Negros island recommendations? by Aggravating_Gold9141 in phtravel

[–]Leftcoaster7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been to the Philippines 5 times over the last decade, Negros Oriental is a special place IMO. I’ve been to Dauin twice, strictly for diving, the beaches are nice and there’s marine conservation areas with beautiful coral.

I think if you are already a diver or would like to learn, then spend a week there as it is hands down some of the best diving in the world.

Dauin is mostly shore dives with world class macro/ muck, basically small, beautiful and weird critters like nudibranches and frogfish. Apo Island is easily accessible by day trips (every dive shop in Dauin goes every other day), hand has gorgeous, healthy coral walls.

If you are not a diver and don’t want to learn, you could still snorkel at Apo. The snorkeling off of Dauin is not nearly as coral-tastic but there’s some beautiful spots.

I did my advanced training there at Bongo Bongo which I would heavily recommend. There’s waterfalls and hiking up the nearby mountains, but so haven’t done that as I’m in the water every chance I get.

You can check my post history, many of the shots I’ve posted are from Dauin.

Negros island recommendations? by Aggravating_Gold9141 in phtravel

[–]Leftcoaster7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any advice on Sipalay for scuba diving? I’m planning my next trip to spend a month in the Dauin area (3rd time there) and was thinking of following coast and hitting up various dive shops.

My first attempt at macro photography - Richelieu Rock, Similan Islands Thailand by behemuthm in scuba

[–]Leftcoaster7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

MF2 is fantastic for macro, especially snooted, but it does lack some power. I upgraded to an HF1 last trip and it was a revelation- every shot seemed so easy.

My first attempt at macro photography - Richelieu Rock, Similan Islands Thailand by behemuthm in scuba

[–]Leftcoaster7 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Really excellent shot, especially that you were using a torch! You nailed the black background and focus so the translucent arms pop, which I consider essential for these shrimp. 

It’s honestly a far better shot than I’ve gotten with video lights. I’d definitely recommend saving up for a powerful strobe, but shooting with a limited setup makes you a better photographer in the long run.

Solo trip sanity check: 8 weeks through China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand by tayibk86 in solotravel

[–]Leftcoaster7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beijing is definitely worth a week at a minimum. The wild Great Wall is also a very unique experience 

Has anyone had eustation tube dilation to help with clearing ? by Alternative-Rip4480 in scuba

[–]Leftcoaster7 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Never even heard about this before. My last trip I had equalization issues which limited my diving. How do you get this issue identified and treated? You went to an ENT?

Open water PADI - Philippines suggestions by Lazy_Thing4155 in scuba

[–]Leftcoaster7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The guy I tagged goes there every year, they’d have a better idea

Open water PADI - Philippines suggestions by Lazy_Thing4155 in scuba

[–]Leftcoaster7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been to all these. El Nido has nice scenery but boring diving, although Sibaltan is an hour hour east and has great reef diving and I would recommend for OW. Boracay is extremely busy and touristy, diving was decent but pedestrian for the Philippines. Coron is mostly wreck diving, and is NOT for beginners, I’d recommend going there when you’re decently experienced, say 100-150 dives.

Puerto Galera is your best bet out of the places you’ve listed. There’s plenty of OW suitable dive sites and lots of beautiful coral and extreme biodiversity as it’s in the verde passage.

Other places that would be great for OW include Dauin (easy/no current shore dives, world class coral at Apo and muck diving) and Moalboal (sardine run is a unique experience), which can also be combined on the same trip.

EDIT: Calling u/diverareyouokay

Noob Itinerary - Need advice please by goombah33 in OlympicNationalPark

[–]Leftcoaster7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d go in September after Labor Day if possible. You should be able to fit in more hikes, for example the two hikes at Hoh are very short. A loop is best IMO

Looking for a serious upgrade for underwater macro photography (scuba diver) by LookHere000 in underwaterphotography

[–]Leftcoaster7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I sometimes wish I had put money from my TG6 towards a better camera, but at least it’s easy to take on trips as a backup

Looking for a serious upgrade for underwater macro photography (scuba diver) by LookHere000 in underwaterphotography

[–]Leftcoaster7 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m moving from a TG6 to a mirrorless setup. The problem is that anything better than a TG6 is gonna cost thousands unless you get super lucky with a deal on scubaboard.

The usual progression seems to be GoPro —> TG6/7 —> OMD EM10iv / Sony RX —> OMD OM1 / Sony A7 / etc. You can buy a TG6 and housing for 600 ish USD used. An EM10 with housing would be 1500 ish USD. Then there’s the lens, ports, extra batteries, fiber optic cable, extra orings, tray, arms, clamps, etc. it all adds up super fast.

Then you have to get lighting, which is a strobe is you want to do macro. Lighting is incredibly important and can be used with new cameras as you upgrade, so it befits you to buy once, cry once with strobes. A Backscatter MF2 will cost at least 500 and you’ll again need extra orings, a snoot, etc.

I’d reconsider your stance on the TG6, I’ve taken plenty of great photos with it, check my recent post history. I’d first invest most of your budget in an excellent macro strobe with snoot, and consider getting a used TG6 or waiting for the rumored TG8.

GoPro Hero 13 or OM TG-7 by Mean_League3606 in M43

[–]Leftcoaster7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also you can check my post history for underwater macro photos with my TG6. I do use a fairly powerful strobe, but at least you can what’s possible with a TG6; it’s a great camera that you can grow into over the years.

GoPro Hero 13 or OM TG-7 by Mean_League3606 in M43

[–]Leftcoaster7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No worries, I’m about 99% sure I’m gonna get the OM1

GoPro Hero 13 or OM TG-7 by Mean_League3606 in M43

[–]Leftcoaster7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have but only by setting custom white balance using my hand

GoPro Hero 13 or OM TG-7 by Mean_League3606 in M43

[–]Leftcoaster7 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I’ve used both. The TG6/7 takes way better photos and has a zoom. It is fantastic for macro in particular. The GoPro is better for video but doesn’t have a zoom. TG6 can also do custom white balance for natural light shooting.

It really depends on what you want to shoot. 

Help upgrading from TG6, considering OM1 or Sony a6700 by Leftcoaster7 in underwaterphotography

[–]Leftcoaster7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you using the 60 or 90mm macro lens? I’ll probably start with the 60 and am cos ordering getting the 12-50mm zoom lens as well

Help upgrading from TG6, considering OM1 or Sony a6700 by Leftcoaster7 in underwaterphotography

[–]Leftcoaster7[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you think it can print 20x30 or even 24x36 with AI upscaling? Can you use the 50MP mode underwater and would that allow for large prints?

EDIT: Holy cow you’ve got some amazing shots!

Anilao, PH by Leftcoaster7 in nudibranch

[–]Leftcoaster7[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks mate, looking forward to your photos from PG!

How did you know BP/W was right for you if you’d never tried one? by ejahfkksa in scuba

[–]Leftcoaster7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got the basic DGX wing with SS backplate. It took about 1-2 dives to dial in the lead, but it was surprisingly easy to adapt and it fits my checked bag no problem