jcscuba

Just got back from Socorro on the Solmar V (great trip as usual) and got hassled from Mexican customs again. This time US Airways only had the old customs forms, which allows only one camera and one video. So the customs agents told us they hold us to whatever form is used, regardless of what the rules really are. After arguing with the customs agent about the ever changing rules, he let me go.

So in the event you get stuck with an old form from your airline, be sure to pick up the new form at the airport you fly into. I would also pick up a couple of extra forms and keep them for future use in the event they find another box of old forms laying around that they decide to use instead of toss.

I believe that in Mexico what goes today may not go tomorrow but will go the next day. It's virtually a crap shoot, you are at the whim of the people that are messing with your gear. One thing is helpful, have your camera clearly marked with your name on it using a tape gun, let's them know you aren't trying to sell the stuff.

Hi folks- me again :-)),

Hi Damo:  I dive with a group of people that are all photographers. We have a buddy to make sure we are on the boat when it's ready to move, but usually we dive and just stay near to one of the divers bubbles.  Also have seen good results with couples where usually the wife becomes a great fish spotter and finds great macro stuff while her buddy is shooting.  

hoping to see a few posts on this one
damo

[attachment=8504:attachment]I've been using a point and shoot, and getting fairly decent pictures. My Webpage. I believe the external flash (new) was broken for that trip and have since sent it back and am waiting the manufacturer's response... it overexposed everything regardless of setting.

I am tempted to try the camera again with a properly working flash to see how it performs with a working flash. I know next to nothing about the ins and outs of photography and feel like I might be better off sticking with the smaller, easier to handle and pack point and shoot category of camera. And yet... people obviously take better photos with better cameras....

My girlfriend says she'd like a beter camera to take diving - she's a new diver and quite frankly, I do not envision her having the discipine needed to learn to shoot with a d-slr. Of course that means she'd get my sony point and shoot and I'd be left to discover if >I< have the discipline to learn to shoot. I assume people don't just put their d-slr in auto mode and start shooting underwater, wating to fix anything that needs fixing in photoshop?

If I go d-slr, it seems "silly" to get an entrylevel camera if I am going to outgrow it. But will I outgrow it? Put me down in the category of people who rarely takes a picture topside, but likes to photograph his dives twice a year....and heading to indonesia in 2009. General/specific advice appreciated. [attachment=8503:attachment]

I would definitely recommend the Sea&Sea 1G, it's a 10MP camera, very small housed and with the DX 110 strobe gets great shots. Check my site

Hey Knifer

Sorry, I can't give you any advice on the Sealife. But on the JPG issue, you really only lose quality as you keep saving the JPG file - after edits for example. The compressions resulting from the Save command lead to a loss of quality. But you can probably get around this by saving the file as a TIFF before you begin your editing - then you are not losing quality as you edit.

Gotta be honest, you might be struggling to get equipment that can give you the quality you might be looking for with a $1000 budget. Have you had a look in the Wetpixel Classifieds for gear that is on sale? Second hand UW photo equipment can be quite a bargain.......

But, like I said, I've never used the Sealife and someone else may be able to give you a view on whether it is a good buy.

Seems like an excellent choice with the caveat that if you really begin getting into photography you may out grow it very quickly.  I'm now on my 4th and hopefully last camera.  Started with an Olympus 4MP, then went to Sea&Sea 5- 8- and now 10 with their 1G which is a great camera.  Jim www.jcscuba.com

Since weight restrictions and carry on luggage has become a major issue with the airlines, I've switched from hard case check it to XS Scuba roller bag the fits in overhead compartment with ease.

Jim www.jcscuba.com