of morning dives on walls and a drift dive along the reef. Schools of trevallies and sardines were amongst the soft coral, with some nice gorgonian fans, not usually seen in abundance. We then steamed back to Port Ghalib for a fun cocktail party and then off to Cairo and home the next day.<br />
<a href="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/t31.0-8/12794980_1735429526688800_3114017883620510913_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0em; margin-top: 1em;"><img border="0" height="auto" src="https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/t31.0-8/12794980_1735429526688800_3114017883620510913_o.jpg" width="410" /></a><br />
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Although this was a long trip, all who came seemed to enjoy it and have many happy memories of the ancient cities and colorful reefs of Egypt and the Red Sea. My thanks to Donna at <a href="http://www.spislandtravel.com/index.php" target="_blank">South Pacific Island Travel</a> and the Red Sea Aggressor for providing us with an excellent experience.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/opticalocean/albums/72157663758895684" title="Cairo & Giza, Egypt"><img alt="Cairo & Giza, Egypt" height="214" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1711/25590549860_78a3f88f25_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/opticalocean/albums/72157666048343826" title="Luxor"><img alt="Luxor" height="214" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1448/25869220466_1e5152a3c5_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/opticalocean/albums/72157663775218983" title="Red Sea Aggressor"><img alt="Red Sea Aggressor" height="442" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1619/25770603862_3dab5e4a21_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-46747105714862911112016-02-15T21:44:00.000-08:002017-04-20T23:44:30.890-07:00Correcting Lens Distortion in Underwater Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9XLBnrKGRqCh3IxjmdmkMOkZJMSVjNE0aHRu95jP59yldW4KtzlmhOXFcdukjZaYwLRpFIZ1NR0w56vLg5z5yDtVy2mVL6d3n-iTz8rrwhU0-v2JufYacGeExQ59C5TvZt0y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-01+at+3.10.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9XLBnrKGRqCh3IxjmdmkMOkZJMSVjNE0aHRu95jP59yldW4KtzlmhOXFcdukjZaYwLRpFIZ1NR0w56vLg5z5yDtVy2mVL6d3n-iTz8rrwhU0-v2JufYacGeExQ59C5TvZt0y/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-02-01+at+3.10.12+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrel distortion makes this soft corral look bunched up and the piling curved on the original to the left. <br />
On the right image, lens corrections were applied and a new file created in Photoshop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ultra-wide fisheye lenses are the preferred wide angle lens underwater due to their close focusing ability, sharp corners and wide field of view. Divers can get very close to their subjects, filling the frame, eliminating water which makes their photos lack sharpness, color and definition.<br />
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But there is a drawback to fisheye lenses when shooting the straight lines, commonly of a pier or wreck, or models or other similar subjects - optical distortion is introduced. This is usually barrel distortion, but it can manifest itself as pincushion distortion, or a mix of both. It is usually worse the closer you are to the subject. Tilting your camera up and down can help a bit and is something to be aware of as you shoot.<br />
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZdQYB1HfUABfnz6LhwgmntUCd4nwPItZxzu69809K2fMqVs-jB9o2iHlKuc0xbF4ImjrixFO8lFN6yanvDVRIMFbfn-VFOxPoF4wuVBsKqAGoaXrjnpBT_twO9p8-HFxmPbq/s1600/Barrel_distortion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZdQYB1HfUABfnz6LhwgmntUCd4nwPItZxzu69809K2fMqVs-jB9o2iHlKuc0xbF4ImjrixFO8lFN6yanvDVRIMFbfn-VFOxPoF4wuVBsKqAGoaXrjnpBT_twO9p8-HFxmPbq/s200/Barrel_distortion.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrel distortion is most common on wide lenses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>What are Common Lens Distortions?</b><br />
In <b>barrel distortion</b>, image magnification decreases with distance from the optical axis. The apparent effect is that of an image which has been mapped around a sphere (or barrel). Fisheye lenses, which take hemispherical views, utilize this type of distortion as a way to map an infinitely wide object plane into a finite image area. This curves those lines and the closer you get, or when shot at more of an angle, can lead to a distorted view.* <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0srianZ3ptGajHPjp5T-YCb_-eNKoEhcnIzPzUNTs5usEaNAI_IFS_TCIXqW8AYQw1Tf81gatJb7pNLsQXME11W9Xit11y1sfz0qE5Nk6opIuahSHqNF3zXTTBjEFzXZWdyl/s1600/deck-gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>There is also <b>pincushion distortion</b> with the center looking pinched. You’ll see this slightly in longer macro lenses and telephotos.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQifYi-C4STdcWzsIyKUZBimKcN-bRgXEpdxQtlQ3nj0R9zleQe8TZYFjFy4DBgk3PxV8NRropgp-TAD8BkLWXt-Hs6nfUE62iUVolrMUrWE1sF94cb07Hywz_rIgPsYegE7v/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-01+at+3.08.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQifYi-C4STdcWzsIyKUZBimKcN-bRgXEpdxQtlQ3nj0R9zleQe8TZYFjFy4DBgk3PxV8NRropgp-TAD8BkLWXt-Hs6nfUE62iUVolrMUrWE1sF94cb07Hywz_rIgPsYegE7v/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-02-01+at+3.08.17+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Droopy barrel on left, corrected on right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sometimes that looks very dramatic and lends diagonal lines to the image, but particularly on man-made objects, or diver-models the proportions it lends looks wrong.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
Generally, with most lenses from major manufacturers (except for m4/3rds lenses), you can adjust this in Lightroom under the <b>Develop</b> tab using the “<b>Lens Correction</b>” tool menu. <b>Basic, Profile, Color & Manual</b> that are used to lessen lens effect distortion and correct lens color aberrations.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6s3lvy9gK4tneXtnXTtBEzkHm1Q37VjUi8T6w-ni5Zmt2dR1gfrErUqen4jmQb8pV-yYHp8G1izRiOZLumlSIMNvt5MGEu549wLvAHntSms8Fg_VqCtDBSCg-N9ERCCC3S6mB/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-01+at+2.44.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6s3lvy9gK4tneXtnXTtBEzkHm1Q37VjUi8T6w-ni5Zmt2dR1gfrErUqen4jmQb8pV-yYHp8G1izRiOZLumlSIMNvt5MGEu549wLvAHntSms8Fg_VqCtDBSCg-N9ERCCC3S6mB/s200/Screen+Shot+2016-02-01+at+2.44.56+PM.png" width="200" /></a><br />
There are 4 tabs within it: <br />
<ul>
<li><b>Basic: </b>This is sort of an Overview with some auto settings.</li>
<li><b>Profile:</b> Just check the box to switch the corrections or aberration removal on. Many lenses are listed from camera and lens manufacturers. Choose your manufacturer and lens (or something close to it) and the profile correction is enabled correctly. There are adjustments here for lens correction.</li>
<li><b>Color:</b> Color aberration is commonly seen on macro shots where you’ll have a purple or green 1-2 pixel fringe around contrasty areas. You can enable the correction and adjust it here.</li>
<li><b>Manual: </b>This allows for manual correction of many aspects of the photos. Some experimentation will show you what the adjustments do. remember you have full control of the history of all adjustments in Lightroom should you want to start over.</li>
</ul>
All this is easy to do in Lightroom. But what if you’re using an Olympus or Panasonic camera with m4/3rds lenses? They don’t show up in lens profile and their profiles "can't be found". The reason is that micro 4/3rds lenses have the profile correction build into their RAW files. Which is cool, but my experience is that auto correction is not usually enough, images still look distorted. like the gun barrel above.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AKlb8ejAHy7NYUODgI5erQgbDdFpmeg4xJunK8UYclsFjD8FAkCIloGNj1K6Z83ADbIr8fnBWmk9kAXSaljtvb9BQZC5ZUgOYCK9juNIeV3wqj9bsiblMpcsnscCqX65L-71/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-12-30+at+9.42.16+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AKlb8ejAHy7NYUODgI5erQgbDdFpmeg4xJunK8UYclsFjD8FAkCIloGNj1K6Z83ADbIr8fnBWmk9kAXSaljtvb9BQZC5ZUgOYCK9juNIeV3wqj9bsiblMpcsnscCqX65L-71/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-12-30+at+9.42.16+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lens Corrections filter in Photoshop works on all files.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Edit in Photoshop</b><br />
This is where “<b>Edit in Photoshop</b>” can help. It also can also be used to give more control with other lenses as well. Simply select the photo and go to “<b>Photo” menu: Select “Edit in…</b>” and choose “<b>Photoshop</b>”. This will open a copy of the photo in full high resolution for you to edit further in Photoshop.<br />
<br />
In Photoshop choose the “<b>Filters</b>” and select “<b>Camera Correction</b>” filter.<br />
<br />
This opens up a large filter effects window that gives you some of the same adjustments and a lot more so that you can fine tune your photo in Photoshop. This allows m4/3rds lens users to straighten this straight lines and reduce distortion in their photos as well as make many other adjustments to improve their images.<br />
<br />
The Camera Correction filter is pretty powerful, and you can remove and
adjust many different aspects of shots, including vignette, color
aberration, lens distortion and horizontal or vertical perspective, crop
and more. Just go to the "Custom" tab within the filter. It's all
pretty straight-forward and easy to see the results as you go. The best
way to figure it out is just to play with it. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX-qt0oqxC9IdjexmL-wGPxba0H6EnK2-a049QfgOOlRpWdsNDaTJ4wpwv-FYZ1vVj_7HVo2pLXQV_FTXw2a0QG5Vfl_VWlSjtfJUeWyK6gdXz_kyOik9B4zSTnt7N5LQrMRt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-08+at+7.34.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX-qt0oqxC9IdjexmL-wGPxba0H6EnK2-a049QfgOOlRpWdsNDaTJ4wpwv-FYZ1vVj_7HVo2pLXQV_FTXw2a0QG5Vfl_VWlSjtfJUeWyK6gdXz_kyOik9B4zSTnt7N5LQrMRt/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-01-08+at+7.34.33+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's lots of control for correcting images, even with m4/3rds lenses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When you like what you are seeing, just hit ok to process the effect,
and your edited photo is displayed in Photoshop. You can choose “undo”
and “redo” to toggle the effects if you like. If you like what you’ve
edited, just “Save” it and the photo is saved and added to your
Lightroom Library as a high-resolution tiff file and numbered "1 of 2", etc.<br />
<br />
Remember
Photoshop is only working on a copy - it will not effect your original.
These adjustments will also effect the crop and you can try some of the
other controls to adjust that problem as well. It’s all sort of a
balancing act for your creative eye to judge. Don’t be afraid to try a
few ideas out then you can “A-B” them in Lightroom to pick your final
image.<br />
<br />
I’ve done a few examples. One the wreck image, the deck cannon barrel was distorted where it went through the center of the frame by the Olympus 8mm FE PRO lens I was using. I removed some of the barrel distortion to straighten it.<br />
<br />
The same was true with the yellow soft coral image above. The center was sort of “poofed out” with barrel distortion and the piling it was on had a curve to it. By adjusting the controls, I was able to lengthen the clump of soft coral and flatten it a bit, and also slightly straighten the piling, making it a more natural image.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwS61RrglIkFsjRVzDi5xZ4lpzomTRZqK9ly1lTID_IKe7WSo7g8QxbMEh0Gt1zeUO6pGbWFeLK7OUF7DwTpwWjt62auxZKWuI9khPoQBhOJaDGKGyYWdwtbo6mgeB2G21ed6-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-02-01+at+9.23.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwS61RrglIkFsjRVzDi5xZ4lpzomTRZqK9ly1lTID_IKe7WSo7g8QxbMEh0Gt1zeUO6pGbWFeLK7OUF7DwTpwWjt62auxZKWuI9khPoQBhOJaDGKGyYWdwtbo6mgeB2G21ed6-/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-02-01+at+9.23.10+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original on left, "corrected" image on right. This was done directly in Lightroom as my Sigma lens was supported.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The pilings were easily straightened on the above shot. I also altered the vertical and horizontal perspective to bring the soft coral more front and center and not loose the school of fish. It took some give and take not to crop too much of the image.<br />
<br />
You don’t want to overdo the corrections, and you’ll usually not want to remove the distortion all together, as then you won’t have a very wide angle shot and it will lack some punch. Just try for a more natural look.<br />
<br />
But don’t be afraid to straighten out those wrecks, pilings and people for a more natural presentation.<br />
<i>— Jack Connick</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*(Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distortion_%28optics%29" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</i></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-75819557465208449832015-03-21T15:53:00.002-07:002015-03-21T15:57:05.330-07:00More New FREE Underwater Photography Handbooks<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/choosing-cameras%2Bhousings.pdf" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFloZBINk2d4R5Z8tawnQ0iCXox27V_rTO75IO3VoHqFQL40fN0CqzWM8R0Xdy9oH7Y0FTo1Nd8c4sw2VbvBM0GP1T_NNBHn8x20J_yKZzrHr5q98D6jW0Er-06szD-1c0mHK/s1600/Choosing-Cameras-&-Housings.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Five NEW FREE Handbooks join our <a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/handbooks-basics-of-better-uw-photos-en.html" target="_blank">Basics of Better UW Photography Series</a>
and are now in the Optical Ocean Sales Education Resource Center. These downloadable Acrobat files
are easy-to-read with lots of photos and illustrations to help you gain
basic skills and understanding of their subjects.<br />
<br />
The first is for those wanting to get their
feet "wet" with Underwater Photography. Titled "<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/choosing-cameras%2Bhousings.pdf" target="_blank">Choosing an Underwater Camera & Housing</a>",
it goes over basic things to look for for on both
cameras and housings. Basic camera parts and their importance for
underwater photography, classes of cameras, basic system configuration,
housing considerations and materials, accessories and much more are
covered.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/video-tips.pdf" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEbiOv8OJIhnJJT0sYSO75Qh-iyLk8m_kDPErRqdEQ7FW5CIMCHHwo-n2shdDwAGv9lTmzIsHKgiYurdrE2sp1ptoEPEdy1c2D4jcCrVYykjNStFTVXUgEUfAfEf0BIfQ9u3X/s1600/VideoTipsHandbook.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Another new Handbook for video photogrpahers or wannabies is "<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/video-tips.pdf" target="_blank">Video Tips for UW Photographers Handbook</a>".
Loads of great advice for those starting out, or for still
photographers wanting try shooting video! Cameras, tips, techniques and
settings will help you make the plunge into trying out that video button
on your camera.<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/Photographing-Animals.pdf" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGluU12R3DeiRy3mz3YM9DSJPu2N_i41G3Rnx_rdanBSb9kfC8v-sbv3ld9dJoeOiZ8ALa6mFuZYosGkr0DgIG3cjjXXBWaqg6PGScFarLOb7FtA-qXchLic-1xipb7gPRPEsc/s1600/Photo-Animals.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The next handbook is titled <a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/Photographing-Animals.pdf" target="_blank">Photographing Animals</a>
and includes tips, tricks and help on getting great photos of
underwater critters! How to improve your Luck, Skill, Knowledge, and
Patience in taking underwater animal photos are just some of the areas
shown and discussed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/Photographing-People.pdf" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://dd64v3laqvj0k.cloudfront.net/images/companies/1/Photo-people.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
An accompanying piece <span class="userContent">"<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/Photographing-People.pdf">Photographing People</a>" is full
of tips and techniques from staff writer Margo Cavis on working with
divers and models, it will help you add a human element to your
photography.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">We've also published an accompanying article; <a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/how-to-photograph-people-underwater.html" target="_blank">How to Photograph People Underwater</a> in our <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/blog-en" target="_blank">Articles</a> section that gives more in-depth coverage.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/OOS-Strobe-Positioning.pdf" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14IT7pZ_en8s4GucVoMrZs3_YYzJd_5awa8_Vs0kcSiTgqOfBbCh7sULbicZVuQrEpc3l7C16PjcShv8FDwMWQjFI5P2I58xCsDzeNSe4p6bNxjEC-KyGSatLqKxLm_jIxVVt/s1600/Strobe-Position.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>Called <a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/files/OOS-Strobe-Positioning.pdf" target="_blank">Strobe Positioning</a>
this handbook is maybe the most important and everyone can get something from it. This guide goes over most aspects of using artificial strobe lighting
underwater in photography. The Handbook discusses light theory and
equipment. It shows how, why and where to use both one and two strobes
in macro and wide angle photos. This new guide includes many
illustrations done by our own Margo Cavis and is a great resource for
new and old underwater photographers. <br />
<br />
<h3>
See the Optical Ocean Sales <a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/education.html" target="_blank">Resource Center</a> for many more Handbooks, articles, trip reports, spec charts and reviews! </h3>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-40594028460777361402015-03-15T11:50:00.002-07:002015-03-15T11:50:08.674-07:00Raja Ampat: Nothing More Needs to Be Said<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/16325724909_c8f0f80768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/16325724909_c8f0f80768.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
</h3>
Raja Ampat in Indonesia, has always held a lot of fascination for me. Customers on their way there, or just back, were awestruck by the area. “Best in the diving in the world!” they’d say, but having dove for many years, I’ve heard that before…<br />
<br />
After several days of long flights and airline frustrations, I was on the <i>Damai II </i>steaming down the straits in Raja, after a wonderful late-afternoon dive full of vibrant undersea life by Batanta Island, I was getting a massage, drinking a Bintang beer, and enjoying the sunset. I reflected that all of these divers’ comments were right! It was pretty hard to beat!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/16511037672_7b7cac8158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8665/16511037672_7b7cac8158.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Over the next 10 days, eleven divers on the Optical Ocean Sales Photo Expedition concentrated their dives in the southern Misool area of Raja, as there had been wind and rain in the north. This is common in many areas in Indonesia, given that dive sites are so spread out; if the weather is bad in one place, another is fine.<br />
<br />
The <i>Damai</i> specializes in small dive groups, so we were spread out amongst 3 boats. I ended up staying with one guide, Salim, diving with another couple of divers who rotated through. The other divers tended to go their own way a lot, so Salim and I ended up diving closely together most of the time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/15889484044_a1f87db1f1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/15889484044_a1f87db1f1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I’ve been diving with literally hundreds of other divers over the years, some are just fine, others you tend to have communication or other issues with. Human nature I guess. Salim and I settled into an easy rhythm. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/16511023892_65118e0a63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8638/16511023892_65118e0a63.jpg" width="213" /></a>He spoke English, but we didn’t talk much between dives, other than to ID some weird nudibranch I’d never seen before, or to help him set up a GoPro he found on a dive. But we communicated underwater without difficulty, knowing what the other wanted, or where the other person was without guessing. During the course of some 30 odd dives spread out over 440 miles, there was no fuss, no muss. If we had a problem like my tank coming loose, we just dealt with it in a relaxed and purposeful manner. If I ran low on air at the safety stop, I’d grab his spare octo, without either of us even taking much notice.<br />
<br />
I used him many times as a model, and he was eager to learn, picking up on my directions easily. He loved to see the shots of himself and tried hard to improve his positioning. I could concentrate on my photography without worry. He always showed me great wide angle options, and was a master at pointing out macro critters as well. We’d get excited about a rare find and shared that enthusiasm underwater as I took photos. The unspoken communication between experienced divers was easy and robust.<br />
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<a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/16324303378_d9caf271cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8673/16324303378_d9caf271cd.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Misool has a great many world-class dive sites. Even though the visibility was limited in places, we had calm seas and very good diving. The sheer variety of the dives was amazing; muck dives, reef dives, drift dives, caves, undercuts, canyons, fans, soft coral and acres of hard coral - all were there and almost always surrounded by great masses of fish. The schools were so thick it actually was somewhat frustrating; “Can somebody get the fish out of the way, so I can take a shot of the other fish?”<br />
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<a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8633/16326130497_b39dcf74bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8633/16326130497_b39dcf74bf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16511016072_b4e1f06e36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8613/16511016072_b4e1f06e36.jpg" width="213" /></a>And there were special places like the Blue Water Mangroves at Nampale Island, where gorgeous soft coral grew in 2 feet of shallow water. Or Window Rock, with the afternoon light streaming in onto fans and soft coral. Or the huge schools of barracuda, snapper, and many other fish that challenged Salim and myself to move in close enough with them for photos.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/16324331308_0244b2690e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/16324331308_0244b2690e.jpg" width="213" /></a>Moving to the north Dampier Straits area, the weather improved, but the visibility was more limited. Still, we had excellent diving - muck dives at Deer/Kofiau Islands, with wonderful afternoon lighting at famous Arborek Jetty. On a deep dive off Blue Magic, Salim showed me a few white tip sharks. As we went along the edge of the slope at 120’, we found a huge ball of hundreds of Sweet Lips, packed tightly together over a rock.<br />
<a href="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/16486051306_a401453e05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8658/16486051306_a401453e05.jpg" width="265" /></a> Riding the current, I swam through them several times to take photos and they quickly regrouped tightly around me back into their school. Low on gas, and without much more than a quick fist pump to my chest, Salim led me back up the slope behind coral outcroppings to do deco and a safety stop.<br />
<br />
On our last day, we opted for a dive at Cape Kri. It wasn’t that impressive sort of a lot of rubble on a hillside, and I struggled to find something interesting to shoot. But then, at the end of the dive, in shallow water, was a bommie with fans and a huge school of glass fish swarming all over it. With the early morning sun streaming through clear, calm water I was able to take one of my favorite shots of the trip.<br />
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Sometimes you just have to keep on shooting and trust that things will work out. No need to talk about it.<br />
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-75560101317332024322014-06-30T11:53:00.000-07:002015-03-15T11:53:52.972-07:00Mirrorless in Mexico<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlk3BhAJe9KHkZKq98ogRmRKIZlODSK_KiC331vqncTIWSNSGbYI1y_iArjzAXN3V_j1JjIZFOCR9mKpxQ4hNgGFsquVFfX3J48KqCLXWNNbPnVrOgbvNQhr9gRJUtLLEOTEj/s1600/Sony+a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlk3BhAJe9KHkZKq98ogRmRKIZlODSK_KiC331vqncTIWSNSGbYI1y_iArjzAXN3V_j1JjIZFOCR9mKpxQ4hNgGFsquVFfX3J48KqCLXWNNbPnVrOgbvNQhr9gRJUtLLEOTEj/s1600/Sony+a7.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
On our <a href="http://opticaloceansales.blogspot.com/2014/06/sea-of-cortez-only-sure-thing-is-whale.html" target="_blank">recent shop trip to The Sea of Cortez</a>, I left behind my trusty, but large, <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/manufacturer-brand/nauticam/nau-housings/nau-dslr/nauticam-nad-800-housing-for-nikon-d800.html" target="_blank">D800 Nauticam</a> rig and decided to try a new mirrorless camera: The Sony a7 full-frame camera in a <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/housings/mirrorless/sony-housings/nauticam-na-a7-housing-for-sony-a7-a7r.html" target="_blank">NA-A7 Nauticam</a> housing. <br />
<br />
It was much smaller to pack and handle and the results were better than I hoped for. The Sony a7 with an old Nikonos 15mm FE amphibious film lens shot remarkably well, sharp and was quite small to handle compared with large domes normally used for a full-frame rig. <br />
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The Sony a7 (and a7r, a7s) are very impressive; the first full-frame camera in a mirrorless body! With it being much smaller and lighter than the D800, it was easy to carry around. Performance was very good, the camera is very comfortable and solid to shoot.<br />
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The controls to change ISO as well as other features are right under your fingertips on the Nauticam housing. One big advantage of the Sony over the Nikon is that you can program several function buttons and use them on the housing to bring up other screens providing convenient access to various functions that otherwise are buried down in the menus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFSj8ThqshFnPMAgfIwcTpkv9h9pV0mYWZhXMwNCKAvpraYcMKgTUaLS9t5sEhHN3mY6HYFg3l0kOwkQPfQbk1kjd3SClf5xjmI6t3erp0qr_mM_sk3oPQfuHHENwmvvXiENT/s1600/Hawkfish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFSj8ThqshFnPMAgfIwcTpkv9h9pV0mYWZhXMwNCKAvpraYcMKgTUaLS9t5sEhHN3mY6HYFg3l0kOwkQPfQbk1kjd3SClf5xjmI6t3erp0qr_mM_sk3oPQfuHHENwmvvXiENT/s1600/Hawkfish2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Besides the Nikonos 15mm FE, I shot the a7 with the kit Sony 28-70mm lens behind the <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/ports-extensions-and-gears/mirrorless-and-m4-3rds/flat-ports-en/product-1533.html" target="_blank">Nauticam flat port</a>. This lens works pretty well as a moderate mid-range lens, fairly sharp for it’s modest cost, with good imaging characteristics. In low light at deeper depths, I was still able to catch focus and it shot fish portrait type shots quite well.<br />
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The legendary Nikonos 15mm FE film lens, mounted in an adapter, lived up to it’s reputation. It delivered stunning wide angle, even though it has manual aperture and focus controls. <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/housings/parts/dslr-accessories/nauticam-180-viewfinder.html" target="_blank">external Nauticam 180 viewfinder</a> to good result with a wide range of displays offered in both. A nice feature of the electronic viewfinder was that you could turn the image lighter or darker, something you can’t do with the optical viewfinder of the D800.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPYaA43Hr3UVIl7P7EtEsUsUTx2Q3dxxNrCYYa2UwVgQcQ3hCTaabAoMErKybcUy8HYJKNZlaZU3OPvpSKWtQEd3aeZS-PgcNVA0zA5-mKOiy5ha7vwcdNhXpN1YKu-dN87O5/s1600/Whales+shark+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPYaA43Hr3UVIl7P7EtEsUsUTx2Q3dxxNrCYYa2UwVgQcQ3hCTaabAoMErKybcUy8HYJKNZlaZU3OPvpSKWtQEd3aeZS-PgcNVA0zA5-mKOiy5ha7vwcdNhXpN1YKu-dN87O5/s1600/Whales+shark+2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
By setting it to f/9-f/11, I had a large depth of field for focus and only changed it when changing from long distance to close focus wide angle. It was also easy to use Sony’s focus peaking feature to “fire when you see the red of their eyes” and know you had the shot nailed. I used both the large, sharp rear view screen and the electronic viewfinder with an <br />
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One area where the Sony a7 was a standout is shooting at high ISOs in dark environments. I shot the very dimly lit holds inside of the <i>Fang Ming</i> wreck at ISO 3200 and got good results, even with the older Nikonos 15mm lens. Not much noticeable grain, and I’d say it was better at that high ISO than my D800 was at ISO 2000. Dynamic range was pretty good, comparable to the Nikon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCr37B9qdbavUVQm_47-2m7l4xKOEjs2WkqZL-KAOyQdp_k6Q0ziR84XfTad-sCH_sKzUKr4AC8xaMrUfw4Ms9qa6rXtK95WLSfX6AIwTUomGBYA2FF5b7NyTwHxpah_AaA1uv/s1600/Fang+Ming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCr37B9qdbavUVQm_47-2m7l4xKOEjs2WkqZL-KAOyQdp_k6Q0ziR84XfTad-sCH_sKzUKr4AC8xaMrUfw4Ms9qa6rXtK95WLSfX6AIwTUomGBYA2FF5b7NyTwHxpah_AaA1uv/s1600/Fang+Ming.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a>I shot it with two electronically synced Sea & Sea YS-D1 strobes in manual. TTL is not currently available, although Nauticam has come out with a new optical sync trigger that simplifies things quite a bit.<br />
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<b>Compared to the Olympus E-M1</b><br />
We shot the <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/cameras-and-lenses/cameras/micro-4-3rds/olympus-om-d-em-1-camera-body.html" target="_blank">Olympus E-M1</a> with the Panasonic 8mm and <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/cameras-and-lenses/cameras/micro-4-3rds-lenses/olympus-mz-9-18mm-lens.html" target="_blank">Olympus 9-18mm</a>
lenses quite a bit in an <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/manufacturer-brand/aquatica/housings-en-2/aquatica-aq-em1-housing-for-olympus-e-m1.html" target="_blank">Aquatica AQ-EM1 housing</a>. (We hadn’t brought any macro lenses, expecting to
be shooting all large animals.) The 9-18 behind Aquatica’s new <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/manufacturer-brand/aquatica/ports/aquatica-sw8-super-wide-dome-port-m43rds.html" target="_blank">SW8 dome</a>
was quite impressive, allowing for a nice range of focal lengths from
close-focus wide angle to more moderate shots. It was very balanced and
rugged, with easy to reach controls. Port and lens changes were easy,
and the cam latch made access to the camera literally a snap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyZnNtI1NjVxNLY_97lflvfkKLkQzzNJIk4xlgoNgYwZytdyQ9pXI3SIm9iVA6ZfL0AjQAkNm9NrIm0BJuBxMmTfqFq0cC-2Bl6ae-SmBwASN59uM8_D_sx_Iw0kq1niqCeCA/s1600/Sea+Lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyZnNtI1NjVxNLY_97lflvfkKLkQzzNJIk4xlgoNgYwZytdyQ9pXI3SIm9iVA6ZfL0AjQAkNm9NrIm0BJuBxMmTfqFq0cC-2Bl6ae-SmBwASN59uM8_D_sx_Iw0kq1niqCeCA/s1600/Sea+Lion.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Right now, if you don't need the extremely high ISO shooting characteristics and dynamic range, I think the OM-D E-M1 is a more mature platform with a lot more lenses to choose from. It has easy to use functions and is easy to shoot well and is less expensive.<br />
<br />
<b>Compared to the Nikon D800</b><br />
The D800 has many more lenses available and with the new D810 coming out with even better low-ISOs and other features, I’d give it the edge over the Sony a7. but it is a much larger, heavier system to use, and the Sony a7 was easier to swim with than my D800, certainly for free diving. The same advantage goes to the D800 for availability of lenses, even more so as it can use old Nikon film lenses that are comparably cheaper than the new Zeiss Sony lenses.<br />
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I think the Sony a7 will come into it’s own as new Zeiss and other third-party lenses come out, and it certainly sets a precedent for smaller, lighter professional level cameras to come.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-61016531740961218912014-06-14T20:53:00.002-07:002014-06-14T20:56:47.535-07:00Sea of Cortez: The Only Sure Thing is Whale Sharks<img alt="" height="261" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2939/14208150068_677a924937.jpg" style="float: left; margin-right: 8px;" width="348" /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Twenty-one underwater photographers</b></span> boarded the <i>Solmar V</i> dive boat in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on June 23rd expecting to steam the next 25 hours to the Revigadagos Islands, aka "The Socorros", 250 miles offshore. Alas, "Amanda" had other ideas.
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<br />
Having built up to a Category 4 Hurricane, <i>Amanda</i> was an early violent storm a few hundred miles south of Socorro Island and heading straight for the area we were to dive. Needless to say, the Captain told me that we had to make a big change and head north into the Sea of Cortez. I had taken several trips to the Sea of Cortez ten years ago, but I hadn't enjoyed the long runs to the dive sites from shore. This would be a great opportunity to re-explore it from the comfort of a large live-aboard.
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The good news was that the diving there is pretty good, and we could be diving the next morning in Cabo Pulmo.
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After a checkout dive, we dropped on the wreck of an old tuna boat, descending right through 9 large bull sharks. Enjoying large schools of grunts and snappers. We explored what was left of the old boat, really just a few large pieces, seeing the large sharks circling in and out amongst our group in somewhat murky conditions.
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<img alt="" height="312" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3902/14177011720_1afd46efbe.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 8px;" width="415" />Continuing north towards La Paz, we dove La Reina and Swanee Rock, both teaming with life. Diving in the Sea of Cortez is very "fishy" with huge schools of grunts, snappers, goatfish and others on nearly every site. Friendly pandemic green morays also greet you from almost every hole. Corals are mostly hard, and not all that colorful, so the aquatic fish life is what you go for. Yellowtail sturgeon fish, puffer fish of every variety, colorful hawk fish, and grouper abound on nearly every site.
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However, with a boat load of photographers bent on looking for large animals, we decided to take some chances. Whale Sharks are found in La Paz bay in the Spring; but there had been no reports so far. Would we spend a half-day to cruise the bay and most likely find nothing? A multi-cultural debate raged that evening over dinner, as the French contingent felt the whale sharks weren’t guaranteed, but were finally out voted.
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Good thing too, as the next morning we arrived at the bay and no less than 5 Whale Sharks were waiting for us to free dive with! We broke into the pangas and with our guide Geronimo acting as a drill instructor – “<i>Swim!! You guys want to see whale sharks, you have to swim faster! Over there…, swim!</i>” We all had a lot of laughs and got run over by these 25’ gentle giants while taking photos. <img alt="" height="194" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3893/14360271351_f5bd6ed4c2_n.jpg" style="float: left; margin-right: 8px; margin-top: 8px;" width="291" />Using available light and wide angle lenses, it was “gun and go” - no time to compose, just shoot shutter priority and hope for the best. In the end, we all got a lot of great shots and had a great time in the beautiful bay that morning.
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Continuing north, we finished the day on the wreck of the “<i>Fang Ming</i>”, an old freighter that had been confiscated by the government and sunk many years ago. A large green turtle swam into the wreck and pandemic Cortez Angelfish were playing along the sides. Visibility was poor, but I was able to shoot some video and some interiors.<br />
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<img alt="" height="320" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5072/14362709704_ec06256990_n.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 8px; margin-top: 8px;" width="213" />
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The next morning, we traveled north to the EL Bajo sea mount, hoping to find hammerhead sharks. We tried on a couple of deeper dives but had no luck, so we came back to the small islands of Los Isolotes. They are home to a large sea lion rookery, as well as swim throughs, and another shallower seamount called El Bajalito. The next morning we had sunny skies and many dives with the very frisky sea lions. The young ones love to play with divers and snorkelers and make great photo subjects, hamming it up for the cameras, but watch out for the bulls!
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After a day and a half there, we again went south to La Paz to try for more whale sharks, as they were a “sure-thing” at that point. Succeeding with a few, we wore ourselves out again swimming with these huge fish. Next, we repaired to Swanee Rock for shallow dives on the reef. Huge schools of spot-tail grunts swarmed over the divers and followed us around. “Can someone get the fish out of the way? I can’t see the reef…” Some divers also found a few sea lions to play with.
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On the way back to Cabo the next day, we hit Cabo Pulmo for another morning’s dives on the tuna boat wreck, but the sharks were even more shy. Arriving back in to port, we reflected on what a nice week we had in the Sea of Cortez. Even though Amanda had had her way with us, we rolled the dice and came up with a winner!
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<img alt="" height="232" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3878/14211897557_19a4a7f1f3_c.jpg" width="675" />
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<b>Mirrorless in Mexico</b><br />
On this trip I left behind my trusty, large, D800/Nauticam rig and decided to try two new mirrorless cameras: The Olympus OM-D EM-1 m4/3rds camera in a new Aquatica housing system, and a Sony a7 full-frame camera in a Nauticam housing.
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" height="233" src="https://dd64v3laqvj0k.cloudfront.net/images/companies/1/AQ-M1%2B9-18.jpg" style="float: left; margin-right: 8px;" width="350" />They were much smaller to pack and handle and the results were better than I had hoped for, particularly with the Olympus and Panasonic 8mm combination and the Sony a7 with an old Nikonos 15mm FE amphibious lens. Both of these were much easier to swim with than my D800, and although the results aren’t quite as impressive as the professional formats, they were pretty darn good.
<br />
<br />
We, my friend Jim Boon and I, shot the Olympus EM1 with the 8mm and 9-18 lenses quite a bit. (We hadn’t brought any macro lenses, expecting to be shooting all large animals.) The 9-18 behind Aquatica’s new SMC dome was quite impressive, allowing for a nice range of focal lengths from close-focus wide angle to more moderate shots. It was very balanced and rugged, with easy to reach controls. Port and lens changes were easy, and the cam latch made access to the camera literally a snap.
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" height="213" src="https://dd64v3laqvj0k.cloudfront.net/images/companies/1/Sony%20a7.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 8px;" width="320" />The Sony a7 (and a7r) are very impressive; the first full-frame camera in a mirrorless body! Being much smaller and lighter than the D800 made it easy to carry around, and I shot it with the kit 28-70 as well as the Nikonos 15mm FE. The kit lens works pretty well, but is average in focal length range, like most kit lenses. It probably works best as a close up lens, but again not having one along I could only shoot fish portraits and moderate wide angle.
<br />
<br />
The legendary Nikonos 15mm FE, mounted in an adapter, lived up to its reputation by delivering stunning wide angle, even though it is a manual aperture and focus film lens. By setting it to f/9-f/11, I had a large depth of field for focus. It was also easy to use Sony’s focus peaking feature to “fire when you see the red of their eyes” and know you had the shot nailed. I used both the large rear view screen and the electronic viewfinder with an external viewfinder to good result with a wide range of displays offered.
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Video is one-touch on both cameras, and they shoot very smoothly with continuous auto-focus.<br />
<br />
<b>Choices, Choices, Choices</b><br />
Which did I prefer? Well, the Sony a7 is definitely better in low light, and it delivers a wide dynamic range of color and detail, but I really liked the lenses available on the Olympus EM1. Its dynamic range and sharpness was excellent - Jim and I both felt it is as good or better than the DSLRs we have shot. The Sony a7 will come into its own as new Zeiss lenses come out. So maybe the edge goes to the Olympus EM1 right now, which is the less expensive format as well.
<br />
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-27521309980818402692014-04-12T13:16:00.000-07:002014-04-12T13:19:48.205-07:00Complacency Kills<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO4xCUCY7D0MXUqfCyJB3CV5VpZPyu7x_wyp9099ydWEcGMIs3j_OGg3sIsI3E6GNab12z4O9rXQN1oxyL23DNZPBri3ujgRa-hoCwk8CqIrZf-PgzD3GaCxumhJH3zJCQQ-PHg/s1600/diver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO4xCUCY7D0MXUqfCyJB3CV5VpZPyu7x_wyp9099ydWEcGMIs3j_OGg3sIsI3E6GNab12z4O9rXQN1oxyL23DNZPBri3ujgRa-hoCwk8CqIrZf-PgzD3GaCxumhJH3zJCQQ-PHg/s1600/diver.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></div>
Mid-way through their 10 day live aboard dive trip, the large, experienced group of underwater photographers seemed to have a good rhythm down of diving, eating, resting, editing photos and hitting the water again in search of new subjects. After many days of rain and mediocre conditions, the tropical Pacific paradise of Palau beaconed them that late-afternoon with calm seas and sunny skies.<br />
<br />
Setting out from the mother ship, the skiff was crammed with divers and photo gear, and quickly made it’s way out in the lengthening day towards an easy dive site, sheltered from the strong currents and seas that mark much of the intense diving in Palau. They would dive a shallower area with small bommies and rocks sewn along a sloping sand bar, ending in a small island marked with a light.<br />
<br />
Everyone eagerly geared up and jumped in. As it was about 4 pm, there was still plenty of light for another couple of hours, so no serious dive lights were required, although many divers had focus or video lights on their rigs. All of the divers had been given a serious safety briefing first thing on board, and had been issued surface markers and some sort of sound signaling device if they didn’t have one. Having done 15 or so dives together, the group split off comfortably into pairs and smaller groups. Led by two dive guides, they spread out to be able to capture the macro subject matter they were after without interference.<br />
<br />
Early in the dive, one diver, having brought wide angle gear along, was bored, and decided to signal the dive guide and head up. The guide watched the diver reach the surface and resumed herding the others around to new subjects to shoot.<br />
<br />
After close to an hour, the groups of divers ended their dives and surfaced in the warm golden rays of a tropical setting sun. They remarked at the complete lack of currents during the dive.<br />
<br />
The skiff when along the line of divers picking everyone up, and many remarked once on board, “Gee, where’s Jim? He’s usually the first one up”.<br />
<br />
Jim had surfaced ok an hour previously. He saw the dive boat off a short distance away and waited for them to pick him up, it was a sunny afternoon with just a light breeze and clear skies, he was sure they’d see him in a minute or two. And it just seemed like routine for him to surface earlier than the others. But the crew on the boat never expected a diver to come up after 20 mins, and were relaxed after a long day, chatting with another skiff, comfortable in their routine that the divers would be down for another 40 minutes or so. After all, usually if somebody had a problem it was in the first few minutes of the dive.<br />
<br />
Jim sat on the surface, and then slowly drifted away in the light wind. He inflated his surface marker and blew on his whistle. But he was silhouetted in the bright sun, and the wind blew his whistle sound away. He had some difficulty holding the surface marker upright as well. <br />
<br />
He saw the boat start up and move a couple of times, but nobody saw him by then. He watched them start to pick up the other divers, then start to do searches for him. The boat did “S” sweeps around and around upwind from him, but nobody could spot him in the gathering darkness. He continued to drift uncontrollably away, even trying to swim a bit. <br />
<br />
After it became dark, Jim turned on a small strobe light that he had on his BC desperate to be seen. He tried to swim a bit, but realized that impossibility. Frustratingly, he could see the boats looking for him, but none ventured far enough in his direction to see him.<br />
<br />
The mood on the boat was one of frantically searching back and forth in a directed manner. After radioing the ship, long S sweeps were made by the well-trained crew in a lengthening manner, never realizing the distance downwind Jim had traveled in an hour. Twenty pairs of eyes were looking for Jim in every direction. The boat sat and listened for his whistle at times, not hearing any sounds. There was also the sand bar to search, as Jim had remarked that as a strong swimmer, he would try to swim to shore if he had problems. <br />
<br />
As night fell, there were the guests on board to think about and the boat was out of fuel. Reluctantly, it returned to the live aboard. The authorities were advised, and several other liveaboards launched boats to take their place in the search, keeping in touch by radio.<br />
<br />
His dive buddies and the trip leader got cleaned up and discussed the events in a somber manner. Many speculated that he had suffered some sort of medical condition after reaching the surface and had slipped back below. The easy routine enjoyment of the dive trip had turned into a nightmare.<br />
<br />
After refueling, the Captain took the helm and they returned to the dive site to search. Finally, they saw a very small light downwind in the distance. <br />
<br />
The boat drove at 29 knots for 6 minutes before they caught up with Jim and plucked him from the dark waters. He was tired but unharmed, and very lucky to be alive, after drifting a long 5 miles away from the dive site into the open Philippine Sea at night.<br />
<br />
The lesson learned? Complacency can kill you. If you don’t carry all the safety gear you need to attract attention, on every dive, whether it’s a “no-brainer” dive or not, you can be lost at sea. If the boat crew doesn’t watch for divers surfacing early, divers can be lost. <br />
<br />
Even if you’ve done 15 aggressive dives together previously and had no problems, don’t relax on the last dive of the day. It really could be your “last” dive.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaD8qMo9I4m0WOWuhsUdYMsgalRaiTQhsSbSAhfzSMls_J9YpMJ518ILpV9TGe5Y-0NpHY8PGS7olPtkg9JewfVBj2RCQdLs6OmsvKeTZng0hSd_dFUUzo8yLaG5tpHjS7vGvxQ/s1600/rock+islands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaD8qMo9I4m0WOWuhsUdYMsgalRaiTQhsSbSAhfzSMls_J9YpMJ518ILpV9TGe5Y-0NpHY8PGS7olPtkg9JewfVBj2RCQdLs6OmsvKeTZng0hSd_dFUUzo8yLaG5tpHjS7vGvxQ/s1600/rock+islands.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>See and Be Heard - Use What You Have</b><br />
<br />
Even on a simple, easy dive, don’t jump in without a good light, surface marker and strong sound device. <br />
<br />
Jim was prepared with a strobe light and it saved his life. But a better surface sound signaling device like a <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/accessories/dive-safety/divealert-plus-v.2.html" target="_blank">Dive-Alert</a> would of gotten him immediate attention. Inflating his surface marker completely and waving it for attention may of helped too. But in the event that nothing else worked, or in adverse conditions, a <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/accessories/dive-safety/nautilus-lifeline.html" target="_blank">Nautilus Lifeline</a> with it’s GPS-linked digital VHF radio and strobe light would of made finding him much more assured. <br />
<br />
A <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/accessories/dive-safety/divealert-smb-clone.html" target="_blank">large surface marker buoy (SMB)</a> is now required on most offshore dive boats. Some even have lights. Be sure you are familiar with their deployment and practice using them in easy conditions. Holding the end of them down underwater makes them stand up rigidly. Many guides deploy them at the safety stop for the dive skiff to spot and keep divers from being hit by other boat traffic. Try letting out a big burst of air from your octo just before you surface, then surface in it’s wake. The large surface boil will signal traffic where you are.<br />
<br />
But what if you don’t have those great devices? Grab an old CD and put it in your BC pocket - they make a great signaling mirror. Most divers now carry some sort of light, and photographers have powerful strobes on their camera. Put your camera into “automatic” mode and the strobe will fire. Firing them in a burst of 3 shots every minute towards a boat should attack attention. Don’t have a surface marker? Take off your fins and wave them above your head, the idea is to make yourself “large” in the water. Remember to stick together, a larger group is much easier to spot than a small one. Conserve your strength, ditch your weights and other cumbersome gear if you have to. Relax, breath in the troughs of the waves, not at the top, where it breaks over your head.<br />
<br />
Remember good communication with the boat crew, your guides and dive buddies is probably the most important part of your safety. If you think you might come up early, tell the guides and driver to be on the lookout. Plan your dive and dive your plan; it’s a basic part of any underwater adventure.</blockquote>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-24914932523653955022014-04-11T17:46:00.000-07:002014-04-11T17:48:07.898-07:00New Handbooks: Guides to Better Underwater Photography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY3CT6n9vs6VlbBCtq7sZXRHtJV0XCqn2e6ojYmhXQB4IxKhkaCBTiqwFVgQ9goY0ZLjNHPfUKOaNDnrRxeB8845adgwPymLK3CKXc_Hv6qoPKhT44W-lgrQxZmFoB-mrKfIAdw/s1600/Basics-of-Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY3CT6n9vs6VlbBCtq7sZXRHtJV0XCqn2e6ojYmhXQB4IxKhkaCBTiqwFVgQ9goY0ZLjNHPfUKOaNDnrRxeB8845adgwPymLK3CKXc_Hv6qoPKhT44W-lgrQxZmFoB-mrKfIAdw/s320/Basics-of-Photo.jpg" /></a></div>
We've developed some great <b>FREE</b> handbooks to help give you a basic guide to many aspects of underwater photography. Titled "<b><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/education/handbooks-basics-of-better-uw-photos.html">Guides to Better Underwater Photography</a></b>", these are easy-to-read articles with lots of example photos designed to get you out in the water trying new techniques quickly.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIdNGIWwOwa1pjCz8A_InOOWl6-9Z4_1Te-uyOUrj4CDZADCdjgevROX_DhTu9aE9yGwpAHEnoLToZaA5jSmqNPTq4IvKHVZ_nV__CfnAHOX9yy70s5Ruifkefd5szYDjGnDS5w/s1600/Basics-of-CFWA_Page_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIdNGIWwOwa1pjCz8A_InOOWl6-9Z4_1Te-uyOUrj4CDZADCdjgevROX_DhTu9aE9yGwpAHEnoLToZaA5jSmqNPTq4IvKHVZ_nV__CfnAHOX9yy70s5Ruifkefd5szYDjGnDS5w/s320/Basics-of-CFWA_Page_04.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
They give you basic concepts and practical tips that will help you get better photos; from how to get started, to more advanced lighting techniques. These are applicable to any type of system from compact to advanced DSLRs, whether you're just starting out, or have more experience - everyone will find some helpful information.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquaC8crckyP4TFglcKVe0i4IFdL-oDC4vnn1Rtkr70zccJSxBxy0D2jnEUlYAGcxrZa0aLpUg1E9V5ZOYleEz2Gf_TFCgomJkmXWk93xysSkKJI6Cd5omXH0ntVF2XuTt1GOnng/s1600/Basics-of-CFWA_Page_09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquaC8crckyP4TFglcKVe0i4IFdL-oDC4vnn1Rtkr70zccJSxBxy0D2jnEUlYAGcxrZa0aLpUg1E9V5ZOYleEz2Gf_TFCgomJkmXWk93xysSkKJI6Cd5omXH0ntVF2XuTt1GOnng/s1600/Basics-of-CFWA_Page_09.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
The Handbooks cover many different areas such as Starting Concepts, Composition, Choosing a Lighting System, Close Focus Wide Angle Photography and Maintenance. They are in .pdf format and are an easy way to quickly improve your knowledge and skills.
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-67633860311685612802014-04-01T09:58:00.000-07:002015-03-15T11:54:23.823-07:00Kona Variety Pack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://dd64v3laqvj0k.cloudfront.net/images/thumbnails/400/478/detailed/6/12449772825_fa89b2e25e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://dd64v3laqvj0k.cloudfront.net/images/thumbnails/400/478/detailed/6/12449772825_fa89b2e25e.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></div>
<b>We went over to the Big Island for a week of “cillaxing” in February.</b> Staying in a condo, we enjoyed several long drives around the island to visit the Volcano National Park, Hilo and the north end. Weather was up and down, the second night a huge storm blew through with pound rain and wind. But in the tropics the weather changes pretty quickly and we had as many warm sunny days as overcast or rainy.<br />
Denise caught a cold, but I managed to get out with Jack’s Diving Locker on one of their limited load trips one day. They did a great job with only 4 divers on a boat made for 8 or 10, for photographers it’s well worth the extra cost. Unfortunately the swell was running, so options for dive sites were very limited. The first place we went to really had little life, although the old lava flows underwater were pretty interesting.<br />
One the way back we did a dive at Captain Cook’s Bay, where he was killed. Although there were a lot of day boats with snorkelers, we enjoyed the huge coral slopes and pretty had the site to ourselves. It was a nice day on the water with whales rolling around us on the boat on the way back.<br />
I went up the “Sanctuary - 2 step” for a shore dive one afternoon and really enjoyed it, lots more life and good macro subjects nearly everywhere. Spent quality time with a little jeweled moray. Even spotted a turtle (of course with a macro lens couldn’t get much of a shot). As it is a protected park, the fish life there is abundant.<br />
<img align="right" alt="" hspace="12" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/12450271154_d107fdac82_n.jpg" style="width: 302px;" /><br />
I also went with Jack’s on one of their famous Manta Night dives. Having done several trips to the Socorro’s with the giant mantas, I wasn’t sure what to expect amid all the hype. But it turned out to be as exciting and fun as it was built up to be. We had something like 29 mantas show up and swoop close up over and around us from all directions, feeding on the krill that had gathered in our lights. I kept getting some weird reflections from some of the bright dive lights in my dome port when I was shooting stills, but my video turned out pretty well. Definitely a must do.<br />
Kona provided a lot of good photo subjects that week; big and small.<br />
<iframe align="middle" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/91794465" width="500"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/91794465">Kona Manta Feed</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/opticaloceansales">Optical Ocean Sales</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-91829387626921633692014-03-11T17:35:00.000-07:002014-03-12T08:42:03.095-07:00Housing & O-ring Maintenance<span style="color: #a28b5d; font-size: medium;"><b><img alt="" height="269" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Maintenance/maint-rinse.web-4.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px;" width="300" />Underwater Camera Floods: Avoiding the High Water Mark</b></span><br /><br />No subject scares underwater photographers more than having an expensive housed camera turn into an aquarium. Even a bit of water can turn electronics into a corroded mess.<br /><br />Here are a few general tips on maintenance that should help you avoid finding Nemo in your housing:<br /><br /><b>1) Read the manufacturer’s instructions.</b> Please carefully read through it. Housings all vary in care and feeding. For example, housings all have different depth ratings, or have varying ways of adding a sync cord. Some have all of the controls, but many have fewer housing controls than on the camera, with some controls doing multiple actions. Some o-rings are not removable but need to be wiped off. Some housings have controls that are user-serviceable, some aren't. Read the manual to find out.<br /><br /><b>2) O-rings are probably the most important and miss-serviced parts.</b> <br />In addition to the large, noticeable o-ring on the back cover, every control has one or two, as well as the ports, and strobe or other bulkheads. Some are black, some are blue or grey, most should be serviced, but some should not.<br /><br />If you don’t need to service an o-ring, don’t. A sealed o-ring will remain so unless disturbed, such as cleaning. A good example is a port: there is no need to service a port o-ring between dives if it is not removed or changed.<br /><br /><b><img alt="" height="197" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Maintenance/maint-3.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px;" width="175" />Following rule #1, you can generally service the rear, port and bulkhead o-rings as follows.</b> Remove them carefully by pinching the o-ring at the corner and pulling it out/off. If it sticks, use the corner of a credit card to gently pry it up. Many housings come with a thin removal tool. A blunted wooden cuticle remover also can also be useful, but do NOT use tweezers, screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, vise grips or any other sharp, medieval devices.<br /><br />Then just wash the o-ring in warm water with a bit of soap. Pat it dry completely with a lint-free dishtowel; NOT a paper towel or used Kleenex. Try not to stretch it as you dry it. <br /><br />Examine the o-ring in a bright light. Use a magnifying glass if necessary. Look for dirt, sand, cuts, dog, cat, rat, weasel or hamster hair. Be picky and meticulous; even the smallest hair can ruin your day.<br /><br />O-rings can get cut or abraded fairly easily as salt crystals form and slice them with their sharp edges. Replace them from your spares as necessary, and order replacements. <br /><br />You do have fresh spares don't you? O-rings need to be stored in an air-tight bag away from strong sunlight. Not a bad idea to pull them out of the housing when not in use and put them in a baggie inside. They get brittle with age, and should be periodically replaced.<br /><br /><b><img alt="" height="114" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Maintenance/maint-7.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 8px;" width="175" />3) If an o-ring is clean and in good shape, lubricate it with just a drop or two of the proper silicone grease.</b> Put a couple of drops on your fingertips and gently pull the o-ring through them to apply. Do NOT use anything other than the grease that is from your housing manufacturer. For instance, using black o-ring grease on blue o-rings has been known to melt them, which generally results in you melting down when your housing floods. Use the manufacturer’s grease on the manufacture’s o-ring; they will not cover floods if you don’t.<br /><img alt="" height="166" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Maintenance/maint-2.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" width="216" /><br />Now repeat the mantra; OMMM... "MORE IS NOT BETTER...MORE IS NOT BETTER...". Do NOT over grease. Silicone grease is ONLY a lubricant, NOT a sealant. All you want to see is sheen on the o-ring, not globs of grease. If you apply too much, all it will do is act as glue for sand and dirt to stick to.<br /><br /><b><img alt="" height="142" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Maintenance/maint-4.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px;" width="175" />4) Carefully clean the flanges and grooves where they contact the o-rings.</b> Use foam swabs, or a cotton swab with a piece of lens tissue wrapped around the tip. A clean used toothbrush also works well too. Blowing them off carefully with a can of compressed air is ok, but try to blow the dirt OUT of the housing, by holding it upside down. Again, examine all these surfaces carefully, they should not resemble "Beach Blanket Bingo" with sand everywhere, nor should there be any deep cuts or pinches that would result in a bad seal. Do NOT apply grease to the flat surfaces.<br /><br /><b>5) Now carefully install the clean, greased o-ring, making sure it is not twisted and lays flat in its intended spot.</b> If it seems out of shape, let it sit there for a minute, then try pressing it into place again. They can get heated from your fingertips and become misshapen and enlarge slightly. With larger o-rings, start from the top with both hands and gently press them into place, without stretching them out of shape.<br /><br />Examine the o-ring again, make sure there’s nothing that came off of a towel or your hands on them.<br /><br /><b><img alt="" height="114" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Maintenance/maint-6.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px;" width="175" />6) Install your camera with fresh batteries and a cleaned off card, then carefully close it.</b> Always do an o-ring "sweep", running your finger along it's entire surface, just before you close the back.<br /><br />Make sure the o-ring is seated and you haven’t pinched it out of position, and that there's not a sync cord or the edge of a silica gel bag stuck in between the surfaces. If you have a clear housing, check to see that there is a solid line where the o-ring seals. Breaks in color usually mean a problem.<br /><br />Make sure the edges of the housing seem to be evenly spaced, and nothing looks out of position or warped.<br /><br /><b>7) If you have an electrical sync cord:</b> Wipe off copper electronic sync cord contacts with rubbing alcohol (buy the 91% variety), and even use a bit of silicone grease on the threads when installing them. Then leave the cord connected for the whole trip. The contacts are fragile and if it's working, it does not need to be serviced between dives. Covers need to be immediately put on sync cord ends; copper and salt air is a bad combination.<br /><br /><b>8) Be sure to try your installed camera with the strobe before you go diving.</b> Test a couple of frames to see if you’ve left the lens cover on, strobes are syncing, etc.<br /><br /><b>9) A piece of thin sanitary pad usually fits in most housings and provides a bit of "oops a few drops got in" insurance.</b> It’s a good idea to tape it and any silica gel packets in place with a bit of electrical tape. It’s really a bummer to see the words “Dry-z-Air” when you are trying to focus on a whale shark.<br /><br /><b>10) Always test your housing in the dunk tank on the boat.</b> That's a plunge, swish-swish, watch for bubbles, dunk...NOT a toss-it-in-until-I'm-ready-to-dive dunk.<br /><br /><b>11) Go diving!</b> Have fun, swim around slowly, take lots of pictures!<br /><br /><b><img alt="" height="240" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Maintenance/maint-rinse.web-1.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 8px;" width="364" /></b><br />
<b>12) Later soak the entire rig in warm fresh water, even if you’ve done it on the boat.</b> 15-20 minutes is all you need to do. Again, work all the controls to get the salt out. Let it dry out of the sun and heat.<br />
Disassemble handles from trays if you ever intend on moving them again. Salt water can act between dissimilar metals through electrolysis and weld them together; i.e. your stainless bonds to your aluminum handles.<br />
If you're having some sticky controls, or something is "welded" together a warm bath with vinegar can help dissolve salt and corrosion safely. There is also a marine product called "Salt Away" that can work. If the part is small, you can put it in an ultrasonic cleaner.<br /><br />Once a year or so, you should send your housing into the manufacturer's repair center for servicing. Those small o-rings in the controls generally are not user-serviceable and need periodic replacement. Springs, latches and controls get worn as well. Don't pack the housing and take it on a long trip without servicing the o-rings and checking the system on a test dive first.<br /><br />The above doesn't have to take a long time, and a complete cleaning is not necessary every dive, but take your time and examine your housing carefully before you get in the water. Be meticulous about your equipment and it will last you for many years of diving!<br /><br />
<span style="color: #a28b5d;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Some General Dos and Don'ts:</span></b></span><br />
<b>Do:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Be meticulous and careful when setting up your rig. </b>Good time to tell your friends and family you need some alone time without distractions for an hour. Concentrate and develop a method for putting things together. Do it the same way every time and you won't forget a step.<br /></li>
<li><b>Use a dab of anti-seize compound, or even silicone grease, on any stainless to aluminum bolts.</b> Most are anodized, but some anodizing is better than others.<br /><br /><b></b></li>
<li><b>Clean, inspect and service your o-rings if in doubt. </b>If you've been diving off a beach that's sandy or gritty, it's a good idea to be very careful. Off a boat or liveaboard your serviced o-rings can probably just be inspected carefully and continue to be used.<b><br /></b></li>
<li><b><img alt="" height="160" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Maintenance/maint-rinse.web-5.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 8px;" width="242" />Close your cover or port carefully. </b>If something seems off, it usually is. A latch that's hard to close may mean something isn't loaded correctly. Rotary housing latches can be sand traps. If you've rinsed the housing and still find sand, then you may have to disassemble it. Usually it's just a small screw or two; clean it out and reassemble. <br /></li>
<li><b>Always do an o-ring "sweep", running your finger along it's entire surface, just before you close the back.</b> You'll feel any grit you missed.<br /></li>
<li><b>Always do a test of your camera and strobes. </b>Make sure your settings are correct, go over anything you don't understand about their operations - while you can still look at the manuals.<br /></li>
<li><b>Always test your housing in the dunk tank on the boat. </b>Better to find out there that you have a problem<b>.<br /></b></li>
<li><b>Always do a test dive without the camera in the housing if you are worried there might be a problem. </b>Go down to depth, and work the controls. Adding a small soft weight as a counter-balance is a help, as is a wad of tissue or paper towel inside to help spot where a leak is occurring.<b><br /></b></li>
<li><b>Consider getting one of the new "Vacuum Check" leak detection systems.</b> These new systems allow you to pump a bit of air out of the housing and let it sit. If the pressure drops, then a light changes color to allow you to fix it or abort your dive - before a bad flood can occur!</li>
</ul>
<b>Don't:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><b>DON'T leave your camera in the rinse tank between dives,</b> or for longer than a couple of minutes. MOST floods happen in the rinse tank. Cameras get dropped in on top of each other and latches get sprung, etc. Scratched ports are the least of your worries. Also, during your dive the housing and controls get compressed. Coming up from the bottom and then putting the camera in a non-pressurized tank of water can allow some controls to weep a bit. So just rinse it well, take it out and leave it under a towel out of the sun between dives. <br /><br /><b></b></li>
<li><b>DON'T let anyone clean their mask out in the camera rinse tank.</b> Anti-fog solutions have been known to be hard on o-rings. <br /></li>
<li><b>Never jump in the water holding your camera rig.</b> The fast pressure can pop things open, along with it getting bumped and scratched. Including your head. Have a deckhand hand it to you, or suspend it from a line, then retrieve it once in the water.<br /><br /><b></b></li>
<li><b>Dried salt water is your housing’s enemy.</b> Salt crystals form in the controls and they can cause leaks. If you don't have access to a fresh water rinse, leave it in salt water. As long as it doesn't dry, it's fine.<br /></li>
<li><b>Try not to let water dry on the glass ports, especially in the sun.</b> You'll get some cosmetic water spots on the port's coating if it does. There's nothing you can do to remove them once they're there. They won't hurt the photo quality at all, but it's nice to avoid them.</li>
</ul>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-8120368718557880372014-03-09T15:13:00.000-07:002014-03-12T09:05:03.341-07:00Choosing an Underwater Photography Lighting System<p><span style="font-size: medium; color: #ac9153;"><strong>What’s Right for You? </strong></span> – <em>by Denise Kitchel</em><br /><br /><strong><img style="margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; float: left;" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/category/0/Lighting-photos/_DSC6549.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />Why do I need a lighting system?</strong><br />That might seem like a silly question, but it is not always obvious to people what factors are involved in determining how much lighting they need. There are a few things that determine the amount of color saturation and image clarity in underwater photography: depth, ambient light, and water clarity. Obviously you're not in control of the depth that your subject is at, or the water clarity, but you do have some say in the amount of light. By adding to the available natural light, you’ll be able to improve the color saturation, sharpness and clarity of your photos.<br /><br /><strong>Underwater Depth and Color</strong><br />Think about rainbows; they are a vision of light refracted into individual colors through rain (drops of water). So, it’s only natural that when we’re under water, colors change based on the light from above being refracted and absorbed by the water. Each color is a different wave length and energy level, which means that each color absorbs at a different rate. <br /><br />Colors vanish underwater in the same order as they appear in the color spectrum. </p>
<ul>
<li><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Red</span></strong> – The first to disappear, you may see a noticeable difference in red at 5ft and a complete loss at 15ft.</li>
<li><span style="color: #ff9900;"><strong>Orange</strong></span> – The next to go, oranges will be lost at between 25 and 30ft.</li>
<li><span style="color: #f0e70e;"><strong>Yellow</strong> </span>– Next are yellows, which fade at 35 to 40ft</li>
<li><span style="color: #339966;"><strong>Green</strong></span> – The last to go are greens at anywhere between 50 and 75ft.</li>
</ul>
<p>Keep in mind the impact of horizontal distance as well. If you are 10 feet underwater, and you are viewing an object that is 10 feet away, you are viewing the light that has reflected off of that object, which has actually travelled 20 feet to reach your eye. At that point, all of the reds will have been filtered out.<br /><br />Similarly, the light from your system will have to travel 10 feet to the subject you’re shooting and reflect 10 feet back to the camera lens, for a total of 20 feet. Keep this in mind when setting up your shots. The closer you get, the better the color. <br /><br /><strong>Mind Games</strong><br />The interesting thing is that our brains are wired to compensate for the loss of color. We see a familiar object under water and we see red, because we know it is red, but when we take a photo of it with only natural light, there is no red. So, you actually need lighting when you don’t necessarily think you do.<br /><img style="float: right; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px;" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/category/0/Lighting-photos/lighting.JPG" alt="" width="300" height="199" /><br /><strong>Where do I start?</strong><br />To choose the right underwater lighting system, you will have to think about a number of things: What kind of photography will I primarily be shooting, stills or video? What subjects will I be shooting? What will the available light be like where I dive? What kind of camera, housing and lenses will I be using? Why am I taking photos and what do I plan to do with them?<br /><br />Once you have answers to these questions, you’ll be well on your way to picking out the right components you need in order to put together a lighting system that will take your photos to a whole new level!<br /><br /><strong>What do I have to choose from?</strong><br />There are several components that go into a lighting system: one or more types of lights, arms, trays, handles, clamps, adapters, mounts and sync cords. Below is a description of each and how they work together to make one awesome lighting system!<br /> <br /><strong>Types of Lights - </strong>Lights generally fall into one of two categories:</p>
<p><strong><img style="float: left; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px;" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/category/0/Lighting-photos/itorch-fishlite-1.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="95" /></strong><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/focus-video-lights/"><strong>Continuous Lights</strong></a> – These are lights that you turn on and they stay on until you turn them off. Their output is measured in lumens, which defines the total amount of visible light emitted, and can range anywhere from 300 to 18,000 lumens. Focus lights and video lights fall into this category.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/focus-video-lights/focus-lights/"><strong>Focus Lights</strong></a><br />Focus lights are lower lumen, continuous lights. They help you to see while setting up a shot, and help your camera lock in focus on subjects in the somewhat dim lighting conditions found underwater. They are essential for night diving, in that trying to hold a dive light for visibility and take pictures at the same time is nearly impossible. <br /><br />Some have built-in red lights, or a red filter, which is great for shooting shy creatures (like crustaceans or octopus) that can’t see the color red. It also means that you won’t be the one swarmed by krill while trying to get a shot of that gorgeous manta, but your buddy shooting video with high-lumen white light certainly will!<br /><br /></li>
<li><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/focus-video-lights/video-lights/"><strong>Video Lights</strong></a><br />When shooting video you’ll need a strong light, at least 800 lumens, but 1200 or more is recommended, with a wide beam angle. Video is all about capturing movement, so think about needing to light up a large space with even light out from edge to edge.<br /><br />When shooting video with a wide angle lens, you’ll want 2 lights in order to have even coverage. For macro video, a single 800 lumen light will do the job, but a minimum of 1200 lumens is necessary if you’ll be shooting both still and video.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><img style="margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; float: left;" src="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Strobes-Lighting/Strobes.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="87" /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/strobes/strobes-main/">Strobe Lights</a></strong> – These are lights that emit a short burst of intense, extremely powerful light, providing crispness, sharpness and color saturation to your photos. They are usually connected to your camera housing with a sync cord, allowing the camera to signal the strobe to fire. Their output is measured in underwater guide numbers that range from 12 to 32 or more.<br /><br />Strobes are essential for still photography. Yes, your camera has a built-in flash, but that flash was intended for above water photos, where you don’t need to worry about things like refraction of light through water and reflection from backscatter. It’s also built-in, which means it is in a fixed position on the inside of your housing, where it will be shadowed by the port on your housing, and the light it emits will always be straight ahead. It will light up the particles in the water really well, meaning lots of good shots of backscatter, but not light your subject too well at all. With a strobe, you can position your light in a way that reduces backscatter, and give yourself some creative lighting options.</p>
<p><strong>Manual and TTL Exposure:</strong> Strobe can have two different exposure control systems; manual and auto-TTL. <strong>Manual</strong> is just that; a control to change the power (duration) of the strobe's output. <strong>TTL</strong> (Through The Lens metering) is a method for the strobe to either be controlled directly from the camera with an electrical sync connection, or by using an optical sync, to mimic the camera's flash. This is also sometimes refered to as D-TTL, or slave TTL.</p>
<p><strong>Can I use a high-power continous light instead of a strobe?</strong> The answer is not really well. Even the smallest strobe puts out thousands of candle power of light intensity instantaneously. This very quick, high-powered light gives you the color saturation and sharpenss desired for still photos. If you use a continous light for still photos, you'll have to shoot at high ISOs, with slow shutter speeds and open aperatures, as the light just doesn't have the same intensity. Your photos will tend to be soft looking and darker, without intense colors, sharpness or detail. In a recent test we conducted, an 18,000 lumen video light put out about what a small strobe could, and it really only worked well for macro or close up photos. This is an area of some debate, and again, it depends on how you're going to use your photos.</p>
<table width="auto" cellspacing="12" cellpadding="8" bgcolor="#F6EDE2">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b17e3b;"><strong><br /><span style="font-size: small; color: #993300;">Things to Consider</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color: #cc9900;">When choosing lights, you’ll want to consider several things in order to make sure that you’re getting the best light for the money.</span>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #cc9900;"><strong>Construction</strong> – Look for anodized aluminum, or high-quality plastic construction with double o-rings. For strobes, look for a sealed battery compartment.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc9900;"><strong>Features</strong> – Look for additional features like battery life indicators, power settings, swappable batteries, varying beam width, Red or UV color. For strobes; a target light, ready and/or TTL indicator lights, a test function, and the number of pre-flash settings are the features to look for.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc9900;"><strong>Batteries</strong> – Does it use standard batteries or lithium rechargeable? How many? Does it come with a spare set? What is the capacity/runtime? What type of charger does it use? Can it be "wet-charged" and not use an external charger?</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc9900;"><strong>Controls</strong> – Look at ease of use, readability, the number of brightness settings and filters. For strobes, also look at power settings (duration of flash) and TTL vs. Manual control.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #cc9900;"><strong>Mounts</strong> – What type of mount does it have? Ball or YS-mounts are generally used. Does it come with others for wrist mounting a dive light, etc?<br /><br /></span></li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><strong><img style="float: left; margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;" src="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/1/I-DAS-Tray-1.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="102" /></strong><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/trays-and-arms/trays/"><strong>Trays</strong></a><br />A tray is the base for connecting all of your components together. Most DSLRs will come with a tray and handle, so you may not need to choose a separate one. If you do though, you’ll need to consider a few things. The size of your housing is the biggest determining factor for which trays you’ll have to choose from. After that, your options will be narrowed based on the mount for the type of housing you have. Next, you’ll want to look at how adjustable they are, so that you’ll be able to configure it best for your fit (the size of your hands with gloves on or off) and so that you’ll have a better chance of being able to reuse it if you buy a new housing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/trays-and-arms/handles/"><strong>Handles</strong></a><br />Trays can be single handle or double handle. Some trays come with handles attached, and some you purchase separately. In any case, you’ll want to choose handles that have a comfortable grip for your hand size.<br /><br /><strong><img style="float: left; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px;" src="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/thumbnails/1/320/320/iDAS-Set-3.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/trays-and-arms/arms-and-clamps/">Arms & Clamps</a></strong><br />Once you’ve got your tray and handles figured out, you’ll want to think about what kinds of arms you’ll need. There are flex arms, float arms (to offset the additional weight of your system), and rigid arms that come in several different lengths. You’ll connect them together with clamps that allow you to position your lights however you’d like and lock them into position or allow them to be easily moved.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/trays-and-arms/adapters-and-mounts/"><strong>Adapters & Mounts</strong></a><br />Any number of adapters and mounts are available to connect together components from different manufacturers. Some are necessary to mount lighting on top of housings instead of arms, others adapt lighting to different arms. Just know that if you’re buying separate lighting system components, rather than purchasing a lighting package, you may need to purchase adapters and/or mounts as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/strobes/sync-cords/"><strong>Sync Cords</strong></a><br />Sync cords provide a connection between the housing and strobe to fire it in sync with the camera's built in flash. There are two types of sync cords: Electrical and Fiber Optic.<br /><br /><strong>Electrical sync cords</strong> can provide the best performance and save the camera battery. However, the housing must be able to support them by providing a connection into the camera, which can be another source for floods.<br /><a title="Lighting Packages" href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/underwater-camera-housing-packages/lighting-packages/"><strong><img style="margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; float: right;" src="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/thumbnails/5/320/320/TRL-YSD1-pkg.jpg" alt="" width="295" height="295" /></strong></a><br /><strong>Fiber optic sync cords</strong> are the newer method and are preferred for ease of use. One end of the cord connects to the strobe, and the other end is connected to the outside of the housing, over the camera’s flash, by attaching it to a built in port on the housing or simply with Velcro. When the flash fires, the light travels through the fiber optic cord and signals the strobe to fire. The beauty of this is that there is no hole drilled into the housing, so no worry about flooding.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/underwater-camera-housing-packages/lighting-packages/"><strong>How about a Lighting Package?</strong></a><br />Want to make it easy on yourself and get the biggest bang for your buck? Consider purchasing one of our lighting packages. We’ve put together what we think are the best configurations for various housings, based on the needs of our customers, at a reasonable price. Take a look on our <a title="Lighting Packages" href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/underwater-camera-housing-packages/lighting-packages/">website</a>!</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>opticaloceanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17189775135471966403noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-92067866227780952842014-02-11T17:34:00.001-08:002014-03-06T12:52:38.756-08:00Palau: Photography in Paradise<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fourteen underwater photographers joined Optical Ocean sales owner Jack Connick on an expedition to the Rock Islands of Palau in late November of 2013. After a long flight, they joined onboard the Palau Aggessor liveaboard on an extended, 10 day cruise.<br />
<br />
With the weather wet and warm, the comforts of the ship were welcomed. Spacious cabins, sun deck, a large camera table, salon and dinning areas let the large group spread out comfortably.<br />
<br />
Diving was from a skiff, with all dive gear left aboard. It was lifted from the water after each dive, so divers just had to step onboard, cameras were loaded onto the skiff's camera table by the crew. Besides Captain Marc, there were 2-3 guides and drivers onboard, as well as chief, stewardess and stewards; all-in-all treating us to great, professional service.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/11166676793_59c297167a_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/11166676793_59c297167a_n.jpg" /></a>After getting organized and well briefed, we headed out of port to enjoy the outer reefs. No hour-long day boat rides for us, dive sites were within 15 minutes, more or less. Palau is in danger of being “over-loved” by divers and sites can get crowded. We were generally first on the sites in the morning and having lunch while the day boats were diving. Continuing to avoid the crowds, we dove into the late afternoon with a few night dives after that.<br />
<br />
Multiple dives on many of the sites let the expedition try various lens combinations and techniques. Many times, varying currents allowed divers to also try different directions and depths as well. For the most part, currents were very light, even on sites like Peleliu and Blue Corners.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/11166361755_c4a8707d0d_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5488/11166361755_c4a8707d0d_n.jpg" /></a>Palau is famous for having nearly every type of marine animal in abundance, and one never quite knew what you'd see; sharks, turtles, giant wrasse, eels, enormous schools of Jacks, as well as macro life; with nudibranchs and small fish, like Square-spot Anthias, challenging our photographic abilities. Dives were set up especially to shoot Reef Mantas, which came zooming up German Channel late in day. Walls were decorated in vivid hues of sponges, anemones, huge fans, corals of every shape and kind, as well as many other colorful invertebrates.<br />
<br />
Starting on the outer reefs, we dove the Turtle Cove, Blue Corner, German Channel areas. Then we continued down to the island of Peleliu for a couple of days. While there, we enjoyed a tour of this battlefield, home of some of the bloodiest fighting in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Bomb disposal teams are still actively working to clear ordinance from the area - 60 years later.<br />
<br />
Returning to the Turtle Cove area, we dove some of those sites as well as Ngemelis Wall - enjoying a little more sun for better wide-angle photos. We also dove Blue Hole on a couple of occasions, enjoying the dramatic lighting and framing afforded in those caves.<br />
<br />
The next day, while the Aggressor moved up to anchor as close as she could to Ulong Reef, the skiff departed for a sunny morning of snorkeling famous Jellyfish Lake.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/11166629323_a0972a53f7_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/11166629323_a0972a53f7_n.jpg" /></a>Conditions couldn't of been better as the group hiked over the steep ridge, with a sunny day giving us lots of color to work with. As we could afford the time, Captain Marc led us on a long swim to the other end of the brackish lake where there were more of the yellow, non-stinging jellyfish to take photos with many different techniques being tried. I had envisioned a shot utilizing a type of refractive physics called "Snell's Window" that focuses the sky and surrounding area behind the subject clearly in a circle. Aiming my rig by sight at arms’ length, it took many tries, but I got a few keepers in the end. The lake also is home to a species of cardinalfish. Snorkeling amongst the mangrove roots along the shore they were completely tame to my camera lens.<br />
<br />
That afternoon, we started diving Ulong reef. Ulong Wall, Ulong Channel, the Coral Gardens on top and Siaes Tunnel were enjoyed repeatedly. Siaes is a cavern at a starting depth of 90', but it's long entrances made for some great photos of the divers and fauna there.<br />
<br />
A nearby sand bar was also dove late in the day to shoot some macro subjects there. Unfortunately one diver became separated from the group. Luckily the crew responded with great professionalism and skill, finding him after several hours, but only after he had activated a strobe light. (see a separate article written for Alert Diver about this incident.<br />
<br />
Heading back into the lagoon, and enjoying a skiff tour of the Rock Islands, we dove a couple of large WWII wrecked ships and a Japanese seaplane there. Visibility was very poor, and a crew was surveying the crashed "Jake" plane to see how it had deteriorated. But it was something different; certainly another attraction of the diving in Palau.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/11201382814_bf69f070dc_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/11201382814_bf69f070dc_n.jpg" /></a></div>
After arriving back to Korror, we went on a land tour, driving out of town to he north a couple of hours, stopping to view farms, scenery and old Japanese gun emplacements, we went on a tour to a huge waterfall in the dense jungle.<br />
<br />
Palau certainly was an adventure, and the longer cruise was worth the extra time and expense to truly enjoy this amazing South Sea paradise.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Photo Notes:</b> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I was shooting my Nikon D800 in a <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/manufacturer-brand/nauticam/nau-housings/nau-dslr/nauticam-nad-800-housing-for-nikon-d800.html" target="_blank">Nauticam housing</a> with a variety of lenses. </span>For macro I shot a Nikon 105mm VR with a +5 diopter. Also experimented with a 60mm macro, but found it really didn't have enough power. For wide angle, I shot a Nikon 17-35 f2.8 (which I like over the 16-35, because of it's speed), a Sigma 15mmFE, both behind a smaller <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/ports-extensions-and-gears/ports-dslr/domes/zen-170mm-dome-port-for-nauticam-dslr-housings.html" target="_blank">Zen 170mm dome port</a>. I found the Zen 170mm dome to work quite well, shooting about the same as the larger 8" acrylic dome I shot in Fiji earlier. It packed very well with my entire system fitting in a <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/accessories/seahorse-cases/seahorse-se-920f-wheeled-case.html" target="_blank">Seahorse rollaboard case</a>.</span><br />
<br />
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-90162451668375916822013-11-01T17:33:00.000-07:002014-03-06T12:54:39.414-08:00Free Handbooks: Basics of Underwater Photos<p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Guides/Basics-of-UW-Wide-Angle-Lighting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/Guides/Basics-of-UW-Wide-Angle-Lighting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="userContent">We've just revised and published several new FREE handbooks in a series <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/education/basic-guides-to-better-uw-photos.html" target="_blank"><i>Basics of Better Underwater Photos</i></a>. These .pdfs cover basic overall techniques and approaches,
as well as various types of shots like macro, wide angle, close
focus/wide angle, sunballs and much more. There's lots of go<span class="text_exposed_show">od
info here for beginners and experts; starting exposures, lighting
diagrams, composition, etc. These are a "fast-read" using photos to
illustrate. The first eight are posted, we're working on adding more soon! <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/education/basic-guides-to-better-uw-photos.html" target="_blank">Download them here.</a> Enjoy and pass on this link!</span></span>
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-59941828364276007652013-11-01T17:10:00.000-07:002014-03-06T12:55:00.221-08:00Photo Expedition to the Socorros May, 2014!<p>
<a href="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/Travel/Socorros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/Travel/Socorros.jpg" style="margin-top: 8px;" width="211" /></a>For those of you who enjoyed my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/opticalocean/sets/72157632639420278/" target="_blank">photos</a> and <a href="http://opticalocean.blogspot.com/2013/02/blue-water-diving-its-all-good.html" target="_blank">article</a> on the Socorros Islands, please join us on a Photo Expedition there May 23- June 1st 2014. <br />
<br />
Optical Ocean Sales has organized a trip to go at a perfect time of year to find baitballs; schooling small fish that the predators encircle and feed on. These swirling “balls” of fish are attacked above and below water by sailfish, sharks, and dolphins - and are a mass of action for underwater photography.<br />
<br />
The Revillagigedos Islands, also known as the <a href="http://www.solmarv.com/socorro.html">Socorro Islands</a>, are located 250 miles offshore southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They form an oasis for pelagic life amongst their volcanic shores. Many hammerhead and silky sharks, giant manta rays, dolphins, sailfish, schools of jacks and tuna come to feed, mate and get cleaned by small pandemic Clarion Angelfish.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/Travel/sailfish-copia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="201" src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/Travel/sailfish-copia.jpg" style="margin-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a></div>
These animals tend to be quite friendly towards divers at times, allowing for fantastic interactions and blue water photo opportunities.<br />
This is also the time of year that huge schools of silky sharks are found at Roca Partida Island. These schools can literally block out the sun with their immense numbers.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/Travel/Socorros-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="216" src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/Travel/Socorros-2.jpg" style="margin-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a>Our expedition will be on the <a href="http://www.solmarv.com/about.html" target="_blank">Solmar V, a luxury liveaboard</a>, which has been sailing these waters for many years, with probably the most experienced and friendly crew around. Best of all, our head guide will be Erick Higuera, a biologist and photographer, who just won the Beneath the Sea “Stan Waterman Award for Underwater Video” for his film “<a href="http://vimeo.com/47153573" target="_blank">Baja</a>”. He has worked for many years on the Solmar and has extensive experience in the islands.<br />
<br />
Both Martin Heyn and myself will be on board and we plan on being available to help you get the most from this fantastic photo opportunity. The cost is $3395/$3495 and is all-inclusive; just get yourself to Cabo San Lucas and we do the rest! Our trip flyer is <a href="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/Travel/Socorros-flyer.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. Get more details and sign up today at the <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/photo-expeditions-and-travel/solmar-v-liveaboard-photo-expedition.html" target="_blank">webstore</a>!
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-92101044412778820642013-02-09T17:39:00.000-08:002014-06-14T21:03:41.515-07:00Blue Water Diving: It's All Good<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dX2bjoOlS2FvZD838XM65SMjDhgTAKQSy10r6hV1ceQTdaTKz8ozGNt5ugMeNeKmexgfKj6ZZwYiya8uhoUQyeBzZ1dIbyHJla2nJrPp448sPGXjiM8sALl8vlVq7vymDhi-WA/s1600/Jack+Manta-6795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dX2bjoOlS2FvZD838XM65SMjDhgTAKQSy10r6hV1ceQTdaTKz8ozGNt5ugMeNeKmexgfKj6ZZwYiya8uhoUQyeBzZ1dIbyHJla2nJrPp448sPGXjiM8sALl8vlVq7vymDhi-WA/s1600/Jack+Manta-6795.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
Went down to Cabo for a few days and then out on the Solmar V to the Soccoros for a week in mid-January. It can always be a crap shoot, and the last trip I made (this is my third) was in January and was spectacular. This time we had wind and cool weather in Cabo for most of the 5 days before the trip.<br />
<br />
The islands really had gotten beat up with the hard rain and wind. Fortunately, it had improved as we left. Unfortunately the seas were choppy and the wind was still bad for the first couple of days. The viz, was pretty bad, worst I've seen, normally it's 80-100', but we had more like 20' horizontal and 40' vertical. We couldn't see our fins at Cabo Pearce. Frustratingly, there was pretty decent animal interactions, with lots of hammerheads and even a small Tiger at Canyons, but pretty much impossible to shoot!<br />
<br />
Roca Partida had a bit better viz, but lumpy seas and strong currents. There was a small school of Galapagos sharks, but the group scared them away. Normally it's crystal clear and can have an amazing amount of animals.<br />
<br />
Finally, we got back to San Benedicto and El Boiler was pretty good, although very hazy, pretty bad in the afternoon. But the mantas were playing and over the course of 8 dives I managed to get some images I liked, by getting within a few feet.<br />
<br />
Oh well, that's blue water diving for you. The next couple of week's trip reports afterwards had the viz back and conditions excellent. The crew on the Solmar V is fantastic, the old boat still works out quite well, great food, huge camera table and everyone had fun.<br />
<br />
We do have a charter in 2015 in March concentrating on shooting the humpback whales that migrate there then. I'll have an announcement up soon.<br />
<br />
Here's a few shots. They were taken with a Nikon D800, Sigma 15mmFE, in a Nauticam NA-D800 housing and Zen 230mm dome port with 2x Sea & Sea YS-D1 strobes. This system is very easy to use underwater as it is neutral and fairly compact for it's capabilities.<br />
<br />
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-12908420989267404362013-02-09T17:31:00.001-08:002013-02-09T17:31:54.428-08:00A Tale of Two Cameras: Photo Expedition to Taveuni and Rainbow Reef<span data-mce-style="font-size: medium;" style="font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span><br /><strong><img alt="Fiji - D800" data-mce-src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/D800%20Story/Soft%20Coral-Boat-15.jpg" data-mce-style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" height="449" src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/D800%20Story/Soft%20Coral-Boat-15.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" width="300" /></strong>Fourteen
brave folks came along on our first shop trip to Taveuni, Fiji this
October. The long flights from LAX through Nadi to The Garden Island
Resort went smoothly, and the friendly staff greeted us with warm
welcomes and traditional songs. Our rooms were spacious, with fresh
tropical flowers, and spa style bathrooms. We were anxious to get in a
check-out dive right away, but the dive shop wasn’t prepared for our
arrival, so things were bit disorganized. Having had a lot of experience
in running dive trips, I was able to quickly get them back on track.<br /><br />Diving
the rest of the week went more smoothly, with two dives in the morning
and one in the afternoon. Rainbow Reef, in the Somosomo Straits between
Taveuni and Viti Levu was a short 20 min run out, and had a great
variety of dive sites, from top-of-the-reef hard corals, sandy slots, to
short/deep walls and caves. Currents were up and down, and really took
the experienced guides to figure out. They would be running one way on
one side of the reef and reverse direction on the other side. Many times
we would drift down, then up and over and come back. The wall entrance
to The Great White wall was a swim-through that started at 35’ and came
out at 80’, then ended with another short swim-though from 65’ back to
30’. Our dive profiles were pretty zig-zaggy as a result, and it played
havoc with some divers’ ears.<br /><br />Fiji has amazing soft and hard
corals, gorgonian fans and other invertebrates with Technicolor hues.
These incredible vistas left all sorts of subject matter for
photography. There are also large amounts of small and medium-sized
fish, with a few larger ones wandering by from time to time; white-tip
and bronze whaler sharks, a large napoleon wrasse, turtles, etc. The
Somosomo Straits doesn’t have as many large animals as other spots, but
there certainly is a variety of life.<br /><br />Our surface intervals were
a treat: we were able to pull up to a beautiful park on the other side
of the straits that had a wide sandy beach and shady palm trees to take a
quick nap under. Fresh coconuts that the guides broke open accompanied
our snacks and clouds of small fish were fun to snorkel with.<br /><br /><strong>Go Large or Go Home</strong><br />While
most photographers who travel are moving to smaller rigs I seem to be
moving in the other direction. Having started with a small Sea & sea
film rig, I moved through the range of Fuji compacts on to larger Nikon
DSLRs. I was very happy with the size and performance of my Nikon D7000
until I had a chance to shoot a full-frame D800 camera. My feeling now
is that I don’t mind the increased size if I can get better quality, a
much broader dynamic range and have faster performance with better
control. It’s all going to go in one bag anyway, so you might as well
fill it!<br /><br /><img alt="Great White Wall - D800" data-mce-src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/D800%20Story/Cave%2015.jpg" data-mce-style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" height="200" src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/D800%20Story/Cave%2015.jpg" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" width="300" />I
had brought two complete Nauticam DSLR systems to Fiji, my trusty Nikon
D7000 and a new D800 full-frame, thinking to try one against the other –
size vs. performance. I also thought that the other folks might want to
try one out. However, no one took me up on the offer; they all elected
to stick with the cameras they brought with them. <br /><br />I had rented
the D800 body and Sigma 15mmFE and heartily endorse the idea of renting a
camera or specialty lens for a trip, especially if you aren’t sure what
you want, or won’t use it very often. (I wanted to also look at the new
D600 later on.) Moving from cropped-sensor DX to full-frame FX will
entail changing several lenses, as most DX lenses simply don’t have
enough resolution to use with a 36MP sensor. I plan on trying out
professional quality lenses, and buying them only after I have enough
experience to justify their expense.<br /><br />I shot the D7000 the first
day, with my usual Tokina 10-17 and then switched over to the D800,
shooting with a Sigma 15mm fisheye lens, which for a relatively
inexpensive lens is very sharp and focuses much closer than the 16mm
Nikon FE. I later added a Kenko 1.4x teleconverter to the Sigma wide
angle (while adding a 20mm extension) and really liked the magnified
sharpness that the 21mm rectilinear format setup provided. You lose a
little image area, but it seems to pull in and focus the fine details of
the corals with less distortion at the corners.<br /><br />The 105VR macro
shoots about like the 60mm macro does on DX, with a bit more reach, but
subsequently it is harder to lock focus. I would recommend using at
least a +5 diopter, maybe more, depending on what you want to shoot.
This allowed me to get much closer and eliminate some water between the
subjects and myself. I did find that it wouldn’t lock focus at distance
on the D800, unlike using it on the D7000, where I like to shoot fish
headshots.<br /><br /><img alt="Fiji Squat Lobster - D800" data-mce-src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/D800%20Story/lobster%20macro%20105.jpg" data-mce-style="margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; float: left;" height="200" src="https://opticaloceansales.com/images/D800%20Story/lobster%20macro%20105.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" width="300" />One
unexpected bonus was how large and bright the full-frame viewfinders
are. You not only get a third larger sensor, but you also get a third
larger, 100% viewfinder! <br /><br />The difference in dynamic range, detail
and overall image quality with the D800 was much greater than I
expected on full-frame, and after reviewing the images on my computer,
the D7000, while an amazing camera, just didn’t compare. All of a sudden
this became an expensive dive trip!<br /><br />Where the D7000 is nice and
small, the D800 is more of a “voluptuous” size and weight. Surprisingly
though, the D800 with an 8.5” dome port, was very light in the water,
maybe even lighter than the D7000, while out of water it is a bit of a
tank.<br /><br />But a larger physical-sized rig has advantages. The
Nauticam D800 has incredibly nice controls, many moved out to levers,
they are spread out and fall right under my hands. Even better when
using gloves in cold water. My favorite is the ISO: flip it down, scroll
with the main control wheel and pop it back up. With the D7000, and
most Nikons, if you select menu item “hold button until released”, it
can work the same way, but with a push of a button instead of a lever.
It saves having to use two hands to make an ISO or other change.<br /><br />The
one thing I really would miss from the D7000 is the small Zen 100mm
dome port, along with the Tokina 10-17 FE zoom lens. You can really cram
it into smaller spots when shooting CF/WA. With full-frame, you really
have to shoot a larger dome, and I was using the 8.5” acrylic dome on
this trip. The advantages of a larger dome are many: better corners and
overall quality, the ability to use more wide-open f-stops and the
ability to shoot over-and-unders. I would probably switch to a Zen 200mm
or large 230mm mega-dome glass port for a little more crispness. <br /><br />Getting
used to shooting in high ISOs was the biggest change for me. It felt
really “wrong” to use ISO 800 in the caves, as I’m so used to getting a
lot of noise as a result. The D800 and other new FX cameras can be shot
at very high ISOs without penalty. ISO 800 looks about like 200 on a DX
camera and even higher ISO settings of 1200 or above show little noise.
As I progress, I will find that shooting in available light, and maybe
experimenting with filters at higher ISOs will be a huge sea-change and
will open up a lot of new avenues for shooting shallow water, deeper
wrecks, caves, or at night.<br /><br /><strong>“Batting” It All Around</strong><br />Every
night at Taveuni we had hundreds of huge fruit bats come home to roost
in the trees. Chirping, chattering and the occasional full screams
accompanied our nights’ rest. Like the difference in technology between
my cameras, the contrasts between the colorful soft corals and primal
bats, the modern hotel in its eco-friendly surroundings and the
primitive local houses, made for an interesting cultural experience.<br />
<br />D800 Photos:<br />
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<br />
D7000 Photos:<br />
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-51805259601975217352012-09-11T17:21:00.001-07:002012-09-11T17:21:25.941-07:00Purchasing a Mirrorless Camera System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/3/EM5_14-42Black-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/3/EM5_14-42Black-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Many people are upgrading from a compact camera to one of the new mirrorless cameras like the Olympus or Panasonic micro 4/3rds, or Sony Nex cameras.<br />
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There are some differences from buying a compact camera, mainly in terms of now having interchangeable lenses. You don't just switch from macro to wide angle with the one lens that's on the camera, you use different lenses and ports, and need to think through what kind of shots you're going to want to take while setting up the camera before a dive.<br />
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If you are going to buy a mirrorless camera, you are buying into a <i>system</i>. And that includes lenses, ports gears, tray/arms and strobes. The camera is going to end up being the least expensive part of it - and the part you are going to change out in a couple of years. You want to think about where you are going to be <i>then</i> in terms of what you can reuse and upgrade, and what the resale value is going to be like.<br />
<br />
The Sony Nex5N is a great camera. There are very good wide angle options for it behind a dome port, and the lenses are fairly inexpensive. You just buy the 16mm and then add on the w/a or FE adapters to it. All three fit the Nauticam dome and you don't need a zoom gear. I would agree that the macro lenses are a bit limited, the 30mm hasn't worked out all that well underwater, but the wide angle shooting is very good.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/3/12-50mm_BLK_EZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/3/12-50mm_BLK_EZ.jpg" width="126" /></a>Panasonic m4/3rds cameras have some very good lenses and shoot excellent video. We have found their cameras to be fussy when when working in optical sync with external strobes, particularly TTL. They are also more expensive. But they have more direct controls and better specs in many cases.<br />
<br />
Olympus has very easy-to-use cameras and reasonably priced lenses. The new <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/cameras/micro-4-3rds/olympus-oe-d-em-5-camera-with-12-50mm-lens.html" target="_blank">Olympus OM-D EM-5 camera</a> is making many people sell their big
DSLRs and move to this small, high-quality camera with great specs and
imaging. They are filling in some gaps in lens offerings with new ones like the 12-50mm which does offer the ability to go from macro to a moderate wide angle view with the right port. The cameras seem to work very well in manual and TTL sync with external strobes. Bang for the buck, I really like the E-PM1 and <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/housings/mirrorless/olympus-housings/olympus-pt-ep06-housing-for-the-e-pm1.html" target="_blank">PT-EP06</a> housing. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/1/PT-EP06-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/1/PT-EP06-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
But really, I would almost consider the housing before the camera; The <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/manufacturer-brand/olympus-en/oly-housings/oly-mirrorless/" target="_blank">Olympus housings</a> are inexpensive at $599-799ish, as are the cameras - <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/cameras/micro-4-3rds/olympus-e-pm1-pen-camera.html" target="_blank">the PM1</a> is only $399. But adding ports to them is expensive. Your best options are the <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/manufacturer-brand/zen-ports/" target="_blank">Zen dome</a> at $499-799, plus the lens. that port may/may not fit a new housing. Although they do seem like they'll fit the new Oly OM-D housings, that may not be true in the future. And they are limited to 135', have plastic construction, will wear out much sooner and need service or replacement. Resale values are going to be much less percentage-wise.<br />
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10Bar and some other lines make good value aluminum housings. They have a good lineup of ports and features including a depth rating of 200'. They come with a 2 year warranty and can be serviced in Hong Kong. Their controls and construction aren't as good as Nauticam, the ports not as specific to certain lenses. But they do seem to work well for many divers wanting to keep costs down. However resale values are pretty low.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/3/EM5_3327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/watermarked/detailed/3/EM5_3327.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
If you spend a bit more on a <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/manufacturer-brand/nauticam/nau-housings/mirrorless-en/" target="_blank">Nauticam housing</a>, you are buying into a much broader system; many more ports and gear combos, both Pany and Oly lenses fit all the housings. They usually have a leak detector. The housings are rated to 200-300' and are much more rugged. They can be easily serviced and will last a long time. They tend to be less bulky, have a much more ergonomic design, better, smoother controls and usually support all camera functions (the Oly's tend not to have the rear dial control). The ports have a locking bayonet mount that is almost impossible to mis-mount. They come in flat, dome and semi-dome designs. They tend to be less expensive as well. They will be a popular option on the used housing market and you'll be able to transfer your lenses and ports onto the next system, making it a much better value in the future.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/housings/mirrorless/olympus-housings/nauticam-nauticam-na-em5-housing-for-olympus-om-d-e-m5.html" target="_blank">Nauticam housing for the OM-D</a> ($1350) is very competitive with the Oly ($995) with all the above advantages. The <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/housings/mirrorless/panasonic-housings/nauticam-na-gx1-housing.html" target="_blank">Nauticam Panasonic GX1 housing</a> is very reasonable at $1200. And you are much more likely to be able to resell it at a decent price, and re-use all the lenses, ports and gears when you upgrade.<br />
<br />
All of these manufacturers are constantly upgrading their lines. The cycle used to be one year, but now it's 6 months! There's nothing really wrong with saving a bit on a camera that's 6 months old and spending it on a better housing too. <br />
<br />
Lighting is the most critical thing you will spend money on. Buy more than you need, start with one good strobe and add another. We like the <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/strobes/strobes-main/sea-and-sea-ys-d1-ttl-strobe.html" target="_blank">Sea & Sea YS-D1</a> strobe a lot - all of us are shooting it now.<br />
<br />
So be sure to think through your new <i>system</i>, think though how you want to expand it and upgrade it in the future, and what you want to do with your photos. It may give you better ideas towards where you want to take your present purchase.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-19868772723529722942012-09-11T16:23:00.001-07:002012-09-11T16:38:04.975-07:00Optical Ocean Sales Has a New Website!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/32ffbd562287d9e8cc16e9fd4/images/Front_page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Optical Ocean Sales" border="0" height="400" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/32ffbd562287d9e8cc16e9fd4/images/Front_page.jpg" title="" width="255" /></a></div>
After patching together our old site for 8 years, it was time to make a change to an entirely new <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/" target="_blank">Optical Ocean Sales </a>webstore! We've redesigned and reorganized the store so that it's fast and easy to find products <span style="font-size: 12px;">and</span> systems to improve your underwater photography. <b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>A Few New Features:</b><b><a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/" target="_blank"> New Home Page</a></b>: Bright graphics greet and direct you to the main store pages. At the bottom, you'll find additonal information will help you including: <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/customer-care.html" target="_blank">Customer Care</a>, and our all-new <a href="https://opticaloceansales.com/education.html" target="_blank"><b>Education</b></a> section (check out our new articles on the <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/education/uw-photography-tips-and-tricks/initial-impressions-of-the-g1x.html" target="_blank">Panasonic G1X</a> and <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/education/uw-photography-tips-and-tricks/panasonic-gx1-sea-and-sea-ys-d1-ttl-settings.html" target="_blank">YS-D1</a>). You can also translate the site into several languages and currencies.<br />
<br />
On our <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/shop-systems.html" target="_blank"><b> Graphic Categories Pages</b></a> you'll find our new <b>Housing</b> and <b>Port Locator</b>. Just type in camera or lens to find recommended options.<br />
<br />
<b>Navigation</b> is always available from the top tab "<a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/shop-store.html" strong="strong">Shop Store</a>" drop-down and left-hand <b>Category</b> menus<b> </b>on all pages.<br />
<br />
<b>Categories, Subcategories and Product Filters:</b> All items are shown at the top level, then can be broken down by sub-categories, or by product filters. You can sort these results, or display them in 3 different modes. There is a "<b>Quick View</b>" of each item as you scroll over it.<br />
<br />
We've updated product information and added hundreds of new, up-to-date items, with a "<a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/specials/" target="_blank"><b>What's New</b></a>" category of highlights. We've greatly expanded and updated our "<a href="https://opticaloceansales.com/underwater-camera-housing-packages/" target="_blank"><b>System Packages</b></a>" and added <b><a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/manufacturer-brand/seacam/" target="_blank">SEACAM</a></b> offerings as examples. You'll find photographs, details, product options, prices and tabs with additional information on the <b>Product Pages</b>. There is a personal "<a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/index.php?dispatch=wishlist.view" target="_blank"><b>Wish List</b></a>" that you can add products to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our <b>Checkout</b> is now all on one page! There are four sliding sections that open and easily guide you through the process, with <b>additional options for shipping - now FREE for orders over $200 </b>in the US.<br />
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You can <a href="https://opticaloceansales.com/login?return_url=index.php%3Fdispatch%3Dorders.search" target="_blank"><b>log into your account</b></a> to see orders and open an order communication with us.<br />
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Wow! Too many improvements to even show you. Just <b><a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/" target="_blank">visit the store</a></b> today and try them all out!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-60614406618759980812012-04-14T05:49:00.004-07:002012-04-14T06:13:28.045-07:00Optical Ocean Sales Becomes SEACAM Dealer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEncXsipp9dnltbnYYxGCGdxec8oEGcNfoPaMZo8krpYjS1Jjyps8V5GrPAQMtk3b6IbH_LE0ETXm-EEun1nGKUIMnE1XdKMJqJvg_wyCehgu2ENAq-WbVSIAw-qkHPF8uXWZ1Q/s1600/SF%252BJC.sm.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEncXsipp9dnltbnYYxGCGdxec8oEGcNfoPaMZo8krpYjS1Jjyps8V5GrPAQMtk3b6IbH_LE0ETXm-EEun1nGKUIMnE1XdKMJqJvg_wyCehgu2ENAq-WbVSIAw-qkHPF8uXWZ1Q/s320/SF%252BJC.sm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5731238307123755986" /></a>SEACAMUSA, the exclusive North and South American distributor for SEACAM underwater housings and submersible strobes, is proud to announce the appointment of Optical Ocean Sales as a SEACAM dealer.<br /><br />In recognition of their 9-years service to the local Northwest diving community and the passion for underwater photography by owner Jack Connick, SEACAMUSA owner Stephen Frink comments “We are very pleased to have Jack and his staff as members of the SEACAM team. We welcome their expertise and commitment to customer service to underwater photography in general, and the SEACAM product line in particular. We look forward to making SEACAM available to ever more consumers by their regional presence and contagious enthusiasm”.<br /><br /><a href="http://seacam.com/data/nodefiles/466/gallery/10.1280.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 156px;" src="http://seacam.com/data/nodefiles/466/gallery/10.1280.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Optical Ocean Sales retail showroom is located in Seattle, Washington, the only dedicated underwater photography equipment store in the Northwest. But their reach extends far beyond, with their online e-commerce store. Jack Connick has been a life-long photographer, with experience including over 25 years of experience as a professional graphic designer, art director, and underwater photographer. He has extensive diving and photographic experience, both in the tropics and in his cold home waters in the Pacific Northwest.<br /><br /><a href="http://seacam.com ">SEACAM</a> is a premium line of aluminum housings and strobes designed and built in Austria by Harald Hordosch. Known for their quality optics, superb ergonomics, and robust performance; SEACAM is the brand preferred by professional photographers and discerning enthusiasts around the world.<br /><br />For more information contact Optical Ocean Sales, LLC at 1800 Westlake Ave N., Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98119; or by phone at 1-800-359-1295 or 206-284-1142. Contact via <a href="http://OpticalOceanSales.com">OpticalOceanSales.com</a> and <a href="Sales@OpticalOceanSales.com">email</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-55237669573196248522012-03-17T17:07:00.012-07:002012-03-18T17:35:52.388-07:00Focus Lights Beam Test<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGWQweJm5SK-rBeajbhse7S16kQpWDERanq1ORSqRmJgAbTUwhycNHsoBVrNnqOI3j_U99B-fgNLqtSwGSNWek_LBnG9_9nhG7w7YD4QGC6j6aqAKBaNVU6fWb4_hX8fYfrh05Q/s1600/Focus+Light+Beam+Test.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:left;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGWQweJm5SK-rBeajbhse7S16kQpWDERanq1ORSqRmJgAbTUwhycNHsoBVrNnqOI3j_U99B-fgNLqtSwGSNWek_LBnG9_9nhG7w7YD4QGC6j6aqAKBaNVU6fWb4_hX8fYfrh05Q/s320/Focus+Light+Beam+Test.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721399195340526722" /></a>We conducted a beam test of most of the lights in our current focus and video light inventory recently. Lights from Light & Motion, iTorch, Big Blue, Fantasea and others were tested, setting them at a fixed position and a 5' distance from a wall, then photographing them at a set exposure and lens position. This is NOT a scientific test, but should give a good relative idea of the strength, beam width and evenness of the lights' output.<br /><br />Download a .pdf file <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/files/Focus-Light-Beam-Test.pdf">here</a> with links to each light.<br /><br />Expand to full screen and turn on "Show Info" to see names of lights.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fopticalocean%2Fsets%2F72157629606901203%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fopticalocean%2Fsets%2F72157629606901203%2F&set_id=72157629606901203&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fopticalocean%2Fsets%2F72157629606901203%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fopticalocean%2Fsets%2F72157629606901203%2F&set_id=72157629606901203&jump_to=" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-40557712400637773322012-03-17T14:36:00.019-07:002012-03-17T15:19:12.690-07:00Putting Your PEN in Place Underwater<a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/Olympus/EPL3_Right_Black_Flash-00072.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="http://opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/Olympus/EPL3_Right_Black_Flash-00072.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/olympus-m4/3rds-pen-cameras-housings-accessories/olympus-e-pm1-pen-camera/prod_1348.html">Olympus E-PL3</a> ($699) is a good camera and they've made some nice improvements over the E-PL2 this year in terms of speed; particularly AF, as well has now having full 1080i HD video now. The flash is now an external, which means that the housing had to become taller again. There is a nice tilt screen for above water shooting.<br /><br />There are 3 housings that Optical Ocean Sales offers and one alternative.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/Olympus/PT-E05L-1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 180px;" src="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/Olympus/PT-E05L-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Olympus made sort of a lame new port of the housing in the <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/olympus-m4/3rds-pen-cameras-housings-accessories/olympus-housing-pt-ep05l-for-e-pl3/prod_1175.html">PT-EP05L</a> this year. The housing is about the same design as previous years with plastic construction rated to 135'. It now has 4 very small LEDs that supposedly would be a focus light for macro, but the lights are completely dim, useless and bulky. The also added a metal screw on ring w/67mm threads which is good for macro. And they raised the price $200 to $799, which is overpriced for what it is.<br /><br />I can't say I like this housing unless you also buy a Zen dome port ($499) which would give you good wide angle with the kit 14-42mm lens and very good wide angle shots with the 9-18mm lens. I think it also supports the new Olympus 12mm lens as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://www2.pcmag.com/media/images/317725-olympus-pen-e-pm1.jpg?thumb=y"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 185px;" src="http://www2.pcmag.com/media/images/317725-olympus-pen-e-pm1.jpg?thumb=y" border="0" alt="" /></a>Another Olympus setup we're promoting as an alternative to the E-PL3 is the Olympus PEN <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/olympus-m4/3rds-pen-cameras-housings-accessories/olympus-e-pm1-pen-camera/prod_1348.html">E-PM1 camera</a> and the PT-EP06 housing. Functionally about the same camera, not quite the software or direct controls, but it has the same sensor, video, lens and processor, etc. Smaller body too - and it's $499.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/Olympus/PT-EP06-1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 172px;" src="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/Olympus/PT-EP06-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>They made the same sort of housing with lights for it as the E-PL3 (the PT-EP06L), BUT we've been able to order the <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/olympus-m4/3rds-pen-cameras-housings-accessories/olympus-pt-ep06-housing-for-the-e-pm1/prod_1349.html">PT-EP06 housing</a> without the lighted port for $599. There is no threaded ring to mount a macro lens, so you have to use the external holder. But we feel it is a better replacement for last year's E-PL2 camera/housing combo.<br /><br />We've been selling the <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/10bar-underwater-housings/cat_62.html">10Bar housings</a> in the US now for several years, and have worked closely with them to improve their housings and parts over that time.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/10bar/-10Bar-EPl3-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/10bar/-10Bar-EPl3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I feel they offer a good value for the price. They are aluminum, rated to 200', have all controls, double oring construction. Fairly rugged. The 10Bar <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/10bar-underwater-housings/10bar-olympus-e-pl3-housing/prod_1309.html">E-PL3 housing</a> has interchangeable ports that cover most of the available lenses for Olympus or Panasonic. The housings are as small as possible, and fit the camera closely. You can buy them with different port configurations, but generally most people buy it with the semi-dome port that works with both the 14-42 or 9-18. They offer both electrical (manual only) or optical strobe sync. The housings come complete with gears, port, extra orings, cleaning kit and small carrying bag. Optical Ocean Sales housing kits also include a "spare parts" kit of control parts and port caps (which aren't standard). They have a 2 year warranty, but have to be serviced in Hong Kong.<br /><br />They are heavier, and I would say the controls can be "fussy" at times. Knobs are a bit small for divers with gloves, not a good choice for cold water divers in that respect. I can't say I like the zoom control, you have to push it in and turn, which is awkward and not direct. 10Bar is a good, but small company and can be slow to respond to issues. But I have a good relationship with them and generally can help with communications. Again, I feel they are a good "value" housing and we sell lots of them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/nauticam/EPL3-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/images/uploads/nauticam/EPL3-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>As far as Nauticam, they really do offer the best housings available. Rugged aluminum, cam shell opening, very ergonomic design and layout of controls and buttons. The <a href="http://www.opticaloceansales.com/nauticam-housings-accessories/nauticam-micro-4/3rds-housings-accessories/nauticam-na-epl3-housing-for-olympus-pen-e-pl3-camera/prod_1033.html">NA-EPL3 housing</a> like all of their diverse housing offerings high-quality gearing offering precise control. They include an audible and lighted leak sensor. Locking bayonet ports are easy to change. Smaller than the Oly housings, lighter weight than 10Bar, with a good supply of ports, gears and accessories. Optical sync only. Excellent support with a one year warranty, serviced in the US or internationally. They are more expensive at $1650 for the housing alone. Right now they are offering a free, high-quality and very adjustable Flexitray with mounts included with the E-PL2, E-PL3, GF-2 or GF-3 housings - a $202 value.<br /><br />So I guess you pay you're money and make your choice - in underwater photography like life - you pretty much get what you pay for.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19780750.post-43228491694463665762011-09-17T20:52:00.000-07:002011-09-17T21:14:55.411-07:00New Retail Sales Center for Optical Ocean Sales<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqQGmINkPEiPjHrk5fmdUzZoL-k33pMACklSFJJMAuiVwFIn3qmE88kmTBkIbP88kheVfu8FeKkVWan2nwfj4QswJ4cYBwo3LJMVneBA7eyfElJQJei9IbFq3WLqNkZrsijATDA/s1600/Optical+Ocean+Sales-5.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqQGmINkPEiPjHrk5fmdUzZoL-k33pMACklSFJJMAuiVwFIn3qmE88kmTBkIbP88kheVfu8FeKkVWan2nwfj4QswJ4cYBwo3LJMVneBA7eyfElJQJei9IbFq3WLqNkZrsijATDA/s200/Optical+Ocean+Sales-5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653547325138734354" border="0" /></a><a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/">Optical Ocean Sales, LLC</a> is proud to announce it has expanded into a retail sales center conveniently located on Lake Union at 1800 Westlake Ave North, Suite 201 in Seattle, thus continuing it's 8 years of service to the diving community. We are the only dedicated underwater photography equipment store in the northwest. Optical Ocean’s new retail location gives the community the opportunity to put their hands on the most popular brands. In addition we strive to be a center for continuing education, travel information and first-rate personal service, crucial when dealing with such complicated systems.<br /><br />Jack Connick, owner, has been a life-long photographer "ever since I owned my first Exacta". His experience includes a combination of 25 years of experience as a professional graphic designer and art director, along with developing his underwater photo portfolio during trips to 10 countries around the world. He has extensive Pacific Northwest cold water diving and photography experience with extensive ties to the Seattle diving community.<br /><br />Martin Heyn has joined the Optical Ocean Sales team as Business Development Manager. Martin brings 30 years of diving, photography, and sales experience to the Ocean Optical team. He has traveled much of world enjoying the hobby and is founder of the website <a href="http://aquabluedreams.com/">www.aquabluedreams.com</a>.<br /><br />Optical Ocean are stocking dealers for Nauticam, Olympus, Ikelite, Fix, Zen, Athena, Sea & Sea, Light & Motion, 10Bar, i-torch/i-DAS, Seahorse, Fantasea, Big Blue, MAHA Power, and are adding new products all the time. In fact, they are the largest dealer in the northwest for many of those lines.<br /><br />There is a great selection of underwater photo equipment available through the store; cameras, housings, ports, gears, strobes, focus/video lights, arms and trays. Also included are Seahorse cases and many other accessories. Optical Ocean Sales has many unique packages that are ready-to-go. They also stock many of the parts photographers need such as o-rings, manufacturer specific silicone grease, strobe diffusers, dedicated batteries and more.<br /><br />All items are also available online at OpticalOceanSales.com at it’s easy-to-use and informative <a href="http://opticaloceansales.com/">web store</a>. Orders are shipped promptly both domestically and internationally, or available for in-store pickup.<br /><br />Classes and trips will be starting soon for all levels of divers and underwater photo enthusiasts.<br /><br /><a href="http://tinyurl.com/6358r36">Map here</a>. Open 10-6 M-F and 11-5 on Saturday, unless they're off diving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAX7-noAFduOgJ_fj95KiHRfF2ZTsE-U5xYwNkyG7_TthCUxwBRs7vsHIwioQrC7Ukx1aI1Gd7AQQFXFWPYwTn7FouGaHwbAS992BAFWDyjNG367HhehrDYq6CinziKIl6nrz7A/s1600/store-outside-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAX7-noAFduOgJ_fj95KiHRfF2ZTsE-U5xYwNkyG7_TthCUxwBRs7vsHIwioQrC7Ukx1aI1Gd7AQQFXFWPYwTn7FouGaHwbAS992BAFWDyjNG367HhehrDYq6CinziKIl6nrz7A/s200/store-outside-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653547641446839074" border="0" /></a>For the most up to date store information “like” us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/OpticalOceanSales.">Facebook</a>.<br /><br />Optical Ocean Sales, LLC<br />1800 Westlake Ave N., Suite 201<br />Seattle, WA 98119<br />1-800-359-1295/ +1 206-284-1142<br />Email: <a href="mailto:orders@opticaloceansales.com">Sales@OpticalOceanSales.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><div class='adsense' style='text-align:center; padding: 0px 3px 0.5em 3px;'>
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</div></div>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11207445884025782215noreply@blogger.com0