Equipment

Camera & housing

I had been using Nikon cameras for a while on land when I took-up underwater photography, and I still use them underwater.

My current camera body is a D200 (Digital SLR) housed in a Sea & Sea DX-D200 housing, supplied by Alan James Photography in Bristol.

Lenses

For wide-angle underwater photography, I use the Nikkor 10.5mm, 16mm, 20mm and 28mm. For macro subjects, I use the Nikkor 60mm and 105mm lenses.

Lighting

I normally use two YS90 Auto strobes for macro and most wide-angle photography dives. In the past year, I have also been experimenting with Magic Filters developed by my friends Alex Mustard and Peter Rowlands.

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Diving equipment

I use pretty-much the same diving equipment both in tropical and temperate waters, except the exposure suits !

Wetsuit

I wear a 5mm Scubapro Everflex wetsuit, complemented by a Body-Glove shorty if the water is slightly too cool for my liking!

The Everflex is a tough suit that is extremely stretchy and does not restrict movements. I find it very comfortable even if it does little to compliment my figure !

Drysuit

In the UK, I love my DUI CNSE 1.5mm hyper-compressed neoprene drysuit. With no boots attached (RockBoots are worn over the socks), it is possible to turn the suit completely inside-out to dry it quickly.

Buoyancy Control

My old Buddy Profile has seen better days but is still a fantastic BCD. Originally black, its colour is now dull brown ! A trip to AP Valves to service it at the end of the season and it will probably be ready for another 10 years !

Regulators

I have just started to use an Oceanic FDX1/Delta 4 which has a very light mouthpiece and a swivel on the second stage to avoid the pulling sensation when I turnn my head.

It is replacing my old trusted Apeks TX50. Many thanks to Mike's Dive Store for looking after my regs season after season !

Computers

My primary computer is an Aladin Air Z O2, which can be used both on Open Circuit and on SCR with the wireless OXY2 analyser. I love this piece of kit, which I originally purchased from Wittering Divers in West Sussex. Sadly, it is no longer manufactured. A great loss for SCR divers.

I used a Suunto Stinger as back-up computer and watch until very recently and have been very happy with it. I have just upgraded it to a Suunto D6.

Cylinders

I sold my twinset in 2004 because it was to cumbersome to take on UK trips. I normally use single 12 or single 10L cylinders, to which I attach a 3L pony if the dive will be too deep for a free emergency ascent or if it will require decompression stops.

Rebreather

I occasionally dive with a Draeger Dolphin semi-closed rebreather to try and get closer to the marine life. Whether I do get closer or not is quite subjective, but I do like the quietness of the machine and the greatly reduced amount of bubbles that come out behind my head.

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Clothing

I try to avoid taking too many things to wear. They tend to make the bags heavy and airlines don't like that too much !

There are 2 items I wouldn't fly to exotic destinations without

Croc Shoes

These superlight sandals won't cost you an arm and a leg. They're superlight so it's hard to feel when you even wear them and they will add next to no weight in your dive bag!

I think they look great too! Mine are dark green, but you can go for really funky colours too. Ask my friend Odile at Cosikids who will find the pair that suits you best !

Photo jacket

It looks really naff when I wear it but there are so many pockets that I can carry great loads that would normally be in my hand luggage. And since BAA has implemented a strict 1 pc luggage policy, it has helped me a lot, especially as many airlines are more and more rigourous with the weight of hand luggage.

I normally carry my batteries, chargers and heavy power adapters in the jacket.

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