Underwater Housing and a new Diver

theEntreriCode wrote:

Aaah, I was thinking of getting a BP&W set up to keep my actual dive rig light. The instructor was impressed with my buoyancy, but, I did not consider that it would be a factor. I suppose that I need to get a season under my belt and then see where I stand.

I would absolutely recommend the backplate route, with or without the camera.  It reduces drag and (stuff) in front of the body and if you integrate the weight into it, avoid the problems with weight belts.

However, as new diver, stick to the 36-45lb wings over the minimalist 20lb ones.   With the latter, your rig may not float without you in it at the beginning of a dive (full tank).  You should have excess lift to prevent getting into a small situation that can snowball.

So I was thinking of investing in Nitrox as the next course. I always thought the PADI underwater course was more of a gimmick, designed for non photographers to

Take the nitrox class.   Dive time is expensive (100-400$/dive for traveling) and nitrox is remarkably cheap at increasing it.   It's extremely limiting to do 4-5 dives per day on air.

And when feasible, with an instructor/shop you like, the rescue class.   That one is more about avoiding a disaster than recovering from it.  Key knowledge for the UW photographer, who tends to become a solo or SOB (same ocean buddy) diver.

You might find a good photographer instructor who also issues this padi badge, but more likely, garbage.  Put another [hundred] dollar in.  Go instead to a resort that focuses on photography, or a trip organizer that does.