Scuba Club Cozumel report & photos Dec 1-Dec 15

[Doc Harry]

Thanks for showing me your camera set up, I am in the middle of upgrading what I was using and now may rethink the housing I purchase. I can say based on what I saw in your reduced file images that I think you are getting more from your camera than most ever will. Those close ups were very sharp & perfectly focused, and I am a serious amateur photographer who would be very pleased to do that well underwater. ( My real investment in photo gear is all for regular use, but I just sold my Canon S1 IS & housing & have bought a Canon G 9 but was still undecided re housing choices. I have 2 Sea & Sea strobes).

Thanks, I bought the Sea & Sea setup because I was too confused about all of the camera gear. I decided to go with something easy until I figured out what I wanted.

Now that I know, here is my recommendation: if you want "memory photos" then go with a compact little setup like Sea & Sea. If you want "good" photos then get an Olympus or Canon and something like an Ikelite housing. The Sea & Sea setups are nice and convenient but you pay for that convenience. With a little more effort you can put together a better, cheaper setup. I was just too lazy and frustrated to go through that effort.

 

[Doc Harry]

" The current rips along at 5 knots."

REALLY? I didn't know the current picked up that much in December. I usually dive in May or June and it's not that strong.

Good to know, my dive books all state that the current is 5-6 knots in Cozumel. I didn't bother to measure it myself, just believe what the books say.

I must say my last dive on Tormentos was the fastest I have ever seen in Coz! Makes it difficult to stop and take a few pics unless there's something to hide behind! (I don't grab the reef for photos.)

 

[bisugo767]

Doc Harry, great pics! Thanks for sharing them. I am also surprised at the quality of the Sea and Sea camera you have.

Phil (bisugo767)

 

[cicopo]

I have all kinds of pro Canon gear but don't want to house a DSLR so after hours of research chose the G 9 and was leaning towards the basic Canon housing but after seeing what your close up lens did I think I will go the Ikelite route, and order their close up lens too. I am going to add the address of your blog at the TripAdvisor site where I normally post; I am very certain that several members there will really enjoy those photos.

 

[Cozdreamer]

All I can say is WOW, WOW, WOW! My mouth is on the floor at such beautiful pictures you were able to capture underwater! You should put some of them in a contest for real!!! Several of your shots would be perfect in Cozumel tourist brochures for travel agents to use. You have a true talent for capturing the perfect shots. Thanks so much for taking the time to post these. As a diver, I thank you for a great early Christmas present treat seeing these pictures today!!!

 

[cicopo]

I listed the link on my regular forum and I think you deserve the compliments it is getting. You can read them here.
Cozumel forum: On line trip report of Scuba Club with great dive photos - TripAdvisor
Again my thanks about the camera set up. I am going to take a very careful look at the newer model they have replaced it with.

 

[ygthad]

Great Pictures, thanks. I sure want to go back to Cozumel!

 

[texbob]

Excellent write and and excellent pictures. I think the story captured the essence of a Cozumel Dive vacation.

"Everyone jumps in the water together, a scene reminiscent of paratroopers jumping out of an airplane." - hahaha, I always thought that too when everybody takes the plunge.

 

[Christi]

Great report Harry. I have to say that I'm amazed at the quality of the macro shots you were able to capture with that camera...good job.

Which ruins did you visit, I know which ones they are, but you didn't indicate in your report...and I'm sure inquiry minds would like to know

I have to chime in about the current though...we do NOT have 5 knot currents here, ever. Not even at Barracuda...well, MAYBE on a really strong day. In a 5 knot current you would not have been able to even get a fly by shot, nor can you turn your head without losing your mask. Currents of late are maybe 1 knot and in the case of Tormentos. Paso del Cedral, Punta Tunich where the currents are traditionally stronger...2 knots MAX.

 

[Nevis Diver]

Thanks for taking the time to put together a trip report. As you know, it helps the rest of us get through to our next dive trip !

I have never taken an underwater picture with my own camera. When I start to get bored with "just diving" then I will focus (ha, ha) on taking pictures. I would think that getting great shots like you did (especially the anemone shrimp) would take a long time and / or require a great many shots and choosing the best ones to post.

It is difficult enough for me to get with a group that will stop around a coral head enough to really explore it, much less take the time required to get such excellent shots. Were you with a group willling to spend the time or just good / lucky, or both ? : )

P.S. Greetings from the Southern Applachian near Boone.