BCs and Photography

[jwnca]

I'm new to Scuba Board and stumbled across it in my research concerning housing for my Olympus D 550 Zoom. I received my OW cert just under a year ago and have 9 dives so far.

Since I live in Northern California, is suspect that most of my diving well be here. So, a bit on the cold side.

My question is in regards to BCs. The $$ is in the bank and begging to get out and buy my own equipment.

I've been eyeballing a Mares Dragonfly and Morpho but after reading threads here, Mares Airtrim's reviews seem to be extremely hot or cold, nothing in the middle.

What I was wondering is BP/Wing vs. Jacket when it comes to photography and rec diving. One thread, indicated that the Jacket was easier to manipulate the body to get the best shot.

I know the best advise is to try various BC and pick one that fits best. However, it would be nice to have some direction that is a bit more general.

I've read similar posts and reply's with an individual thoughts on a certain model. I was hoping to get the generic pros and cons to both.

So far, I understand:

BP/Wing to be great UW, but depending upon weight distribution, not so great on the surface. I have rented jacket style vests and do find lack of squeeze appealling.

Jacket style doesn't seems to have anything special about it other than tried and true.

Can anyone shed some more light on the pros and cons between the two styles?

 

[Dr. Jay]

With regards to UW photography, I wouldn't think it would make much of a difference. I'm pretty sure I read a Steven Frink review once on BC's, which only mentioned that it shouldn't be a "piece of junk". I can't remember if he even specified back-inflate vs. jacket-style.

I think I've been doing ok with my BP/Wing so far. It's simple, it doesn't get in the way, it makes you way more streamlined than a jacket BC, and its comfy even in a 1 pc wetsuit. I've never had a problem on the surface. I even tried super-inflating it today, and all I had to do was lean backwards to avoid doing a face plant. No problems at all. Kinda makes it like a huge waterbed! Your camera can sit on your chest while you take surface photos.

I'm pretty sure there was a thead a while back in the UW Photography forum on a good BC for that purpose. Try a search there and you may find what you're looking for.

Glad to hear your venturing into the world of UW Photography. I've just taken my first few steps, and I'm already hooked!

 

[jwnca]

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look in the photography forum.

As to being hooked....I was diving in Hawaii this last Feb and took one of those disposable UW cameras and though they didn't come out as well as I'd hope, it was still enough for me to get hooked.

Thanks again

 

[drbill]

Although I've dived with jacket style BCD's the past 10 years or so (backpacks before that), when I started UW videography I noticed a few problems. Due to surge and the "fact" that my SP Classic does not purge all of its air, some gets trapped in pockets, I've had to overweight myself to prevent bobbing while on the bottom filming.

About a year ago I bought a SP X-Tek on E-Bay and just tested it today. I used about 8 pounds less weight and the air seemed to purge 100% when I needed to sit on the bottom.

Have been considering BP/wings as a future purchase and think it will also yield better results.

Dr. Bill

 

[David Evans]

I switched to a BP setup after owning an Aqualung Malibu for a long time. Made a huge difference in my trim, which was an unbelieveable help in my photography.

The fact that the BP doesn't wiggle around on my back and the crotch strap holds the rig in place means that I can dive inverted, sideways or on my back with very little noticeable change in buoyancy. This was very difficult for me in using my Malibu, as it wanted to shift around a lot.

The streamlining across the front is the biggest difference. I dive in the Puget Sound (Seattle), and we have a lot of soft dirt bottoms, so being able to get close to the bottom is really nice. It's a very clean rig. I also like that I can put d-rings anywhere I want, rather than having to rely on the manufacturer's placement.

But the overall stability is the main benefit to me. I find I can dive in any orientation I want - something I couldn't do in my old BC. Also, mounting a can light was all but impossible on my old BC, and I find a can light with a goodman handle (which I can use while holding my camera) to be a great boon to photographing in less-than-optimal viz conditions - or at night.

Good luck on your decision. For me, I feel like I have the best solution currently available in the BP/wing setup. If I find something that works better, I will switch to it. So far, I haven't found anything even close....

-david

ps... not that I'm any great shakes as a photographer, but you can check out some of my photos if you like at www.pugetsounddiving.com (formerly diveseen.com)

 

[roakey]

Completely off topic, but I have to point this out... There are two different types of underwater photographers, photographers that become divers and divers that become photographers. Looking into camera housings at the same time you're researching a BC and with only 9 dives under your belt puts you into the first category. In my experience, without exception, photographers that fall into the first category are ALWAYS the ones destroying the reef to get the shot.

Please, please, shelve your plans for the housing until you have at least 100 dives. Once you're very, very comfortable in the water and you think you've got your buoyancy down, take a DIRF course (A search of DIRF on this board will give you tons of hits). The skills taught are exceptionally applicable to photographers. Do not waste your money on any "Peak Buoyancy" classes since though there are a few instructors out there that "get it" you have a 95% chance of learning very, very little.

Ok, off my soapbox.

Roak

 

[SubMariner]

Have you considered hybrid BCDs like the Aeris? It is a combination of a back and jacket style: not as constricting as a full jacket, yet doesn't push you forward as much at the surface as a traditional bp. It also has excellent lift.

roakey

Do not waste your money on any "Peak Buoyancy" classes since though there are a few instructors out there that "get it" you have a 95% chance of learning very, very little.

Many new divers benefit from learning how to fine-tune their buoyancy, to estimate weighting, and learn proper trim through PPB . As with any course, finding a proper Instructor is the key to a positive learning experience. Peak Performance Buoyancy is no exception.

~SubMariner~

 

[jwnca]

I haven't looked into Aeris, but I was considering the Mares Dragonfly. It a hybrid model with Mares Airtrim design.

My thoughts with the Airtrim, were more or less addressing roakey's concerns about bouyancy control. And not to dismiss roakey's thoughts and suggestions, I was going to get to some point of bouyancy control mastery before going nuts on photography.

In reality, I'm a new diver who has taken snap shots twice with a disposable uw camera. I just found that the images that I've browsed through online (albeit, much higher quality than my snap shots) to be enjoyable to look at.

Since I am a newbie, looking to purchase my own equipment, and thinking that uw photography is going to be somthing I will be expanding into over time, I wanted the bc I purchase to be able to meet my growing needs over time. After all, it's not exactly like dropping a dollar on a cup of coffee.

Thanks again all

 

[FallenMatt]

i used to own mares dragonfly but i sold it and got BP/wings. it was a very welcomed change

maybe it is just me (rather tall skinny guy) but the mares BC tended to ride all the way to my chest leaving almost no support down the torso. SO i always ended up with upright position with floaty top and legs straight down.

not mentioning that it liked to move around by itself and all the posckets and stuff made bunch of junk and bulk in front of me.

I switched to BP/Wings and it is a dream

can just float around in any position I want and the stuff doesn't move around.

(pics taken by dr. jay yesterday in blue springs, do anybody knows why i can't make them display inline on scubaboard ?)
check this shots:

and:

both made by me floating montionlessly while in mares bc i had to work hard to keep on moving to stay horizontal.

 

[SubMariner]

I haven't looked into Aeris, but I was considering the Mares Dragonfly. It a hybrid model with Mares Airtrim design.

Ok. Didn't know that about the Dragonfly. However, I've been using the Aeris for about 3 years now. Generally I like the way it performs. There are couple of small issues (like velcro placement on the LPI hose) but other than that, it seems to fill my needs. I dive wet and dry; warm and cold; salt & fresh.

Here's a link to the Aeris XT:
http://www.diveaeris.com/Product.cfm?PL=bcs&SL=XT

Good luck, and have FUN!

~SubMariner~