Big Sky Dave:
It would seem that the most important elements would be:
1. A bcd or back pack wing combination that's easy to adjust and can hold you in any position (can a backpack/wing do that?)
Fit is more important than design, yet some designs lend themselve to better fit. If you have a standard size body, off-the-rack clothes fit you very well, then a jacket-type BC can fot you very well. However if you have areas of your body that are out of proportion, ie. large shoulder/chest, large waist and smaller shoulders, etc. a BP/Wing can be adjusted to give you a perfect fit.
Most, not all, jacket BC's can't be adjusted in this way. The Zeagle Ranger and Concept models are an exception. For instance, if you have a larger waist, you'll have to buy a jacket with a large enough cumberbun to fit your waist. This will make the shoulders too big which results in the BC floating up around your ears on the surface. (Personally, I think all jacket BC's need to come with a crotch strap to keep it in place.) Or you buy one to fit your shoulders and have to buy an extension for the waist. Neither of which is going to be as good as a custom fit.
Yes, a BP/Wing will hold you in any position and attitude in the water
if it's properly fitted to you. It take some trial and error to get a perfect fit but those few adjustment dives are well worth it!
2. Weights close to the body that again aid in holding position.
Yes. You also need to be properly trimmed out. Not all body types will be properly trimmed with all your weights on your waist or in WI pockets. It also depends on the kind of tank you use. For instance, I need 4# of weight in fresh water. If I put 2# in each weight pocket, my butt starts floating when an alum tank gets about half full. To trim that, I attach a 2# weight to the bottom of my tank with 1# in each pocket. I can now hold any position...horizontal, vertical and anything in between.
3. Fins that aid minor position changes.
True. This also has alot to do with personal preference. Chris noted he loves his Jet fins for their maneuverbility. For me, Jet fins are too heavy and clunky and my bad knees can't take the strain. I use two different brands of split fins, depending on conditions and purpose. I can get into and hold any position with them and my knees are happy! the secret to any style fin is to learn to use them properly and know where your fin tips are AT ALL TIMES.
4. Minimum bubble regulator.
Not minimum bubbles...you need the air! Just make sure the 2nd stage has a wide exhaust port/shield that directs your exhaust bubbles to the sides of your face.
5. Instuments that are out of the way, tangle free, yet easily observed.
Bingo! Get someone to take a picture of you in the water. Standing in your living room won't give you a true guide. Do you see any hoses sticking out, does anything hang lower than your body? Just because everything is clipped off doesn't mean it doesn't dangle.
6. Pockets. no one's mentioned them. But on land photographers love vests with lots of pockets. Maybe all this stuff needs to stay on the boat in a bag??
I use a very small pocket to hold a small slate and defog. A small light stays clipped and strapped to my right arm webbing, sort of under my arm. A SMB/lift bag is bungied to my BP and a small spool clips to my waist. For photography I use a
Digital Lens Dock on my camera rig to hold my WA lens. I don't need big pockets and no need to carry anything else for normal diving.
7. Black skirted mask (my Ebon should arrive today
Yeah!
Have I read somewhere someone saying she liked ankle weights for photography??? I saw some uw show on TV recently where the videographer was strolling around the bottom with no fins and what looked like weighted shoes.
Some people have problems with their feet and legs being more bouyant than the rest of their bodies. Tanks positioning helps but it doesn't eliminate the problem. A
lightweight pair of ankle weights will make your feet neutral. If the ankle weights are too heavy, you now have the opposite problem of keeping them elevated. You'll also burn more air with the extra effort of carrying the extra weight. I wore ankle weights for several years, I adjusted mine to about 10oz. instead of the 2# each. Those few ounces was all it took and I was never aware they were even there.
Drysuit divers frequently use ankle weights.
It would seem the photographers gear needs to emphasize stability over swimming speed, right???
Yes! It's no race down there! The faster you go the more you miss.