peterjmaerz:
GFAC,
Thanks for the kind words about my report. First off, your pix are insanely excellent! Aside from fantastic composition and lighting, the equipment you're using seems just great. Can you tell me what its components are? I'm looking to upgrade from my faithful but limited Oly 3040 with its internal strobe.
I'm glad my report had a calming effect. I suffer from tremors of guilt every time I take one of these Pacific liveaboard trips. I'm reminded how out-of-my-league I am by the passengers on said journeys, almost all of whom are very nice, engaging folks, but also financially independent. That's certainly not my status! But, after putting aside the thought of how I could enhance my retirement account by eschewing these trips, I'm always left with the feeling that it's worth it to take them. There'd be no way to compensate for the pleasure I get by adding to my long-term financial security.
I'm sure your Bilikiki experience will make you feel the same way.
Happy Holidays.
Best Regards,
Peter,
'Sounds like, from one working stiff to another, we're on the same sheet re making time in lives and budgets for these kinds of experiences. (UNtil someone shows me proof positive we are all going to be reincarnated, this is the life I want to fill with good stuff!)
Thanks for the very kind and encouraging comments on the photos. if you want to see a few other really odd creatures, go over to photobucket.com and type "gfandac" in the search term box. Some add'l ones in there, including from Lembeh -- which if you haven't gotten to, you should add it to your list. Also not a walk in th park getting there, but well worth it.
As for the set-up, I've a fuji S2 pro in a subal housing, along with a single Ikelite DS-125.('Also have a S&S YS-120 which is well made and very reliable...but slower to get ready after each shot, a disadvantage for moving fish.) I'm thinking about adding a second strobe by Bilikiki time.
About my kit, a couple caveats. I'm a neophyte fumfering as I go as opposed to some of the real pros out there who actually know what they're doing. Also, I really like my set-up but in terms of recommendng it, its already 3-year old technology on the digital camera side. Thus if you're upgrading in 2006 you may want to go with whats newest att. (Fuji now has the S3 and both Nikon and canon have several new & good contenders.) That said, I'm planning on my set up keeping me happy for some years to come. (I also bought a used back-up S2 body so if something happens w/the camera, I still have something that will work in the housing.) (BTW there is always the option of paying less for used kit if you know the previous owner took good care.)
One interesting point about the S2 if you opt for the used route -- it has (what I see as) an advantage over all the other digitals, in allowing true TTL for strobe level. If you are close enough to the subject, the TTL exposure is quite reliable. And it of course allows going manual if you wish. If you haven't had use of external strobe, you will be amazed at the colors it will bring out. (tho, some of your pics sure looked well lit for an internal strobe only.)
Most of my posted pics are with the (fairly reasonable) nikon 60 mm macro lens, tho I've more recently added w/a and a 105 to the kit.
Now, do be prepared for some real sticker shock when to you go to make the investment -- we are talking a good several thousand when its all said and done.
If you're like me, you'll get it going, then get REALLY addicted to it. then you'll get used to spending the bucks, and you'll just have to go diving all the more to amortize the investment. It all works out.
Good luck... I hope you take the leap, and will be interested to know what you decide.
Glo
