Aussie diving, May 1st to May 15th!

[Sas]

You are getting some great shots Sas but my fav is the pacman shot that is awesome! I love unusual composition and that one take the prize!

Thanks Hehe I took a bunch of shots of it hoping it would move closer to 'Pacman' but no unfortunately

I have found on occasion I have accidentally turned the forced flash off. I also find that in cold water with low battery it takes a while to charge enough to flash as well.

No forced flash was definitely on. I switched it to all different flash settings to see if that would work but no luck. It worked after I made sure the camera case was not fogged on the next dive. I often turn my flash off for longer distance shots as it means no backscatter (such as the Old Wives shot I just posted, no flash in that one) but usually remember to turn it back on as my next pictures come out black (I have the camera set to show me a brief preview after each shot)

We cleaned the lense on my "problem camera" and it seems to be working now. It may be that I had hit the button and turned off the macro setting as well. so easy to hit the wrong button sometimes and not realize.

Yes! My first few dives I never put the macro setting on and wondered why I got so many blurry shots Done it a few times since then too by mistake :blush: Nearly done 50 dives now, with my camera and it is holding up well! Though I had to rip out the lens cover with pliars as it kept getting stuck. I'd have to wack my camera against a rock underwater to get it open again and I figured that would shorten my camera's life quite a bit... I make sure it is stored so it won't get dust in it now

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Thanks Hehe I took a bunch of shots of it hoping it would move closer to 'Pacman' but no unfortunately



No forced flash was definitely on. I switched it to all different flash settings to see if that would work but no luck. It worked after I made sure the camera case was not fogged on the next dive. I often turn my flash off for longer distance shots as it means no backscatter (such as the Old Wives shot I just posted, no flash in that one) but usually remember to turn it back on as my next pictures come out black (I have the camera set to show me a brief preview after each shot)



Yes! My first few dives I never put the macro setting on and wondered why I got so many blurry shots Done it a few times since then too by mistake :blush: Nearly done 50 dives now, with my camera and it is holding up well! Though I had to rip out the lens cover with pliars as it kept getting stuck. I'd have to wack my camera against a rock underwater to get it open again and I figured that would shorten my camera's life quite a bit... I make sure it is stored so it won't get dust in it now

Interesting I will have to try that... what was the viz like with that Old Wives shot and the flash turned off?

It is interesting to be able to compare tricks we come up with different ideas and we both benefit from sharing them thanks:kiss2:

 

[Sas]

Interesting I will have to try that... what was the viz like with that Old Wives shot and the flash turned off?

It is interesting to be able to compare tricks we come up with different ideas and we both benefit from sharing them thanks:kiss2:

Viz varied between 1-3m. Probably 3m in that shot.

I almost never use the flash when I am not shooting macro unless it is a very clear day (makes no difference so I don't bother turning it off ). There is no point as there is too much backscatter in my experience. I use Auto mode with forced flash off.

Here are some examples with no flash

Have not done any backscatter removal or anything like that with the photos, they come out like that with no flash

 

[almitywife]

wow Sas... loving your pics

well hubby told me that the diving this weekend would have been crap we didnt dive but now im hearing Shelly Beach and Shellharbour was magic with 15+mtrs vis

bugger

 

[Sas]

wow Sas... loving your pics

well hubby told me that the diving this weekend would have been crap we didnt dive but now im hearing Shelly Beach and Shellharbour was magic with 15+mtrs vis

bugger

Awwww I have had my best dives on days when people say it will be crap so I have given up listening to anybody and just jump in anyway! This has resulted in zero viz dives though, but generally not often

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Going to have to try that trick Sas. You are getting some great stuff with that camera! Bye the way I always put a tiny sachet of silicate crystals in the housing with my camera and I always load the camera at home. I have NEVER had a fogging problem with my camera yet! Some people say it is overkill but my lack of fogging hassles makes me a believer!

AW Shellharbour has been getting some good conditions the last while according to what they said to us when we were down there with Phil... and it sure was good when we dived it!

 

[Sas]

Going to have to try that trick Sas. You are getting some great stuff with that camera! Bye the way I always put a tiny sachet of silicate crystals in the housing with my camera and I always load the camera at home. I have NEVER had a fogging problem with my camera yet! Some people say it is overkill but my lack of fogging hassles makes me a believer!

Thanks My buddy Michael (Midnightelf here) gives me lots of tips about compositon and so on as he is a great photographer (though mainly he does land stuff, he only has a film camera for underwater so does not take many shots). I figured out the flash thing after experimenting with all my settings underwater one day (in Fish Rock actually, my second dive in the cave entrance had much better pictures as I turned the flash off, though that was with Paul's camera. Same with my shark dives, but I kept forgetting, I am in the habit these days though ) It works great for night shots on land as well. You set a long exposure and leave the flash off. Looks much more natural in my opinion.

Yep I had no silicate in my camera on that dive, or at all yesterday. It fogged first dive but not the others, only time it has fogged so far. I think the issue was there was a bit of moisture in the case and between dives I dried out the case in front of my car heater. I think the silicate helps with fogging for sure but I lost my one. Need to buy some more vitamins!

 

[Sas]

I went back to Williamstown last night for a night dive with Michael and burna, hoping to get some shots (after last time's camera fail). Well I got into my drysuit and was zipped up butwith my car key already inside my suit in my pant pocket GRR and realised I'd left the camera in my now-locked car. I was not going to do another camera-free dive so held everyone up whilst I got my camera (soz to my buddies!). - My drysuit (and wetsuit too I guess) is a hassle to take on and off :\

Anyway the dive was great, think viz was bout 8m and there were a bunch of critters around. And it was only 20min drive from home

Here is a dumpling squid:

Two short-headed seahorses (I do not see these often, they are tiny!)

Velvet Leatherjacket, was a very small one and pink rather than brown like they usually are - maybe a baby?

Ok this fish is fairly standard looking and they are everywhere at night but I can never get one of these buggers to stay put for a photo after trying so many times. So anyway, I was quite happy with this photo I think it is a Southern Cardinalfish.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Outstanding shots Sas.... gonna be giving Gudge competition S