Underwater Camera Set-Up

Here’s my current underwater camera rig.

Underwater Camera Set-Up

• Panasonic GH5
• Pansonic Lumix G X Vario Power Zoom Lens 14-42mm, f3.5-5.6 ASPH., Micro Four Thirds, Power Optical I.S
• OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm F2.8 Macro OM
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO
• Nauticam NA-GH5V (Housing)
• Nauticam N85 Power Zoom Macro Port 29
• Nauticam 14-42 Zoom Gear
• Nauticam Compact Macro Converter (CMC-1)
• Saga Dive Flip Lens Holder 67mm
• Nauticam Wet Wide Lens 1B
• Nauticam 70 x 200 Carbon Fiber Aluminum Arms (Buoyancy 370g)
• Sealife Flex Connect Accessories (Ball Joint Adapter, Cold Shoe Mount, Flex Arms)
• Nauticam Multi-Purpose Clamps
• Sealife Sea Dragon 2500 Lumens
• Gopro Hero 11
• Delkin Devices 128GB Black UHS-II Rugged SDXC Memory Card V90
• Gear Keeper Deluxe Camera/Lights Snap Locking Retractor

I continue to use my Gopro Hero 8 for wider angle shots and as a backup. It is attached to the Nauticam housing with a Sealife Cold Shoe Mount.

Travel & Editing Accessories

• Manfrotto Pro Light MultiPro 120 Camera Backpack
• SanDisk Extreme Pro Portable – 4TB
• Video Editing Software: Final Cut Pro X

My Old Underwater Camera Set-Up

Before 2020, I used a Sealife camera for primary photographs and captured video with a GoPro. I typically used the Gopro Hero 8 Black during the day and the Gopro Hero 4 Silver at night or on macro focused dives.

The picture above shows my old Sealife and Gopro Hero 6. After the image was taken, I upgraded to the Gopro Hero 8. The above photography was taken while scuba diving off the Oman Aggressor by Shaker Mohamed, Cruise Director.

When shooting smaller subjects, I used Backscatter’s Flip Filters 55mm +15 MacroMate Mini and a Gopro. I do not use this combination since I purchased the Panasonic GH5. For lighting, I typically use two (2500 lumen) video lights which has remained constant between the old and new systems.

• Sealife DC2000
• Gopro
  • Hero 8 Black (PolarPro DiveMaster 3-Pack Filter Kit)
  • Hero 4 Silver (Backscatter Flip Filter Kit)
• Sealife Dragon Universal Flash
• Sealife Flex-Connect  Dual Tray, Flex Arms

Feel to message with any questions about the various underwater camera system I have used.

Silent Sunday in Taos

#taos #newmexico #photography #streetphotography #panasonicgh5 #travelphotography

Canyon Road, Santa Fe

#santafe #canyonroad #travelphotography #panasonicgh5 #lumixgh5 #photography

El Camino needs a bit of love

#elcamino #cars #santafe #photography #streetphotography #panasonicgh5 #travelphotography

Few more bits of Taos Pueblo

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The blue doors of Taos Pueblo

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Scuba Diving between Cozumel and Playa de Carmen

https://youtu.be/xqqas-nMK6k

When planning a trip to the Yucatan, the decision of scuba diving Cozumel vs Playa del Carmen is the first hurdle. Each destination offers a completely different underwater profile. Cozumel is the undisputed king of drift diving and vibrant coral walls, while Playa del Carmen serves as the gateway to the hauntingly beautiful Cenotes and high-adrenaline seasonal encounters with Bull Sharks.

The Impact of ‘Nortes’ on Your Dive Schedule

December is prime diving season, but it comes with a catch: the Nortes. These strong northern winds can shut down the island of Cozumel for days. If the Mexican authorities issue a port closure (Puerto Cerrado), no dive boats are allowed to leave the harbor. This is where staying on the mainland in Playa del Carmen becomes a massive tactical advantage.

Bull Shark Season: The Playa del Carmen Draw

Between November and March, the sandy plateaus off Playa del Carmen become a hub for female Bull Sharks (Carcharhinus leucas). These sharks are attracted to the area’s nutrient-rich waters before they head to estuaries to give birth. Diving with these apex predators at 80–90 feet is a masterclass in buoyancy and calm air consumption. For tips on how I handle my camera during these high-energy dives, take a look at my guide on capturing large marine life.

Choosing an Operator: Phantom Divers vs. Blue Life

The experience you have with the Bull Sharks depends heavily on the dive shop’s philosophy regarding interaction. I used two different operators to see the contrast first-hand.

Cozumel’s Reef Health: A Brief Comparison

Despite the convenience of the mainland, Cozumel’s reefs like Palancar and Columbia are in a league of their own. The verticality and sheer size of the sponges are superior to most sites on the Playa side. If you are looking for the “classic” Caribbean reef experience, Cozumel is worth the ferry ride. However, for a middle ground, the reefs of Puerto Morelos also offer fantastic coral density with much less boat traffic.

Ultimately, the “best” side depends on your risk tolerance for weather and your desire for shark encounters. For me, the flexibility of Playa del Carmen wins in the winter months.

https://youtu.be/1V8MqnAVpVg

Here’s an image from a Cenote taken in December.

Canal life

#silentsunday #London #Camden #camdentown #regentscanal #canal #urban #city #fotografie #fotografía #fotografi #foto #fotograf #lumixgh5 #panasonicgh5 #video