Here's a photo taken by Sarah showing my moster Seacam rig set up for macro. I'm not really sure why, but I decided to mix strobes on this dive:



You can see how I've fitted the buoyancy collar over the LOOOOONG port for the Sigma 150mm + 500D

I love this shot (taken at Scuba Seraya) because standing next to Yan, I look tall! :-)

Cheers
James

Glad to see your buoyancy is painted black now! Looks much nicer than it did on the trials at the Flower Gardens. Alex

Thanks Alex,

I used black "bootstrap" boat paint that I picked up at a local boating supply store. It's more for protection than looks - as it's designed to be scuff resistant for painting boats near the waterline - where they rub on the dock.

Cheers
James

Looks nice James!

How are you dealing with manual focus on that setup? Rich

He has a 1D Mk2! Problem solved.

Hi Rich,

I had no problem using the manual focus knob on the Seacam. With the big viewfinder, it's not too bad.

Alex, it IS possible to use AF with the Sigma 150mm, but we had a LOT of surge in Bali which made MF much less frustrating. I even got Sarah to start using it with her 20D Ikelite setup! :-)

Cheers
James

In case someone is in search of the very durable paint james mentions, " boot stripe paint " might possibly be a more common term, at least up here in the Northeast. I've relied on the Petit brand and had good success.....

you might also try outdrive paint, the paint designed to be applied to the lower units of outboard engines. My windlass is re-painted with Evinrude outdrive paint.......

both products are carried by retailers such as West Marine.......

hth,
b

I asked primarily because I am playing with a "borrowed" 150/500 combo on the S2, and auto-focus seems to be a bit of a nightmare... I guess practice will tell, but I am beginning to think racking the lens to minimum focal length and locking it might be the best alternative.

Damn, sorry, just realized how much of a thread hijack this is!

Yan is one of 4 guides aware(or care) of where I disappear to (generally) to shoot in Indonesia. He would come up to me after the dive and go "so was that area good? any good stuff?" And I thought I'd slipped quietly away from the group.
And James, even Tom Cruise would look tall next to Yan LOL

Thanks Bob - that should be boot STRIPE - bootstrap is an entirely different animal...lol

Rich: I'm guessing that was Ryan's lens, eh? Were you using a D2x or the S2? I think the AF on the D2x may be able to drive the 150mm+500D whereas the S2's Cam900 isn't up to it.

Drew: Yep, Jan kicks butt. I have nothing but good things to say about him and Graham from Diving 4 Images. We took Jan and our driver Ogung (sp??? as in the volcano) out for dinner and got to hear about their interesting lives. Did you know that Jan used to be a chicken farmer!?!?!?!

Cheers
James

You had mentioned a bouyancy collar in an earlier topic but I am unfamiliar with this item. What is it and how do you make it? I have a used Seacam system in route to me as we speak and have been concerned with the weight issue of this rig. Is there anywhere you can refer me to see the specs on this collar? Thanks for all your help.

Hi Steve,

I need to do a writeup about the collar, but I just don't have time right now. Perhaps when things settle down a bit.

Sincerely,
James Wiseman

Yeah James... Ryan's lens, and my S2. Main reason I am lusting for the X is the auto-focus. Cam900 is getting old.

My buoyancy collar review has been posted. Whew - that was a lot of work.

Cheers
James