mark.b.hatter

So sorry to hear this. I was in Indo in September with all my kit and had no issues. But I flew into Jakarta and cleared customs there. Just yesterday arrived Cabo. I was lucky and hit “green” on the search/no search button at customs. My two buddies were not. They were hit with the bogus housing tax which started at hundreds but was negotiated to $50 and $45 respectively.

One option is to go ahead and pay for overweight luggage. Most airlines will allow up to 30 kilos/70 pounds for an additional fee. I’ve done this to keep within the limit of 2 checked bags. I’d check the airlines baggage policy to validate cost and max weight. Two overweight check bags can buy you an additional 22 kilos/50 pounds of kit.

Kerpower, Thank you for your comments. Others have responded that the auto focus is slow and the actual focal length is more like 27-42. Can you provide your assessment of these concerns? I’m still on the fence…in fact the airlines lost my superdome from my last trip 12 days ago because I had to check it. It may be gone for good and I’ll have to file a claim. So I’m rethinking the 20-35 because of the small foot print. Your thoughts? thanks and cheers, Mark

I have sold my Subal D850 system except for the following: 1. EXR-13/4, EXR-15/4, EXR-70/40 and EXR-90/4 all MINT: $150 for the set of 4 plus shipping. 2. Custom Saga Macro port for Subal Type 4 housing with 67mm threads (allows wet lenses and Nauticam EMWL assembly) PLUS EXR-33/4, allows use of 60mm and 105mm Nikon macro lenses. Port and extension ring MINT: $300 plus shipping. 3. Zoom gear for Nikon 16-35mm lens for Subal Housing, MINT: $50 plus shipping.

Thanks Tim. Ironically, the cropped sensor systems do offer advantages across the board with regard to volume, weight, etc, only yielding to image size. Alas, appears industry is moving away from these great systems though. Cheers, Mark

I’ve moved to a different housing brand and have a mint Subal ND850 system for sale. The housing is electronic ready with Sea & Sea bulkheads. It is also fiber optic ready and comes with an i-Turtle Smart TTL (rechargeable) flash stimulator installed. Along with the housing, I have a mint Zen 230mm superdome and a mint Saga 60mm flat port with threads (can accept wet lens accessories including Nauticam EMWL). It also comes with a 180 degree x1.5 viewfinder (excellent condition) and a 45 degree x1.5 viewfinder (good condition). Extension rings include 13mm, 18mm 33mm, 70mm, 90mm, all in mint condition except the 18mm which has a chip near the bayonet (does not effect seal surface). With the ports and extension rings you can shoot the following lenses: 8-15mm Fisheye, 16-35mm rectilinear wide angle, 60mm micro, 105mm micro, 105mm plus 2x converter. $12.5K invested. I’m letting it go for $5.5K. Please contact me for photos/details, etc.

Thanks Tom. I have a 60mm micro and a flat port. It definitely has a travel friendly foot print plus macro capability. A near elegant solution already at hand perhaps? Cheers

Thanks Alex. In the trade space between volume, weight and performance, I was hoping to find an elegant solution in the 20-35mm for mid-angle/midrange shooting for travel.

Thank you Tom, very helpful information. Decisions, decisions...

Hello all. I know this is an older thread and I apologize if this is a rehash but I’d like to know if there is any updated critique on the SEACAM 20-35 conversion. I recently acquired and subsequently used my 13mm conversion/SEACAM D850 housing on a shoot. I was quite pleased with the lens/port system performance (Harald’s conversion is a work of art) and the dramatically reduced footprint (no more superdome). This said, I dread using my 16-35mm kit behind the 70mm extension/superdome when longer reach and/or less angle of view is needed as it is like dragging a 5 gallon bucket around underwater. So I was hoping someone might provide updated critique on the performance of the 20-35mm conversion. Or, better yet, a comparison of the conversion and the 16-35mm kit. In this a older thread Stephen Frink provided side by side images of the 13 and 20-35 conversions and it is clear the 20-35 conversion is considerably smaller than the extension plus superdome required for the 16-35mm kit. It would seem that there is a volume savings (perhaps weigh too?) as well, assuming one could leave the superdome at home if not needed for a shoot. Thank you and regards, Mark

Travel loss is always a risk when you check bags or cases. I would argue that a pelican case is actually safer than a duffle, especially when locked. It’s is obviously holding something expensive and fragile but that marks it as a risk for someone to break into, especially if locked. I also use a plastic tie down in addition to the lock with spares inside my case. Knowing that TSA often checks inside these cases, I leave a “thank you for your service, please use spare tie downs to secure when your inspection is complete” note front and center in the box. Since I started doing this, TSA has been careful with my packed case and has used the spares to reseal, along with the lock, the box. Hope this helps.

Hi Svati, welcome! The Red Sea offers excellent diving but gets much pressure throughout the Egyptian coastline. The further south you travel, the less overall pressure from day boats and liveaboards. I have done the Red Sea Aggressor for both their northern route and Southern route (7 day charters) out of Marsa Alam which is at the southern end of Egypt. I am currently booked to dive the new Red Sea Aggressor RE for South Sudan (14 day charter) this May. It too leaves from Marsa Alam. Anyway, the Aggressor fleet boats are excellent and the diving is great. Just go to the Aggressor website to check things out. They have staff to help you with airlines and transfers as well. I could not find a good flight to Marsa Alam from my upcoming trip but the staff at Aggressor set me up within a day with a great set of flights for a good price point.