Spending some time holidaying in Florida, I decided to try something completely different but something i have wanted to do for 20 years and thats dive with a manatee, A totally new thing for me and one of the best photographic experiences i have ever had, We were very lucky as the best of the manatee season is over but this guy came up and played with us for over 30 mins coming too close to shoot with a wide at times and loved to have its tummy rubbed-back tomorrow for more
Nikon D3 with Nikon 16-35F4 VR in a EWA Marine housing
Dave
Posted by Andy Gregory on April 13, 2010 at 2:07 PM
Looks like paddling in the shallow end has paid of DC, cracking one!!!
Love the detail & POV especially with the slight head tilt, is there any more room on the lhs? Top marks Dave, beats Chas's hand down. Look forward to more.
What a wonderful shot of this gentle giant. A little bit tight on the left side but other than that an endearing and very well exposed image. I snorkeled twice with these animals in Florida and they really stole my heart. Look forward to seeing more.
Posted by Philip Newman on April 13, 2010 at 2:30 PM
This is quite excellent david, a super image indeed.
Sorry forgot the techs
ISO 800
16-35@19mm
1/320@F5.6 -1/3
AV mode centre weighted
Its basically full frame,there is a tiny bit of vignetting which i have skimmed off,The frame before has a lot more room
Cheers
Dave
Posted by Marcus Conway on April 13, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Fantastic. Really love the light coming through the water and the vegetation growing on the Manatee
Very different and I love it as a result. Must be great to find a new use for your camera after many years working above the surface - opens up a whole new world completely.
The Manatee looks like he/she could do with some antifoul
Posted by Calum Dickson on April 13, 2010 at 2:54 PM
It's been worth the 20 year wait then Dave fantastic image, a little more on lhs but that is very minor. Looking forward to seeing more from this project.
Calum
Posted by David Sewell on April 13, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Very minor nit already covered, what a great image.
Posted by Mark Davies on April 13, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Cracking image ,certainly different .These are such wonderful creatures and deserve the protection they now appear to be getting in Florida .Enjoy your vacation .
Posted by Craig Jones on April 13, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Beautiful image,really love the angle you've captured here,love the light/colours also
This is great, Dave. There's still a bit of vignetting, but I don't think that detracts at all: in fact it adds. I would be spending a bit of time processing this one and trying to get the surface water a lighter saphire for a real tropical look.
Posted by Andy Astbury on April 14, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Great shot Dave
I noticed that you were using ewa-marine housing and have seen it ti be much cheaper than ikelite or sea and sea housing. I was wondering if they are safe. I do not know whether to trust £1500 of kit in a bag...
Do you know if they can take externally focussing lenses such as a D300s and Tamron 90mm f2.8 MACRO?
Hi Oscar
I dont think there is a 100% safe housing,even the most expensive ones need lube and gaskets replaced, the EWA worked well for what i needed it for-i.e snorkelling, You need to set the camera up first and then after its in the housing you can only really press the shutter button, I think it should be ok with the tamron, The one i use is really for 77 and 82mm threads but there are various in the range, if you need any other help just drop me a line, By the way i trusted it with $5500 of kit in it, If you get one get lead weights mine too 6LB and try it in a swimming pool
Dave
Discussion
25 repliesNikon D3 with Nikon 16-35F4 VR in a EWA Marine housing
Dave
Love the detail & POV especially with the slight head tilt, is there any more room on the lhs? Top marks Dave, beats Chas's hand down. Look forward to more.
Cheers
Steve
PS What f stop, no flash?
What a wonderful shot of this gentle giant. A little bit tight on the left side but other than that an endearing and very well exposed image. I snorkeled twice with these animals in Florida and they really stole my heart. Look forward to seeing more.
Phil Newman
ISO 800
16-35@19mm
1/320@F5.6 -1/3
AV mode centre weighted
Its basically full frame,there is a tiny bit of vignetting which i have skimmed off,The frame before has a lot more room
Cheers
Dave
The Manatee looks like he/she could do with some antifoul
Calum
David
JR
Pete
Really top shot
Phil.
Phil.
David
I noticed that you were using ewa-marine housing and have seen it ti be much cheaper than ikelite or sea and sea housing. I was wondering if they are safe. I do not know whether to trust £1500 of kit in a bag...
Do you know if they can take externally focussing lenses such as a D300s and Tamron 90mm f2.8 MACRO?
Thanks
Oscar
I dont think there is a 100% safe housing,even the most expensive ones need lube and gaskets replaced, the EWA worked well for what i needed it for-i.e snorkelling, You need to set the camera up first and then after its in the housing you can only really press the shutter button, I think it should be ok with the tamron, The one i use is really for 77 and 82mm threads but there are various in the range, if you need any other help just drop me a line, By the way i trusted it with $5500 of kit in it, If you get one get lead weights mine too 6LB and try it in a swimming pool
Dave
Bob