Newmediasoup2

Most excellent! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Hey OceanTony! I wrote a trip report last year about Little Cayman Beach Resort and the diving in the area. Check it out here Hope it's helpful. Cheers! Jen

The 2011 Digital Shootout is June 18-25. For more info on the Shootout, please go here Hope to see you another time, and have a great trip in October! Cheers! Jen

The 2011 Digital Shootout, held in Bonaire this year, is just around the corner! A fun-filled week where you dive your brains out, learn how to improve your uw images and compete in a friendly competition for top gear and travel prizes! So who's going? We'll be there, for sure! Looking forward to a fantastic Shootout, and seeing you all there! Cheers! Jen

Just fantastic, Phil! Sounds like a phenomenal trip! Cheers! Jen

fred@backscatter.com should get him directly. Here's more info and Fred is at the East Coast location. Cheers!

I too have tried this set-up with: Canon 5D Subal housing Subal 8" dome and extension ring +2 diopter, +3 diopter Love the 24-70mm as a topside lens, and wanted the flexibility underwater. Like Gregarius stated, the 24-70mm is a really wide lens that doesn't fit comfortably in the Subal housing. I had the zoom ring affixed to the lens so it would work properly in the housing - prior to doing this, I would just shoot it with the lens fixed. I tried both the +2 and +3 diopters, and while some focal distances seemed sharper with one over the other, in the end, the +2's results were acceptable. However, to me, anything shot with a focal distance greater than 50mm was out of focus and not worth the time/effort to try to get a good shot. This set-up makes a full size rig gargantuan, and really heavy... getting this set-up slightly heavier than neutral (my preference) was a feat in itself, adding numerous Stix floats in different configurations. Until I'm able to either purchase another camera (crop sensor) or other lenses, this is a viable option in the meantime... it's just NOT an easy set-up. Good luck!

JUST A FEW SPOTS REMAINING! JOIN US! Lembeh Resort - Indonesia - April 25 – May 6, 2011 www.lembehresort.com Lembeh Strait is a name synonymous with "critter" or "muck" diving. Consistently rated among the top dive locations in the world, Lembeh is home to many unique and rare animals. It's not only a macro paradise, but there are some equally good wide angle sites nearby. We are thrilled to be reuniting with our good friends and dive guides, Hergen and Kerri, who will be sure to show us the best that Lembeh has to offer. Lembeh Resort, a spectacular boutique style resort, is situated on Lembeh Island and perched above the beautiful Strait. The property is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and blends perfectly into the landscape. All guest cottages boast spacious verandas for perfect views of glorious North Sulawesi sunsets and an intimate connection with nature. Modern amenities including air-conditioning, mini bar, wifi internet and massage ensure your comfort and relaxation. Photo Guide: Berkley White This trip will include informal lectures based on client interest. Nightly slide shows of the day's images will be projected and critiqued by Berkley as time allows. 11 night / 26 dive package including Nitrox $2495 double occupancy $3375 single occupancy ALL INCLUSIVE – full board accommodations with breakfast, lunch, morning & afternoon snack, al-la-carte dinner, unlimited tea, coffee and water, guided boat dives with NITROX for all paid dives, one self guided house reef dive per day, round trip airport transfers, all taxes and resort service charge. ($4.00 will be charged for night dives). NOT INCLUDED – alcohol and soft drinks, massage, wifi internet, land excursions and dive center gratuities. Additional dive related fees: Extra Nitrox boat dives $38 each Night shore dive surcharge $4 Night boat dive surcharge $10 Mating mandarin fish boat dive surcharge $10 Banka wide angle trips, $25 (min of 5 divers) Guide for house reef dive $15 To reserve your spot, please contact: Dan Baldocchi, or call 1-773-564-9579.

Thanks for sharing these, Matt! You captured some stunning images! We've been to Tulamben once, stayed at TWD (loved it!) and can't wait to return. We hope to dive Menjangen too. Can you tell us more about your experience there? Resort? Dive operator? Thanks! Cheers! Jen

ahhh yes! Jason can really belt out the tunes!

I have a Suunto Vyper wrist computer, and for the last year I have been attaching it to one of my Ultra Lite arms with Stix float. So far, no issues. It's always in my line of sight now. When diving with a camera, which is always the case now, it's a preferred placement for the computer for me. Jen

Captivating read, Steve! Keep it coming! So glad you and Carmen had such a wonderful trip, and happy belated anniversary! Was Ben on the Pelagian too? We had Ben and Kaori as our DM's - they rock! Anxiously awating chapter 2... Cheers! Jen

Awesome-ness! So are you capturing video too? Jen

Simply splendid, Steve! Enjoy Bali! Jen

We recently had the pleasure of staying at the Little Cayman Beach Resort, which was the host of this year's Digital Shootout. Having been to other dive resorts in other locations, one's expectations are somewhat lowered when one thinks of "dive resort" since the focus is usually on the diving, and not-so-much on the accommodations and amenities. This is not the case with the Little Cayman Beach Resort. Our room, a pool view king, was very recently remodeled with modern furnishings, luxurious bed and bedding, marble and tile bathroom with upgraded fixtures and extra amenities, such as flat screen TV, iPod dock with speakers, small refrigerator etc. Our accommodations felt more like what you'd expect at a 4.5 star hotel than a small, family-owned dive resort on an island with a population of 150 people. Our expectations were further exceeded as we sat down to our first meal! Meals were included with our plan, served buffet style, with set meal times. The quality of the food served at breakfast, lunch and dinner was VERY GOOD, with lots of variety. Considering Little Cayman is a small island with very few resources of its own, everything either needs to be flown in or put on a boat. The Chef and his crew do an amazing job at meal planning and executing freshly made, in-house food, both with local flair and American taste sensibilities. I think many in our group actually gained weight by the end of the week... even with all the fantastic diving, going back for seconds and indulging in delicious desserts can do that! There's also a FAB poolside bar where the bartenders keep you plied with tall, cool beverages after your day of diving bliss. All of the staff at the resort were wonderful... smiling, courteous and knew all of our names by the second day! There's tennis, basketball, a gym, bikes for riding around the island and a spa, but because we were so consumed with diving, we didn't have the opportunity to enjoy those other activities. Diving Little Cayman is spectacular! It's a wide angle photographers dream with clear waters, dramatic wall scenics, plentiful marine subjects such as playful grouper, turtles and stingrays. If you're into macro, it's all there, you just have to hunt a little harder, or rely upon the eagle-eyes of your guide. With the resort on the south-west side of the island and the majority of the dive sites on the north, north-west side of the island, it's just a short 15-20 minute boat ride to most sites. All of their boats are spacious with camera table and dedicated fresh water rinse bins for cameras. The dive staff accommodated our photo group of 60 divers without a hitch, and were still smiling at week's end as they helped each of us into the water with our huge camera rigs that all looked the same! Weather permitting, they'll even motor over to Cayman Brac to dive the M.V. Keith Tibbetts, a premiere wreck dive. All-in-all, our experience was exceptional and we would highly recommend the Little Cayman Beach Resort! To view a full gallery of images from our recent trip to Little Cayman and Grand Cayman, please go to: Newmediasoup Underwater Imaging Cheers! Jen