Ultralight Arm swap, anyone?

[awkman]

My arms are too long.

I own 4 8" Ultralight Arms (part number DB-08). I'd love to trade 2 or 3 of them for 5 inch or 3 inch arms. My underwater photo interests have shifted to more macro. And I have a smaller camera/housing setup than I had when I bought the arms.

The arms that I would trade are in great shape. The gaskets are clean with no nicks in them. The arms have been with me on around 150 dives and are 4 years old.

Thanks
Larry

 

[Cacia]

Larry, let me see what I have, length wise and check back with you. I am pretty sure I need the 8".

 

[fdog]

Don't get rid of them! How else will you get creative backlighting? I have found that a 12" and 8" are perfect for this.

All the best, James

 

[Cacia]

Uhhhhh, well james, what is creative backlighting? I know you are going to tell me you use three or four strobes and your assistants hold them? Poor me, I am a one strober.

 

[justleesa]

moved this to the main forum, you'll get more answers here

 

[fdog]

Example of swanky backlighting (assumes 2 strobes):

Setup: Short arm on the right, two long sections on the left

Subject: some sort of soft coral that's big and fairly thin

Reach left strobe out and past the subject, aimed back at the lens, so it will shine through the soft coral. Usually use full power.

Right strobe at the front of the coral, hopefully illuminating a cool-looking critter. Usually at pretty low power.

Shoot. Chimp. Balance.

Also looks cool with coral heads, etc. Just make sure no direct light from back strobe falls on lens port.

All the best, James


...oops! Should have sent this as a PM, to give you a "competitive advantage"...

 

[awkman]

Thanks fdog, I have considered keeping the arms. I have done a little backlighting for some soft coral shots. Who knows what I'll be shooting in 5 or 10 years. And these arms will last through my UW photo life.

If I can't make a trade I'll just buy a couple of short arms.