Hawaii diving with the RX100 II

[mattia_v]

OP: nice shots! I find over/unders a pain with the RX100, have a new (bigger) wet lens with dome now so I may manage to get a few better ones next time around.

How do you like the acquapazza housing?

Not my shots, but I'll chime in and say that the RX100 mk I housing from Acquapazza is a joy to use, and essentially identical. It's solid, double O-ring, small, lightweight (good for travel), and plenty of places to attach arms/trays/balls/lights/whatever. I shoot mine without a tray and extra handle, just ball and joint arms (5"+ 8" ULCS) attached to the top, with some floats to balance the rig and lens holders for the macro/WA glass. Travels well, shoots well, great quality. Value is tough to beat, IMO.

 

[ggibson]

Thanks!

I agree, over/under is a lot of luck with these smaller domes. It's awkward with a wet lens, since the water will start to drain out of the space between the port and lens and ruin your image. I hold my finger over the small drain hole on the top of the port to give myself an extra second or two to hit the shot. Maybe something like a rubber band would help here, I dunno. Waves are another x-factor.

Is there a good technique for getting focus to work both above and below? All of the decent shots I've gotten still have one half a bit out of focus. Maybe stopping down more?

 

[mattia_v]

I think it depends on the lens - my UFL-165 Inon Fisheye wet lens won't focus to infinity above water. You're best off shooting the 'foreground' in focus with deep depth of field.

 

[fish80]

Hey fish80, I'm jealous you get to live in Oahu and have access to dive so easily. I'm here in California, where the waters are a bit cooler (although I do enjoy diving Monterey every now and then)

Thank you so much for your detailed tips! I also learnt how to dive in California, in San Diego. There are beautiful dives there too. La Jolla Cove on a good day is still my favorite shore dive and next door in La Jolla Shores you can easily swim with leopard sharks. I write you a bit more in a PM because I don't want to clog your post. Thanks again!