Stewart L. Sy

You could have an issue with the aperture motor.  I sort of had that problem with my 10-17 a while back and Tokina replaced the whole aperture assembly.  

 

S.

2-3 Second recycle time is based on a full power dump from the D1.  If you lower your flash power to around half power, the D1 can keep up with your 7D firing at 3 fps.  I shoot my D1's at just under half power and it keeps up with my 5dmk3 at 6 fps.

 

Of course, good NiMH cells (Maha Powerex) help too.

 

There's no point in shooting full power on your pop-up flash when shooting in manual, you just need to trigger the D1, then control strobe power on strobe.

 

S.

I did the upgrade, IQ wise, not a huge diff, but usability of the body, the fantastic AF...I have no regrets.  It's a true shooter's dream.

 

S.

 

p.s.  I waited a year before I upgraded...

As adapters already exist for the current E-mount line to enable the use of Canon (and Nikon) lenses, the A7 won't be a "game changer" at all.  Especially if one starts using lenses that can throw an image circle large enough for a 24x36 sensor.  The m43 format is great as the sensor is 1/4 the size of a FF chip, so lenses are that much smaller. But start wanting a 100mm macro or 15mm FE (our standard UW lenses), then you're no better off that using a DSLR with crippled (as per current technology) slower AF.  When you start considering topside lenses like a 70-200 or more...then the camera becomes a liability than anything as it's too small a "handle" to properly stabilize the bigger lenses against one's body/face.  Remember too, theoretically, FF lenses require larger elements, leading to more expensive glass.

 

I love my NEX-6 and my ability to use my Canon EF lenses with the Tech-Art adapter AF is still hit/miss with the on sensor phase detect.  Navigating through menus can be a bit of a pain in the rear end and while soft keys are easily customized, it's not in the same league as a DSLR.  Yes, it's easier on the shoulder to carry around, but when it's the "must get it shot" moment, I still reach for my 5dmk3 or 7D.

 

S.

Hi Johan,

 

The macro was a mix of the Sigma 150 non-OS and the Canon 100 f2.8 non-L macro.  I also used the Aquatica +5 & +10 close up diopters.

 

S.

Hi Christine,

 

I shoot the 5dmk3 and I use the Tokina 10-17 with a 1.4 TC.  All the wide angle shots here: http://stewartsy.com/anilao-2013/  were taken with that combo.  I used the combo behind the Aquatica mini-dome (4").  The lens was usable from about 12mm-17mm.  I've printed some of them to 16x24 and the quality is outstanding.

 

Cheers

 

Stewart

The D1 has a small loop molded into the body specifically for securing the lanyard that the diffuser comes with....

 

S.

Rick, I was around 6 - 8 inches away from the anemone fish.  Cary, 4" Mini-dome.

S.

Took this last week in Anilao, Bonito Island to be exact.

 

Camera & Exposure Specs:  Canon EOS 5dmk3, Aquatica A5dmk3 Pro Housing, Tokina 10-17mm with Tamron SP1.4 Pro TC, Twin S&S YS-D1 Strobes on full. ISO 200, f16, 1/100.  Lens zoomed to 12mm plus TC= 16.8mm, Aquaview 45 was crucial to the comfort of the shooter while taking this shot. Plus it helped with getting the housing down closer to the reef.

 

Cheers

 

Stu

That would be the wrong thing to do.  Set up the camera to single AF point then use the joystick to move the point around to where you want the focus to be.  Activating all 61 points gives up that control and the camera could lock on to something that you don't want.

 

S.

Hi Folks

Just a shout out to divers/photographers in the Vancouver BC area. The Vancouver Aquarium is hosting Diver's Weekend on January 19th & 20th. Aquatica is one of the major sponsors of the event and will have a display during the event. Jean Bruneau (Viz'art), Aquatica's Senior Technical Advisor will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Expect the 5dmk3, D800, 7D, NEX-5n housings to be on display.

More details here http://www.vanaqua.o.../divers-weekend

Cheers

Stu

As this thread directly refers to an area near and dear to my heart... PG and having spent exactly half my life in Asian and Western cultures (I grew up in Manila and moved to Canada), I'd like to throw in my 2 cents...or 1 Philippine Peso

Tipping:

To this day, when one tips at most restaurants, hotels, resorts in the Philippines it is never a percentage of the price of the meal/stay/service. One would have a family dinner totally over $100 and the tip would maybe amount to a couple of dollars. Most of the higher end establishments do automatically add a service charge and in those cases tips are not required. When I first moved to the West, I was shocked at how much I had to leave as a tip, having been used to giving a minimal percentage (if you can even call it that) as a tip. Now, having gotten used to the minimum of 15% tips, I feel a need to re-adjust my thinking whenever I'm back in the country of my birth as tips of that amount is just never really done.

On trips I lead to dive the Philippines, I normally recommend that the total tip (DM's, Staff, etc) be a total of 10% of the bill with the guides (if they're good) getting about 50% of the share and the balance evenly split with the rest, though if the guest wants to leave more, it's their discretion to do so...one thing as well to note, NEVER tip until just before you leave, we tipped one guy a day early and when we needed to load up our gear onto the boat, he never showed... I found out later that the total tip from the group was about 2 months salary for him and he drank himself senseless! B)

Diving in the Philippines:

I've never been to KBR, but have friends who've been there. These same friends have gone with me to the Philippines and have told me that they'll never go back to KBR. The diving and variety of life in the Philippines is equal or better plus the costs associated with diving are much lower. Friends who've said they never do repeat trips to dive destinations have done the Philippines 4 times with me....must be something there eh? Nudibranchs in Anilao and PG, Threshers in Malapascua, Mantas, gorgeous soft corals in Tubbataha...

I have the benefit of being able to speak fluent Tagalog, I easily converse with the locals. This fact alone gets me and thus my groups better service every time. The locals appreciate the fact that even though I'm from abroad, I still use good manners in dealing with them. I use the proper form of addressing those older than I, or their given names....never use a "Hey You!"

Will throwing money around get you good service...sure...but the Filipinos are a proud people....a smile, a gentle tone will get you a lot more than being a brass westerner looking down on his little brown brother/sister and giving them some extra cash. The 1st year I went with a group, I overheard one of the boatmen say in Tagalog "Look! More white folk! We'll have a great time taking their money!" Imagine their surprise when I came up to them and said "Let's just see you try!" After their jaws bounced back from the floor, they said "Oh, you're a kababayan (a local), why didn't you say so?". The service level went up a few notches after that...and of course we did tip them in the end, but not excessively so.

Yes, there is the gringo price and the local price. A friend of mine was playing the haggling game with one of the many T-shirt/basket ladies of Puerto, she thought she got a great deal on a collection of baskets...until I walked up and in Tagalog asked "Is that the best you can do? She's my friend". The seller's face lit up and she said "Why didn't you tell me you were a local? Would she like another 10% off?"

Anyway, I guess I ended up with a bit of a rant here...

back to work!

Stu