It was a great trip. All shots were with Canon 20-D, in Ikelite underwater housing with several DS-125 strobes. Lenses used were 17-85 IS , or a miraculous 60 mm macro lens. The 60 mm absolutely BLEW MY MIND. Since I usually post telephoto shots, this is a fun post for me, as well as an eye opener.
The whole system flooded the next to last day, ruining all. ( lens port seal failed/ loose set screw.) Part of the deal, I was insured for this, kinda like hurricane insurance in Florida..........)
I shot 18 gigs in 12 days, I would have shot more but lots of system problems are encountered underwater, as usual.
What a blast though. The depths ranged from 10-100 ft in these. More at this gallery below. Happy New Year !

Shoot first- ask questions later.
http://splash.smugmug.com/gallery/2286534

Hey Marty,

Great great shots. It looks like a blast. The one critique is that the horizon looks a bit lopsided on the first photo.

About the 60 F2.8, which of these shots were taken with it?

Thanks
James

The last 4 are 60 mm shots. I have been floored by this $400 lens. ( 1.6 sensors only though)
I have a tendency to droop left on my wide angles- I have read that most people favor one side or the other, although I do not recall the reason. I am getting a hot shoe leveler to cure me of this evil habit soon. I like the color in that shot very much myself, I guess I'll have to crop it some and lose a little of it to get it level.
Thank's again for the constructive comments.

Were you using any special techniques with the 60 F2.8 macro and your light set-up?

James

Other then being up to 100 ft below sea level probably nothing that you wouldn't do elsewhere- hold steady, exhale, click - the 60 mm practicly puts your nose in the subject for 1:1 though.( it is equaly sharp as a portrait lens however i.e. non macro non close -up) And the light placement is carefuly done as well.

Hey Marty,

Thanks for posting these. I am enjoying this series a lot. The shot of the eel coming out 'whatever that is' is pretty cool. The last shot also catches the eyes as well.

Thanks also for answering my questions about the light. I hope to see more of the series as you have them.

James

Very nice shots Marty, you must be rapt with that lens.
I will admit to not understanding the "science" of underwater photography although we have been snorkelling and used a Canon Powershot with underwater housing.

I wanted something that was better than a disposable but without the risk of exposing the SLRs to ruination ;-)
It is an amazing world down there.

Is it the use of strobes that compensates for the normal blue/floaties look that occurs with some underwater photos?

James, I found the spotted moray eel living in a piece of railing on this ship.....

................

Chezzyr, the strobes ( mine are very powerfull) eliminate the blue green monochromatics that would be there in their absence. After about 15 feet, color begins to be filtered out very quickly by the combined effects of reflection and diffraction. First red, then yellow, finally blues are filtered out. My lights extend out about a foot and a half from the housing, which helps eliminate the reflection back to the lens from the particulants suspended in the water. Of course, the Grand Cayman is about as clear as you can get, which doesn't hurt here. I had visibility as much as 125 ft in places. When I dive in Utah, I am happy to see my fins.
Here is one more with the 60mm 2.8 ( ship also 2.8). By the way, my insurer D.E.P.P was great. I have replaced the 20D and 60mm new, and the housing is being repaired by Ikelite and all is covered less 10% deductible. It is a fair settlement, considering all.



If the angel had posed a little more for me, I would have nailed her!!!!!!!!!

Marty,

The photo of the ship is absolutely beautiful. Did you see other wrecks/interesting 'junk' while you were down below?

James