nlbford
Contributor
Detonate:
I don't want to sound like I am encouraging people not to take VERY good advice, but the fact remains that a set period of when one should start carrying a camera and when one shouldn't kind of misses the point. As Detonate points out, different people progress at different rates. What matters is making sure on is very comfortable and safe diver before adding additional tasks to a dive. That could be as early as a dozen dives or as many as well over a hundred for some divers.
In my case, I was an lifelong waterman who was more than comfortable and safe very early on because I basically grew up in the ocean and had been free diving for years. I was also a photographer to begin with, so I was comfortable with a camera as well and having one with me was natural for many activities I engaged in. When I started diving, it was incredibly natural thing for me and the relaxtion and confidence meant I could dive safely and conscientiously without much extra mental effort.
I was diving with cameras after only probably 10 or 12 dives outside of certificcation - but I also went right into an advanced class after a couple of day trips after being certified. It was never really a distraction or a detriment to my dives or my buddies safety. Hasn't been sincce because I am aware of the situtation before each dive and approach each dive as if it is totally different than the last and may present problems others haven't - I still do that roughly 400 or so dives later.
The key is to make sure you are comfortable diving and that certain things have become routine and almost rote for you before you start adding tasks to your dives. That could be real soon, it could be later. The key is that even when that happens, don't assume that every dive after that will be an appropriate dive to take a camera (or whatever) along on. Even now, there are times I will have my camera gear all set up and ready to go and for whatever reason will say, "Naw, I'll leave it behind this time" - could be a night dive with other issues to deal with. Could be a new site with currents or something I'm not sure of. Could be I am just feeling mentally lazy that morning . . . .
Just get to the point you are a happy comfortable diver and then just take something along to simply carry and care for - maybe even a rock. See if having something in your hands is a distraction or a non-issue.
Don't take a camera simply because you feel you can't wait to take photos. Take a camera when you can say to yourself that extra tasks don't add aprehension and it sounds like a relaxing hobby to add to the relaxing hobby of diving. Another piece of advice. I did my first photo dives with a rented Nikonos V that I had insured - the idea being that if at some point I needed to ditch it, it wasn't a huge deal for either me, or for the company that rented ot to me. That may not be the route to go, but there are relatively inexpensive disposables that give good results and won't make an end of the world situation out of ditching it.
Just go for it when you are READY, not when there has been some set dive milestone. That milestone may not even be the right time if you don't feel ready.
In the meantime, just enjoy diving. At this point, I relish a dive every so often without the distraction of thinking, "Oh I should shoot that" . . .
