I don't want to be one of those people banging into the reef with my equipment, so can you give me some thoughts on water entry, descending, buoyancy issues? Is there a good way to secure my camera during the dive but allow it to be readily accessible when I want it? Any ideas are welcome!

Scott my advice would be to do the first dive without your camera and concentrate on getting your weighting right. At the end of the dive purge your air down to 50 bar 750psi and check your buoyancy. If you have not done so already take the Peak Performance Buoyancy course(PADI) or similar. Always check your position on the reef and don't live the dive through the view finder. Remember no picture is worth damaging the reef.

Getting in for a shore dive I usually leave the cameras until last and get my buddy in the water all geared up and out of the surf and then take the cameras out (2 SLR rigs) and then gear up and join her, getting out if rough is the same, I get out maybe with one camera drop of my gear and then go back for my buddy or camera first.

I hope that helps.

(Message edited by brianl on January 15, 2008)

i use heavy duty retractable leashes to hold the rig while entering/exiting...i usually dive solo but if you have a dive buddy (without a camera) then having your buddy assist you can help...

have you seen people "banging the reef with equipment" or are you just talking "poop" ?



good luck,

(and post your pics)

Here is a link to an example of a lanyard that will attach the camera to your BC. There are many models of this out there.

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/AQUTCL.html?Search=op%3ddtSearch%26Term%3dlanyard%26SearchFlag%3dall%26AdvSrchSortField%3dRelevance%26DescSort%3d0%26Hit%3d1

Ron has the right accessory. Here's my solution that works on my small camera.

Getting in.



Now this is cold water. Find the camera?

It's in my right side pocket with the yellow lanyard. Once I'm at depth I switch to this.



The lanyard is extended and it wedged lens down under my BCD top strap.

The camera is always ready, out of the way, not dangling and streamlined. When getting in, it is secure and relatively safe from hydraulic shock from giant strides, backrolls or waves.