craig 0 Posted April 9, 2009 I got the wet-diopter part, but not sure what "astro-modified with the AA filter and hot mirror removed" means, nor did I follow all the filters stuff - perhaps you can unpack that for me? I didnt follow the filters or the IR bit either Craig. And is the 70-180 a sigma lens too? My D300 was modified by MaxMax using their UV-Visible+IR option. Other companies offer the service. Basically, the idea is that the AA filter in a DSLR isn't needed or helpful underwater and the UVIR-cut (also called ICF or hot mirror) filter causes an imbalance in color which increases noise and causes uglier sunballs. With the modification, the D300 produces noticably sharper results and, some say, 10-15% more resolution. Because the UVIR-cut filter is removed, you have to consider blocking UV and IR from the strobes. For macro it is easy; I simply install this filter on the lens. For wide angle, I added IR absorbing filters (ROSCO 213 on this trip but also ROSCO 212 and ROSCO Thermashield) on my strobes and diffusers. In reality, I left the strobe filters on even for macro but the strobe filters are probably not required at all. Incidentally, Leica offers cameras that use a lens-mounted UVIR-cut filter and many cameras are offered without AA filters. Making these mods doesn't produce a camera that's weird or hard to use. It does force you to think more and it can effect AE modes and strobe TTL metering. It also makes the standard white balance presets useless so plan on setting your own. I find the macro strobe TTL metering way off above water but once underwater it works normally. I set the camera to underexpose 1 stop on all AE modes though I didn't use any AE on the trip at all. The 70-180 is a discontinued Nikon macro zoom lens. It is hard to find these days but occasionally appears on eBay. It is wonderful. Typical style - one page of WA and 5 of macro :-) Yeah, that was partly the trip but mostly me. Others have some interesting wide stuff. Mine is mostly sunball test shots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drew 0 Posted April 9, 2009 now this is one cool shot! 2 snakes! just bummed i couldn't be there... mind you i would have been made fun of by that group for my camera No you wouldn't. Cos at least 3 top of the line cameras stopped working along the way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JennyHuang 2 Posted April 10, 2009 wow!! awesome!! thanks for sharing! cheers, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeVeitch 0 Posted April 10, 2009 No you wouldn't. Cos at least 3 top of the line cameras stopped working along the way. Ooooooo i sense a good story or two Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bruceterrill 0 Posted April 11, 2009 Thanks Wait 'til others post their shots... What happened to this thread? Why haven't the 'others' started posting their pics from the trip? The only one that I can see, from memory, is ScubaSuzy... Craig, Two things, you mention "macro strobes" in your post. Were these different from your wide-angle strobes? and, Did you use the 70-180mm micro behind a flat or dome port? I ask this because it becomes one hell of a big zoom with the 1.5x crop... Bruce Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stewsmith 14 Posted April 11, 2009 Craig those images are mind blowing. I look at images like yours and hope one day I will be able to produce images like them. I never tire of looking at images with so much detail. Thanks for sharing. Stew Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craig 0 Posted April 12, 2009 What happened to this thread?Why haven't the 'others' started posting their pics from the trip? The only one that I can see, from memory, is ScubaSuzy... Craig, Two things, you mention "macro strobes" in your post. Were these different from your wide-angle strobes? and, Did you use the 70-180mm micro behind a flat or dome port? I ask this because it becomes one hell of a big zoom with the 1.5x crop... Bruce People are just getting home from the trip---I've been home about an hour now (no lost luggage!). I don't think people are quite prepared to post galleries yet. I'm still transferring mine to my main machine. I used the new Inon S-2000 strobes for macro and a combination of S-2000s and Z-240s for wide angle. For the snake shots I used 3 S-2000s in a medium sized triangle on manual. Most macro was shot using optical TTL and the popup flash. It worked really well. I use the 70-180 with the Nexus modular port system and a flat port. Yes, it's a big zoom with the crop but the focal length shortens more than most with close focus. It is a large lens with slow autofocus but handles well underwater and is not too long for DX even though it may seem to be. It responds especially well to wet diopters. Craig those images are mind blowing. I look at images like yours and hope one day I will be able to produce images like them. I never tire of looking at images with so much detail. Thanks for sharing. Stew Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scubamarli 5 Posted April 12, 2009 Great stuff, Craig. My question is...what the heck is #17? Cheers, Marli Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
loftus 42 Posted April 12, 2009 Craig, Have you noticed any problems with AA filter removal? Have you tried the camera topside or is it purely an UW setup? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sgietler 1 Posted April 12, 2009 Craig, great gallery, I really enjoyed the images. love 32-35,69,82 and many more. Glad to see you using your 70-180, sounds like a great way to get a diverse range of macro shots, esp. with a wet diopter. Marli, #17 looks like it could be Phestilla lugubris? Scott Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stephen H. 0 Posted April 12, 2009 Wow, Blown away by the images. The colors and the sharpness are stunning. Great gallery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craig 0 Posted April 12, 2009 Craig,Have you noticed any problems with AA filter removal? Have you tried the camera topside or is it purely an UW setup? I use the camera infrequently above water but can only see moire in test images. Below water I haven't seen problems. Losing the IR cut filter was more worrisome but I only suspected false color in one image. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eyu 26 Posted April 14, 2009 Criag, WOW!!! Your photos are simply amazing. I am very envious and your work is inspiring. I agree the Nikkor 70-180 lens is a great lens, thanks again for the gears. You are an excellent underwater photographer. Thanks again for sharing your pics. Elmer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
segal3 0 Posted April 18, 2009 Craig working the shot: The snakes were curious. And when I say curious, I mean really friendly... This one nestled up on my leg during a blue water safety stop . I'm far behind both Craig and Cor in processing...but hopefully will have some choice images to show off soon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
craig 0 Posted April 18, 2009 I love that shot of your leg, Matt. Fantastic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james 0 Posted April 18, 2009 Are you wearing like 6 wetsuits Matt? I think the shot is cool too. Cheers James Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
segal3 0 Posted April 19, 2009 Only 14mm farmer-john . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted May 1, 2009 (edited) ... the only one that I can see, from memory, is ScubaSuzy... Nah, Scuba_Suzy was on Alex's trip, with me, amongst others... Tim Edited May 1, 2009 by tdpriest Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
