BC buoyancy and good UW photo practice

[BillAllbritten]

I need some advice on setting up gear. I normally dive a Zeagle Ranger with the standard nominally rated 44lb wing. I'm headed to Bonaire in two weeks and will be taking, for the first time, my MotormarineII system. With strobe and extra lenses it's a few pounds negative, maybe. I acquired a lightweight Zeagle Escape to help deal with carryon limitations post 9/11/01. I have both the 24lb and 35lb wing for that BC.

I will be using a .5mm fullsuit and estimate I will need about 12 -14lbs lead to easily stay down at a 500psi/15ft safety stop in saltwater with an AL80 and the camera. Weighting will be similar with the the 3 setups based on freshwater estimates, both BC's are pretty much neutral themselves. I have quite a bit of open water experience with Ranger/none with the Escape.

Packing ease aside, which is likely to be most stable in open water photography? I have no problems with an extended horizontal hover with all three rigs.



Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Dee]

From a photography standpoint, either BC will work great. I have a Zeagle Concept, (35lb) and use a S&S MMIIex with dual strobes and have 3 lenses mounted on the strobe arms. The whole thing is maybe 1lb neg. in the water. Negligeable enough to not count when adding weights.

Are you comfortable in the Escape? Can you work the controls and get to your gauges with one hand while holding a camera in the other? Which BC you use isn't as important as your bouyancy skills and safety while using the camera. Hovering completely motionless and being aware of where your fins are at all times is your major concerns. Taking pictures, you won't hover horizontally very much.

Just go with what is most comfortable to you and have a blast! We want to see photos and trip reports when you return!

 

[BillAllbritten]

Originally posted by Dee
From a photography standpoint, either BC will work great.

That's good info. I'll probably take the Ranger - more familiar with it, quite a bit of open water diving with it, more comfortable carrying tanks for shore dives and it's fairly easy to strap the camera bandolier style across my chest using bolt snaps and nylon ties threaded through holes in the tray when I'm not using it underwater.

Thanks again for the note.

Bill

 

[scorpiofish]

It won't make much difference as Dee pointed out. The camera has little weight to it in water. I have a Zeagle Ranger and Seaquest Balance. I prefer the Ranger because I find it more comfortable and more easily lets me invert to take pictures in a head down position.

I dislike the bulk of packing and the excess lift. The Escape seems like the ticket with the smaller air cell. The less excess lift you have, the easier it is to vent, making adjustments easier to do, regardless of whether you have a camera or not.

One of these days I try and retro my Ranger with a smaller wing. I figure all I need is about 18 lbs. of lift. Probably all you need is the 24lb. wing.

You've got it pretty much figured. Whichever your most comfortable in. Think simple, streamlined, easy adjustments.

Have fun, take lots of pictures.

 

[Dee]

....it's fairly easy to strap the camera bandolier style across my chest using bolt snaps and nylon ties threaded through holes in the tray when I'm not using it underwater.

Thanks again for the note.

Bill

One of the best accessories I've bought for my camera system is a coiled lanyard. One end is snapped to my right shoulder D-ring, the other secured to my strobe tray. In the middle is the coiled part that snaps together to keep it short and secure. In the water, I unclip the coil section allowing all the movement I need while at the same time it's still attached to me. If I need both hands quickly for some reason, I can drop the camera and know it will just dangle below me. Best $15 investment so far!