onokai

Forum username: onokai
Real name: Mark
Posts: 473
Active years: 2005—2026
Primary forums: Photography Gear and Technique, General Chat, Shooting Technique/Workflow/Editing
Specialization: Film-to-digital transition, Nikon systems, Subal and Aquatica housings, viewfinder expertise

Community Role

onokai, known as Mark, is one of Wetpixel’s longest-tenured members, active from 2005 through at least May 2026 — a span of 21 years. A NAUI Divemaster certified in 1982, he began underwater photography that same year and brought decades of film experience to the community. His posts consistently reflected the perspective of a veteran photographer who shot Nikon F3 and F5 bodies in Aquatica and Subal housings during the film era and transitioned through digital generations including the Nikon D300, D800, and D850.

Mark was particularly vocal about housing design philosophy, viewfinder quality, and strobe selection. His posts often drew from his extensive hands-on experience comparing housing systems across multi-week liveaboard trips. With 96 threads started across 21 years, he remained an engaged community member well into the 2020s, still posting about Nauticam port systems and Subal compatibility in 2023—2026.

Notable Contributions

Viewfinder Expertise

Mark was the community’s most persistent advocate for high-quality viewfinders, a recurring theme across multiple threads over two decades:

• “The best viewfinder made” (7 replies, 2007) — Argued that no digital housing viewfinder matched the Nikon F5 sportfinder, describing it as a “full frame image” that was superior to LCD-based solutions. Alex Mustard responded that the RS and Subeye viewfinders were actually better than the F5 actionfinder in a housing. (^[1])

• “Why its best to have two style viewfinders” (48 replies, 2022—2023) — His most popular thread advocated using both straight-through (gunshot) and 45-degree viewfinders, noting the straight-through was superior for finding moving fish and at night dives, while the 45-degree was better for macro subjects at eye level. He noted using Nauticam viewfinders on both Subal and Nauticam housings. Alex Mustard countered that mastering one viewfinder style was preferable. Mark responded that after 35 years of straight-through viewfinders, switching to the 45-degree revealed what he had been missing for macro work. (^[2])

Housing Design Philosophy

“What Makes a housing GREAT” (20 replies, 2005) was an influential early thread where Mark laid out ten design principles for underwater camera housings, drawing from his experience with multiple Aquatica and Subal systems since the 1980s. His criteria included: all camera functions accessible through the housing, angled sync cord bulkheads, mechanical controls over electrical, durable anodized finishes, and proper port optical engineering. The thread attracted responses from housing industry figures and established community design expectations. (^[3])

Aquatica vs. Subal Comparison

“Real world test Aquatica or Subal?” (14 replies, 2005) provided one of the most hands-on housing comparisons on Wetpixel. Mark took both an Aquatica and a Subal housing on a 28-day, 83-dive liveaboard trip from Sorong to Bali, Indonesia. He concluded Subal was “the clear choice” for controls, tray design, lens release, and port exchange, but criticized Subal’s port optics for requiring diopters even with their large glass dome. He praised Aquatica’s build quality as “built like a tank” based on ownership since the 1980s. James Wiseman and others challenged whether the price premium was justified. (^[4])

Gear History and Photography Roots

“How Many Rigs?? How long been Shooting U/W?” (12 replies, 2006) was a community survey thread where Mark detailed his complete equipment history from 1982: a point-and-shoot in 1982, an Ikelite-housed Nikon in 1983, Nikonos V and III in the mid-1980s, a Nikon F3 in Aquatica 3 housing from 1985, another F3 in Aquatica in the 1990s, and two Nikon F5s in two Subal housings by 2005. The thread became a fascinating record of the community’s collective equipment histories. (^[5])

Strobe and Lens Discussions

• “Ike D125 strobes what do you think?” (15 replies) — Sought community feedback before purchasing two Ikelite DS-125 strobes, mentioning he already owned three Ikelite 200 strobes. He planned to use them with his F5/Subal system and a range of Nikon lenses (60mm, 105mm, 18mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm). (^[6])

• “200mm f/4D ED-IF AF Micro-Nikkor” (20 replies) — Asked about the Nikon 200mm f/4 macro lens for underwater use. The thread revealed the lens required a tripod collar that could not be removed, creating housing challenges. Respondents including Kasey and Scorpio Fish shared experiences using it in Aquatica housings for extreme macro work. (^[7])

Certification Community Survey

“Whats your Certification agency - level and year??” (46 replies) became one of Wetpixel’s most-replied community survey threads. Mark started it by sharing his NAUI Divemaster certification from 1982 and invited others to share their dive training histories. The thread revealed the community’s deep experience levels, with certifications spanning from 1974 NASDS to 2005 CCR Trimix. (^[8])

Continued Activity into 2020s

Mark remained active through the early-to-mid 2020s, posting about:

• Nauticam flat port options for the D850 with N120 system, seeking larger diameter flat ports for longer lenses (2023). (^[9])
• Buying direct from Subal amid US distributor difficulties (2018). (^[10])
• Maintenance schedules for Subal housings (2018). (^[11])

Activity Profile

• Peak years: 2005—2008, with sustained activity through 2026
• Geographic focus: California, Guadalupe Island (great white sharks), Indonesia (Sorong to Bali), Indo-Pacific
• Equipment history: Nikonos III and V, Nikon F3 in Aquatica (1985), Nikon F5 in Subal (2005), Nikon D300 (2007), Nikon D800 in Subal ND800 (2012+), Nikon D850 in Nauticam (2018+)
• Strobes: Ikelite 200, Ikelite DS-125
• Diving background: NAUI Divemaster, certified 1982, 40+ years of underwater photography
• Threads started: 96
• Last appearance: May 2026 (still active)