pauloem

Well guys, thanks to all your suggestions! I actually bought the 17-70 and LOVED IT !! If you want to see the pictures, just go to www.pbase.com/pauloem. Thanks!

I have a Nikon D80 with a Sigma 17-70 mm lens. I'm thinking about getting a macro lens, and need some help from more experienced photographers. I was thinking about getting either the Nikon 60 mm or the 105 mm, and I'd like to know the main differences between them (besides the price). Can I do everything with the 105 mm that I would with the 60 mm? Thanks!

I use an old Cressi regulator, and it's starting to require too much maintenance. I'm looking for a new regulator, but don't know which one. After reading lots of reviews and tests, I've come up with the Atomic B2, which appears to be one of the best ones out there. However, I live in Brazil, and Atomic has no dealer here. Scubapro, on the other hand, has a dealer here and retailers all around the country. And I've always liked Scubapro (I use a Glide Plus BCD and love it), and I'm also interested in the MK25/X650. So I'm in a big dillema: do I buy the best equipment, or the one with the nearest dealer? Is there a big difference between them in terms of quality (ease of breathing, weight, comfort, durability, maintenance)? Thanks!

For all you out there, I've created my first UW photo website and I'm looking for some constructive criticism. I've taken pictures in Grand Cayman and Arraial do Cabo, a city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was also the first time I used my new Nikon D80 camera. So, if you could stop by, have a look at them and post a comment, I would very much appreciate. The site is www.pbase.com/pauloem. Thanks in advance!

I've been using an old point-and-shoot for UW photo for quite a while now. It's a Sony P150, with no strobes nor accessories. And I decided it was time to move towards DSLR. I'll purchase my gear this week, when I'll be in the US (here in Brazil prices are 3x-4x US prices). I decided on the Nikon D80 after lots of research and reading reviews from the most different types of photographers. The fact that I chose a 10mp camera has a lot to do with what Mark Hanlon said before. New technologies are lowering prices and making it possible for amateurs like me to by high mp cameras these days for a bit more $$$. Considering lens, I was thinking about getting a 60mm and a 12-24 or 10-20, but one thing that scared me (and maybe others who are moving towards DSLR) is the fact that you can't change lenses under water. If I dive with a WA and see lots of nudis, I won't be able to get good pictures of them. Or if I go down with a macro and suddenly some manta rays show up, I'll lose precious photos. I've decided on the Sigma 17-70, which appears to be a good lens to start with (thanks in part to Dave Harasti and Peter Rowlands on their articles on Sigma 17-70, Nikon D80 and Ikelite Housing on UwP Magazine #34). I want a good gear for land photos as well, and I think a versatile lens such as the 17-70 would fit my needs. You may not agree with me, but I think it's very important for a beginner in the UW DSLR world to be sure that this is what he wants, before spending lots of $$$ on 2 strobes, 2-3 lenses and a bunch of accessories. I think the benefit of trying it out with fewer accessories (1 strobe, 1 lens) for a while, and then move to more lenses / accessories is worth the cost of not getting your "ultimate" UW DSLR kit right away... my 2 cents (quoting Gary)

In the end of the month I'm gonna purchase my first UW DSLR set. I had all figured out, until today. I chose the Nikon D80 as it seems to be the best under $1000, and I was thinking about getting the Tokina 12-24 and the Nikkor 60mm. But reading the latest UWP Magazine issue, on Dave Harasti's article reviewing the D80 and the Sigma 17-70, I saw that it seems like a good (and much cheaper) alternative to the two previous lenses. It can take WA reef shots as well as close 2cm long nudibranchs, as Dave said. I know that I would lose the wider angle from the 12-24 and the 1:1 magnification from the 60mm, but I think the $500-$600 (lens + flat port) less could justify the 17-70 option. Specially for a beginner like me, who has only taken UW shots with compact digital cameras. Does someone have anything to say about the Sigma 17-70? Is it that good? Thanks!

I talked to a sales person at Reef Photo, and he said they can have anything in stock by the time I´m there. I just simply have to place my order online, and my credit card won´t be charged until I get the equipment from the store. They really seem to have a good service, and very competitive prices also. I´ll definetely go with them. Thanks guys! You´ve helped me a lot!

I'll be in Miami next January to buy my DSLR gear, but I don't know where to buy it from. Does anyone know any good photo shop and dive shop there? I've searched around a bit and found Austin's Diving. They are authorized dealers for Ikelite and Scubapro, so I think I will get some of my gear there. Does anyone know anything about this shop? But I don't know where to get my camera and lens. It's a Nikon D80, with Nikon 60mm and Tokina 12-24 lens.

Has anyone tried the Ikelite case? It's actually a Pelican 1600, but seem to fit 2 strobes and housing. Does anyone know if it's allowed as carry-on luggage? In American Airlines website they say carry-ons shouldn't exceed 45 linear inches (lenght + width + height), and that's 0.8 inches less than the size of this case (21.43 + 16.50 + 7.87 = 45.8). http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/digi_case.html http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1600 http://www.aa.com/content/travelInformatio...chorEvent=false If it's allowed, it would be the perfect case IMO. You can take all your equipment with you, no risk of Pelican thiefs...

Thanks guys. I think I've made my mind here. But I still have 2 questions: 1) Sunset House or Cobalt Coast? I've read your comments on Cobalt Coast, Giles, and it appears to me that Sunset House is a better choice for its location. But what about its diving operation? Is it good? You said some good things about Cobal Coast's operation. 2) Grand Cayman + Little Cayman or just Grand Cayman? I fear that I may lose some precious diving time if I go to Little Cayman. I was planning to stay 3 nights at GC and 3 nights at LC, but it seems to me that I will lose at least 1 day of diving if I go there. I'd rather stay only at GC all 6 nights I have, and go to every dive site I can (and I think I won't be able to go to all of them...).

Just for you to know, I'll have 7 days to spend there. It will be only me and my girlfriend, so NO FAMILY, JUST DIVES !!! I think I prefer not to go on liveaboard. It will make my trip more expensive and I really want to enjoy the beaches too. So it looks that 4 days in Grand Cayman + 3 days in Little Cayman / Brac it a good choice. Does anyone know a good place to stay? Is there any hotel with unlimited shore diving, like Roatan? Can anyone recommend a good hotel for divers? If you could list me a few places so I could check them out would be great. Thanks again!

Hi there! I'm planning a trip on January '07 and I don't know where to go. I was planning to go to Roatan, but after reading some posts from members here that it was "fished out" I'm thinking about changing it. I've read some good things about Caymans and Turks & Caicos, and I need some help from more experienced travellers on this matter. Where should I go? I'm from Brazil, but I'll go first to Miami to purchase my DSLR set and then to the diving place. What would be the best option for me? Thanks!

Thanks guys! I think I'm starting to get it. Maybe this set would fit all my needs: Nikon D80 Nikon 60mm lens Tokina 12-24mm lens (much cheaper than Nikon's and fits in the 8'' Dome) Ikelite Housing 8'' Dome Flat port w/ focus 2 DS-125 Ikelite Strobes with Ball Socket Arms and TTL Sync Cord I think it's a pretty good set, what would you say? Thanks again!

Hi there. I'm a beginner actually, but I'd like to start in U/W photo with the right foot. I've been using compact digital cameras for a while, and now I want to get into it seriously. I'm thinking about buying the following "kit": Nikon D-80 Ikelite Housing (when it becomes available) Nikon 60mm lens Sigma 10-20mm lens 2 Sea & Sea YS-110 Strobes (New) I need help from more experienced photographers to choose the right set. Is this a good one? Is there a big difference between Ikelite's and Aquatica's housing, besides the greater depth? I really don't need to go deeper than 200ft. Will these 2 lenses cover almost every situation? What about these strobes? Does anyone know anything about them? Can they be used both for macro and wide angle shots? Is there a strobe that can be used for both macro and wide angle shots? Thanks!