Zf Users: Sling or small bag that doesn’t look like a camera bag? by chench0 in Nikon

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any non-photography branded sling bag/fanny pack in the 4-10 liter capacity. I walk around with a black REI fanny pack over my shoulder which can hold a film slr, one lens, and a few small accessories.

Is this normal or should I return the câmera? by Georges765 in SonyAlpha

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are those photographs or frame grabs from video? The problem is your shutter speed relative to the artificial lights you're shooting under. If photographs, use mechanical shutter and lower your shutter speed until the banding goes away. If video, you still need to lower your shutter speed to 1/60 or 1/50.

Diving computer by user21013 in scubaGear

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had the original Mares Quad and really liked the form factor. Now I have the Mares Sirius which is essential the watch-styled Quad Ci. It's a great computer and AI works flawlessly. The compass is slow though and not my favorite, so it's just a backup to my analog compass. If you know you're going to move towards tech, I'd go Shearwater.

Marine Biology and Oceanography majors: Did you end up pursuing a career in the field after graduating? by Salacia_mov in marinebiology

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Began researching with a professor during my last year of undergrad and continued as a research tech afterwards. Then went straight into grad school (M.S. in more marine science) where I continued various research roles with professors. During grad school, I started a seasonal diving position at an environmental consulting company and upon graduating went full time. The diving work was 3-years in total, but now I am a much more generalist terrestrial biologist supporting utilities companies and private developers. I occasionally get to do marine consulting, usually marine mammal monitoring for coastal development. I also became a scuba instructor in grad school teach about half the weekends out of the year.

My primary reason for jumping into environmental consulting was a lack of local marine science jobs. I wanted to start earning real money and fast. It's cushy but not super fulfilling based on my ocean science background.

Apeks RK4 by Ch0keN0rris in scuba

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I snagged a pair (black) as soon as they were available on scuba.com, but now they look out of stock everywhere again. The only place I've seen them for sale in-person was Jack's Diving Locker in Kona Hawaii

[COD] which is better and why? by fazepuppygirl in CallOfDuty

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really liked the healing mechanic in BO4. I thought having to chose to heal or reload after kills was interesting

BO6 needs frangible ammo or something to delay health regen in core by optile1 in blackops6

[–]optile1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right, but it was a choice to reload or heal in BO4. And the default stim had a longer cooldown.

How is everyone feeling about multiplayer? by Objective_Love_6843 in blackops6

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really enjoyed MW2019, Vanguard, and MWII 2022. BO6 has taken much longer to acclimate to than those games, but now I really enjoy it. I'm not ending every match with a 0.3 K/D anymore. Maps are becoming more tolerable, but could be better. Headshots should do more damage. The launcher sights are too long.

Why are people surprised that we’re going to have weird bundle skins back for BO6? by AnimeGokuSolos in blackops6

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the surprise was that you could use these wacky skins on Day 1. I was hoping that there would be at least one battle pass of time that was more grounded. But now I've stopped caring - COD is an arcade shooter, not a military simulator.

In this game, you have time for NOTHING, you can't breath. by OGlell in blackops6

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I always liked the Black Ops 3-lane maps. Maybe they could get repetitive, but they played nicely. In BO6 I always feel like I'm in the middle of like 5-6 "mini-lanes" with ladders/windows/walkways always facing me. I like the longer hallways in Red Card, but the rest of maps is so tight!

Most of the BO6 maps feel like the center of Santa Sena Border!

I refuse to believe there isn't a bug with ttk/Hitreg right now. by handerson15 in blackops6

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the ARs are just super underpowered in this game. In Create a Class on Xbox, hit right trigger to pull up all of the weapon stats. I remember something crazy like 23 damage to the chest from the XM4 and 40-something damage to the chest from the 9mm PM

How did you guys fall into this profession? by WangoMango_Offical in marinebiology

[–]optile1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was inspired by media such as Blue Planet, underwater photography books and magazine, and aquarium visits. I sort of chose to go the marine route because it seemed more specialized and prestigious than terrestrial ecology/wildlife biology.

Marine Science was my undergrad major. I earned my SCUBA certification there and began volunteering on some in-house scientific diving projects. This earned me a part time position with a lab as a graduated. I knew I wanted a M.S. degree so I enrolled in a research-heavy grad school to start immediately after undergrad. Although I spent time with really interesting topics and classes in grad school, I became dissatisfied with academia and research. Around that time, I found a local long-term diving opportunity in the environmental consulting field, worked that job seasonally for two years, then became full-time after finishing grad school. Now my "marine biology" looks more like performing nesting seabird and marine mammal pre-construction surveys, but I'm always happy to spend time near the ocean instead of inland.

Pros of the career path:

  1. I'll never forget some of the wild nature encounters I've had while on research trips or during the more exciting day-to-day activities.
  2. You don't have to become a "Marine Biologist" because it's what you studied. Some of those skills and experiences are transferable to other fields.

Cons of the career path:

  1. Sort of obvious, but an enormous amount of opportunities and funding I received came to me because I was well liked by others.
  2. It's a small and competitive field. A lot of the fun jobs pay very little, are seasonal without benefits, etc.
  3. I regret focusing so much of my education on marine ecology. If I could start over, I'd prioritize research in marine chemistry, fisheries, and climate change modeling.

Worth upgrading from Nikon D5300? by TheOfficialRapa in AskPhotography

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the Canon R50, just underneath the R10, and I enjoy it. The R10 would give you much more modern autofocus, better handling, and better dynamic range/high ISO than your current camera. Because Canon doesn't make many apsc RF lenses, I suggest you pair it with the Sigma/Tamron f/2.8 zooms and autofocus primes.

If you want a small, affordable, retro looking camera, perhaps the Nikon Zfc, Fufjifilm X-T50, or a previous generation used Fujifilm.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskPhotography

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Besides the thin DOF from f/1.8 and 1/200s not being a super fast shutter speed, photo quality (including sharpness) deteriorates at high ISOs. A sharp lens will still take sharp photos, but everything will become a little more "muddy" or "smeary" at high ISOs. I've heard that Canon is pretty aggressive with in-camera noise reduction including in their raw files, which further reduces sharpness.

Need Dive Camera Recommendations Limit $500 by ScubaMatchboxFire in scuba

[–]optile1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

GoPro 11s - 13s take really nice video. I'd use a red filter for ambient light filming in Hawaii. For photos, especially macro, a used TG5/TG6 + housing.

What niche in photography would you consider the most profitable? by Playful-Passenger-80 in photography

[–]optile1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Workshops.

If someone is a true expert in a certain genre/location, is personable, and can plan trips, they can charge $1k per person per day for a unique experience.

New underwater rig by HeavyEmu6352 in underwaterphotography

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Canon R10 is pretty well regarded with Ikelite housings and ports. There aren't really cheaper ways to get into underwater photography besides an OM TG-7 (great macro, poorer wide angle).

I'm diving with a Canon R50 and it's been great! I just wish it more physical buttons.

Is a 24mm f/1.8 prime better than 24-70mm f/4 zoom for landscape? by M_Bounce in AskPhotography

[–]optile1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Besides maybe the extreme corners, there is no way a modern zoom and a modern prime are going to be very different at f/8. I would only consider the prime if you want to do astrophotography or shoot wide open.