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D-rated lens? Was that the magic code word?
<Maybe... the letter "D" as in designation on Nikon lenses
for infra-red autofocus capacity?> I'm looking at the lens I
have which I do believe now must have come from the bargain bin. It was
wishful thinking that the f-stop was 1.4 - try 4... oh well. <Oh...
yes> It's a 35-80mm something-something [don't think it
would qualify as a tele-macro] and has another set of numbers on it -
1:4-5.6 D - Is that the D I'm looking for. <Yep!> If not...
what's a good second lens to get for this body that will work for
the UW auto-focus. <The workhorse lenses I have, can share (at least
on trips we're on together!), 60, 105... I have a 24 (and the port
for it, yay) wide-angle... and the 70-180mm with the rest of the gear
to go with it coming together... and a few other above water lenses.
B> Cheers,
Re: Looking for price, availability info. (More u/w camera
gear) Hi Robert, Right now the N90 Master housings are on back
order. Price is $1760.00 when available again (should be within a
month). I sell Ultra Light photo arms - $250.00 each side complete
(with two arm segments, three clamps, base adapter, and strobe adapter)
I also sell Ocean Brite arms - $225.00 per side complete as above I can
order Ikelite arms for approximately the same price as Ultra Light,
depending on which Ike arm set you want. Ike 400 - retail is $950.00,
your price is $800.00 Ike TTL single cord - $90.00 Dual cord - $150.00
I do not stock Ike 400 strobes so I would have to order them - a week
or so to get them to me. Shipping to you is UPS Ground which takes a
little over a week, unless you want faster. Let me know, Woody
<Thanks much for the speedy and to-the-point response. I would like
to order the housing, two strobes, the arm sets you suggest. A query re
the dual or single strobe. I use two currently on my Nexus rigs... do
you have a stance either way? Bob Fenner, WetWebMedia.com> >Hello
there, >Am looking to buy another Nexus N90 hsg. (no ports,
gears...) and two Ikelite 400 strobes, arms and sync cords for same. I
have other Nexus gear >et al. Would you please send me a price,
about how long it would take to ship all to California? >Thank you,
Robert Fenner, WetWebMedia.com Underwater photography - awesome pictures - do you know Mark Strickland? http://www.oceanic-impressions.com/reef.htm << Underwaterphotography-AnimalBehaviour.url >> <Yes. Do know Mark. Bob F> My Webshots Photos Hi, Check out these photos I uploaded to Webshots. Parvin's underwater photography http://cards.webshots.com/cp-29986625-zmJk-album/43575938PBGrEz <Very nice. Do like the website service as well. Bob Fenner> Cheers, Parvin Repair Order # R 13337 Repair of 1 - 4046 Ai, Ser No 5607 Replacing water damaged as needed Cost $ 150.00 Please forward check, money order or Phone 317-923-4523 with a credit card number. Visa & Master Card accepted. Fax # 317-924-7988 PO Box 88100, Indianapolis, IN 46208 <Will do, thanks. Bob Fenner> Thank You Ikelite Repair Dept. 4040... first digital Bob, I'm getting the hang of the U/W housing and the 4040 camera and I noticed the lens on the housing has a couple of scratches on it. Is there any way to get those out? I can't wait to take pictures with this camera. <Think probably not... it's glass... does the port look like it's removable? Perhaps look over Olympus' website, or contact Marine Camera Distributors (.com) w/ this question. Bob Fenner> Mike Tahiti trip.... Bob, <Howdy> Greetings, my name
is Chris Rollison and I'm a member of SCMAS here in Orange County.
I was at the Christmas party with the LA club and enjoyed your pictures
from your recent Fiji trip. Since then I've been dreaming about
making my first trip to the South Pacific. After looking around, the
prices to Tahiti right now look killer so that's where the family
is headed in early June. <Sounds good, very> The reason for my
e-mail is several reasons. First, you jokingly (I think...) mentioned
about helping an exporter collect specimens or perhaps that they would
export stuff for you. Well Tahiti's not Fiji but I was wondering if
you know any exporters in Tahiti that I could contact in case there is
a chance I could use them to get coral back to the States. <I
don't... but will cc our msg. here to friends in the trade and ask
if there are any. Unfortunately, though many of the islands that make
up French Polynesia are not that far from U.S. markets, the costs of
operating there are high, limiting> Tahiti could be a marine
preserve for all I know as I've not done my homework yet but
thought I would ask you first. Most likely I'll be on Moorea and
not Tahiti, considering Rangiroa and Manihi also. Your experience with
any "must do" dives in any of these locations would be great
too. <Are you actually going over to Moorea? Have never dived on the
neighboring Tahiti... got to go to the Gauguin house/museum, drink
liquers made from pineapple... dive and snorkel as much as you can, for
sure> Second, and more importantly, I'm in the market to replace
my flooded Nikonos V and also recall your comments about your digital
camera. I wanted to get your recommendation on a digital I should
consider. <I would definitely not replace the Nikonos (Nikon
even stopped making them a few months back!). See here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/digitalpixinput.htm re the Olympus 4040 rig
and gear to make it a complete kit> The pictures are just for my own
use, no submissions to National Geographic or anything, but would like
to be able to make an 8 x 10 if something looks good. With my Nikonos
it never fails that when I've got the macro set up on there's a
great 35 mm shot and vice versa. Am I correct to assume that digitals
can be adjusted underwater between the two settings? <Yes... and
this get-up even has the Motomarine Sea & Sea capacity to stick on
external lenses (macro, close-up) "wet" (while
underwater)> What pixel count should I use to maximize the number of
pictures? <I use 2.15 mega... but the camera will do 4 mega
pixels. I store as tiffs...> As I have no laptop, how do I take
enough "digital film" with me to last the whole 7 days?
<They have storage devices... but do encourage you to bring a
laptop... to label, optimize (alter, better) pix topside... borrow one
if need be> I know you can edit out the losers but with my Nikonos
I'm shooting about 36 pictures per dive to be sure I'm getting
something "good". Also, I'm hoping that I can save some
money by not getting the latest generation of camera hardware but
perhaps a previous generation camera that has what I need but not
bleeding edge cost. Obviously the camera requires a housing, what do
you use? Are the housings generic or customer specific? <The 3040
fits in the same housing, uses same batteries, storage media... only
has a couple of features that I use different than the 4040... sells
for a few hundred dollars less.> Sorry for all the questions but
I've got a lot of ground to cover and my June departure is only
weeks away. I know this isn't aquarium specific but I know you have
a lot of good experience in this area and your experience will help me
get up to speed faster. Thanks for your response.... <No worries.
Let's chat up any "loose ends", questions, concerns you
may have. Lots to enjoy here. Bob Fenner> Chris Rollison Re: sending pics? I wanted to send you a couple of pictures, but when I do, it comes back returned. <Mmm, strange... I/we get and send pix all day long. Are you attaching them by way of your ISP's instructions? Perhaps you can write their technical help and ask for direction. Bob Fenner> Fw: sending pics? <Beauty! Bob F><Eagle ray on the go, flamingo tongue egg cowry munchy, leggy Kim lazing... very nice. Bob F> Camera information Dogfish, SpinalTap here. I' like to pick your brain, or at least the half of it that you use on a regular basis, instead of on Hashing. <It's about pickled this AM, but go ahead> After experimenting with a cheap ($50) housing that uses disposable cameras, I've decided that my diving 'skills' are adequate for doing some photography under the water. I.e., I can sort of control my buoyancy and hold a position, and other stuff you need to do to take pictures. <Great! More and more choices are now available... have recently invested in a new "cheap" digital rig... an Olympus 4040 and housing, Ikelite strobe/arm set... very nice pix, no film cost...> Unfortunately, I think I've outgrown the starter outfit I now have, plus it doesn't work all that well, i.e., shutter button doesn't line up, film advances sometimes (but not always), inadequate flash, etc. <Le boot... no one needs that frustration. Trips are costly enough> I want to move up a little, maybe up to a $150-200 unit. I realize that I'm still not going to be able to get a very fancy outfit for that kind of money, but maybe you could give me a hint or two. I'd like a reloadable camera, that has a decent flash and viewfinder. And being able to add a more powerful light (and possibly other goodies) at some time in the future would be nice. Can you give me any hints about what brand(s) I should consider? <Likely either a pretty used Motomarine Sea and Sea unit (with as much still working on it (strobe, other lenses...) or Nikon (II, III rather than a IV... maybe a V if someone is giving away... for point and shoot types... But to heck with this. Go in for a digital set-up... for you and Suze's above and below water use... there are a few... You can get an Olympus (last model, but about the same features, functionality) as the 4040... for about five hundred dollars... and save up the big $250-300 or so for their housing (still need batteries... rechargeable NiMHs, memory (Costco)... but this is about it... Oh, this is about the same rig as the young fellow on last Black Beard cruise had... You can add the slave-activated strobe later. Here's a place on our sites that lists the gear: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/uwpixfaqs.htm and where you might get it (where I got mine)> Or what brand(s) to stay away from? And maybe the best source for information and/or purchasing? <Best source are actual users, hobbyists and pros... so the listservs, their posted input is golden... Prices vary, the etailers are sometimes my first choice for comestibles like batteries, film, used analog gear (Adorama, KEH, Helix...), but Marine Camera Distributors really has the stock on hand... Do check around your vicinity geographically for a "relationship" with a good dealer as well> I've done some research on the Internet, but so far it's been mostly promotional information, as opposed to Consumer Reports type evaluations. Got any used stuff lying around that you've been waiting to dump on to some unsuspecting Hasher? <My two cycles back video... Sony TR 700 and their housing... and even lights... the whole thing weighs about thirty some pounds... No, I can't dump that on anyone... Get new gear if you can, otherwise do have factory inspection, fixing before using any purchased used... Skip all this and get new... believe me> No rush on this, since we don't have any trips planned for the next few months, but any info you could pass along will be appreciated. Oh - please use XXXX for the reply. <Done my friend. Be seeing, hopefully diving with you soon. Bob Fenner> Thanks, Spinal Tap Thank you (u/w photography, Goa trip, Hashing) I'm afraid if I show this to Suzy she's going to say, "Go ahead and do what he says. That way you don't have to upgrade in a year or two." (or something like that). And she's been sort of interested in a digital after watching other people use them at various Hashes. <Hmm, you wouldn't just happen to have her e-mail addy handy?> The digital thing sounds neat, and I remember the good times we had looking at all the stuff that (damn...can't remember his name) showed us each evening. Of course, that would mean a laptop, as well. I had planned on sticking with old-fashioned pictures that we can show family, and maybe stick on a wall, but I guess I can always get prints from digital if I really want one. <You can... and can view the pix, on the camera display while out in the field... and just plug the device into your desktop when home... or on the TV while out in the field...> I think your idea about talking with people is a good one. There are several divers in the White House H3, and they may have some good inputs. And of course the local dive shops know who has bought cameras from them, and could maybe give me some un-biased advice. And I suppose going through our back issues of diving magazines (of which we have about 50) would probably help, if I can ever force myself to do that. <This is what I do... when writing articles about, spiffing up to answer queries about, developing pitches on: underwater and above water photography> As for diving together, I think the trip to Goa interferes with the Scuba-Hash cruise this year, and from what we've seen of fares and schedules, going to the Maldives probably isn't going to work. Drat. <Agreed. Due to cost and troubles there, we are opting out of Goa presently> We are booked into a resort on the east end of Grand Cayman for the week right after Thanksgiving, and have some flight coupons (from being bumped) that we need to use this year, so I'm sure we'll head someplace with warm water sometime during the summer. I can't remember if we filled you in on our trip to Antigua. Three two-tank dives, which were OK, but nothing to go back for And most of the negative things we read in Undercurrent were true. <I agree. We were in Antigua about two years back after a/the big storm... the bottom was a mess. The svc. at the Sandals was sub-par for their chain> See you sometime, and thanks again for the advice. Spinal (and Hasher Humper) <Anytime my friend. Be seeing you. Bob/Dog F> More Q's (batteries on the run, copper-electrical removal) Reminded by recent queries: What do you use to recharge your American electronics (rechargeable pc, camera batteries, travel iron, etc) when overseas? <Almost always (nowadays), rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydrides (NiMH), and adaptors to the electrical outlets to fit with step-down transformers (for 220 v, 50 hz)... with small, light-weight "smart" rechargers that condition the batteries, shut themselves off... I rarely use gear with any "throw away" type, size batteries these days. Mainly AAs (all my Nikon gear), D's for u/w lights, strobes...> And do you recall the chemical cocktail (years since I can remember) for breaking the bond of copper with calcareous media? I'm thinking I read it in a Spotte book somewhere. I'll dig for it unless it is fresh in your memory. <Mmm, danger here, Will Robinson... I would not do this, definitely not relate same over the Net. Such cupric ions can be easily scavenged by commercial products like PolyFilter... Bob Fenner> Thanks...Antoine Cameras HI - I came across your web page & was wondering
if you can tell me where I can get a throw away underwater camera that
goes to 20-25 ft? Thanks <Check on the net under underwater
cameras... or a local dive shop of size. Bob Fenner> Repair Order # R 11565 Repair of 1 - 4104.5 General maintenance, broken wire. Cost $ 18.75 Please forward check, money order or Phone 317-923-4523 with a credit card number. Visa & Master Card accepted. Fax # 317-924-7988 PO Box 88100, Indianapolis, IN 46208 <Will call today with info. Bob Fenner> Thank You Ikelite Repair Dept. Re: Daily Fish Email out WWM Wow, nice. Those clowns are a favorite subject. They are photogenic, they don't move too fast, not like some of the fish I've seen you chasing around. Hope you had a Mighty Christmas. <Yes Miguel, thank you. See you soon. Bob F> Mike Olympus 4040 Digital U/W Photo Rig Jack et al. This is a list
of components, options, prices... for the underwater photo rig Laura
used in Fiji. Camera: Olympus 4040. I got from Camera Zone
(.com) over the net for $759 plus shipping. Can be had from elsewhere
on the web, maybe Fry's... Do make sure and get US Warranty model
(not gray market import)... and I did not buy bait/switch other gear
ploy... Ask if camera only is really in stock, will ship... Housing
(Olympus PT-010), Strobe, slave switch, arm (Ikelite 50 DS Kit),
tray Base Tray)... I got from Marine Camera Distributors:
http://www.marinecamera.com/ Tom and Lee are friends. Call to
make sure have in stock, have put together for pick up... check with
them to make sure someone will be there (Sorrento Vly) for p/u. They
also have the ext. thread-on lenses... I'm going to get the
close-up... About $800 for all but the ext. lenses. Storage
Media (Smart): Get from Costco (or try Fry's)... 128 megs for
about $60... get two or have Tom at MCD show you their spiffy small
storage device... or both knowing you. Batteries: Time to get
out all of the battery-operated gear you have, send away for NiMH
rechargeables and a fast charger (or two). I get mine from
SmallPower.com on the net... shoot for the larger milliamperehour rated
AA's... at least 1,600 rated... Laptop computer... I'm a
big fan of Sony's Vaio line as you know... Whatever model you get,
do have at least 128 megs of RAM (I have 256), an extra battery (about
$275 ouch!), and 20 gigs of HD... for editing video, manipulating all
your stills... viewing DVD's when you want to... even playing
music. Questions, problems, suggestions, call, write/email me.
Or, we'll go shopping as I said I would. Bob F Re: Daily Fish Email out WWM Good eye spotting that little
guy. Must be shot from a predator's point of view. <That and a
prey items! Bob Fenner> Todd Gabriel The test is positive Bob, Got it. Nice shot. Can't wait
to start taking some more underwater shots. <The thing is...
amazing. Laura.L was able... though she says she's not a great
diver... to make some very nice images... she says she has a strong
backgd. in terrestrial SLR photography... I believe it> Would it be
possible to borrow the digital underwater camera for some local
dives? <Absolutely. I'll gladly walk you through what
little I know (quick before I forget) about "all those
buttons"... according to the Net reviews, there is little diff.
twixt the 3040 you have and the 4040 Olympus. The housing accesses
almost all features.> I plan to start going out local again after
the new year. I want to do some lobster hunting and picture taking on
clear (not to many of those around here) visibility days. Time to break
out the 7MM wetsuits and get diving. See you soon. <A very good
idea... and I/we badly need MANY local images. Am making a turkey
enchilada pie... are you up to Croce/Croaky/Karee/Scariokee this eve?
Or just eating, chatting and drinking? Bob> Mike Re: Daily Email image from WWM (U/W photography) Hey Bob, Thanks for sending me all the images - they're great. I just paid $90.00 for what my wife calls a Ziploc bag to put my Kodak DC280 digital camera in when I go to Maui - its an EwaMarine "baggie" style housing. <I've used their products. They work> It's advertised for depths of up to 30 feet so I'll have to stay shallow, but I'll probably be doing mostly shore diving anyways. Leaving on the 19th, back on the 1st. Oh, and if I suddenly have enough cash for Bali, count me in if you think there will be scuba diving involved. -Dave <Will do so. Bob Fenner> http://www.ewamarine.de/English/e-start-photo.htm And by the way I hope you saw this: <Ah!> Nikon housing I noticed you mentioned you have an N-90 in a housing you use as a standby rig. I also have an N-90... curious to know more about the underwater ramifications of that. <I REALLY like this Nikon model (have an -X foreign body as well, as a back up, dual rig... the same camera, but a different designation). Where to continue here... Unlike the F-5 (had a "F"... yes, no number... great action finder, autowinder... in a bicep-building Ocean Eye housing set-up for years...), which is a great camera body as well, the N-90 S/X fits in a carry-on case with a Nexus housing (http://www.marinecamera.com/nexmast.html) under ones seat, in the overhead bin on most aircraft... I prefer to keep my lenses, bodies, housings, strobes, cords, arms, batteries, chargers... altogether as such and within my reach (unfortunately, have had gear stolen while in process/enroute on planes...). Possibly more to your point, the N-90 has almost all the features (wish the "night light" would just stay on till "turned off" purposely... and a few other requests sent to Nikon) I need/want/am looking for... Do shoot autofocus (and use "D" designated lenses, though the IR does not work u/w of course)... TTL very often (most of the time)... really use the change of exposure, auto-focus lock buttons a great deal and these are very "ergonomically placed... I don't use the "program modes" underwater at all... As with all Nikon analog cameras the interchangeability of lenses, strobes et al. is a tremendous asset. The fact that the cameras run on regular AA batteries (do get/use the rechargeable NiMH's) is a real plus... If you'd like we can chat re cameras.> Still looking for a learn-to-dive-somewhere-warm special. J -- <If you're not quite sure if you'll like diving... do consider a "resort course", perhaps somewhere in the Caribbean. Only a day or two, not much expense. If you're pretty sure you'll become a diver, do so, even come with us, learn while out for a week or so. Some trips very reasonable. Jack and I (Pete and Di et al. can't make it) are off to Taveuni (Fiji) 11/27-12/6, about 2k US total (air, accommodation, meals, seven days shore-based diving) from the west coast if you'd like to join us. Do "keep your health up", maybe have a physician give you a check-up for anything that might interfere with your being a scuba-type, and dreaming of warm, clear water. Ahh. Bob Fenner> Batteries? For Cameras, various types, degrees of users http://home.att.net/~mikemelni1/battery.html Very worthwhile comparison of battery types, models and their utility for loads, including flash units on cameras. Bob Fenner Re: Question re Aquatica Aqualens for the Nikonos? Have you
heard about any issues with the Aquatica Aqualens for the Nikonos?
<Gosh, is this product still about? A bunch of years back there
was the usual "scuttlebutt" (as with the RS-1) that they
"flooded easily"... I never encountered one that had.
Aquatica is one of those companies that has had very consistent
good engineering/products. Now, my real statement re Nikonos, et
al. point and shoot cameras. Mike, do check out the newer digital
rigs. So much better than what has "come before". Have
recently upgraded my Olympus kit to their 4040 model (4.1
megapixels if you want), 7.5X zoom, WSIWYG screen viewing of the
images, instant downloads via very simple USB connection... and
the use of some new "digital strobes" by Ikelite... and
a very nice (even fashionable if that's important), relatively
inexpensive plastic housing... There's more... and yes, am such an
old fossil, am keeping my Nexus rigs, Nikon N90 rigs with analog
film... But the digital... no twelve dollars a roll for
film/processing... many, many "keeper" shots per dive...
good for macro... even, like Motomarine, interchangeable lenses
underwater... Marine Camera Distributors (.com) have most all the
u/w part of these for sale... the rest is easy to shop about
(Costco has 128 meg smartmedia for under sixty dollars U.S.)...
NiMH batteries are about two dollars for 1600-1800 mA varieties...
For the cost of trips, film, making worthwhile images, it is past
time to relegate your Nikonos gear to "a BC pocket with
ISO400 film, a 15 up to 28 mm lens" or "close-up kit"
for your dive buddies to make great macro shots",
or "for the dive guide to tool around with for alls benefit
while you're diving together"... this is what I've
done. Be chatting. Bob Fenner> Regards. Mike Kirda Photo Contest, good cause, big moolah Bob do you take part in
Photo contests? <Almost never... my sense is that it is unfair
to "crowd" others that might benefit more from such
exposure> there is one organized by the Singapore Environmental
Council to "generate public awareness about environmental issues
and encourage the public to develop a sense of beauty and appreciation
for our natural environment. <A worthy goal, expression> The
prize money for the professional category <Oh! A separate category,
classification> is not that great. 1St US$2000 2nd US$1000 3rd
US$500 <Not that much? This is considerably more than all the
magazines in our fields pay for covers, articles...> Closing date
-20th October. It was supposed to be 30 Sept but I guess they were
unable to attract enough participants. Let me know if you are
interested and I will send u more info. <Please do. Will post to WWM
and send you/them a few images for their consideration/perusal. Bob
Fenner> Perry Re: STI News: Getting a bang for a buck Bob We might be doing a small project with the Nature Society of Singapore. I lost your address. So if you can give it to me again I will mail you some info on what exactly we are going to do if current negotiations are a success. Perry <Ah, and we have just moved: 8586 Menkar Road, San Diego, CA 92126> Re: It's a beautiful day. A bio-sun Fungia danai in Fiji... w/ lips like what? (daily wallpaper email-out) Gorgeous - did you take this? Are you using the new Nikon....what was it? <Yes to all... a Fungiid, mushroom coral...> lens? <Prob. 60mm micro-Nikkor, F 2.8> No aux. lighting? <Likely too much... dos Ai400 Ikelites... TTL> A million question Monday morning. Dave <Chat with you soon. Bob Fenner> Re: Entacmaea quadricolor CU, Red Sea rotica Nice close up. What kind on lens for that bad boy? Todd G. <VERY simple Nikonos V and cheapest 35mm... with a something to one close-up extension... You will soon be using the very set-up taking pix for us in the Red Sea and beyond.... I assure you. Bob Fenner> Selling Pix, Travel/Adventure Stories hi , have sold my story to a travel magazine here along with some pix. <Ah! Congratulations! Can't wait for Pete to get going on his writing career... Of all folks, he has many great stories, a good mind for relating them...> what's jack's last name? <Melroy> and I remember you had once offered to try to sell some slides for me. how do we go about that? <Can send along your annotated "portfolio" electronically with my other work, post some of it as small representations on our sites...> and thanks for the endless stream of pictures, I've been loving them. You'll be getting my second lot of pictures soon. <Ah good. Hope to be diving, photographing with you soon... some place where the water is warm and clear. Bob Fenner> ciao Parvin Re: A Euphyllia in Redang, glabrescens (daily image/wallpaper email outs) Bob, Where are you getting these pics? <Umm, from traveling and Nikon and Fuji... and moving my shutter-release finger... Are you making a funny Rob? Bob F> Rob. ERI International Re: looking for photo > Dear Robert Fenner, > Thanks
for your reply. We have checked the photos. They were nice but the >
thing is that they are not in pair. Well, so if you have a chance
(while > diving) see a pair of them, take some photo of them ok?
> Thanks a lot anyway for your support. > <Will do so. Thank
you for your interest. Have you contacted Scott Michael > for this
pic? Bob Fenner> > Best regards, > Sarayut Klang. Re: A Thorny close-up, Acanthaster planci, yep, the same as the institute. (re a daily image sent) Incredible detail! What kind on lens are you using? <Hmm either just the Nikonos 35mm F3.5 with a (I'm guessing here) 1-3 or 4 extension tube/kit (very easy to use... pre-set focus, lighting... you just cock it and place over subject and shoot) or the housed N90 Nikon body, a 60mm F2.8 lens pretty close. In either case this is Velvia 50 ISO film... Bob Fenner> Todd Gabriel Re: Back to Nudi's.... It's Gymnodoris ceylonica in the Maldives! Wish we were. Bob, my man...I may have missed the memo, but are these photos ones that you have taken in your recent exploits? <Yes, David... am "practicing" (this is an exceedingly kind term) with trying the new scanner (a fab Nikon 4000 ED) and the veritable mountain of images "to be filed"... Big, huge sigh... And hoping to get going on sending one out daily for the new WWM feature, WWNews... You'll see> BTW.. I have finally made my list of "goals". Getting certified to dive is high on my list, not to mention steadily progressing on book. I will go with you one day...sooner than later I hope. <Yay! Press on my friend. Bob Fenner> Regards, from David A. Bell Selling images, stories to the Dive Mags hey bob, I had written to sport diving magazine asking them whether they were interested in my pictures and an article. they replied in the affirmative and gave me an address to send the pix and article to but they wanted to see some examples of my work first. <Yes, typical> I'll send them some copies in a lower resolution once I get them back]. <Mmm, and examples of your writing against them...> but if they like them and ask me to mail the actual prints <The industry doesn't work with prints... hopefully you have slides/transparencies... Maybe the negatives of your prints if they're very sharp.> then should I expect to be paid for them and if so should I negotiate before sending the material of course]. <Always up front. Ask for their "Editorial Policy", this will likely include information on compensation> around how much should I expect for pics and an article? <As a "one shot"? A couple of hundred dollars (US)... do a few of these, keep shooting, and try selling "features" and covers...> or do diving magazines not pay at all? <They pay... though some unscrupulous types at times will try to slide... don't allow this. Bob Fenner> thanks Parvin Hello (from Malaysia dive service/master) Hello Bob How are you? How are the Redang slides? <Many very nice... am wading through them as my "treat" of the day, after this and that "business of life" "work"... on to identifying, scanning best, setting good verticals aside for sending to photo bank, editors for cover submissions...> I hope you get the shots you want. <On returning, never seems like it, sigh> I went out checking many new places. It has been slow since you leave. Diving will be picking up again next month. Meanwhile I am planning to go to Pulau Weh again. Now that it is easy for me to get there from Penang. I will send you some pictures on what is happening there. Cheers, Anuar <Ah, great. Will share them with friends in the diving interest and if okay with you on the www.WetWebMedia.com site. See you soon. Bob Fenner> More U/W photo questions... Hello again, Bob. Have a
couple more questions, these more related to business than
technique. <Okay> I have an opportunity to sell some
of my photos for a book. Having never really owned a business
before, it is all new to me. I have done some computer consulting
work where I got paid and had to deal with a 1099, but this would
be somewhat different... <I understand... do this all the
time> So if I were to set up a photo business part-time and
sell a few photos, any idea what the images would sell for?
<Hmm, not to seem or be too cagey here... but "about what you
can get for them". Some folks pay little (or nothing) if
it/this is just a few images... all the way to paying handsomely,
including ongoing royalties for use... Rarely the latter in the
pet-fish interest... Some real numbers: TFH pays a grand sum of
ten dollars (! wow!) per image for "all time" though
not universal rights use... They consider that they can (and do)
run others work fee free for once having paid for it... this is of
course absurd and not the copyright law... but they've gotten
away with it for decades... Other people go by a few of the
photo-biz groups guidelines and pay accordingly... you can find
these (and join these associations) by way of the Net, photo mag.s...
I currently am not a member anywhere... At any length, cutting to
a chase here, I would openly negotiate with the
"producer" of this/these works and simply ask them what
they consider reasonable, fair and consistent to pay for your (and
others) work... > Next, I am assuming that I could purchase
equipment and be able to write off the expenses. Do you end up
doing the same thing for dive trips/film/processing as well?
<Absolutely! I sense a Schedule C in your ongoing
future...> Suddenly I'm thinking that, if I could write
off a portion of this, I'd be a lot better off...
<Yes, my friend... I write off one of my vehicles even as part
of "writing/photography: "content provision" as an
occupation> Thanks in advance for your reply. Mike Kirda
<Be chatting, Bob Fenner> Underwater photography I just found the Sea & Sea MX-10 with strobe ( reviewed at <" http://www.popularmechanics.com/popmech/elect/9809EFPHP.html"> http://www.popularmechanics.com/popmech/elect/9809EFPHP.html > ) for $450 at Leisure Pro online, with the strobe. Something to consider? <Yes, an even better camera rig than the "Yellow" one...> The article also mentioned that while you can get a Nikonos V for $700 or so, <This is "just" the body... w/o even the 35mm lens... You will need, want astrobe, a tray, arm, sync cord....> costs a whole bunch more for the lenses and accessories. Maybe that's out of the question....... Again, look forward to hearing your response. Aaron <Much more to discuss and enjoy my friend. Bob Fenner> U/W camera question Are you using a Nikonos V for your u/w
shots? Do you mind if I ask you some questions about it,
especially on close-up shots? Regards. Mike Kirda <Do use
Nikonos for macro (the shot of Turbinaria r not m on Eric's new
cover e.g.) and in my BC pocket for ballast and the occasional 400 ISO
big animal, landscape (with a 15mm TTL (replaced by ins. co.), 20, or
28 mm lenses... Mike, I have to admit to being a Nikon/os junkie...
have a very large collection (from the fifties Fr. Calypso... to I
think two functional Orange V bodies, and one, two IVA's.... So,
yes... have written about, given many pitches on the use of Nikonos,
and do like them (as far as range finders go)... and will gladly engage
you in discussion of same. Bob Fenner> More photo questions... Hi Bob, Thanks for the photo tips...
believe it or not I actually went to your site and checked out the
photo section before I asked all those questions and you suggested I go
there! <Yes, and I must need hustle and write up a
presentation/article on above water image making for pet-fish types...
to give at the upcoming WMC in Monterey... Yikes, and will post on
WWM> Now I'm thinking digital... maybe. I have an Olympus D-340R
(1.3 megapixels) that takes great pictures of aquariums. If I buy one
of those "Ewa-marine $100 zip-lock bags with a window" it
seems to me it would work pretty good for very shallow snorkeling in
bright sunlit water. <Yes... with a few personal impressions here...
Thus far, with my limited (have a Sony PC-100 and Mako Video Housing)
and second hand experience, I haven't been impressed with digital
u/w stills at all... the mechanisms used for capturing light require
too much anticipation of when to "depress the shutter" and
the image quality (resolution, color-richness) has not "been
there" compared with analog picture making> Wouldn't it be
the same as taking a picture of a reef tank from the inside looking
out? <Ideally, yes> Do you know anybody that has tried one of
those Ewa-marine bag things as an enclosure? <Yes, have used them
myself even... do work for shallow water use... and the price can't
be beat> Now for part 2... What do you know about doing a
presentation (like for our club) with one of those overhead type
projectors and a PC? <Wish I did know about such... we're about
in the "same boat" here... Need to get into this millennium
with Power Point presentations myself... Am determined to give my talks
via this tool this year (tired of friends snickering about "ole
Bob" and his slide projector...> Can you rent one somewhere?
<Yes, most everywhere... and worth asking about at various groups,
businesses to see if folks have one to borrow... lots of them about>
Oh yeah... and one more thing... do you know if you need to shoot in
the highest resolution (meaning larger file size and much fewer shots
per memory card)... or would the lower res work fine as the pictures
look great on my monitor. <The lower, less fine resolution works...
Have 64meg card... can shoot on 1.3 meg but generally do 100kb... and
most images on our site, 4,5 kb... But scans of 35mm slides I have
default at 300dpi, 2.3 megs each, TIFF format... for sale, use to the
print world> Thanks a bunch... Doug Nadasdy PS... I would love to
tag along on one of your trips sometime! <Do so.> How far
in advance do you plan those excursions? <Most a few months...
some a few weeks... will add you to the local party/adventure
travel/underwater/photography list if you'd like. We get together
informally about once a month, show slides, video, chat up upcoming
trips... Here in San Diego.> Or do you just wake up one morning and
say "Hey... it feels like a good day for the Red Sea" or
something like that?? <There are occasional deals that work out like
that... some local and not friends have dive, travel services with
cancellations/fill-ins for cheap, people in the trade want/need my help
schnell... but generally planned out in advance. Bob Fenner> U/W Photography, Photo Gear Hi Bob, I wanted to thank you for taking the time to come to our club meeting last night. <A pleasure> I really enjoyed your slides and all your stories! You are a really funny guy. My wife, Jenny always brings a magazine to the meeting when we have a speaker but she never even opened it up last night. If that's not a true compliment, I don't know what is! <Agreed> I wanted to talk a little more about cameras but didn't get the chance. I'm so confused. I suppose I will take slides when we're in Tahiti to share with the club when we get back. Here's a list of questions: <Yes, this is best... transparencies can be easily made into prints (the transfer is almost the same as from a print-negative in terms of quality)... and much better for scanning, sharing...> 1. How difficult / expensive is it to make prints from slides to put in a photo album later? <Oh, here's that question... easy. Your service/processor can do this for you> 2. What slide film do you recommend? We'll be in 2' to 20' water depth. <Hmm, please take a look at the "photographing underwater" piece posted on the site: www.WetWebMedia.com ... these issues are surveyed there> 3. Is there a decent low price (200-300 clams) camera I should consider? <Again, see the piece mentioned above... Really, some decent point and shoots, and housings for "throwaway cameras" do dip down into this range... and well worth it... Humans are visually oriented... having pix from travel... priceless...> Already have a 10yr old Minolta Weathermatic and the picture quality is not too swell. <Optics haven't changed that much... these are okay cameras> 4. Should I rent a good setup before we go? <This is a tough question... if you're going to use such gear ten or more times in the next few years, better to purchase (renting is expensive and nerve-wracking)...> 5. Can I rent a housing and strobe for my Canon A1? <Pretty sure, yes. Take a look on Light and Motion's site> 6. What did you use for those slides of the Cooks? <A Nikon N-90 body, their lenses... mainly 60 and 100mm micro-Nikkor lenses... a Nexus housing, two Ikelite strobes with their cord/connectors... Chet Tussey's arms (he's here in San Diego), mainly Velvia 50 and Provia 100 film... Have a bunch of digital, but we had no projector...> 7. Do you have anything you could rent to me? <Not really... use my camera, lenses about every week... Calling, visiting Maurice Bullock tomorrow and making images at his house for instance... But very willing to have you go on a trip with, accompany us (a host of friends, pet fish, diving, just travel adventurer types) on under and above water photo trips... go about every month... so let me know if, where you're interested... And we cart along enough total gear for you to have a go at u/w video, stills, macro... the whole gamut> Any suggestions you may have will be very much appreciated! Thanks again, Doug Nadasdy <Where to start? Also please see the two reviews of photo books by Norbert Wu on the WWM site, and order these works and read them if you have time ahead of this, next trip. Bob Fenner> UW Photography Hi, I have just read your article on UW Photography on url http://www.wetwebmedia.com/uwfotography.htm I have been diving for 9 years now and this year I bought Motomarine II Ex camera. Last weekend I was diving here in Adriatic Sea (13?C) and took my first pictures... BAD!!! <Don't be discouraged... This happens to almost everyone... for quite a few "trials"... persistence pays here as everywhere> Now I have decided to look on internet for some "how to"s. I found your article useful but it has no PICTURES beside ... those you write about in article. Could you PLEASE send me your article with sample pictures? Kind regards, Grega Verc Slovenia, EUROPE <Thank you for this... Just last night was giving a program to a hobby group in Southern California, and there was discussion of an upcoming Conference here in the U.S., the Western Marine, up in Monterey this year... and one of two talks I'm presenting is on... Photography! And yes, have been remiss in placing (I shudder here) thousands of images on the WWM site... But at your prompting, and because this talk is a mere ten weeks away (!), I will quickly get those images on... and include another article on "above water photography of fishes... WITH PHOTOS! Thanks again... Bob Fenner, who needs a little time, as he has (foolishly) upgraded to Windows 2000 and now is awaiting device drivers, install software for his slide scanner, printer...>strictly amateur, going to the islands in Feb. and just shopping for something to take some diving photos with. >> I see... well, though it would cost me a hundred such sales... I would encourage you to look into one of the new point and shoot cameras instead... and maybe Norbert Wu's latest book on underwater photography... These previously called "throw away" cameras actually take some nice pictures... Take a look at Ikelite's webpage... and others. http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/1cat_index.html And feel free to contact me... am a "content provider" for the hobby, industry pub.s for the last three (yikes) decades... so do know a bunch about what not to do... unfortunately... not near enough on what to do! Be chatting, Bob Fenner Looking for better pix On another note, we are currently
developing a Web Site, actually it's virtually completed and paid
for, but I want to get better images for our product gallery. At the
moment I'm working on the corals. Do you have any images we could
use? I can send a list of what we sell if you like, but I'm sure
you can wing it. I'm also-so far unsuccessfully-trying to take
photo's in our tanks here using my video 'Sunray HID'
lights (metal halides). I've also tried shooting in the office
aquariums (looked great through the lens, but shitty prints). The only
lens I have available is a SMC Pentax-FA 28-200 Telephoto lens, and
Konica 'Centuria' 100 film. I'll also try out a 'Sea
& Sea Amphibious camera with a 35mm lens. My best results have been
in one of the new fish cubes, with the lights immersed in the top of
the tank-problem is, the corals look really pissed off because of the
shift, and probably the copper, and I have to be so far back to get in
focus. Thanks Bob, all the best Tim. >> Hey Tim!
Great to hear from you. And yes to having images of the corals
and other animals you folks have available. The Camera you have might
work... but not with the telephoto lens... these "all
purpose" lenses are like street AND dirt motorcycles....
they're neither! Do use a warmer film (I mainly use Velvia (50) and
Provia (100)... and get most all of it mail order from
www.adorama.com). The housed 35mm (or even larger format! Yikes) and
macro lenses (mostly a 60mm and 105) are the best for colony shots...
IMO. But can send you low resolution images to sort through or
burn a CD or two of the better ones in CMYK mode for print and you can
manipulate them through Photoshop... to RGBs for your site... Anyway,
let me know how you want to proceed. Bob Fenner |
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