Looking to capture Moray Eel images

Architeuthis wrote:

Dann-Oh wrote:

kelpdiver wrote:

Dann-Oh wrote:

Hey there,

I'm heading out on a dive boat this weekend where I am hoping to try to capture a few Moray Eel images and hopefully some Nudi images. I will be diving with my Olympus EPL10, I have the lens options of 8mm Fisheye and 60mm Macro. I'm not too sure which I should use? I know that I can (and will need to) get close to the eels if I use 8mm. I will be using the Backscatter MF1 for a strobe.

The 4/3s 60mm (120mm) is a bit tight for something as large as a California moray. There are a few head ons to capture, and potentially the shrimp on it, but I think you're quickly going to have that sort of shot in the bag, and want to spend more effort on the 8mm.

The morays often have both shrimp and lobster next to them, and generally let you get close to them (foot or less). This may be a subject that the 12-35/40 type lens is most ideal, but a majority of 4/3rds shooters live exclusively off the 8 and the 60. I did add the 7-14 for sharks.

(MODERATOR: can you untag my account status as unverified? I believe its unnecessarily in purgatory still)

I do have both the 12-45 f4 and 12-40 f2.8 but I don have ports for either lens. I also have the 12-42 f3.5-5 PZ kit lens that came with the EPL10 but I dont really want to haul a bunch of lenses and ports with me.

If you do not want to carry around all that fuss (lenses, ports and extensions), there is another way: use the camera like a compact and take advantage of the bigger and better sensor. Many UW-photographers do so. Usually such a kit comprises a standard zoom lens in a flat port plus a WA wet lens (WWL-1 from Nauticam is most recommended) and a wet diopter for macro (e.g. CMC-1 from Nauticam). This suffices for every need, although it is not the optimum for the different tasks, from WA to macro. I cannot recommend specifically what lenses and ports to take, as I go the other route and have no experience by myself, but you will find plenty of advise in e.g. the Wetpixel forums or from resellers...

When you change the lens on the boat, as kelpdiver suggests, I would only do it when having a vacuum system. Do you have one (Otherwise it may happen that your new kit is flooded...)?

Wolfgang

Yes I do have a vacuum system on my housing.

Reasons to not carry extra gear:

I am already hauling my scuba gear, dry suit and undergarments' bags, and camera bag. I do not really want to take another camera accessory bag. I feel its just more stuff for me to forget. But I do have my own bunk for the night so I could store all my stuff on the bunk when I'm awake to not lose track of it.

I do have a +6 diopter for macro but I havent really played with it too much.  I have thought about getting a WWA lens for my kit but I have already invested in an 8mm fisheye and port so I dont really want to add extra wet lenses that i may or may not use. I hope that makes sense.

Thoughts?