rtrski

Forum username: rtrski
Posts: 972
Active years: 2007–2016
Primary forums: Photography Gear and Technique, Trip Reports and Travel, General Chat
Specialization: DIY engineering, 3D printing for underwater photography, Sony systems, technical problem-solving

Community Role

rtrski was one of Wetpixel’s most technically inventive community members, bringing an engineering mindset to underwater photography gear. With 972 posts over a decade of active participation, he was a consistent presence in the Photography Gear and Technique forum, contributing detailed technical knowledge on topics ranging from housing design theory to fiber optic strobe synchronization to 3D-printed accessories.

His professional background is in electromagnetic analysis using finite element method (FEM) software, working with 3D modeling and rapid prototyping in a professional engineering context. He brought this technical sophistication to his underwater photography hobby, approaching problems with an engineer’s analytical rigor and willingness to experiment (^[1]).

rtrski shot with Sony cameras — initially an A55 SLT, later an A99 for topside work — housed in Ikelite housings with Inon Z240 strobes. He used a variety of lenses including the Sigma 8-16mm wide angle and 105mm macro, and was a dedicated Nikon-to-Sony convert who brought deep knowledge of both systems to forum discussions.

Notable Contributions

Pioneer of 3D Printing for UW Photography

rtrski’s most distinctive contribution to the Wetpixel community was his early adoption and advocacy of 3D printing for creating custom underwater photography accessories. In July 2012, he announced his purchase of a Solidoodle v2 3D printer — one of the early consumer-grade fused filament fabrication (FFF) machines — and solicited ideas from the community for underwater photography parts that could be 3D printed in ABS plastic.

His initial ideas included custom zoom sleeves/gears for specific lenses, fiber optic cable management parts, snoot components, ring flash hardware, compass/watch mounts for housings, protective dome port covers, and replacement knobs for Inon strobes in glow-in-the-dark ABS. The thread generated enthusiastic response and became a reference point for DIY-minded underwater photographers (^[2]).

By 2013, he had printed functional parts including a compass mount collar for an Ikelite handle and adapters for TOSlink audio fiber optic cables to serve as inexpensive alternatives to purpose-built underwater fiber optic cables. He cautioned others against printing pressure-critical components like ports, noting from experience that FFF prints have pinhole gaps and weaker layer-to-layer bonds that make them unsuitable for housing integrity (^[3]).

Positive Pressure Housing Concept

In 2007, rtrski started a provocative theoretical discussion about using positive internal pressure in underwater housings as a leak-prevention mechanism. The thread “Weird idea…POSITIVE pressure housing” generated 29 replies and drew in perspectives from housing manufacturers and experienced divers. The discussion touched on engineering principles, patent history (Westinghouse and Sea Fathoms held patents on the concept), and practical considerations. This foreshadowed the later adoption of vacuum-based leak detection systems by manufacturers like Nauticam and Hugyfot (^[4]).

DIY TTL Optical Trigger

In 2016, rtrski devised an elaborate but effective solution to a problem specific to early Sony SLT cameras. The A55’s electronic viewfinder would go black when set to manual exposure settings typical of strobe-lit underwater photography (e.g., ISO 200, f/11, 1/160s), because the camera simulated the predicted exposure in the viewfinder. His workaround involved using an Ikelite DS51 strobe as a TTL light source feeding through 3D-printed fiber optic adapters to trigger his Inon Z240 strobes optically. He used repurposed Monoprice TOSlink audio cables at $6-8 each as disposable fiber optic links, a fraction of the cost of purpose-built underwater fiber optic cables (^[5]).

Active Commenter on Articles

rtrski left 14 comments on Wetpixel articles, engaging with coverage of gear announcements, software updates, and community events. He commented on articles about the Ikelite DS-160 strobe, Canon 5D Mark II underwater video, Nauticam housing announcements, Wetpixel Quarterly magazine, Apple Aperture 3, and DEMA Show coverage, among others.

Dive Travel

rtrski was an active recreational diver based in the United States who combined diving with photography. His forum threads reveal trips to:

• Dominica (2008) — A 10-night trip with whale watching and reef diving at the Anchorage hotel (^[6])
• Flower Gardens (Texas) — Regular trips via the Fling and Spree liveaboards (^[7])
• Cold water diving — Pursued drysuit certification around 2009, seeking recommendations for compressed neoprene suits for 50°F+ water (^[8])

Notable Forum Threads

• “3D Printer prep - ideas for plastic parts you wish they made?” (33 replies, 2012) — Pioneering thread on 3D printing for UW photography (^[9])
• “Weird idea…POSITIVE pressure housing” (29 replies, 2007) — Engineering discussion on positive-pressure housing concepts (^[10])
• “‘Beginner’ Drysuit recommendations” (25 replies, 2009) — Detailed equipment research thread (^[11])
• “Dominica bound!” (23 replies, 2008) — Trip planning and report (^[12])
• “Drysuit underwear temp range recommendations” (16 replies, 2013) — Cold water diving gear discussion (^[13])
• “The world’s bulkiest TTL optical trigger…” (6 replies, 2016) — DIY engineering solution for Sony SLT cameras (^[14])

Activity Profile

• First post: July 14, 2007
• Last post: June 16, 2016
• Peak years: 2008–2013
• 48 threads started
• 14 article comments
• Activity score: 1,144