Swimming With Humpback Whales

Zipline · 12th of February 2012 (Sun)

I'm planning a trip, probably won't happen for another couple of years, to go down the Dominican Republic (Silver Bank to be more exact) to watch the Humpback Whales on their breeding and calving grounds. The trip I'm looking includes at least one day where you actually get in the water to watch the whales under the water. I've seen some amazing photos and would love to be able to capture my own.

I currently use an Xti, but I'm not sure if it would be better to buy a new camera purposely made for underwater photography or if I should get an underwater housing for my Xti. I still have no clue how those underwater casings work so I still have to do some research there, but now is the time to start planning.This trip is pretty expensive so I really don't see myself going very often, but still the urge to get those perfect photos is kind of weighing on me. I guess I just want to get the best considering I won't be able to go very often.

What would you recommend?

Maureen Souza · 22nd of February 2012 (Wed)

Mandy, I just got back from Maui where it is peak humpback season and I saw a wide variety of underwater cameras and housings. I recommend buying an underwater housing unit for your camera and then you have it for your water adventures and future needs.
BTW, you might think about west Maui as an inexpensive alternative as they had about 2000 whales there when we went this past week. Plus you get to be in Hawaii

Feb.- March are their peak months and it is a lovely 82 degrees with cool trade winds. Sooooo nice.

Zipline · 22nd of February 2012 (Wed)

Thanks for the info! I'm thinking of going with the underwater housing. I just have to read up on them to figure out which one! Hawaii sounds really nice, but for now I'll stick to Silver Bank. The reason is because that's where "my" population of humpbacks go so there's a chance I might some of the whales that I know very well from my trips in the summer.

SOX 404 · 28th of February 2012 (Tue)

Mandy, check out www.wetpixel.com. You will get plenty of information there and can ask recommendation for your underwater camera setup.

12th of February 2012 (Sun)	#1
Zipline Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,289 IMAGE EDITING OK	Swimming With Humpback Whales I'm planning a trip, probably won't happen for another couple of years, to go down the Dominican Republic (Silver Bank to be more exact) to watch the Humpback Whales on their breeding and calving grounds. The trip I'm looking includes at least one day where you actually get in the water to watch the whales under the water. I've seen some amazing photos and would love to be able to capture my own. I currently use an Xti, but I'm not sure if it would be better to buy a new camera purposely made for underwater photography or if I should get an underwater housing for my Xti. I still have no clue how those underwater casings work so I still have to do some research there, but now is the time to start planning.This trip is pretty expensive so I really don't see myself going very often, but still the urge to get those perfect photos is kind of weighing on me. I guess I just want to get the best considering I won't be able to go very often. What would you recommend? __________________ - Mandy > Bodies: Canon Rebel 300D, XTi, and T3i > Lenses: Kit Lens, Canon 75-300mm & 55-250mm lenses > Check out my new site @ Hypnotized by Nature

22nd of February 2012 (Wed)	#2
Maureen Souza Ms. Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central California Posts: 28,989 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Swimming With Humpback Whales Mandy, I just got back from Maui where it is peak humpback season and I saw a wide variety of underwater cameras and housings. I recommend buying an underwater housing unit for your camera and then you have it for your water adventures and future needs. BTW, you might think about west Maui as an inexpensive alternative as they had about 2000 whales there when we went this past week. Plus you get to be in Hawaii Feb.- March are their peak months and it is a lovely 82 degrees with cool trade winds. Sooooo nice. __________________ Life is hard...but I just take it one photograph at a time. 5DmkIII 7D Canon Lenses: 50/1.4, 85/1.2 135/2.0, 300/f4, 24-70! Pro1

22nd of February 2012 (Wed)	#3
Zipline Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,289 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Swimming With Humpback Whales Thanks for the info! I'm thinking of going with the underwater housing. I just have to read up on them to figure out which one! Hawaii sounds really nice, but for now I'll stick to Silver Bank. The reason is because that's where "my" population of humpbacks go so there's a chance I might some of the whales that I know very well from my trips in the summer. __________________ - Mandy > Bodies: Canon Rebel 300D, XTi, and T3i > Lenses: Kit Lens, Canon 75-300mm & 55-250mm lenses > Check out my new site @ Hypnotized by Nature

28th of February 2012 (Tue)	#4
SOX 404 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: I'm a nomad Posts: 505	Re: Swimming With Humpback Whales Mandy, check out www.wetpixel.com. You will get plenty of information there and can ask recommendation for your underwater camera setup. __________________ AJ 5DII \| 8-15L \| 17-40L \| 50L \| 85L \| 100L \| 135L \| 180L \| 70-200 2.8L IS Aquatica UW Housing \| INON Z240 \| Ikelite DS-161 \| Sola 600 My Flickr

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