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Hi everyone. I sold my telephoto earlier in the year to fund a water housing, but the money went elsewhere! Finally I got the cash together and here are some samples of the first shoot over the weekend:





Brother Will dropping in a little late:



Minimal PP on the first two, a little more on the last with de-saturation as colours were too vivid with in cam-curve.

Wow ! love'em...

best shots ive seen in awhile, keep up the top work

roughly how much was the water housing ? was thinking of getting one for the d70 ?

cheers rob

I am SO envious!

^^^ Correct me if I am wrong, the D7O casings are about $2500-$6000. Rather pricey!
Awesome photos btw.

jeez brave bloke taking that into the water even with the water housing

fishafotos wrote:^^^ Correct me if I am wrong, the D7O casings are about $2500-$6000. Rather pricey!.

YOU ARE KIDDING ME !!!!!

cheers rob

About $1600 i think for a D70

Lovely shots there 1st is my pick for sure..

re the housing costs.. how much do you value your camera at? it's worth the outlay imo, if youre into underwater photography..

Great stuff!!

Will it sink like a block of metal if you drop it??

Hi everyone. I sold my telephoto earlier in the year to fund a water housing, but the money went elsewhere!

at last Heath...I thought you had just unloaded your VR on me for no good reason and done a runner with the cash

an impressive start!!

I'm looking forward to more aqua shots from you as summer heats up


cheers
R2

Thanks everyone. It will not sink if you drop it, but rather float, even though it is pretty damn heavy above water. I'm going to have to start swimming laps again because fitness is a big deal with the big stuff. Cost? Bring back the old days when no-one asked About $4500 with two lens ports and a trigger grip, good for 33 feet down.

what brand housing is that? I would love one of these - I use disposable film underwater cameras every now and again

AquaTech. The best you can get for surf photog - Mackenna and all the guys you see in the surf mags use them. Good thing is they are just south of Sydney:

http://www.aquatech.com.au/

Heath, Fantastic shots. very summery. nice colors. #1 is my fav. which beach was this at btw?

well done

Lakes beach, south of Fraser National Park and north of Norah Head. Always have loved the colour of the water in early morning sessions.

the water looks almost surreal

Self portrait while getting pummelled:

$4500 for the housing... thats another D2x on top of it!!

Does your insurance have anything to say about taking it surfing, out in the water etc ?

Insurance is a little tricky.

To say I was jealous would be an understatement - one day I will find a way to justify the expenditure on a quality housing.

As for the shots. Well done! #1 and #2 both work for me. I can't wait to see what you come up with in the future as you get more comfortable with the gear. Looking forward to more instalments Heath.

What lens were you using? What does the second lens port take?

Heath Bennett wrote:Self portrait while getting pummelled:

heath
try and keep the camera still you get clearer pics then LOL

Awsome shots Heath, im jealous aswell

For anyone thats after a cheap water housing theres always the EWA-marine bag option. Their website is http://www.ewa-marine.com.au. Cost around 300-800AU. Ive got one and so far havent had any problems with it. Although they are a little bit more impratical then a hardcase housing, the rubber is a couple of mm's thick, so you carnt always tell where your finger is on the camera while looking through the viewfind, so when you press the shutter for that awsome shot and you realise your pressing the off button it can be frustrating!
Other then that Ive had plenty of use out of mine (never in the surf yet, but will this summer) with mostly success.

12-24 lens with these. Other port is for both 35 f/2 and 50 f/1.4

I want a 10.5 FE and port to match soon...

JordanP wrote::mrgreen:

To say I was jealous would be an understatement - one day I will find a way to justify the expenditure on a quality housing.

As for the shots. Well done! #1 and #2 both work for me. I can't wait to see what you come up with in the future as you get more comfortable with the gear. Looking forward to more instalments Heath.

What lens were you using? What does the second lens port take?

Wow... very nice! Can't wait to see more surfie close-ups and underwater photos

Heath

Been a while since I've seen anything from you, but these were worth waiting for. I can't wait to see some fisheye shots when you get one.

Bloody hell, these are stunning Heath! Well done, print them big!

Well you are the man for mr 10.5! Wonder if there is a steep learning curve as I have never ever used a fish eye in my life!

stubbsy wrote:Heath

Been a while since I've seen anything from you, but these were worth waiting for. I can't wait to see some fisheye shots when you get one.

Heath Bennett wrote:Well you are the man for mr 10.5! Wonder if there is a steep learning curve as I have never ever used a fish eye in my life!

Heath - it's as easy as falling off a ... surfboard

Terrific images and adventurous too Heath D2X near, nay, in the water, salt to boot! Very BRAVE regardless of the housing.
cheers
marco

Believe me Marco - I did the bath test first!

Also - this model actually has a water penetration alarm! A red light comes on if any water is getting in.

Heath, not bad shots mate and well i know you will put it to good use but im afraid to many creatures out there with teeth for my liking but will be great when you get some good surf action, we look forward to seeing more of these type of pics.
John
BBJ

Strike me pink Heath, these are great, I want one, but I'll have to sell one of my kids first...on second thoughts maybe the wife....no, just one of the kids

Seriously good stuff here mate. I have just put part of plan B into effect this morning. I took delivery of some Rola roof bars and kayak fittings, next will be kayak purchase, then a level of fitness, then onto the photogrpahy side of things.

We have whales by the millions here in Coffs, I want to get out into open water and photograph these animals. I think I will start first with a lightweight P&S waterproof camera, until I gain a reasonable level of proficiency.

Looking forward to seeing some more photos from you soon.

Max

Very impressive shots, I like them, very nice.

Heath Bennett wrote:Believe me Marco - I did the bath test first!

Also - this model actually has a water penetration alarm! A red light comes on if any water is getting in.

Good feature

I knew you'd be cautious Heath. As scott has mentioned 'good' feature. I would add ESSENTIAL feature
I look forward to more heath. Maybe something dramatic like surfer in a wave tunnel while a great white is surfing the same tunnel I have seen one of those too. Although the photographer was on dry land using big telephoto. Maybe you could add that 'living on the edge' element heathby being in the water at the same time. Now wouldn't that rake you in a packet and Sports photographer of the year
cheers
marco

thats some great shots.

got very close to buying a nikonos v last week. but the thought of using film again swayed me away. wish someone has followed thru with efilm, but then i don't suppose you would see such cameras now so cheap.

marcotrov wrote: great white is surfing the same tunnel

Indeed. If I can get to Mauritius again soon there is a great place to photograph sharks - actually a breeding ground. They all hang out there because there is a unusually formed cave that is very high in oxygen. They love it. Perhaps so happy they wont want to eat but rather to love. It is a very popular dive site. Would like to see if it is too deep as I wouldnt want to take this lower than 10m. It is not a dive housing.

Sounds a good opportunity Heath

Would like to see if it is too deep as I wouldnt want to take this lower than 10m. It is not a dive housing.

Don't go dropping the camera while using it, especially if you are in deep water
cheers
marco

marcotrov wrote:Sounds a good opportunity Heath

Would like to see if it is too deep as I wouldnt want to take this lower than 10m. It is not a dive housing.

Don't go dropping the camera while using it, especially if you are in deep water
cheers
marco

Another safety feature - wrist strap

Heath,

Heath Bennett wrote:Indeed. If I can get to Mauritius again soon there is a great place to photograph sharks - actually a breeding ground. They all hang out there because there is a unusually formed cave that is very high in oxygen. They love it. Perhaps so happy they wont want to eat but rather to love. It is a very popular dive site. Would like to see if it is too deep as I wouldnt want to take this lower than 10m. It is not a dive housing.

If you want to dive with sharks, you don't have to go that far. Right close to home at Seal Rocks, the Grey Nurse sharks have a breeding "love cave" as well. The good thing about grey nurse sharks is that they are very placid when it comes to humans, ie they don't consider us food, but they still look very mean

Great shots, congrats on that new tool,

André