Kevster

I am planning a trip to Tonga this year to catch some whale action.

 

I know peak season is generally Aug/Sep.

 

 

Is there any advantage of going early Aug or mid/late Sep. Are weather or the heat run factors?

Are the whales more stationary later in the season, allowing better encounters?

 

There are several group trips available that i may join, ranging from $3000 (3-4 days in the water, cheap accom) to expensive 8 day trips that cost approx $5000.

One of the photo trips is very early Aug, could this be too early? Any other info/tips regrading accom would be appreciated. Any accom to avoid?

This April I am planning to return to the Solomons.
2 years ago I done a 7 day Bilikiki trip followed by 4 nights in Munda & 2 Nights in Gizo.
I am considering the following options

1. 7 day Bilikiki trip + 4 days @ Uepi
Pros - Get to visit Uepi
Cons- Extra travel, less number of dives

2. 10 day Bilikiki trip
Pros - Easy trip, no domestic travel, lots of diving
Cons - No diving at Uepi

Cost of both options is similar (approx $4800,excluding international flights).

Anyone care to comment on how the 7/10 day Bilikiki trips compare & any comments on Uepi(Most of the reports I have read are old)
Adding a side trip to Uepi is expensive but the chance to see lots of sharks is appealing.

I would like to be able to use the 14-42X lens + Panny UWL conversion lens with the 3.5" dome port.
Unfortunately this commbination is too long for the dome port (the UWL lens hits the dome port preventing the dome attaching to the housing)

If i add the 20 or 30 mini extension ring, this set up may work. Anyone know whether i should get the 20 or 30 extension ring.

There is no info on the Nauticam website regarding this combination 14-42X+UWL to fit the 3.5" mini dome.

Hi,
I have recently bought a manual focus gear for my 45mm Panasonic Leica macro lens.
Is it possible to use auto focus with the focus gear on the lens without damaging the lens.
Lens details
AF motor type is DC micro motor
MF is focus by wire

From DPreview
'Focus-by-wire' manual focus
The most unusual feature of this lens's operation is the focus-by-wire manual focus system, which drives the focusing group indirectly via the lens's autofocus motor.

My concern is that if i use auto focus with the focus gear on the lens i may damage the Af motor?