Photographer-Oriented Cozumel Diver Operators?

[cicopo]

I'm a more serious photographer above the waterline so just use a G9 & a pair of manual strobes underwater and I've found that once the DM's know my skill set & that I do keep track of where the group is they let me do my thing & then catch up. I can say that's how Blue Angel, Blue XT Sea, Scubatony, Pelagic Ventures & Dive With Martin treated me, but I don't remember if they all had a fresh water tank for my camera. That's not a biggie for me because I really rinse well before opening.

 

[DandyDon]

I dove in Providencia, Colombia this spring where there was no rinse bucket either. Our hotel did have a fresh water pool, however, so me, my wife my evening adult beverage and my rig went for a traditional evening dip. The solution wasn't ideal, but it was the best anyone had.

I wonder what that chlorine does to a housing? I soak mine in a small container of RO water for an hour when I get in.

I don't like that sea water drying on my lens tho. Once I saw the DM put his snotty, defogged mask in the camera bucket. I poured a bottle of drinking water over my lens, then wrapped it in wet cloth until I got in. Evaporated sea water is like cement with salt.

 

[jlyle]

Both 32% and 36% nitrox are widely available on the island. FWIW, Scuba Club Cozumel pumps its own Nitrox ($10 for either 32 or 36).

I always make a run to Chedraui and buy a large bucket to keep in the shower for soaking the photographic gear. Just my dos centavos.

 

[cicopo]

I've owned & done all the maintenance on a rather large residential pool since 1976 & doubt that the chlorine levels, even just after shocking it, would have any effect on our housings when using the pool as the rinse tank. I've used the pool at Hotel Cozumel as one more than once, but no matter how I've treated it my drill is to remove the plate & strobes, and then rinse it in the sink at my room for a bit, & then I dry it off with a towel & finally with the supplied hair dryer. When I'm convinced it's dry I open it & download. I download daily & make a back up plus replace the card so I have 2 back ups for every day of diving. Probably a bit of overkill but that's my norm after shooting an event.

 

[mstevens]

Yes, nitrox is widely available, albeit generally only 32%.

I practically always end up with 36%.

 

[robint]

Both 32% and 36% nitrox are widely available on the island. FWIW, Scuba Club Cozumel pumps its own Nitrox ($10 for either 32 or 36).

I always make a run to Chedraui and buy a large bucket to keep in the shower for soaking the photographic gear. Just my dos centavos.

ditto everything Jim says! We stay and dive with ScubaClubCozumel now for a reason... Big boats with camera tables and fresh water rinse tanks for our big cameras. There is also a fantastic shore diving area where we can take tons of photos.
The big thing about diving Cozumel... the current! Current makes for clearer water, and more fishlife. We have found that the 1st dive of day usually has more current and is deeper, so not always conducive to photos. HOWEVER, the second dive and then the shore dive every day after lunch or night dives are completely different. Current is usually much easier, and never a problem for photographers.

Check out my videos from our last trip there, this past April. We had ALL photographers on our boat, and the DM made knew what to do to make our diving experience the best for us. Love Nestor!!! But all the DMs at ScubaClub are good, some better than others.

All my videos from this past trip: https://vimeo.com/album/1899948

All my videos from 2010: https://vimeo.com/album/81331

and my trip report and photos from 2012: http://www.rnrscuba.net/2012_Cozumel/2012_SCCTripReport.html

Scuba Club Cozumel is not for everyone... but it is PERFECT for us, photographers who like to dive eat dive eat dive eat... and don't want really fancy accomodations or other activities.

 

[Christi]

Yes, nitrox is widely available, albeit generally only 32%. I always use it on my 2nd tank due to long bottom times. I pay $10/tank. It might be less for ops using AL80s.

I get 36% regularly for my divers, but I know some ops only order 32% to keep it simple. No difference in price for AL 80's on nitrox - they charge the same to fill them - there is a very, very small price difference for having your own tanks vs. renting tanks.

 

[Sideways]

I have absolutly no problem with my Nikon D90 rig. I've taken it to Coz the last few years and gotten great opportunities. The current is different at times and sites. I've always had plenty of ops for pics every trip. I dive with Blue Angel, and the captains are very good handling my gear. Like Don mentions, rinse tanks on the boats are tougher to come by, at least at BA. My solution is this....

AO Coolers: 24 Pack Soft Sided Cooler

I have had a grey one for 3 years now. It fits my rig all assembled and is legal carry-on size. It's padded and comfy to carry thru airports. On the boats my rigs are carried in it, and after dives I zipp it which keeps the moisture in till I get back to the shop. If a boat has enough fresh water, I give it a quick rinse in the bag and zip it up till I get back. At the shop, I fill it up with fresh water...IT is my rinse tank That way I KNOW no chems are in the rinse tank Best investment for my camera gear I ever made.

 

[Phoenix1]

I wonder what that chlorine does to a housing?

I had considerable reservations, but there were really no choices. Thankfully, the pool was very lightly treated, and I rinsed it in the small shower afterward. Unfortunately, the water that comes out of the tap is brown. It was even hard for me to think the rinse tank for my gear was doing any good, but everything worked out OK.

Despite all that, I'd go back in a minute. See my trip report on these boards for my experience and photos.

---------- Post Merged at 01:49 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:47 PM ----------

Both 32% and 36% nitrox are widely available on the island. FWIW, Scuba Club Cozumel pumps its own Nitrox ($10 for either 32 or 36).

I always make a run to Chedraui and buy a large bucket to keep in the shower for soaking the photographic gear. Just my dos centavos.

That's a great idea. It can't cost a ton, and it would beat a pool.

---------- Post Merged at 02:15 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:47 PM ----------

AO Coolers: 24 Pack Soft Sided Cooler

Another great idea. I have Pelicans for my still and vid cams, but looks like this might pack into the carry on nicely.

---------- Post Merged at 02:16 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 01:47 PM ----------

I get 36% regularly for my divers, but I know some ops only order 32% to keep it simple. No difference in price for AL 80's on nitrox - they charge the same to fill them - there is a very, very small price difference for having your own tanks vs. renting tanks.

I really don't care much about the percentage; it's easily changeable. I do assume that all shops have analyzers.

 

[DandyDon]

Unfortunately, the water that comes out of the tap is brown.

Another reason to soak in bottled water.