The Gentleman's Underwater Bubble Blower Thread

[Johnny Friday]

Sigmar 14 is fisheye or rectilinear? I have the sigma 15 fish that i truly love....

 

[Frazier Nivens]

Rectilinear lens. Seems pretty sharp on my monitor here. I have a new Samyang 8mm Cine lens I picked up. Canon mount all manual focus and t stops. Anxious to try it out at 4kHD. Should work, not sure how sharp it will be but for the price it might be nice. Will let you know after some tests.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Nice footage, Frazier. Well done!
Hope you got to keep all your limbs too.

FILMING TRIPS

This is an invitation to join us on our filming trips.

​

We are filming large screen blue-chip natural history feature film, Sea of Love in 3D.

​

1. TONGA

We are planning two separate expeditions: one at the beginning and one at the end of the breeding season. This is to maximise whale encounters and increase our chances to film unique behaviour.

For anyone not familiar with Tonga whale trips: We do not have 12-16 people on the boat and we do not intend to be in the vicinity of other tourist boats. As local regulations allow only up to 4 swimmers with a whale at any given time combined with a custom of tourist boats "sharing" a whale, we believe that such arrangements greatly compromise filming opportunities.

We are only looking for up to 3 (three) guests!

Dates (trip 1): 27 July to 10 August 2013
Dates (trip 2): 2 October to 14 October (TBC)
Total cost per guest per trip includes air transfers, breakfast, accomodation and daily trips to the whales: AUD $4,000


2. GREAT BARRIER REEF

I had 100% success rate in filming mass coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef in the past (see http://vimeo.com/53246432). This time we will be filming the event with Dual DeepX in 3D using very innovative (and possibly the world's first) wet beam splitter.

Again, we are looking for a small group of 4 - 5 guests (the boat is surveyed to accomodate 30). There will be unlimited diving opportunities every day and night mostly in undisclosed locations and away from recreational divers and offering some of the best filming opportunities found on the Great Barrier Reef.

Dates: 18 November to 30 November 2013 (TBC)
Departing from Townsville
Cost: AUD $3,800


There is an opportunity to do one or more underwater cinematography workshops, if anyone is interested.

More information about the trips can be found at: www.achtel.com/Trips

Great opportunity to test and compare different housings in the field and have some fun at the same time! :beer:

And, best of all, we will be very keen to purchase or license "behind the scenes" footage from you.

First in, best served!

For more details and special requirements, please contact me by email.

Best Fishes,

Pawel

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Frazier, I would like to mirror Ross' and Johnny's comments, congrats on the beautiful footage, and a wonderful edit.

Just one small concern though, if I may.

The sequences you chose portray a very aggressive shark, the music lends a decidedly biased forcefulness to that characterization. I believe you do a dis-service, where the public at large is concerned, to the animals. I was down there as well, they were nothing more than curious, friendly even, sea-going Labrador Retrievers looking for a quick and easy snack.

I understand that your take on the animals is what the average Discovery viewer is after, and that the Discovery execs demand that kind of drama, but it is grossly irresponsible, and damaging, sensationalism. Nothing like a payday to drive the shot.

They were sweetheart sharks, we both have grabs of the gorgeous Liz in her pink string bikini swimming with one of the biggest hammerheads that visited us. And funny enough, she didn't get eaten. Nor did anyone else.

How about an edit showing that?

 

[Frazier Nivens]

Music makes the drama sometimes more than it really is.

Music makes the drama sometimes more than it really is.

Frazier, I would like to mirror Ross' and Johnny's comments, congrats on the beautiful footage, and a wonderful edit.

Just one small concern though, if I may.

The sequences you chose portray a very aggressive shark, the music lends a decidedly biased forcefulness to that characterization. I believe you do a dis-service, where the public at large is concerned, to the animals. I was down there as well, they were nothing more than curious, friendly even, sea-going Labrador Retrievers looking for a quick and easy snack.

I understand that your take on the animals is what the average Discovery viewer is after, and that the Discovery execs demand that kind of drama, but it is grossly irresponsible, and damaging, sensationalism. Nothing like a payday to drive the shot.

They were sweetheart sharks, we both have grabs of the gorgeous Liz in her pink string bikini swimming with one of the biggest hammerheads that visited us. And funny enough, she didn't get eaten. Nor did anyone else.

How about an edit showing that?

Tom, while I definitely respect your opinion and understand your concerns, there were two times that the shark came in and hit me a couple of times biting at the dome port, I wasn't really doing anything other than just being there, the shark did choose to come up and of course bite at the dome port, I found it strange and unusual, not really the kind of behavior exhibited by the animals ever at any other time during the course of the days we were there. I edited the piece to show the power of the animal, they do have power. I'm pretty sure that shot will be used in the actual production that it was filmed for.

Out of respect for a very close friend, I unfortunately can't include shots of Liz swimming with the animals but I would have if I could as they also showed the beauty and peacefulness of the animals. Just wasn't possible to include that or it would be. Loved those shots of her free diving with the Hammers, they were just some of my favorites. While diving that week, we were never really threatened at any time, but the same shark did whack me a couple of times, mouthed the dome port and I was loving the fact that I have that shot so I did include it. As a filmmaker, sometimes shots like this happens and I'm thankful it's in the can. Not sure if they will use it or not but the way things are today, it might make the cut for the show I shot for. Not sure why the shark chose to bite at the dome, maybe it saw it's reflection. I had no fish attached to my camera, the shot just happened.

If it ever happens to you getting a shark up close and on your lens, will you not use it in anything?? You should, because we as true professionals who dive with sharks all the time do know the real deal. It's just a shark and sometimes they do bite and mouth things. Amazing and truly incredible animals.

This I posted for everyone to enjoy, some will, some won't, perhaps I should've not posted it, knew it at some point it might get picked apart, I hesitated putting it up for everyone to watch on REDUSER, maybe I should've used different music, maybe piano next time won't make them seem so aggressive. It's sometimes all about the music. If I re did it to Beethoven I'm sure it would seem less Jaws like...

Great shot of Liz with the Hammerhead you have there, that's the real beauty showing combination of the animal interacting peacefully, I have some that I am quite proud of also, just can't use them in my production. These shots are only for for my friend Liz, she's the only one that will see the shots I have.

Best,
Frazier

 

[Frazier Nivens]

Nice footage, Frazier. Well done!
Hope you got to keep all your limbs too.

FILMING TRIPS

This is an invitation to join us on our filming trips.

​

We are filming large screen blue-chip natural history feature film, Sea of Love in 3D.

​

1. TONGA

We are planning two separate expeditions: one at the beginning and one at the end of the breeding season. This is to maximise whale encounters and increase our chances to film unique behaviour.

For anyone not familiar with Tonga whale trips: We do not have 12-16 people on the boat and we do not intend to be in the vicinity of other tourist boats. As local regulations allow only up to 4 swimmers with a whale at any given time combined with a custom of tourist boats "sharing" a whale, we believe that such arrangements greatly compromise filming opportunities.

We are only looking for up to 3 (three) guests!

Dates (trip 1): 27 July to 10 August 2013
Dates (trip 2): 2 October to 14 October (TBC)
Total cost per guest per trip includes air transfers, breakfast, accomodation and daily trips to the whales: AUD $4,000


2. GREAT BARRIER REEF

I had 100% success rate in filming mass coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef in the past (see http://vimeo.com/53246432). This time we will be filming the event with Dual DeepX in 3D using very innovative (and possibly the world's first) wet beam splitter.

Again, we are looking for a small group of 4 - 5 guests (the boat is surveyed to accomodate 30). There will be unlimited diving opportunities every day and night mostly in undisclosed locations and away from recreational divers and offering some of the best filming opportunities found on the Great Barrier Reef.

Dates: 18 November to 30 November 2013 (TBC)
Departing from Townsville
Cost: AUD $3,800


There is an opportunity to do one or more underwater cinematography workshops, if anyone is interested.

More information about the trips can be found at: www.achtel.com/Trips

Great opportunity to test and compare different housings and have some fun at the same time! :beer:

And, best of all, we will be very keen to purchase or license "behind the scenes" footage from you.

First in, best served!

For more details and special requirements, please contact me by email.

Best Fishes,

Pawel

Thanks Pawel, very kind of you, glad that you enjoyed it, yes, would be hard to edit the piece without my limbs. But the bite shots only happened twice and for some reason only on the last day. I included them as I thought you guys especially would enjoy seeing them.

Always wanted to do Tonga and the nice clear water there, never had the chance to go as of yet. I leave again on April 1st to film Humpbacks for two weeks at Silver Banks, I'm hoping to get some footage in the can there for a movie we are filming. But Tonga does sound tempting.

Best,
Frazier

 

[Pawel Achtel]

...and the nice clear water there...Tonga does sound tempting.

I know, I couldn't resist

We have a long range fast boat able to reach off-shore breading grounds away from congested areas visited by tourist operations. Those remote areas feature much better visibility than in-shore waters, 50m (150 ft.) viz. is usually the norm.

You are most welcome to join.

 

[Rudi Herbert]

Actually, the dome biting behavior is not uncommon, I've experienced it with at least five different species, and as pertains to hammerheads, it is actually quite interesting because it shows their (relative to other sharks) poor teething. They have small teeth and they grow far slower than most other sharks, so seeing that up close is quite of interest and novelty for most people who never stared a hammerhead in the mouth.

Onto optics now, the Sigma 14 mm rectilinear is a great little lens, unique in that it is one the better looking lenses when combined with an 8" dome port. General wisdom dictates that anything up to 14 mm works well with an 8", anything wider looking much better with 9", 10" or even 12" domes, but then, the best looking 14 mm rectilinear + 8" dome has to be this Sigma. It looks much sharper on the corners than much better lenses like the famed Nikon 14-24, which looks awful with anything under 12" really. That lens is a little slow, but works great in shallow water and even has a filter slot in the back for those who like to use red filters like me. Frazier has certainly made a wise choice with that little cutie, it is one the better looking rectilinears out there, despite being a very old design. Shame it is not wide enough for most of the stuff I shoot, otherwise I'd use it more often, mine has been collecting dust in a closet for many years now.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

Pawel, very interested in the Tonga trip, how many slots left?

 

[John J Ellerbrock]

Short video of the Feb. trip to Bimini.

Frazier

Frazier,

Superb! If my uttered involuntary expletives made it into this post, I'd be banned. So....Simply smashing ole' chap!

J-

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Pawel, very interested in the Tonga trip, how many slots left?

Hi Tom, Spots still available. One was just taken by another fellow Reduser. Should be fun

 

[Will Keir]

That's a really lovely shot with her and the shark. Has a nice calming feel.

Frazier, I would like to mirror Ross' and Johnny's comments, congrats on the beautiful footage, and a wonderful edit.

Just one small concern though, if I may.

The sequences you chose portray a very aggressive shark, the music lends a decidedly biased forcefulness to that characterization. I believe you do a dis-service, where the public at large is concerned, to the animals. I was down there as well, they were nothing more than curious, friendly even, sea-going Labrador Retrievers looking for a quick and easy snack.

I understand that your take on the animals is what the average Discovery viewer is after, and that the Discovery execs demand that kind of drama, but it is grossly irresponsible, and damaging, sensationalism. Nothing like a payday to drive the shot.

They were sweetheart sharks, we both have grabs of the gorgeous Liz in her pink string bikini swimming with one of the biggest hammerheads that visited us. And funny enough, she didn't get eaten. Nor did anyone else.

How about an edit showing that?

 

[John J Ellerbrock]

Amund Lie / Norway

Amund Lie / Norway

This is way cool. Amund Lie / Norway sent over photos from his pool shoot, a Jonas Alaska music video. Photos ©Kjetil Astrup.

See the music video here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNfY69w9vFY&list=FLhVID8gsCkhdJ4bikHc5nTA

Amund Lie: www.hydrophobic.no

 

[Will Keir]

cool shots John. I like the color.

 

[Greg F]

So John, How uncommon is it for the mechanical wheels to decide to not work? I keep having them just start spinning any advice? It is a poundy ride to Molokai... I lost my Zoom and Iris yesterday

Was lots of sharks too, though I should not complain I likely do this more than anybody else. I have to say it was quite amazing to be face to face with such large creatures again.

Here is some of the horrible shots I did with one operable wheel. That is a 27m deep cleaning station that me and my buddy frequent.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

So John, How uncommon is it for the mechanical wheels to decide to not work? I keep having them just start spinning any advice? It is a poundy ride to Molokai... I lost my Zoom and Iris yesterday

"Don't take a chance.... take a housing without damn mechanical wheels. "

sorry, couldn't resist

It looks like you are getting some vignetting on top of the frame, which tells me that your lens may be misalligned against the dome port. Maybe that's where your problem is, just guessing trying to help. Hope you get it sorted and bring some nice footage.

 

[Michael Maes]

It looks like you are getting some vignetting on top of the frame, which tells me that your lens may be misalligned against the dome port. Maybe that's where your problem is, just guessing trying to help. Hope you get it sorted and bring some nice footage.

Naughty
The camera-tray does tend to come loose during transportation.
This could cause the cog-wheel to come loose of the gear (and the user-buttons in front not to work anymore).
It could also misalign your lens.
Just my personal experience.
What you could do is strap the tray every time or lock it in another way.

 

[Tom Hamilton]

"Don't take a chance.... take a housing without damn mechanical wheels. "

:w00t: Very funny Pawel. If I know John, he'll be right back at ya'.

Every housing has its Achilles Heel, I guess this one belongs to Gates. Several Deep Epic shooters mentioned on the last trip that checking for snugness/fit of mechanical interfaces is paramount before every dive, especially after the housing has been subject to vibration via transport by air and/or boat.

FWIW, iris and focus are controlled electronically on the Rouge, no such worries there.

 

[Michael Hastings]

Sigmar 14 is fisheye or rectilinear? I have the sigma 15 fish that i truly love....

The Sigma 14mm that Frazier used on that shoot as well as the Olympic swimmer pool footage we posted quite a while ago is a mid-90s rectilinear 14mm that I got with an Aquatica housing and Nikon F4 ebay purchase a few years ago.

We started using it with the very first Epic housing since we had a non functioning early prototype canon mount and we wanted as wide as we could get that covered full 5K and needed something with an iris ring. It is a Nikon mount with a Nikon to EF adapter. I ended up buying three more on ebay for about $300-$400 each since they are super easy to work with and give pretty darn good results - particularly since it was designed for full frame 36x24mm still photo film, so the outer portions where the distortion and chromatic aberrations are typically the worst, don't show up on the 4K aps-c or 5K aps-h of Epic sensors.

We've never even really tried to optimize for that particular lens - just made best guess of where it should sit in the dome and went shooting. (If you look at the standard AquaVideo epic mount plate you can see that there are camera mounting holes about every half inch so you can mount the camera pretty much anywhere forward or back to accommodate specific lenses. Obviously there are limits if you want to use the standard battery setups. We give you two "normal" positions where we have a control for hitting the power button - that really cover virtually all of the commonly used PLcine and SLR lenses - and frontplate and port spacers that allow finer tuning.)

I loaned Frazier my Canon 8-15 L fisheye zoom, but I don't think he has had a chance to use it yet and has preferred to stick with the tried and true for these recent paying gigs - there is a lot to be said for the KISS principle, especially when clients are actually paying money to get those "money shots".

 

[Pawel Achtel]

FWIW, iris and focus are controlled electronically on the Rouge, no such worries there.

Yes, I love Amphibico electronic controls....


...they make cogwheels sound like a brilliant idea

Best Fishes!