which lens (Fiji shark dive)

[mike jj]

We are leaving for Fiji in a couple of days, and planning on doing the shark dive. I can't decide which lens to take on that particular dive. I have 8mm 9-18 zoom 60mm macro (which looks pretty nice from 10to 12feet.) I know they do 2 dives, but I'm not a fan of changing lenses and ports on a small boat. I just don't know how close you get to things.

Thank You
Mike

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

Call the dive operator or look around online, and see how close the sharks will come. 9-18 was a good focal length for me when I did Bahama shark dives, but the sharks came close and were huge (8-15 feet long) so the wide was essential. I would have been out of luck with the 60.

The other lens that might work very well is the 12-50, especially if the sharks are a little farther away. At 50 you are very close to the magnification of the 60 for more distant sharks, but if the sharks come close you can still get good semi-wide shots.

In fact, that lens would be my first choice if you really don't know what to expect in terms of the shark sizes or how close they will come.

Definitely would not recommend the 60. That is a long focal length and if the sharks are so far away you need that lens to fill the frame, your flashes probably will not even reach and there will be greatly reduced visibility due to the amount of water between you and the sharks.

With all big animal dives, wider is better.

Fiji, wow, have a good time!!

---------- Post added August 25th, 2013 at 05:16 PM ----------

I looked up the shark dive online. It is a feeding dive so the sharks will probably be close. The 9-18 looks like the best bet. If you want to keep your distance (not a bad idea on feeding dives), the 12-50 is an alternative. You should bring both lenses and see how the first dive goes. With the Nauti system it is easy to swap ports and lenses.

 

[cbm32]

On the shark dives in Bega Lagoon Fiji you will not have a choice as to your distance from the action as everyone must stay in a designated area at each level of both dives. Just shoot an email to Aqua Trek or Bega Adventure Divers (whichever you plan on using) and they can tell you exactly how close to the action you will be.

 

[retendokid]

You may have left for your trip already but IMHO, shoot as wide as possible on the Fiji Shark dive. Take the 8 mm. I've done this dive and they will take each of the serious photographers with bigger rigs out right next to the shark feeder and you will have bulls, lemons, nurses, white tips, silkies etc cruising 20 inches over your head or past you. They come and get individuals from the lineup and let you get close, but even if you aren't the one next to the tuna heads being offered to hungry sharks, they still cruise by very close at regular intervals. At one point on the second dive, I couldn't help myself and reached out and touched a big bull shark that was cruising past me. So I guess that tells you how close you'll get on the Fiji shark dives. So take WA lens, good lights (first dive at 90 feet, second at 60) and you'll come away with some awesome shots. If you're lucky, the female tiger shark will show up.....


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