Posts by Alejandro

Hi guys, moved up to D.C. so I'm looking to unload some of my gear since I won't be using it up there. I'm posting this in the local section because I'm hoping to do meetups in person to sell this gear. I'm leaving on Wednesday so my hope is to get it all sold by then.

I'm not looking to rip anyone off and I think these prices are more than a bargain. With that said, make me an offer if you're interested in buying more than one piece and we can work something out if it's fair.

Ulusub hooded & beavertail top & bottom wetsuit (XL): $70
Mako gear bag: $15
ScubaPro Pilot BCD, MK2 Regulator, R295 Octopus, Gauge: $350 (all used less than five times)
Knives- Riffe, ScubaMax, sheath: $10
Mako rubber belt with 8lbs of weight: $25
Bands: all for $20

Contact me at 305 904 9764 if you're interested. Looking to sell ASAP. I'm in Fort Lauderdale off Oakland by the water

Koi

My cousin and I got out today. Flat as hell, really nice viz.

Hopefully the wind doesn't kick up like the forecast says it should for the next few days.

Alright, last update.

I finally got in the ocean with the camera and housing. They held up fine. Here are a couple of pics.

I'm interested in finding out what the difference is between blade shapes and figured Dan would probably know something about them.

Is there a reason why the ends of blades have different cuts?

DivR has a semi circle that extends out from the end of the blade

Many carbon blades have a semi circle that cuts into the end of the blade

And some have more of a V shape

There are obviously more variations than just these.

Is there a functional difference between these or is it just for aesthetics?

Quote from Hardline

Is the lens you are using manual focus only?

No, it's both AF/MF. The focus comment was more directed to pictures with movement.

For instance, took this one of my cousin jumping into the water with AF but he didn't line up with the focus points so it didn't come out too clean.

Quote from Hardline

I'd like to see the same photo with and without the housing. Is the port acrylic or glass?

It's glass.

General eye test says that there isn't any loss in quality through the glass, although it's tough to have images come out as sharp because I don't have access to the focus dial while it's in the housing.

Alright, then they're not untouched by your definition.

Originals are 5184 × 3456 but they come out massive on the screen so I uploaded them at 1024 x 682 on Photobucket.

Alright, one more update for people that stumble across this thread while looking at these housings online.

Here are some pictures through the housing. I'm not a professional photographer by any means, this is just for you to get an idea of how pics come out while using the housing.

I should add that these are all untouched jpg's.

Forgot to add that there isn't vignetting in the housing

Alright, the housing got here last night. I havent gotten in the water with the camera, but ive tested my camera in it on land and also jumped in my pool with the housing alone. Here are some notes for people considering the housing since I didn't see any solid reviews online:

The build quality is good. It doesn't seem flimsy and I trust it in the water.

There is no way to manually adjust focus while the camera is in the housing.

The zoom wheel does not always match up with the lens: sometimes it jams, sometimes it works- I don't plan on relying on the zoom before entering the water on a dive because I don't trust that it will always be reliable. This is my biggest complaint with the housing.

You can access the main dial- I've seen specs that say you can and specs that say you can't.

There is a small area for the camera's flash to spread in the water but it does not seem very efficient.

There were no leaks in the housing while testing it in my pool.

It looks like you can expand the setup with a tray if you choose to because there are a couple slots for attachments on the underside of the housing. I dont see anything for strobe attachments.

Cant comment on depth capabilities, but the camera has 160' written on it, the manual says 130', and the Internet says both 100' and 120'.

I also just found 3 Riffe bands. Fit a 1s gun.

They run $16 a pop retail, I can do $25 for all 3.

I believe they are all new and I believe all 3 are Riffe (one has different thread on it)

Quote from Nate

It was a 1, great deal either way. Thanks

Hah didn't realize it was you. Enjoy it.

SportTube sold before I saw your post.

Not sure if it was a 1 or 2.

Getting rid of some miscellaneous gear.

SportTube: $40

Riffe 47" shaft and PVC shaft case: $25

Carlisle 2 piece kayak paddle: $20

Posting this from my phone and can't upload pics, text me at 305 904 9764 and I'll have pics ready to send.

Looking to meet up in South FL for any sales but can ship at buyer's expense.

Quote from kwtony

I use the same "meikon" (wanna be nikon) housing on my nex5..its a good case and will work well. I like it.

Good to hear. Have you used anything other than an 18-55 in there?

Sounds like a good idea.

I have the kit 18-55mm lens... Do you think a 10-20mm would be worth adding to the bag?

Quote from Hardline

You can't attach any wide angle lenses to it? Most UW SLR set-ups use 10-20mm lenses unless youre shooting macro stuff.

I should rephrase what I posted. The housing can fit up to a 55mm lens in it.

With that said, I think there would be some picture lost with a 10-20mm lens. I would catch some of the "port" if I took a picture at 15mm.

I could be wrong, though.

I stopped by Dan's shop the other day and talked to him about getting a new camera for an underwater setup.

I've used a GoPro (both the Hero 1 and Hero 3 Black) before and liked taking pictures and videos with it, but wanted to get something different. IMO, I think the GoPro is great if you decide you want to go spearfishing and film yourself while doing it. Lately, though, I've wanted to go out with the intent to take pictures/videos instead of spearing.

Well, I ended up selling all my guns and bought a Canon T3i with the money. I picked it up on Craigslist for $325 in used (but great) condition. If you're interested, there are some deals for them for ~$430 online.

Here's a link to the camera description on Canon's site if you're interested: Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EOS Rebel T3i 18-55mm IS II Lens Kit

I haven't had a chance to really fool around with the camera yet and I'm a noob when it comes to photography but it should be fun to learn all the stuff that it can do.

This morning I ordered an underwater housing on eBay for $350. The housing is made by Polaroid, but it seems like there are similar housings by a brand called "Meikon." These housings look identical to the Polaroid one I bought but are a little more expensive and ship from Hong Kong (they go for about $450).

Here are some pictures of the housing:

The housing does not have the ability to house any lens other longer than 55mm and I will not be able to attach strobes to it. For $1,000+ in savings over the big-brand housings, I'm fine with that.

All in all the setup ran me $675. Not a bad deal, I don't think. The new GoPro Hero 3+ will run you $400 plus tax, so I spent a little more for a camera with a little bit different of a purpose.

Hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to use it and take some cool shots in the water :thumbsup2: