Looking to capture Moray Eel images

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.

I'm diving in Southern California, USA with water temps in the mid 50s to low 60s °F

Any thoughts, tips, techniques would be appreciated.

What is the Viz reported to be like?

If its low, I would just take the 60mm and focus on Nudibranchs. I would be a shame to take the 8mm and see no eels or have bad viz make a decent image very difficult.

So really what is more common (eels or Nudi's) and how will the viz impact that.

That would be my though process prior to the dive.

My thought process may be skewed as I love taking photos of Nudi's though 

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.

I'm diving in Southern California, USA with water temps in the mid 50s to low 60s °F

Any thoughts, tips, techniques would be appreciated.

Hi Dann,

I have already written a general opinion to your question in Wetpixel: https://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?/topic/67721-looking-to-capture-moray-eel-images/

Here I can exploit the ability to post some photos at good resolution to exemplify what I mean:

#1.: First, I could not find a murray eel image of mine taken with the Zuiko 8mm. The widest is an image taken with the Canon 8-15mm fisheye plus Kenko 1.4x TC (EM1II):

Canon 8-15mm, 1.4x TC, EM1II, 21mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO200 .

#2.: It may be possible to get an image of a morray eel that is big enough, but this will turn out to be difficult and harass the animal. Here a photo of a resting turtle that was taken with the Zuiko 8mm fisheye. I had to approach it very close, so that the turtle already raised its head to look at the domeport. I made the photo, retracted and the turtle stood still and continued to rest - but it was really borderline to a harassment:

Zuiko 8mm, EM5II, f/9, 1/200s, ISO200.

#3.: Here a portrait of a murray eel, taken with the Zuiko 60mm macrolens. I am not satisfied with the perspective and it was taken in the very clear waters of the Red Sea:

Zuiko 60mm, EM1II, f/9, 1/250s, ISO200.

#4.: While fish portrait of murray eels with 8mm fisheye may not be a good idea, a murray eel in the foreground and scenry in the background may be a great motif for CFWA...

#5.: Zuiko 60mm with the MF-1 macroflash is perfect for sea-slugs and maybe also cleaner shrimp in the mouth of amurray eel...

Wolfgang

I'd use the macro lens.  If they come to check you out, you can push them away with the camera and get a nice shot.

Thanks everyone.  I have made the decision to take the 60mm and hunt for Nudis.  If I happen across a Morey then Ill stop and see what images I can create with it but it will be just for fun.

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.

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

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?

Dann-Oh wrote:

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.

I have so very many bits and pieces that is it too easy to forget or miss something.  Once I couldn't zoom my wide angle lens because I forgot the zoom ring.  (Only to find it in a plastic bag when I was packing to leave.)

I made up a checklist a few years back as it was absolutely necessary.  Includes not only every piece of camera get, but also dive gear and essential documents (including certification cards.)

Helps tremendously to not for get some subtle little thing, like bandaids I put around toes to keep them from rubbing raw in the dive boots, charging accessories for batteries, etc, etc, etc, etc,

kelpdiver wrote:

Dann-Oh wrote:

Architeuthis wrote:

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.

which boat(s) are we talking about. On a larger boat like the Pacstar or the former Great Escape, it was easy to have a lot of camera gear onboard, can even leave in the tupperware. On the smaller day focused boats, not so much. The bunks are especially small on either.

I lived a long while without the wonders of the vacuum systems and survived, though I certainly saw casaulties in both eras. But if you want to travel lighter and not deal with port changes, then the single zoom would be better. Though if you have to open it to swap batteries, the risk is already there. Still not many wireless charging cameras out there. I had hoped by now...

Hey there I usually will dive off Sun Diver (or the SD Express), Magician, or CeeRay if I am doing a boat day.