Comments on: Manta Ray Night Dive

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 21:14:02 +0000

Manta Snorkel
Do you think you'd still be able to get decent photos from the Manta snorkel? My parents are visiting us, and they would like to do the snorkel rather than the dive. I would really like to get good manta photos, though. Is there still a good chance for great photos, while keeping my parents company?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 12:37:34 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. Wide Angle, Manta
Great article Scott, I can't wait to dive Raja Ampat in Nov and try some of your tips. Critter-Hunter (Larry)

By: scottg

scottg — Wed, 11 May 2011 09:07:32 +0000

In reply to Anonymous. thanks for the comments! I

thanks for the comments! I used a sola 600 focus light.. however, since my camera was on manual focus, the focus light was simply lighting up the dive, not helping the camera acheive focus, and I could have turned it off. I used it in white mode. I did take a few photos with the red light on, and you could see the red in the photo a little bit. Which means the white light is blending in with my strobe light in the photos. I didn't angle the light and I guess I got lucky with respect there not being too much plankton in the water in my immediately vicinity.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:42:22 +0000

Focus Light?
Scott,

First off, great article about the Kona mantas! My wife and I are currently planning a trip to Hawaii and I told her this dive is a MUST on our to-dive list!

One thing you didn’t share in your photography tips is whether or not you used the focus light that was part of your gear. If so, what did you have it set to: red light or regular white light? Did you have to angle the light to cut through the plankton or did the strobes wash out the focus light when firing?

As always, thanks for another great review! The pictures are incredible!

By: tdmajor

tdmajor — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:08:10 +0000

A dive well worth it.
I made this dive in the spring of 2006 while at the island for a friends wedding. It was everything you mentioned. We counted 18 different Mantas on our dive. I must say that I didn't see Charlie during our outing. It was really exhilarating watching one of these monsters coming right at your head with their mouth open and then skimming the top of your head as they would loop around. We had so much plankton and shrimp drawn in by the lights, that they were getting it in our mouths around our regulator. I would recommend this dive to anyone who will be out their. Thanks for the memories.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:55:30 +0000

Wonderful article, Scott.
Wonderful article, Scott. Mahalo for joining us in Kona and having such a great time with the mantas and enjoying the many diving opportunities available on the Big Island. Look forward to seeing you again in the future!
Bo Pardau
Kona Honu Divers