Photography permits while diving?

[Tigerman]

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I should mention that my camera would be considered "pro" by anyones standard, its not a simple, or small unit. I'm not sure if perhaps that makes a difference? is there a pro photographers fee in places maybe?

You could be surprised by the standards of some people on SB

as to the actual question, Ive never heard of anywhere requiering permits to take either photo or video cameras of any size, outside of paid jobs - and even if its paid jobs, whos gonna know unless you have a whole nat geo crew in tow?

 

[Searcaigh]

Never come across anything related to fees for photography anywhere I have dived recently.

 

[randini]

Down here in chile, it's not a permit they require, but a special certification from the navy. It's called buzo especialista, or specialist diver and qualifies you to use hand tools and cameras underwater in chilean waters. I only know of one person with that card, but all the divers I know use cameras or hand tools for work.

 

[ScubaSteve]

I think I read a thread here on ScubaBoard where there was an island that did not allow any photography unless you paid the fee. My memory may be misleading me but I recall it being somewhere in Panama or Ecuador? I will try to find the thread but will agree with most that this is not a common theme around the world. Most places do not charge anything for photography and the best place to find out for sure is the dive op you have chosen (or are talking to).

 

[JTemple]

Dauin area in the Philippines has marine park fees, plus additional fees for photogs and videographers. Here's an example, bottom of the page: El Dorado Beach Resort . And it adds up!

 

[Tzetsin]

Thank you for the information everyone. it sounds more like permits are for specific places than the norm.

You could be surprised by the standards of some people on SB

as to the actual question, Ive never heard of anywhere requiering permits to take either photo or video cameras of any size, outside of paid jobs - and even if its paid jobs, whos gonna know unless you have a whole nat geo crew in tow?

The camera with housing and strobes is 27 lbs. Hard to pass that off as non pro. Even though Im not a professional underwater diver at all, just someone without the good sense to buy what he needs and not what he wants.

Dauin area in the Philippines has marine park fees, plus additional fees for photogs and videographers. Here's an example, bottom of the page: El Dorado Beach Resort . And it adds up!

Wow, 120 USD per diver with a vid cam. If I was there and they told me that I'd pack my suitcase and leave. It sounds more like a cash grab from the resort since they're still charging 60 bucks outside the sanctuary. I absolutely do not dive at a resorts dive shop anyway. The cost vs a local shop is almost always far, far higher. I'm pretty fortunate actually, I'm not really a tourist in the phils. I spend a lot of time there and have gotten to know a lot of the folks in the local dive scene.

 

[Esk]

Dauin area in the Philippines has marine park fees, plus additional fees for photogs and videographers. Here's an example, bottom of the page: El Dorado Beach Resort . And it adds up!

Hmm, that must have something to do with the resort. I also dived at Dauin and only had to pay 1000 pesos per dive (including all equipment) and no extra fees or camara permits. Actualy I never experianced any camara permits.