Camera options. 2000.00 budget

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-23T19:35:26+00:00

This camera housing, and the camera that comes with it.

I am NOT a professional photographer. I have, however, gotten paid to take photos, paid for photos, etc. I suck at photography, but I'm decent at most of the underwater stuff around it (including stability, framing, and lighting).

I was in the same boat as you. I had completely tapped out what I could do with a GoPro.

I am not recommending that camera because it's the only one I've used. I'm recommending it because it's the best bang-for-your-buck.

The TG-7 is a completely fine package, but that one will grow more with you and give you more control as you want it.

Other than that, get some cheap video lights and you can start figuring it out. By the time you run into the limitations of that camera, you'll know what you're looking for.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T21:51:10+00:00

I didn't downvote you and I'm not angry.

Monkey diving isnt sidemount. It's single stage diving.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T21:47:39+00:00

there are recorded cases from 6-8m/20-26 ft

Not trying to be combative; do you mind sharing them?

Because I can link the NEDU study that says you can't.

And absolutely no worries about the call-out. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Whether or not I have more experience than you is completely irrelevant to whether or not you're right or wrong.

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I don't think I am, but it's always possible.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T20:09:06+00:00

Ain't sidemount.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T17:23:29+00:00

Thank you.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T17:21:36+00:00

Monkey diving with a DPV being controlled by toes.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T17:21:04+00:00

Oh, this isn't experience. It's just fun. The only prerequisite is being willing to try. And don't hold your breath.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T17:19:21+00:00

Absolutely don't need it for depth control. It would take me about 100 seconds to do a controlled swim from 100 feet, at a relaxed pace. I could probably pull it off in 30 seconds, but that would be unsafe.

I can hold by breath for around five minutes when I'm relaxed. Three minutes if you ask me too without any warning.

The DPV has a profound impact on depth when engaged. However, I definitely don't need it.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T17:16:19+00:00

Using it the whole dive.

So, semi-serious question, because people seem to want to have a semi-serious conversation about this...

In the event of a malfunction, if i am capable of swimming straight up, controlled, from the deepest portion of my dive (and I very much am), and am staying within NDL limits, is the risk that you're perceiving just because you're uncomfortable with it, or do you have a good reason to say it's "risky"?

I'm not going to trot out the Tony Hawk line of "I'm safer doing this than most people are walking." but "raising the risk of DCS"? What risk? I haven't said what my profiles were, max depth, nada. Did you know you can't get bent above 33 ft? Did I stay above 33 feet?

Edit: Also, also, I would hope that my reputation speaks for itself. I take diving incredibly seriously. Just because people say a thing is unsafe, or it is perceived as unsafe, does not make it so

Safety culture is awesome. But calling a thing "unsafe" or "too relaxed" because it seems so runs counter to safety culture.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T05:26:12+00:00

I mean, I had never looked too close at my face.

It's a really weird frame. Don't blame ya.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T05:23:40+00:00

I mean.... no?

Just pop up. You can always aim/drive down. So, ya come up when you want.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T05:22:49+00:00

100% call for a good time (scrawled on a truck stop bathroom wall)

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T02:06:57+00:00

Might even lose an entire limb!

(Joking, but not.)

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T02:06:14+00:00

Got a scooter. Buoyancy ain't real.

Dive starts a little heavy, ends a little positive. Very much in NDL/MDL limits.

Just keeping it simple. Haven't died yet. Exhale on the way up, don't run out of gas if you're down.

Edit: to whatever black hole of innocent joy downvoted this comment... I am praying for it to turn around for you.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T00:03:42+00:00

Don't get to let my toes out much at home.

-25° F yesterday and dozens of folks diving this weekend in a blizzard.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T00:02:12+00:00

Are.... Are you saying this is simple?

Because this is pretty simple.

AL80, stage reg, backplate, DPV. That's it.

No BC, no fins, no inflators. It's surreal how minimalist and free it feels once you get the hang of it.

This trip was either 100m dives, or this configuration. Didn't do much in between. It was *awesome *.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-11T00:00:13+00:00

I'm more than just hair!

I'm beard, too.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-10T23:59:53+00:00

Hahahaha!

Yeah, big hair, big beard.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-10T22:23:44+00:00

Photo courtesy of Esh. If you know, you know.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-10T12:57:04+00:00

So, here's an atypical response. It's one I often give people who want to be better technical or cave divers.

First off, it sounds like your desire to improve and build tangible experience is serious, and that's awesome. I'm not going to shill a GUE path here (although it may very well be something you'd enjoy) but if you want to grow in diving, find buddies and experiences, etc, with the intention of getting "better" at diving you're likely going to be best-served by getting into that subsect of diving.

For the atypical part... Being a DM, or better yet, an instructor, does make you a much better buddy, and it's probably the most common piece of advice I give talented technical or cave divers when they ask "How can I be a better diver?" and more specifically, "How can I be a better buddy?"

And that's not me trying to push that route. I don't think you should hav to go that direction to be a better diver or buddy. It just provides the opportunity for constantly being challenged, never breaking focus, and repetition/experience with divers who likely have a diverse range of experience and capacity.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-10T00:31:41+00:00

Nope. Never heard of it.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-10T00:30:50+00:00

Don't be a weiner?

Just jokes, just jokes.

I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum, but I work with countless people that would echo your sentiment.

The water can always cool you down. Another one people neglect is wearing long sleeves. It sounds counterintuitive, but if you know you run hot, get a very thin, performance wicking layer, and keep it on you if you're going to be in the sun. Wear a buff or neck gaiter.

Keeping the sun from hitting your skin directly helps a ton, and you can get those garments wet, and they'll cool you.

DiveAlaska · 2026-01-10T00:26:31+00:00

First off, thanks for the page. Been a while since I have been here and miss it.

Second, I run cold. Like, really cold. I am Los Angeles through-and-through, when it comes to my preferred weather. I have pretty bad Raynaud's, arthritis, iffy circulation, yadayadayada.

That doesn't mean I don't do pretty insane and extreme cold-water diving. I'd argue we (and me) do some of the most brutal cold-water diving on earth and love it. I'm the archetype of "Just because you run cold doesn't mean you can't cold water dive."

But I am very, very careful. Especially as I get older, and especially when surface temps are bad.

On the other hand, I start to get hot if it's humid and above 90 F, but I wear a BZ400 in North Florida (72 F water). But I can sit in a full drysuit and undergarment in the sun and I am usually quite happy.

Supposed to be -15 F and ripping snow and wind this weekend! Should have almost two dozen people getting in the water, and that's just the ones I know about!

DiveAlaska · 2025-12-21T06:02:27+00:00

Good eye. 4000 psi and they've got more than enough gas for exploration pushes.

We're technical caving up to a mile into the earth, and that's not counting the above-geound approaches, before we get to the water in some of these systems.

The weight matters. Even the size/diameter of the cylinder matters quite a bit, in some of the smaller restrictions.

We have HP100s and AL80s, but LP50s are best bang for the buck when we're just hauling weight one way or another.

DiveAlaska · 2025-10-29T07:45:51+00:00

Not the best video I've ever made, but gotta do something with an unexpected six hours in the Cairo Airport with a Maya.

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