bmyates

Thanks, gents! Sounds like sticking with Eneloop Pros is the safest bet. 'Nuff said!

(I searched the forums and couldn't find an answer to this, so....) I've only used the Retra strobes on one dive trip (love them!), and for that trip I dutifully bought Eneloop Pro batteries (2,550 wAh, about $5 ea) as they only recommend Eneloops. But are those the ONLY batteries that'll work? What about EBL 2800mAh ($1.70ea) or 3000mAh ($4.12 ea)? I've had really good luck with EBL batteries over the years (in Inons and for other applications). I don't want to be pennywise and pound foolish if other brands might damage the strobes(?), but if there's no practical difference, I'd rather have more mAh per dollar (about 3X). TIA, Bruce

Hey, gang, a young lady I work with (at my day job) is trying to upgrade from an old GoPro (Hero6 I believe) to a Hero11. She hasn't been happy with her results in the past. They should almost automatically improve somewhat with the newer model, but she's doubtful it'll make much difference (she asked if I knew where she could get a software upgrade for herself). After frustration Googling and searching Wetpixel for over an hour now, with limited results (other than a nice video by Backscatter), I'd like to tap the collective knowledge here. I'd appreciate any resources (tutorials, books, articles, YouTube videos, etc.) on improving results from underwater use of recent-model GoPros. Thanks in advance! Bruce

Space no longer available on my charters. Bruce

(I can’t edit my earlier post, so I’m starting a new one.) For the last few spots left on these back-to-back 6-night Tubbataha charters, the price is $1,980pp (HALF OFF the $3,960 regular price): A. May 10 – May 16, 2023 B. May 17 – May 23, 2023 Why are these spots available? I don't do this for a living; I charter full liveaboards like this for my by-invitation-only dive club (less than 100 members around the world), and normally the whole boat is taken by club members (this is the first time in 8-10 years that I've opened charters up to strangers). Members filled two identical Tubbataha Siren charters in 2022. But my company was acquired last year, and my assistant of 25 years retired, so I was swamped with work 7 days a week the second half of 2022. I didn't even think about these charters...until January, when I suddenly realized that I had a bunch of open spots on both of them. Most of the spots are now filled, but there are still a few, and that's why this unique opportunity exists - for you. So, if you can act fast, this might be the best deal you see on Tubbataha for many years in April-May on a liveaboard this nice (the Philippine Siren - https://masterliveaboards.com/boats/philippine-siren/). The Siren is the best dive boat I know of (and I've done dozens over the last 30 years) - a great dive operation, food, and accommodations (e.g., no bunk-beds). This is the fourth time I've chartered the Siren, and I've got three more after this trip. Again, the charter cost is $1,960pp (per charter), double occ., and includes free nitrox (normally $100). If you check https://masterliveaboards.com/philippines/tubbataha-national-park/ , you'll see that all of the Philippine Siren's April-May Tubbataha charters are sold out for 2023. For 2024, you can count on one hand the total spots available, and those are "on sale" for $3,726pp). So $1,960pp (including nitrox) really is a GREAT deal. For a sense of the boat and diving, my photo gallery and commentary from last year’s trip are at https://www.underwaterreflections.com/Underwater . Please contact me at seattleyates@gmail.com if you're interested. Bruce

(I can’t edit my earlier post, so I’m starting a new one.) Still a few spots left on these back-to-back 6-night Tubbataha charters, and I just cut the price to $2,499pp (from $3,960 regular price): A. May 10 – May 16, 2023 B. May 17 – May 23, 2023 If you can act fast, this might be the best deal you'll find for Tubbataha on this caliber of liveaboard (the Philippine Siren - https://masterliveaboards.com/boats/philippine-siren/). Cost is $3,960pp $3,000pp $2,499pp (per charter), double occ., and includes free nitrox. If you check https://masterliveaboards.com/philippines/tubbataha-national-park/ you'll notice that all of the Philippine Siren's charters this April-May (the prime months for Tubbataha) are sold out at their regular price of $3,960pp (+ $100 for nitrox) = $4,060pp. Its Tubbataha charters in April-May next year are likewise sold out (except a single spot on two of them). So $3,400pp $2,499pp (including nitrox) is a GREAT deal. Tubbataha, which is only diveable about four months per year, is one of the best dive destinations in the world (and that’s not hyperbole), with the most pristine reefs I've seen in 20-30 years (e.g., the early days of Raja Ampat and PNG). My photo gallery and commentary from last year’s trip there (also on the Siren) are at https://www.underwaterreflections.com/Underwater . Contact me at seattleyates@gmail.com for more info if you're interested. Bruce

(I can’t edit my earlier post, so I’m starting a new one.) Still a few spots left on these back-to-back 6-night Tubbataha charters, and I just cut the price to $3,000pp (from $3,400 last week, and vs $3,960 regular): A. May 10 – May 16, 2023 B. May 17 – May 23, 2023 If you can act fast, this might be the best deal you'll find for Tubbataha on this caliber of liveaboard (the Philippine Siren - https://masterliveaboards.com/boats/philippine-siren/). Cost is $3,400pp $3,000pp (per charter), double occ., and includes free nitrox. If you check https://masterliveaboards.com/philippines/tubbataha-national-park/ you'll notice that all of the Philippine Siren's charters this April-May (the prime months for Tubbataha) are sold out at their regular price of $3,960pp (+ $100 for nitrox) = $4,060pp. Its Tubbataha charters in April-May next year are likewise sold out (except a single spot on two of them). So $3,400pp $3,000pp (including nitrox) is a GREAT deal. Tubbataha, which is only diveable about four months per year, is one of the best dive destinations in the world (and that’s not hyperbole), with the most pristine reefs I've seen in 20-30 years (e.g., the early days of Raja Ampat and PNG). My photo gallery and commentary from last year’s trip there (also on the Siren) are at https://www.underwaterreflections.com/Underwater . Contact me at seattleyates@gmail.com for more info if you're interested. Bruce

I've got a few open spots open on two back-to-back 6-night Tubbataha charters: A. May 10 – May 16, 2023 B. May 17 – May 23, 2023 If you can act fast, this might be the best deal you'll find for Tubbataha on this caliber of liveaboard (the Philippine Siren - https://masterliveaboards.com/boats/philippine-siren/). Cost is $3,400pp (per charter), double occ., and includes free nitrox. If you check https://masterliveaboards.com/philippines/tubbataha-national-park/ you'll notice that all of the Philippine Siren's charters this April-May (the prime months for Tubbataha) are sold out at their regular price of $3,960pp (+ $100 for nitrox) = $4,060pp. Its Tubbataha charters in April-May next year are likewise sold out (except a single spot on two of them). So $3,400pp (including nitrox) is a GREAT deal. Tubbataha, which is only diveable about four months per year, is one of the hottest destinations in the world (not hyperbole). It definitely lives up to its reputation, with the most pristine reefs I've seen in 20-30 years (e.g., the early days of Raja Ampat and PNG). My photo gallery and commentary from Tubbataha last year are at https://www.underwaterreflections.com/Underwater . Contact me for more info if you're interested. Bruce

I've never flown EVA, but am considering it for a Philippines trip. Can anyone (especially someone tall) give me an idea how much better/roomier Elite is than Economy? TIA, Bruce

Hi, all! It's been awhile since I posted here. For those that don't know, I was in a nasty motorcycle accident a little over a year ago (you can read about the crash, my thoughts/philosophizing, and how I survived 4 months in hospitals and rehab facilities, at: http://bruceyates.blogspot.com/2016/06/my-year-of-patience-and-perspective.html). Although I can dive again, starting next month, I won't ever dive cold water/dry suit again (too risky for my reconstructed pelvis). In fact, I'll probably list my two drysuits in the classifieds one of these days (if you're 6'5", 250-ish... ). My first time back in the water will be someplace warm and easy (e.g., Caymans), and we'll see how that goes...but considering the fact that this time last year I was just bedridden and just looking forward to learning to walk again, I think ANY diving will be pretty darn cool! I just thought I'd post this as a reminder not to take for granted how lucky you are to be able to do things you love - like diving - because there's no guarantee you'll still be able to do them a year from now. I'm VERY lucky - I can still dive (albeit in more limited conditions) - but if my crash had been just a little bit different (e.g., at 40MPH instead of 30MPH), I might never dive again, or walk, or even be alive. Embrace every day!

A few more shots from this trip: Feeding, but keeping an eye on me. It was a great trip, thanks in large part to Wetpixel and our two group leaders!

Sorry I'm late in getting some things posted, but here are a few from the past 4 days! I used a Canon 8-15mm circular fisheye for this. Luke (my dive buddy) thinks it is symbolic (of the world, seas, sky, sun, human and animal...). I just thought it would be interesting to try. I guess it's appropriate that I get a grinning whale shark shot... Inspired by Adam's selfie, I did my own version! The first or second morning, one of the crew taking a photo of a whale shark. And last - for now - this is how you photobomb a whale shark!

Outstanding! The more of Indonesia's uw treasures that can be protected, the better! Unfortunately, enforcing such a ban is the critical issue, and I'm less than confident that patrolling resources will be close to adequated.

Answers to several questions: "...The only thing to improve is the cyan halo on the border , is this some sort of chromatic aberration ?" I'm not sure what caused that...or how to get rid of it. But I agree the circular shots would look better without it! If anybody has a solution, I'd love to hear it! "I am relatively new to this fisheye shooting, can I ask how you did the first shot?" Well, you need to have a fisheye lens, and for the circular shot, you need a circular fisheye lens like the Canon 8-15mm lens I used. "Have been considering one of these but am wondering the benefits of the 8mm end, particularly as uptake of this lens increases and the uniqueness of the circular image is well and truely lost. The other benefits would appear to be better image quality and improved focusing compared to the Canon 15mm. Can you comment on that Bruce?" I think I addressed the first part in my answer to Alex. I personally think people will actually get SICK of seeing circular images after awhile, so you really need to feel you can get something (special compositions) out of the 8mm end of the lens that "transcends" the fact that the images are circular. Frankly, I'd love to see a "rectilinear circular fisheye" lens where you had the 180 degree view in all directions but a square or rectangular image (of course, that's never going to happen, since the terms themselves are contradictory)! As for image quality and focusing, I can't compare quality to the Canon 15mmFE because I have a Sigma 15mmFE, but those two 15's are considered quite similar for image quality, and my SUBJECTIVE opinion is that these images are somewhat sharper than my Sigma (which is no slouch). As for minimum focusing distance, there's a definite advantage (the Canon 15mm is 7.9", whereas the Canon 8-15mm is 6.2"). Whether that's worth the extra money, I can't say. If all you want is closer focusing distance, you could just switch to the Sigma 15mm, which is 5.9" and a heck of lot cheaper than the 81-15mm. Bottom line: I feel like this lens gives me a combination of benefits that add up to it being worthwhile: higher quality than my Sigma 15mm for regular fisheye images, close focus, more solid "L" quality build, and the flexibility of a zoom lens, specifically the option to use the circular fisheye (8mm) when I think it might help create a unique image. BTW, I sold my Canon 14mmL II lens, which was "OK" underwater, i.e., not discernably better than my Sigma 15mm, and the proceeds were slightly more than what I paid for this new 8-15mm lens. I feel like that was a definite "step up" for my underwater photography kit. Hope that helps!