Underwater photography Galapagos

[tonikamo]

I went to Galapagos 20 years ago (!!!!!!!)

Back then you could do a live-aboard that also offered some land walking tours plus get you up to Wolf and Darwin islands.

At the time I had the first Canon Digital Rebel SLR, a 6.3 megapixel camera.....I mostly used my 18-55mm "kit" lens. The Canon's 1.6X cropped APS-C sensor gave me about a 28 - 90mm focal length lens behind a dome port. This proved a pretty good range as others have said sometimes the big stuff doesn't let you get close, etc.

I also had a Sigma 15mm Fisheye (FULL FRAME Fisheye Lens, wider than a rectilinear lens 15mm X 1.6X ) I used it behind the same 6" dome port and was much easier leaving my port sealed the whole trip. I only shot one wide beam strobe (Ikelite DS125 on TTL.) and swimming this bulk in currents I sure never wished for dual strobes!

Today I only shoot compacts (Canon G7X II in Fantasea housing. ) I can pop an AIR lens on restoring my camera's 24mm widest focal length. This allows me the 24-100mm focal length on my compact as the AIR lens floats and I simply slide it on my forearm with a lanyard.

I ditched tray and arm(s) now using a single Inon S220 strobe mounted in my housing's Cold Shoe.

Light and small one flash needs less batteries (I take 8 NiMH Eneloops for the strobe.) It's served me well recently diving Raja Ampat Nov. 2023 and Maldives Feb. 2024. (Search for some posted pics on Scubaboard.)

With today's camera's delivering high ISO capability and software color correction Apps, etc. you could likely shoot a lot with just ambient light. Taking one small strobe on my rig isn't too much trouble so I usually take it every dive even if I end up shooting ambient light images.

I just purchased a short 4" tubular Inon Extension to my Inon Shoe Base II for a bit more height and articulation. Will try it out in Bali May 6-17.

Below are photos 20 year old ambient or just one strobe. I think you'd enjoy easier dives with a simple set up as the diving is challenging (!!!!!!)

Enjoy!

David Haas
Stow OH

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Hi! Can I ask how your new setup worked? Did you finally get an inon extension to your compact setup? I bought a G7X II camera with fantasea housing and a Z330 strobe, and now I'm working on a compact setup (I'll will be doing Raja Ampat in september), and I'm curious about yours.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Dan]

I just use a GoPro on a SeaLife SeaDragon 3000 video light & tray. It’s a small tray, very easy to handle during current or when hanging on rock with my left hand and GoPro on my right hand. Check out my trip video, below.

 

[David Haas]

Tonikamo (and others),

In Tokyo on the way home from Bali Tulamben.

I did use the Inon Tubular extension raising my Inon S220 up a bit in the cold shoe of my Fantasea FG7X II housing for the Canon G7X II camera.

It helped position teh flash plus allowing a bit more articulation while still keeping my rig compact (no tray, arms, etc.)

Som photos below from the trip. Scubaboard only allows 5 per post so multiple replies 1

David Haas

 

[David Haas]

More Bali 2024 trip pics

David Haas

 

[David Haas]

More

DH

 

[David Haas]

 

[David Haas]

 

[David Haas]

 

[David Haas]

 

[David Haas]