Palau video

[matdiver]

Hi,
been lurking on here for a while and picked up plenty of useful info. Now finally signed up, to post some video of a trip I did to Palau in February.

[video=vimeo;29574183]http://www.vimeo.com/29574183[/video]

Matt

 

[flareside]

Nice video.

 

[diver 85]

good vidoes---what system you filming with??.......tia.......

 

[matdiver]

Thanks for the comments.
I'm almost embarassed to say that I'm filming with a really old system - Sony PDX10, in a USVH all-electronic housing. Red filter, manual white balance throughout.
I guess I'll make the move to HD once I find a 3-chip camcorder with similar low-light sensitivity/low pixel density to my old PDX10 - if it ever exists in a reasonable form factor.
Matthew

 

[Nomad-Diver]

Excellent video.
I'd guess you were on Ocean Hunter 3 ? (That looks a lot like DM - Eddie in one of the shots)

 

[matdiver]

Thanks a lot, Nomad. Yep, it was Ocean Hunter III - what a fantastic liveaboard! Captain Ken was the guide in the shots. Ed is far too sensible to be blowing bubbles.
Matthew

 

[dirtfarmer]

Matdiver, which dive site were the Manta's at? I'm off to Palau in a month and would love to see them.

 

[craracer]

Nice video. I'll be in Palau this January, and now I'm more excited than ever.

 

[matdiver]

Nomad-Diver - yeah, actually you're right, there are a couple of shots of Ed too.
Dirtfarmer, craracer - you are in for a TREAT! The site is called "German Channel" - check this link:
Ocean Hunter III - Dive Sites
Although you almost ceratinly won't see mantas every time you dive there, if you go with a good operator you'd be extremely unlucky not to see any during your trip. I'd advise arranging a few dives there. Local knowledge about the currents and tides etc. is essential. My personal fave is Fish 'n Fins, but I guess the others, like Sam's Tours, know the sites too. I did one early morning dive there, and we didn't see a single manta. Just thousands of schooling scad and hunting grey reef sharks, which wasn't too bad....
Matthew

 

[soundfield]

Wow! If I see this myself next April, I will have dived and gone to heaven.. amazing!